Remember when our parents used to tell us “you grow in your sleep”? They were right. A lack of sleep early on can disrupt the level of hormones in our brain, resulting in growth problems. Good sleep should start when you are young, and at any age it is very important to get a good night’s sleep.
Our bodies and minds have evolved over thousands of years to endure stress. Whether that is a threatening predator, extreme temperatures, starvation, or dehydration, our bodies are prepared to handle stress when it arises in our environment. However, the stress that we as humans experience today is significantly different but it manifests itself through the same hormonal processes. Our minds are under stress from work, school, relationships, and the constant stream of information coming from our phones. Learning how to better manage the psychological stresses of daily living helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and helps to boost the effectiveness of treatments for these conditions.
Covid-19 continues to take a toll on large numbers of the population as cases increase in the Bay Area and across parts of the world. This pandemic has impacted our mental health, education, jobs, businesses, and the larger economy, causing an abundance of stress that we all hope will eventually abate.
Boy oh boy, what a month April has been! Where do we go from here and how do we continue caring for ourselves during these difficult times? It’s up to you! While we are all self-isolating, your continued mental health should be your TOP priority. An important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Billions of people around the world are uniting in an effort to combat Covid-19 and you are one of them! Take comfort in the fact that humanity is in this together, and we will get through this together. Feeling like “the world is ending” is common, but does not contribute towards combating the virus or maintaining a strong state of mind. Maintaining your routine of care is vital for your overall health.
Clearly, our lives have changed. We are optimistic that our lives will return to a new normal with new experiences that have caused us all a level of pain, but also a level of growth. This blog is centered upon growth. We believe that growth comes by surrounding ourselves with positive input, being connected to others, and being active. Over the next few months, we update this blog with content, thoughts and ideas, and activities to allow each of us to stay positive, connected, and active
What does holistic living mean? Living a holistic lifestyle can be interpreted in many ways and can be unique to each person. Essentially, it means looking at oneself as a whole being, instead of compartmentalizing. Through this lens, there is an acknowledgement of interconnectedness of various facets of health: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Each blend with one another and affect us no matter how much we try to separate them. Holistic living brings balance and understanding of health from all perspectives. Yes, there are many misconceptions about holistic lifestyles; but when implemented you see that it is solely about living your best, fullest, most whole life.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) was founded in 1987 by Jane Honikman in Santa Barbara, California. The purpose of the organization is to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional changes that women experience during pregnancy and postpartum.
NAMI California is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization of 76 affiliated groups with a total membership of over 14,000. It is a statewide advocacy group of families, friends, recovering persons with mental illness and professionals who are dedicated to improving the care, treatment, rehabilitation and status of people with mental illness and the pursuit of cures through research.
Current standards on psych meds and pregnancy from MGH
The shorter days and longer nights of fall and winter can really affect the way some people feel. In fact, science tells us that our body’s circadian clock monitors changes in day length and works as an internal time clock. It tells us when to feel tired and when to wake up. It also plays a big role in our hormone regulation and mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that usually appears during the winter months.
