Good News for the Soul

A women's health blog for mid-life women learning how to manage their health and their life.

Category: Mental Health

  • How Remote Working can affect your Mental Health

    I’ve recently read an interesting article about something I’ve been doing lately and that’s remote working.  It talked about how doing this type of work could affect your mental health.  The article brought out some negative aspects, but it also shared how you can rectify those problems as well.

         Remote working, or working from home, has been fully embraced by many Americans across the country.  Many love doing this because of the convenience, flexibility and the stress-free environment.  However, with every work endeavor, there always disadvantages as well.

    This isn’t my laptop, but ironically I do have a Dell laptop where I write on this blog

         There are times when working from home could be lonely for the worker.  They don’t have the continuous interaction between people that a regular job brings.  Our co-workers, managers and supervisors are great people in developing our social network.  The solution to this problem is to always make sure you have a social life.  Set aside daily time to get out of the house to visit family and friends.

         A study was also mentioned in the article.  It consisted of 1,100 workers and of the 52% who worked from home some of the time, many of them felt mistreated or not treated equally by their colleagues.  This is why it is vital to keep the lines of virtual communication clear and specific.  It is vital to prioritize clear communication when emailing and messaging coworkers.  Emails can be misinterpreted as being rude or too direct.  So you must be careful in the messages you’re sending to people.

         Another amazing point mentioned in the article is that the leaders of a team must value the virtual worker.  They must not take them for granted.  They are still an integral part of the team and it’s important to focus on building relationships with them rather than just delegating tasks.  This could be part of the reason why many workers in the study felt mistreated or not treated equally.     

    Working remotely is more “laidback” than working in the office, but if not handled properly, it could lead to a negative impact on your mental health.  For more information on the link between remote working and mental health, check out the articles, “Remote working has a surprising effect on mental health” on www.inverse.com and “11 traits you need to be an effective remote worker” on www.businessinsider.com.  

  • Clinical Depression- Hope for Women in their 30s and 40s

    Depression is a widespread mental illness that is affecting many people worldwide.  While it is affecting women of all ages, I’m going to focus on women in their 30s and 40s.  Women between the ages of 25 and 44 are the ones dealing with the condition more frequently, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.  How are they being impacted by this condition?  Are there any treatments or solutions to their inner pain?  We are going to find out the answers to these questions in this post.

    Depression is affecting more women in their 30s and 40s.

         First of all, depression affects people in different ways.  One person may show signs of it by constantly overeating.  While a different person may show depression signs by constantly starving oneself.  Regardless, each sign is outside the norm of what a person’s behavior should be.  When we see our loved ones exhibiting these behaviors, we must take the time to get that person the help they need.

         According to the mhanational.org website, more women experience depression than men.  While the reasons for this are still unclear, they may include the hormonal changes women go through during menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.  Other reasons could be stress caused by the multiple responsibilities that women have.  The website states that approximately 12 million women in the United States experience clinical depression each year.

         But with every dark cloud comes a silver lining and the condition is treatable with proper medication and psychotherapy.  The choice of treatment depends on the pattern, severity, persistence of depressive symptoms and the history of the illness.  As with many illnesses, early treatment is more effective and helps prevent the likelihood of serious recurrences.

         I recently came across an article that we put in our mouths can have an impact.  According to the article, “Changing Your Diet Can Help Tamp Down Depression, Boost Mood” on www.npr.org, there is evidence that eating a healthier diet of fruits and veggies can help reduce symptoms of depression.  So don’t underestimate what you’re putting in your body.     

    Depression is painful and is affecting many women in their 30s and 40s.  But there is hope in overcoming this disease.  Utilize the information about depression on www.mhanational.org and www.thekennedyforum.org.  

  • How English Teachers could Manage Stress

    Over these past few months, I have been teaching English online to Japanese students and it has been really nice.  However, there are plenty of online and offline English teachers like me who sometimes undergo the everyday stress of teaching.  What practical methods could we use to manage this condition?  Is there such thing as “good stress?”  Here are four proven methods in managing stress levels as a teacher.

    Many teachers fall prey to dealing with everyday stress

         One student I tutored recently online shared with me some information about how teachers could manage stress.  In this PowerPoint presentation, she shared some insightful things.  One thing is that it’s important to know how stress works in our minds and bodies.  This involves knowing about yourself and how you respond stress.  So it’s vital that we must pay attention to how we deal with different situations and circumstances.

            Once we identified how stress impacts us, we must figure out how to overcome it.  The number one way of doing this is social support.  You can’t be afraid to ask for help when things become too much for you to handle.  This is an occasional weakness for me and it probably is for most teachers.  We have to realize that as imperfect people we can only do so much.  That’s why a lot of teachers have assistants to help them with their daily duties.

         However, some stress could be good for you.  In the article, “9 Stress Management Strategies Every Teacher Needs to Know,” health psychologist Kelly McGonigal states that viewing your stress in constructive ways will actually cause your body to respond to it differently and prevent long-lasting physical damage.  However, if you continuously view it in negative ways, you will succumb to various detrimental health outcomes.  So, sometimes it’s beneficial to embrace the stress.

