Today is World Mental Health Day. To highlight the importance of workplace wellbeing, the theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health for 2024 is Workplace Mental Health.
Work can be incredibly beneficial for our health, giving us purpose, challenge, a sense of achievement and, for many of us, the opportunity to connect with others. Sometimes, however, work can cause us negative stress or make us anxious, and can be a trigger for deteriorating mental health.
Mental health in the workplace is a hot topic within the veterinary industry given the emotional challenges working in practice can bring. Sadly, in the UK, vets are 3-4 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
At 387 Vets, we place a strong emphasis on workplace wellbeing and looking after our workplace family. All team are invested in our culture and live by our collectively agreed values. We champion people’s professional passions, celebrate strengths and nurture growth and new learning. We appreciate how much a sense of community amongst team counts. We have regular catch ups, lots of forums for discussion and our monthly long coffee breaks give team a chance stop, get together and chew the cud. We have wellbeing action plans in place and if we notice someone is struggling we have strategies to support. Next year we’re planning to work through the ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ framework, a new accreditation introduced by Investors in People, to continue to invest in positive workplace review and change.
The charity Mind have a great bank of online resources to support everyday living and workplace wellbeing.
And in the words of the old adage, a problem shared is a problem halved.
Wishing you all a happy World Mental Health Day. Please take the opportunity to be kind to yourselves.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
What started as a Facebook page for me to share my happenings with everyone, turned into this blog as my fans wanted to hear even more about my life! From welcoming customers at the family frame shop, to performing with my famous trick pony friends, and my adventurous weekends with my mom and dad – you’ve pretty much seen it all.
While I absolutely love sharing my daily life with all of you, after 7 years of documenting my every move I’m starting to feel like I need a little vacation.
So while I’m technically not going anywhere, I am planning to take a little step back from my blog so that I can soak up all the fun with my family without feeling like I need to snap photos every step of the way.
Now this doesn’t mean you won’t see any blog posts from me in the future, it just means for now my regular posting schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday every week won’t be around. Instead I plan to share when I’ve got something that I just can’t wait to tell you about. You know, the juicy stuff.
And even though I won’t have a new blog post as often, you can still follow me on Facebook & Instagram where I still plan to share little snapshots into my life more regularly. If you’d like to be the first to know when I do have a special blog post to share, make sure you’ve signed up for my E-Mail updates. Which means you’ll get an e-mail every time I publish a new blog post.
Finally I wanted to say Thank You. Thank you to all of you who have kept up with my adventures, whether it be occasionally, or every single day. Know that it’s you that have kept me blogging these past 7 years. I’ve read every single comment you’ve left me, and every e-mail you’ve sent. I treasure all of them, even if I don’t always have the time to respond. Hopefully you can understand my need for a vacation from the blog after all these years.
Our journey never ends. My next adventure is just around the corner, and I can hear it calling. xoxo,
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Last month I talked about the 3 step system to help you move yourself up the emotional ladder.
Transforming from Guilt and Shame to a Healthier, Self-Affirming Life
Step one starts with acknowledging how you feel right now. Step two, which can be the hardest, is to accept yourself as you are. When I was deep in my depression and feeling a lot of self-disgust, I had to believe that I was worthy of a better life, even though I had no external evidence for it. This is the juice you need to fire your engine and get out of your behavior cycles. And finally, step three is reaching for the next higher feeling.
After reading my article last month, a reader asked how do we move from the lower levels of guilt and shame to living a healthier and self-affirming life? This is the focus of this month’s article.
It starts with an understanding of the Law of Attraction – your life is a giant mirror and your outer world faithfully reflects your inner emotions about yourself, the world, and your place in it.
Are you in a situation where your past or present behavior makes you feel guilty, shameful, undeserving of love? If so, you are experiencing the lowest vibration (emotion) on Abraham Hicks’ Emotional Guidance Scale. Click here for the full sized scale. What you may not realize is that the more you focus on these emotions, the more you recreate them in your life. The goal is to reach for the next higher level emotion inside of you.
Start by taking 15 minutes daily and thinking about one aspect about yourself that you can appreciate. For example, with my weight loss clients who claim they hate everything about their body, I ask, even your eyes? How about your fingers? If you have trouble with it, go back to childhood. Perhaps you were a curious child, or was imaginative, full of live? Reconnect with that piece of you, no matter how long ago that was.
As you focus on this part of you that you appreciate, what feelings come up? Can you feel any positive emotion for that part of you, no matter how trivial it may be?
