25 Fun Ways to Occupy the Mind and Increase Brain Health

put a 10 on their head, you will find yourself believing the best about that person. You can imagine how drastically this shifts the interaction. But, again, this doesn’t happen by accident.

Excerpted from by Nataly Kogan, published on Feb. 8, 2022 by Sounds True.

Like many fellow “Zebras” or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) patients, my diagnostic odyssey took around 15 years — from initial physical symptom onset to a formal diagnosis at age 35 last February. In those 15 years, I was repeatedly disbelieved, discredited, belittled, patronized, and gaslighted by the medical professionals who were supposed to be caring for me and helping me. Instead of helping me, they subjected me to unforgivable levels of iatrogenic harm — harm caused by the medical profession. Their lack of clinical knowledge, inability to manage complex patients, and downright ignorance delayed my diagnosis for years on end. By blaming my “mental health” for everything I experienced, they absolved themselves of any responsibility for finding out what was happening with my body.  For years, doctors didn’t believe that anything was actually physically “wrong” with me, and they repeatedly told me, “It’s all in your head.” My doctors told me that what I perceived were “physical” problems were categorically attributed to “psychological causes” as aftereffects of severe childhood abuse and trauma.

It all started when my mother took a piece of loose-leaf paper, held it against my back, and used a fluorescent yellow highlighter to trace my spine. “Your spine is literally curving,” she said to me.

Challenges, both big and small, can affect everyone — no matter what walk of life you come from. As a person with cerebral palsy, even the most basic daily tasks can be a struggle. At 35 years old, I still struggle day-to-day with simple things, like putting on shoes and tying them and making my way up and down any flight of stairs. The majority of individuals with CP often face the harsh reality of chronic pain on a daily basis, and I am no different. Sure, I’ve learned to hide my pain most days, but I can never fully escape it. Some days, it is my legs in pain; other days it’s my back that hurts. I hurt just as much on days when I sit on the couch and do nothing as I do on the days when I’m on my feet for an eight-hour workday. For me, unpredictability is often one of the most frustrating things about living with cerebral palsy.

post-vacation stress and depression are uncontrollable or to be expected. The good news is that with some healthy coping skills these feelings can be managed and we can get ourselves to a more optimistic viewpoint.

When I first arrived in Australia from the UK in early 2012, I witnessed the WEIRDEST thing….I was driving along a country back road ‘out bush’, when I noticed the Department of Parks and Wildlife trucks making a roadblock.  A tunnel of thick black smoke filled the hot summer air just beyond them, billowing and undulating aggressively as if it was sent by the Devil himself to annihilate all life on Earth.I stopped at the roadblock, mesmerized by the ferocity of nature, when I saw the weird thing…Men and women, wearing fluorescent yellow onesies were deliberately setting fire to the bushland. Deliberately!They were holding ignitor devices that looked like flame-throwers, casually walking along the roadside, and pouring flames onto the bushland.I was incredulous.Terrified.Angry.“What HOOLIGANS!” I screamed inside my head, slapping my steering wheel.I sat there with my mouth wide open wondering what I should do about the flame-thrower-wielding nut-bags.I could not believe the destruction that was unfolding in front of me.Black smoke billowed into the air, a swarm of Eagles, Kites, and Kestrels circled above, occasionally diving to the smoldering ashes to pick off the fleeing reptiles and rodents.“OMG the animals!!! The plants!” I wanted to run into the fire and save everything.The searing orange flames incinerated the gum trees, grasses and shrubs with every lick, and made the wind swirl like mini-tornadoes around my car making the heat even more unbearable than it already was in my old banger with dodgy air-con. What on earth was going on?? Should I call the Police? Had these Government workers gone rogue? I was about to rage out of my car and perform a multiple citizens arrest, when one of the male flame-throwers politely

It was 5:15 AM on a Friday morning in 2015. Karissa, my girlfriend, was heading off to the early morning yoga class that she taught. As part of our ritual, half asleep, I muttered “Have fun at yoga”, then rolled over and went back to sleep.

What if stress could be your friend?

For the past while, it has felt a little bit like the world is somehow sliding back into a less tolerant age, even while marginalized people such as the LGBTQIA+ community are publicly accepted more than ever. And perhaps that’s the curse of living in a social media echo chamber, where confirmation bias is king. I certainly know that I surround myself with queer people and fellow allies because I believe in the diversity of gender and sexuality, and quickly prune any such people I find morally repugnant.