         I like this last method and I feel it is something we all need to practice more.  It is working smarter, not harder.  Teaching people doesn’t have to be stressful and hard.  It could be the opposite.  By choosing to work smarter as a teacher, you could find ways to delegate some of your work to other people.  Another way to work smarter is to invest in tech software and tools that could help in getting your work done in a timely manner.

         Being a teacher isn’t easy.  In fact, it could be a stressful job if we allow it to be.  But if you consider following these methods of managing stress, you will do well in this line of work.  For more methods in managing stress as a teacher, visit www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/9-stress-management-strategies-every-teacher-needs-know1612.html.  Also, here is the link to the PowerPoint presentation mentioned earlier – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r65iO8M4NGU5XX10AW3m70N-QP0vGt_Q/view.

  • Inside the Life and Mind of a person with Dementia

         In my previous blog posts, I have shed some light on dementia and Alzheimer’s before.  I have shed light some light on another type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia (FTD).  I have even discussed the possibility of coconut oil being a potential source of treatment.  But I haven’t really examined what life is like for people battling dementia.  What is life truly like in their struggle as they live with this disease?  In this post, I’m going to take the time to analyze the life and mind of a dementia patient.

    Dementia causes the many facets of the brain to deteriorate.

         A person with normal brain health feels lost and confused sometimes.  But a person with dementia has to deal with this more often.  When they become angry or sad, they’re unlikely able to tell you why they feel this way.  When they do things that may seem a bit strange from their usual personality, they’re likely unable to explain their actions.  This is a feeling of the brain becoming confused.  This is a feeling of the brain losing a sense of awareness.

         A person with normal brain health is capable of controlling their emotions.  But a person with dementia cannot.  This sickness will make them become a shell of their former self.  They’re unable to control how angry they become.  They’re unable to control how frustrated they become.  But even more sadly, they’re unable to laugh, smile and have fun often.  You have to kind of interject that action into them.  What a cruel disease we have to deal with.

         However, like the old saying goes, “with every cloud comes a silver lining.”  There are days when a person with this condition does start to show old “glimmers” of their former personality.  Everyone with dementia is different.  What that means is one person may have problems with having a conversation and another person may have a different common problem such as forgetting things quickly.  Whatever the degree of how dementia affects a person, it is still a painful deterioration of the brain.      So how should we caretakers and loved ones help them?  Well, we should be there for them.  We should realize these unusual changes in their personality are caused by this disease.  Be patient and sympathetic in any way that you can.  That’s what I will strive to do for my own loved one and I hope you will do the same.  For more information on FTD, Alzheimer’s and dementia in general, visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org, www.alz.org or www.theaftd.org.

  • Why we need each other when dealing with stress

    As brought out in a recent article, stress is an epidemic that seems to befall upon everyone, young and old alike.  Whether it is a health scare or financial problems, we all are confronted with it.  That’s why it is vital that we don’t isolate ourselves from one another.  By doing this, we will be seeking our own selfish longing.

         We must be there for each other when we see our friends going through problems such as health ailments, a death in the family, or the loss of a job.  Look for practical ways to assist our friends in the challenges they’re facing.  This involves being sympathetic and empathetic when speaking to them.

    We must be there for each other when we are going through so much stress.

        Stress could make us resort to “wild talk” sometimes.  But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to kick each other when we’re down.  We must be a source of comfort for one another.  This involves being swift about hearing, slow about speaking.  Every person needs a friend who will listen to them.  So lift our brothers and sisters when they are down.  Catch them when they fall.

             Even if you don’t know exactly what to say to comfort someone, it’s more than enough to be there for them.  Be there for that person as a shoulder to cry on.  Hold their hand or give them a hug.  Let them know that you’re here for them and that you care about them.  We’re all going through stress in these last days.  But it’s important that we help each other cope with it.  If you have anything you want to share on this topic, please leave a comment below.  Otherwise, please feel free to like this week’s post or subscribe to my blog.  Have a good stress-free weekend!

  • How to cope when your loved one falls sick

    It’s never easy to see someone you love, like a family member, become stricken to a fatal illness.  The older we get, the more likely we are going to succumb to illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.  When a person succumbs to these conditions, they become a shell of what they once were.  It pains any family member to see that person become physically ravaged by these conditions.  They may ask, “What are the best ways to coping with a loved one’s illness?”  Here are a few ways we could do so.

         The first way is to definitely educate yourself on the medical condition your loved one is dealing with.  My family and I have been educating ourselves about my aunt’s frontotemporal dementia condition.  By educating yourself, it keeps you well informed about the stages of your family member’s illness.  Ask the right specific questions to their doctor if you’re confused about something.  Try writing them down in advance before your next meeting with the doctor.  Being informed helps minimize the mental and emotional impact of a chronic illness.

    Don’t be afraid to ask your loved one’s doctor the right questions.

