All of us are looking for happiness, but most of us look for it in the wrong places, in the wrong person, in the wrong perspective.
Continue reading Finding Your Happiness By Keeping The Faith
Finding Your Happiness By Keeping The Faith
What To Care And Not To Care
Caring is a positive thing and can be your strength. It gives you the ability to have empathy for others. It will allow you to enjoy and grow in your relationships as you learn about others and yourself. Happiness can sometimes be found in your ability to care for others.
Positive Psychiatry: The Joy In Giving
Positivity is gaining that much popularity in recent years, especially among the millennials, developing the tendency of having an optimistic attitude.
Nature Therapy: A Secret To Mental Wellness
I love mountain climbing and cliff diving as these activities enable me to feel that I am a part of the lacework of God called life, that I am not isolated from nature. Traversing different forests allows me to have the opportunity to explore my relationship with everything that God has created that is often overlooked and ignored by many.
Continue reading Nature Therapy: A Secret To Mental Wellness
5 Ways For A Happier And Healthier Gardening
Some of us get happiness from our green friends. Watching something grow from our own backyard can be more than fulfilling, especially for those who love home. There are some who don’t run out of ideas on transforming their house into wonderland, and they just love plants all over.
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My Notebook, My Pens, And The Joy They Give
Notebooks and pens will never go out of style because of people like me. Here’s why.
Continue reading My Notebook, My Pens, And The Joy They Give
Kicking Stress, Anxiety Out With Forest Therapy
Japan’s shinrin-yoku is making waves in the Western World. How do we do forest bathing the American way?
Continue reading Kicking Stress, Anxiety Out With Forest Therapy
On Becoming What You Want To Be
When you were young, your family told you that you could be whatever you want to be, and you believed it. However, as time passed by, you cannot help but think that maybe there will be times when you cannot pursue what you want to do.
There will be times when reality will glare at you and slap you with the realization that your dreams are not practical. After what you have been through, you might also think that you are not good enough for those dreams. These realizations continue to be one of the most hurtful things in the world.
However, as people would say it, having a dream is not supposed to be easy. It is supposed to hurt, and it is supposed to challenge you. Only then can you be deserving of that dream.
So what can you do to attain your heart’s desires?
Be Aware Of Your Dreams
“Self-love is not simply a state of feeling good. It is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth.” Deborah Khoshaba Psy.D. said. With that, you have to acknowledge your hearts’ desires. You can do this by examining yourself. Sometimes, this part comes naturally. Becoming aware of your dreams gives direction to your life because it is what gets you out of bed every single day. Your passion is what moves you to be a better version of yourself. However, it can also be the reason why you will feel powerless, especially at times when reaching for your dreams seems futile.
Embrace Your Emotions
Afraid? In doubt? These emotions will not leave you, especially when you are doing something that makes your heart race. So, what you can do is to embrace those emotions. You have to do it while being afraid and while being in doubt of your capabilities. After all, you can only be brave and muster your courage in times of fear. When you learn to embrace these emotions, which once seemed intimidating, you will start to feel powerful.
Take Action
You cannot conquer your dreams merely by thinking about them. You need to act on them. They do not turn into reality through daydreaming. You have to make a lot of sacrifices to turn your dreams into actuality. It may seem daunting, but you need to convince yourself that you are strong and that you can do anything, especially when it brings you closer to your passion.
Learn From Failures
According to counselor Monte Drenner, “No one likes to fail, but some people take it harder than others.” Accept that there will always be failures along the way . However, it is not enough that you accept them; it is more important that you learn from them. Always remember that going after your dreams has a price. But after all those difficulties and failures, tell yourself that those experiences are all worth it: you grew, and you became a better version of yourself. You will thank yourself for not succumbing to failures.
Understand that you do not need to follow these steps strictly; these are just guides for you, a starting point. In Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psy.D. blog, she says, “If you are struggling with low self-esteem, it is encouraged that you seek some type of help and support to work through this issue, and to help you be the best version of yourself that you can be.” Ultimately, you will be the one who will craft your success story. So, we wish you luck and lots of courage in fighting for your dreams!
Art Journaling, Me, And Everybody
Finding it challenging to maintain a daily journal? I did, too, a year ago. Then I discovered art journaling.
Using Music As A Coping Skill
Source: pixabay.com
Listening to music can be a form of support for your favorite artists, but it can also be a coping mechanism. It does not matter whether you like listening to genres such as pop, EDM, contemporary, or K-pop for pleasure and contentment. Listening to music, in general, has a lot of psychological benefits as well.
Hans Christian Andersen once wrote, “Where words fail, music speaks.” People agree this statement could not be more accurate. Music can take us to unimaginable places, with the emotions we never knew exist inside us. It can help us release our frustrations, console us during the moments we grieve, and even bring peace and solace to our minds.
Music To Cope
Music can alter people’s moods, and for a lot of them, they use it as a coping mechanism.
1. Listening
“Therapy doesn’t have to be talk-based; there are some modalities, like music therapy and art therapy, that can help you get those in tune with those emotions without having to cough them up verbally,” says Hannah Goodman, LMHC. Just like our struggles in life, we cannot fully heal and find a solution if we run away from it. People use music to cope with listening to it. Try figuring out what you are feeling and create a playlist consisting of songs which your current state of mind relates to. In this way, you give yourself time to feel without rushing yourself to be entirely okay.
On the other hand, you may do the opposite. If you feel miserable, find a song that makes you think you want to get out of bed, and conquer your goals. If you feel like you have no energy left in your body, listen to an upbeat song that makes you want to move.
Source: pixabay.com
2. Instrument
Playing an instrument is another great way to use music as a coping skill. It also helps improve intellectual wellness. Marjie L. Roddick, MA, NCC, LMHC, once said, “Intellectual wellness is when you recognize your unique talents to be creative and you seek out ways to use your knowledge and skills. When you foster your intellectual wellness, you participate in activities that cultivate mental growth.” Once you get your hands on an instrument, you can express so many emotions without having to utter a single word and improve cognitive function as well.
3. Writing
One of the best ways to release bottled-up emotions is through writing. Yes, “Not everyone agrees, though, that the mere act of writing is necessarily beneficial. In fact, initial writing about trauma triggers distress and physical and emotional arousal, researchers have found. And not all people will work through that distress therapeutically or through continued writing.” says Helen Marlo, PhD. But the great thing with that is, you can write whatever you feel, and who knows, it might turn out to be the next hit song.
4. Social Connection
Music is one way of connecting with people, be it through sharing playlists, talking about your favorite artists, or merely recommending songs.
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Music For Mental Health
Music can relax our mind, energize our body, help us release emotions, and manage pain. Aside from coping, it also has a lot of benefits.
- Listening to music can enhance your performance during cognitive tasks.
- Music is an excellent de-stressor. It covers a variety of genres, and you will surely find one that will calm your nerves and will help you to relax.
- According to a study, listening to music can be a safe and affordable treatment for insomnia.
- Upbeat and fast-paced music helps and motivates people to exercise and have a healthy living.
Music can inspire and entertain individuals, but it also has psychological benefits. Instead of thinking about it just as an entertainment, consider that it can also improve your health and well-being, be it through the melodies or lyrics. Incorporate music into your everyday life; it might give you the change and peace you have been longing.