Recently, our youngest baby girl turned one. It also marked the one-year anniversary of my COVID-19 diagnosis. Yes, one of the best days of my life was clouded by the virus that has plagued our lives for nearly two years now.

I found myself completely flat on a beer-stained floor with the weight of a foreign body pinning me to the ground.

These Animal Farm quotes will remind you to always check your privilege and to think of what can happen when you use power to harm others.

When you live with a health condition, hygiene can become an uphill battle. Teeth go unbrushed, showers may be forsaken, and for a lot of people, hair becomes a challenge. Sure, to some people, hair is just hair. For others, it’s not that simple.

How to renew yourself All of life’s challenges are opportunities in disguise. When you feel , it is actually the perfect opportunity to renew yourself. It’s your chance to realize that, as Tony says, we grow so that we can give. Self-renewal is an essential part of our .

Creating a passionate work culture Modern workers want . They often look to their jobs to provide them with purpose and meaning. If they don’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll move on.

ADHD in adults is very real. And ADHD exists in women, too.According to the 5th edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ADHD symptoms may fall into three subtypes: predominantly hyperactive, predominantly inattentive, and combined type.

February 25, 2022Suicidal behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are more prevalent among first-year college students with ADHD compared to undergraduates without ADHD, according to a new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.1The study found that undergraduate students with ADHD had more than double the rate of suicidal ideation (44.8% vs. 21.7%), three times the rate of suicide plans (26.6% vs.

Soar, a summer camp that works with kids with learning disabilities and attention issues. She was searching for ADHD camps for her nine-year-old son, Wilson.“He’s never been successful in day camps,” she says. “We tried them all — academic, enrichment, and sports-related camps.

your mindset. You’ll want to give yourself a reality check right away to prevent wasting time or energy. Being brutally honest with yourself and learning to let go of things that don’t matter will make the difference.While it might seem easier to let things slide, it won’t help you become who you want to be.

Growing up, learning how to use a tampon was the extent of my knowledge of vagina products and sitting through sex ed was my only understanding of the inner workings of the vagina. Every time the word was mentioned, I turned red with embarrassment. Thankfully, gone are the days of keeping any talk of “the vag” reserved for awkward and often misleading education that makes you want to leave the room.

stress sets in any time you feel like you can’t manage something, but remember that you can handle this situation. ADVERTISEMENT Identifying the toxic people in your life can help you deal with them a little better. Taking stock of stressors can make all the difference in keeping your cool and protecting your well-being.

Journal of Applied Psychology showed, microbreaks give employees an opportunity to reserves. That way, they can pace themselves and remain absorbed in work throughout the whole day.Indeed, microbreaks are well-known for their ability to revive the spirit as well as relieve tension and . Everyone’s had a moment where it’s best to walk away.

Studies have shown that mindfulness – that is, the act of being present in the moment – is beneficial for romantic relationships. This is because it promotes acceptance. When you live in each moment entirely, you’re less likely to focus on mistakes and flaws, especially if they’re in the past.

Toni Coleman, a psychotherapist, and relationship coach, even recommend unfriending them, at least until you are over them.People are very sentimental and can get attached to objects that remind them of others. A meal might remind you of your mother’s cooking, and a book might make you think of your sister. And, when you are in a relationship, you are bound to correlate some objects with memories.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known across the U.S. as HIPAA, is an important piece of legislation that protects patients’ privacy. The Federal law specifically outlines how patient data can be shared, to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Without HIPAA, patients wouldn’t have control over their own health information.

The past two years have been rough on everyone, and people have been dealing with their emotions differently. Unfortunately, this means that many people have stopped focusing on their health. However, the world seems to be slowly returning to normal, and it’s a new year, which means it’s the perfect time of year to set […]

Years of self-analysis and self-love has led me to develop a strong self-confidence. I am grateful for the strength that allows me to recognize and to leave toxic relationships. I walk away like I’m headbanging at a System of a Down concert — no f***s given, neck aching with whiplash. I do not give people permission to disrupt my peace.

In today’s world where work plays a very large part of most people’s lives, it is important that people get as much satisfaction from it as possible – this is less about doing a good job at work, and more about maximising one’s happiness and health while at work, because this will result in better performance, and more satisfaction in one’s job.