         The second way of coping is continuing to maintain a normal quality of life for your loved one.  You want your loved one to still enjoy life despite their condition.  Depending on the nature of their illness, many can still appreciate beautiful sights and sounds.  A father explains that his family loves the outdoors, but because of his son’s limitations, they don’t go on hiking trips.  So they instead find less strenuous outdoor activities.

         The third way is to confide in someone when dealing with feelings of stress.  Many have found opening up to a compassionate and understanding person to be a good way to cope.  One woman who has taken care of her mother and later her husband has found this to be the case.  She says it has become a source of relief and comfort for her when she could speak with caring friends.  One woman has says that it has helped her keep her balance.

         The last and fourth important way to cope is to maintain a positive attitude.  Although the situation can easily make you negative, you have to focus on the bright side of it all.  Share memories in a photo album with your loved one.  Focus on the things they can still do while they’re still here.  Many say laughter is the best medicine and that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Humor helps prevent a spirit of pessimism.

         Coping with a loved one stricken with a condition is not easy, but with help from medical professionals, family and friends, you can certainly do just that.  Have a sick loved one you help take care of?  Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below.  

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  • Four Bad Habits connected to Mental Disorders

    With this month of May being the month that we bring awareness to mental illnesses, how about we close out the month by sharing common bad habits that are connected to mental disorders?  Did you know that excessive showering could be linked to a disorder?  How about extreme plastic surgery?  Let’s examine these habits and two other habits that are linked to a few mental conditions.

         The first bad habit is skin picking.  Yes, if you have a habit of picking at your skin, that could be linked to a mental disorder.  This is called excoriation disorder.  A person with this condition picks at their healthy skin for hours.  It is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and can be treated with antidepressants.

    Excessively cutting your hair could be linked to a mental disorder.

        The second habit connected to a mental disorder is excessive plastic surgery.  I had no idea that there was a mental disorder connected to overindulging in the nip and tuck world.  But there is!  It is called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).  It is a disorder characterized by an overwhelming obsession with one’s appearance, to the point that it consumes them. A person may become consumed with dissatisfaction with their nose, cheeks and other areas of their body.  Some of the signs include excessive grooming and avoidance of mirrors, but antidepressants or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) could help in treating it.

         The third habit to analyze is the need to excessively cut your hair.  The disorder connected to this habit is trichotemnomania.  It is a rare disorder where the patient has an overwhelming compulsion to cut or shave their hair.  Sufferers of this disorder typically have high anxiety levels and turn to shaving their head or cutting off hair as a response to stress.  You could also treat this condition with antidepressants or behavioral therapy.

         The fourth and last habit that is connected to a disorder is excessive nail biting.  Onychophagia is a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRD) involving chronic, unmanageable biting of nails. People with this condition may find themselves embarrassed with the appearance of their nails, but unable to stop the biting.  Painting the nails with a bitter substance or wearing gloves may help stave off the nail biting.  However, if you find your condition is severe, cognitive behavioral therapy may be beneficial.

         If you’re personally dealing with any of these excessive habits, you may want to consider seeing a therapist.  But if you do one or some of these things in moderation, they may just be bad habits that are a little hard to break.  For more information on other habits that are connected to mental disorders, check out the article, “8 Habits Connected to Mental Disorders” on www.healthiguide.com.      

  • Three Serious Diseases Caused by a Lack of Sleep

    Last month, I wrote an article about improving the quality of your sleep.  But now I am going to shed light on illnesses that are associated with getting a lack of sleep.  As we all know, sleep is very important for our well-being.  But what happens when we start to neglect our eight hours of sleep? Here are three well known conditions that are caused by sleep reduction.

         The first condition that is caused by a lack of sleep is Alzheimer’s disease.  Sleep is necessary for the brain to function and once we start to lose it, we start to lose our minds, too. According to a recent study published in the JAMA Neurology journal, researchers from Johns Hopkins discovered that little sleep or poor quality of sleep is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and can even influence its progression.  So if you don’t want to be at risk of this condition, be sure to get some quality sleep.

    Sleep is important for lowering your risk against diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease

         The second condition that is linked to poor sleep is Obesity and Diabetes.  According to researchers from the University of Chicago, a link between poor sleep and obesity has been discovered that ultimately leads to diabetes.  This study found that little sleep led to fatty acid buildup, which impacts both metabolism and insulin sensitivity.  Clearly, healthy sleeping leads to keeping your weight down and not being at risk of diabetes.

         The third and last condition linked to poor sleep is Ulcerative Colitis.  This condition is known as a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.  Studies have found that colitis, along with Crohn’s disease, is correlated with sleep deprivation.  While little sleep could have an effect, too much sleep also puts people at risk.  That’s why it is important to get the right amount of sleep every night to avoid inflammation in the digestive tract.      Those are some of the diseases that are caused by sleep deprivation.  Getting good quality sleep is part of staying healthy.  So be sure to get your eight hours of sleep every night.  For more information on this issue, check out the article, “6 Diseases Caused by a Lack of Sleep,” on www.healthiguide.com.       

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