Harnessing the Power of Deep Breath and Emotions for Self-Deserved Positivity
Take deep, full breaths and allow these feelings to penetrate every cell in your body. How does it feel? Does it make you feel light? See if you intensify the physical feelings and emotions. As you focus on these feelings, ask yourself if there is one positive situation that you feel you deserve today. It does not have to be big. It could be a smile from a stranger, or maybe a word of kindness or appreciation. But it does have to be something that you do not emotionally reject because you feel undeserving.
Regardless of what your life looks like now, it is important to realize that our current circumstances do not need to define our future reality. Every sports star has to first visualize order Phentermine herself as a winner many years prior to the first competition. As you spend time visualizing appreciating yourself, the Law of Attraction will do the heavy lifting for you. It will bring you the next thought of appreciation, which will be matched by another. Soon you will experience people responding to you in positive ways and circumstances and situations will literally rearrange themselves to match your thoughts and emotions. That’s the power of the Law of Attraction! All it requires is spending a few minutes sending kind thoughts your way.
“The Law of Attraction is responding to your thought, not to your current reality. When you change the thought, your reality must follow suit. If things are going well for you, then focusing upon what is happening now will cause the well-being to continue, but if there are things happening now that are not pleasing, you must find a way of taking your attention away from those unwanted things.” – Abraham Hicks (Money & the Law of Attraction)
By doing this exercise you have the ability to quickly change your patterns of thought, and eventually your life experience. You can read more about it in The Astonishing Power of Emotions: Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide by Esther and Jerry Hicks.
Naheed Oberfeld is an EFT practitioner, coach, and speaker based out of Germantown Maryland. She uses EFT and the Law of Attraction to help her clients live their full potential by releasing patterns of behavior that keep them stuck. She has helped her clients grow their business, reach their career goals, and mend broken relationships, all while creating a life of ease, joy, and passion.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Exercise and physical activity has long been recognized as key contributors to physical health, but their effects on mental health are just as important. Exercise plays a role in managing stress and improving mood. Read on to learn how physical exercise can benefit your mental health and well-being.
How Exercise Affects the Brain: The Science Behind the Connection
Exercise is known to have a range of physical health benefits, but did you know that it can also have significant effects on your mental health?
Studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and even lead to improved cognitive functioning. So, how does exercise improve mental health?
The science behind the connection is complex and still being studied, but there are some key factors that help explain the effects.
The release of hormones such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine is key to understanding the relationship between exercise and mental health. Endorphins, often referred to as the “feel-good” hormone, are released during physical exercise and help to relieve stress, reduce pain, and give a sense of euphoria. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating many cognitive processes, including sleep and mood. Regular exercise can help increase the production of serotonin in the brain, leading to improved mood and better sleep quality. Lastly, dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with reward-seeking behavior; exercise has been shown to increase dopamine levels in the brain, giving us a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
These hormones play a critical role in how exercise helps mental health; by releasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine during exercise, we experience a range of positive mental health benefits that extend past the duration of the workout. Exercise can also increase oxygen flow to the brain, leading to improved concentration and cognitive functioning. Additionally, it helps to reduce stress hormones like cortisol which can lead to decreased stress levels and improved mental well-being.
The answer to “does exercise improve mental health?”, is a resounding yes. Not only can moderate exercise help to improve our mood and reduce stress levels, but it can also lead to increased cognitive functioning and improved overall mental health. Incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine is an easy way to promote your mental well-being.
Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health
Physical activity has long been suggested for physical health and wellness. However, exercise is also important for an individual’s mental health. It can help to improve overall well-being and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Exercise also has the potential to improve mood, self-esteem, sleep, and concentration. But how does exercise improve mental health?
Physical activity helps to boost endorphins, the hormones that make us feel good. When it comes to mental health, exercise can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activity can reduce cortisol levels, which in turn helps to decrease stress. Exercise can also be a form of distraction from troubling thoughts or stressful situations, allowing us to refocus our energy on something positive. Additionally, exercise can be an outlet for frustration or anger that may otherwise manifest itself in negative ways. Incorporating physical activity into daily life is a great way to start building healthier habits that can benefit us long-term.
Types of Exercises for Mental Wellness
From running to weightlifting, stretching to yoga, there are a variety of activities that can help improve your mood and reduce stress levels.
Cardiovascular activities: cardiovascular exercises, such as running or biking, can help you burn off stress and anxiety, as well as boost endorphin levels.