I had a “Woo-hoo” moment yesterday when opening an email that stated I no longer had to obtain a medical provider certification to renew my medication card. I thought “Yes! I don’t have to have this hassle (and expense) every couple of years.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/growing-friendships/201503/how-not-raise-narcissisthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2015/03/11/7-ways-to-nip-narcissism-in-the-bud/https://www.chp.edu/for-parents/health-tools/parent-resources/parenting-tips/building-your-childs-self-esteem

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695850/

Are you looking for mental health treatment in North Dakota? If so, then you’re not alone. Mental illness is a tough topic to discuss and the perceived stigma that surrounds it can occasionally make it even more difficult to find someone who will listen, let alone help. In this blog post, we will talk about the challenges of mental health issues in North Dakota as well as some of the solutions.

works. Once you know what’s true, you can start utilizing your brain to its full capabilities.The brain has up to 100 billion neurons that control everything about you. They directly contribute to your movements, personality, and thought processes.

“You’re fine. You should be fine.”

The exposure mental health related topics have been receiving, especially over the past year or so, seems to have increased drastically. There has been so much talk in the media about how we can improve our mental health, stories about recovery, and campaigns attempting to end stigma surrounding mental health issues. Recently, I found myself questioning whether or not the mental health media we are consuming is getting it right. It seems every suggestion made for improving your mental health is the same and the only mental illness that seems to exist is anxiety.

digital footprint behind when you engage in online activities, specifically social media. Kids don’t realize that employers, colleges, and other family members are looking at this stuff and judging the content.It’s essential to strive for positive social change, and before they post anything, they need to make sure it’s accurate, helpful, inspiriting to others, kind, and necessary. Being responsible goes beyond actions in the physical world, but it also affects the online one.

Starting a new job can be exciting and scary, and these new job quotes capture all the emotions you might feel.

The Blind Side, however, Anthony Trucks most decidedly did not go on to a long and in the NFL. In fact, for all the hardship of his upbringing, the most difficult part of his life only came after he put on a professional uniform.Now a motivational speaker, podcast host, author and founder of , Trucks was originally placed in foster care at age 3. For more than a decade he would be shuttled from home to home around California’s Bay Area, leaving him and unworthy.

in 1976, the month of February offers a chance to recognize the accomplishments of black Americans in every aspect and era of history. At SUCCESS, we want to honor those who paved the way toward equality and those who still actively challenge injustice today.

Let’s take a moment and learn how to deal with haters from one of the greatest basketball players of all time. On September 25, 2015, at 6:41 A.M., LeBron James sent out a tweet that read:

a vitamin deficiency? ADVERTISEMENT If you notice spots on your nails along with peeling or symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or heart palpitations, it can be a sign of a B-12 deficiency. Your body needs vitamins to function correctly, and if you’re running low on these vital nutrients, you need to take a supplement or eat foods rich in these vitamins to increase the levels.If you have read splotches across your nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, you could have a condition called rosacea. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, estimates show that more than 414 million people suffer from this condition.

Learning to support your health and wellness can be a challenge. One of the most common factors that get in the way of health is time. When our lives get busier, we have less time to devote to our health. Luckily, as 2022 begins, there are many ways to help slow down and support health easily.

You have to love yourself before you can ever truly love anyone else, and these love yourself quotes should serve as your reminder to always appreciate that person staring back at you in the mirror.

studies showing CBD is effective in helping with various health problems such as anxiety and stress. In some cases, CBD is even helpful for treating epilepsy. As time goes on, the stigma of CBD due to its association with marijuana is also fading.

Learning to support your health and wellness can be a challenge. One of the most common factors that get in the way of health is time. When our lives get busier, we have less time to devote to our health. Luckily, as 2022 begins, there are many ways to help slow down and support health easily.

Not available February 22? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Tips and strategies for overcoming ADHD challenges abound, and they often work. But what about when they don’t?Should we assume the strategy is wrong or ineffective? Or probe deeper and question whether the real problem is buried in the root cause of the challenge? This is when “aha insights” about the ADHD brain can reveal important truths and move you forward.

sensory overload is exhausting. It impacts our sense of wellbeing — we don’t seem to glide through life easily as others do. And we never know what will trigger us on any given day.The good news is there are plenty of ways to manage our sensitivities and lessen — or even prevent — sensory overload.