Strength training: Strength training, such as lifting weights, cluster sets, drop sets, or doing bodyweight exercises, can help increase serotonin levels and reduce symptoms of depression.
Yoga and meditation: Yoga is a great way to reduce stress levels and practice mindfulness, while stretching can help improve circulation and ease muscle tension.
No matter what kind of exercise you choose, it’s important to find something that works for you. Regular exercise can help you manage stress levels and feel better mentally, so find an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine.
Incorporating Exercise into Daily Life
Physical activity and moderate exercise are important parts of a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce stress, increase endorphins, and promote relaxation. Exercise can also help combat symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve overall mood, and enhance cognitive functioning.
When it comes to incorporating exercise into daily life, the most important thing to keep in mind is that any physical activity is better than nothing. This can be as simple as going for a short walk or jog, playing with your dog in the park, or taking a yoga class. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, but even 10-15 minutes of exercise can have positive effects.
Exercise and Social Connection: How Physical Activity Fosters Positive Relationships
Exercise is not only beneficial for physical health, but it can also have a tremendous impact on mental health. As stated early, research has shown that regular physical activity has a positive effect on cognitive function, mood, and mental well-being…but it can also foster social connections and interactions.
Physical activity provides an opportunity for people to socialize with peers and form meaningful relationships. When we are socially connected to other people, our sense of self-worth increases, which can help alleviate depression and anxiety. Working out with a partner or fitness community also gives us something to look forward to, fitness accountability, and the support and encouragement of friends or family can be very beneficial in keeping us motivated.
Being active with friends or family can also provide a distraction from worrying thoughts and bring us into the present moment. It helps us break out of negative thought patterns and encourages self-care.
Furthermore, exercise encourages collaboration and competition, which can be beneficial for mental health. Working together with a team to reach a goal gives us a sense of purpose and accomplishment, while competing against others helps to develop a healthy sense of self-confidence.
In summary, moderate physical activity does more than just improve physical health; it is an effective way to create social connections and improve mental health. Exercise boosts self-confidence, releases endorphins, provides a distraction from negative thoughts, and encourages collaboration and competition. Regular physical activity can make a significant difference in how we feel, both mentally and physically.
Exercise with Chuze
Making physical activity a priority will benefit not only your physical and mental health but also your overall well-being. Whether you’re just starting out as a way to improve mental wellness or looking to take your workout to the next level, Chuze fitness has something for everyone. We offer a variety of IChuze classes and activities designed to help you get the most out of your workout. Whether you’re looking to build strength and endurance, de-stress after a long day, or just have fun while getting fit, our fitness classes are designed to keep you motivated and give you the tools you need to reach your fitness goals. Find a gym near you and experience the benefits of exercise for yourself!
Reviewed By:
Ani is the Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group fitness and team training departments. She’s had a 25+ year career in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, CA and loves hot yoga, snowboarding and all things wellness.
Sources:
Health. “Exercise and Mental Health.” Vic.gov.au, 2017, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health.
Sharma, Ashish. “Exercise for Mental Health.” The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, vol. 8, no. 2, Apr. 2006, https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v08n0208a
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
The diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder requires a pervasive pattern of eccentric behavior, discomfort with close relationships, and cognitive or perceptual disturbances, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
≥ 5 of the following must also be present: Mnemonic “PECULIARS“
Paranoid – suspicious
Eccentric – odd behavior or appearance
Cultural norms – odd beliefs or magical thinking that are inconsistent with cultural norms.
Unusual perceptual experiences – such as bodily illusions
Lacks – few close friends or confidants
Ideasof references – excluding delusions of reference
Speech / thinking – unusual speech/thinking such as vague, stereotyped, etc.
Symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of another mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder with psychotic features, or the effects of another medical condition. If criteria are met prior to the onset of schizophrenia, add “premorbid” as a specifier to the diagnosis.
Prevalence is estimated to be 3-5% of the general population, however this is difficult to study since those with the disorder rarely seek treatment and it is uncommon in clinical settings.
The ratio of men to woman is unknown, however DSM-5 suggest the disorder may be slightly more common in males. There is also an association in females with fragile x syndrome.
Relatives of patients with schizophrenia show a higher incidence of schizotypal PD than among control participants, especially when schizotypal features were not associated with comorbid mood symptoms. There is also a higher incidence among monozygotic twins than among dizygotic twins (33 percent vs. 4 percent in one study).
Other factors that may increase risk include prenatal insults such as influenza exposure, childhood trauma, chronic stress, and certain genetic factors (COMT Val158Met polymorphism).
Prognosis: May be first apparent in childhood with poor peer relationships, social anxiety, peculiar thoughts and language, and bizarre fantasies. Due to their odd or eccentric beliefs and behaviors they may attract teasing. Typically has a chronic course with lifelong marital/relational and job-related problems, with a small minority developing schizophrenia.
Those with schizotypal personality disorder rarely seek treatment themselves. If they are referred to treatment by a spouse or an employer, they can often present themselves as put together and appear undistressed, however may appear odd or eccentric and the diagnosis is based on their peculiarity of thinking, behavior, and appearance.
“Magical thinking” may include belief in fantasies, superstitions, clairvoyance, telepathy, etc. Odd behaviors may include involvement in cults or strange religious practices.
Mental status exam: taking a history may be difficult because of the patients unusual way of thinking and communicating. They will likely look, act, and speak in a way that is perceived as peculiar or eccentric. They may speak in a way that has meaning only to them and often needs interpretation. They may have difficulty identifying their mood or feelings, however they are often sensitive to negative affects of others. These individuals may be superstitious or believe they have special powers of thought and insight. Some premises of their beliefs may be false, however thoughts should not technically reach the level of delusional thinking. They may experience perceptual disturbances such as body illusions or macropsia (condition in which visual objects are perceived to be larger than they are objectively sized).
Differential diagnosis: consider and rule out schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or other psychotic disorders (patients with schizotypal PD are not frankly psychotic, although they may have transient psychosis under stressful situations but these are usually brief). Differentiating schizotypal PD and neurodevelopmental disorders such as mild forms of autisim spectrum disorder (ASD) or language communication disorders can be challenging in some cases. ASD may be differentiated by stereotyped behaviors and interests and more severely impaired social interactions. Communication disorders may be differentiated by the characteristic features of impaired language. Also consider other personality disorders in the differential diagnosis, particularly other cluster A disorders (schizoid, paranoid). The cluster A disorders have certain shared features, however paranoid PD exhibit more social engagement and greater tendency to project their feelings onto others and schizoid PD do not display the same eccentric behavior and magical thinking seen in schizotypal PD. The social isolation of schizotypal PD can be distinguished from that of avoidant PD, which is attributable to fear of being embarrassed and excessive anticipation of rejection. Patients with schizotypal PD may show some features of borderline personality disorder, and some studies show a high rate of co-occurrence between the two disorders. Shared features may include transient psychotic-like symptoms in response to stress (borderline PD usually more related to affective shifts such as intense anger or disappointment and are usually more dissociative) and social isolation (isolation in borderline PD usually secondary to repeated interpersonal failures to due to frequent mood shifts, angry outburts, or impulsivity rather than than the lack of social contacts or desire to be alone).
General approach to personality disorders: In general, the first-line treatment of all personality disorders is psychotherapy, however, the data is not robust and depending on the personality disorder, patients rarely seek treatment themselves unless they have other comorbid behavioral health conditions. Patients with personality disorders may be highly symptomatic and are often prescribed multiple medications in a manner unsupported by evidence.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for schizotypal PD, however little is known about effective psychotherapeutic approaches for this condition. The principles of treatment of schizotypal PD do not differ from those of schizoid PD. Treatments options are limited and insufficiently studied. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been advocated for and case studies support its potential effectiveness, however systematic data is lacking. Other approaches that have been used include psychodynamic therapy and social skills training. It may take considerable time to slowly develop trust and rapport with these patients. These patients have odd patterns of thinking and some are involved strange practices and it is important for therapists to remain non-judgmental about these beliefs or activities.
Pharmacotherapy: There are no FDA approved medications for schizotypal PD. In clinical trials, the most frequently studied drug is risperidone, and the most frequently studied class of drugs is the antipsychotics, followed by the antidepressants. Some patients have benefited from small dosages of antipsychotics which has been shown to reduce general symptoms, particularly illusions, ideas of reference, paranoid ideation, anxiety, and quasi-delusional thinking or transient psychosis during stress. Serotonergic antidepressants have been used for rejections sensitivity or when a depressive component of the personality is present. Expectations for treatment response should be attenuated and the potentially limited benefits must outweigh the risks associated with medication treatment. Comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders should be treated accordingly (see treatment of depression; treatment of anxiety).
Conclusion
Next lesson we will cover antisocial personality disorder. If you want more learning resources then check out our recommended resources page.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
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