The Dangers of Self Diagnosing

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We're all guilty of it. If we fear some issue that’s lingered in our bodies for too long, we head to Doctor Google for a quick search that brings up hundreds of results, with many of them being life-threatening. However, when we rely on Google to diagnose our problems, this becomes a very dangerous cycle. But why is this and what can we do to get out of this problem that so many of us fall prey to?

The Issue Of Convenience

For some, it’s quicker to type a few words rather than go to the doctor either out of fear, previous bad experiences with medical providers, or because of a financial issues. Another reason people avoid the doctor is due to getting the run around and not having your symptoms addressed or treated properly. For example, for those with chronic pain, it can be very frustrating when a medical professional has to refer you for further tests. In the meantime this only compounds the anxieties. It's unsurprising that many go on the internet to see what the problem is.

But unfortunately, this is no replacement for a healthcare professional.

Self- diagnosing can lead you to jump to conclusions about your symptoms and you could begin improper treatment or miss more symptoms as many psychiatric and physical conditions can sometime mimic each other.

Being Hesitant To Speak To A Doctor

There is a term for people who continually search for their symptoms online and believe that they're suffering from the results that pop up. Cyberchondria is incredibly common. As the ease of access to Doctor Google means not going to the doctor, this can result in us moving away from the advice of professionally trained healthcare professionals.

Why We Need To Keep Our Perspective

While many are continually relying on Doctor Google to provide the real answer, the fact is, we've got to nip this in the bud. We've got to keep our perspective of events. Because after all, it's unlikely we’re suffering from a rare medical condition. For example, the increase of people who went to the doctor believing they had ALS after the ice bucket challenge highlights just how much cyberchondria there is in the world. Instead, what you could do, if you believe yourself to have a psychiatric or medical condition, is to make a note of all the symptoms, and show to your doctor what this is pointing towards. The doctor can then evaluate you, which can confirm or deny your suspicions.

In conclusion, while self-diagnosing through Doctor Google can be convenient, it can be dangerous. It leads us down a path of anxiety, where we will end up afraid to go out and do anything. While hypochondriacs are suffering from a debilitating mental health condition, nowadays, with the ease of access to information, cyberchondria isn't far behind. After all, we all have access to a phone with millions of web pages. So the next time you feel you have some problem that won't go away, do yourself a favor and go to a doctor.

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Chronic Pain Care & Management

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NOTE: Content is not a substitute for treatment or therapy, and as always, please consult with your healthcare provider.

If you have chronic pain it can be an emotional struggle as well as a physical one.

In my work with chronic pain patients, one treatment approach I use includes solution-focused interventions rooted in mindfulness. Instead of thinking ‘why me’, look at the situation from a ‘what now, how will I deal with this’ perspective.  A new mindset can make the situation less stressful, and if you are less anxious, your body will cope with the pain better.


Learn To Relax

Pain occurs to warn you that there is something wrong with your body. It is often in the muscles, but can occur in other parts of the body as well- such as the nerves. If your body is tense the pain could be worse, but learning to relax can aid in lessening the effects of it.

Calming your body down is the objective, and you have to find the best method of relaxing your muscles that suits you and helps to improve your well-being. Some people are lucky enough just to be able to sit back and it happens naturally, where others will have to do progressive muscle relaxing for it to work.

Rest

Some people with painful conditions feel exhausted throughout the day, but may find it difficult to rest due to the high demands of living in today’s society. However, rest is a key factor in proper recovery, so making sure that you listen to your body and try to incorporate rest breaks throughout your day will aid in rejuvenating your body, and could reduce some pain related symptoms.

Don’t Overdo It

If your chronic pain is a bit easier after a few days of rest and relaxation, don’t suddenly try to do everything you normally would. Overdoing it can delay your recovery so even if you are feeling better, take it easy for a while longer. Perhaps doing light tasks can suffice, but keep them simple or you could be back at square one.

Eat Foods That Are Anti-Inflammatory

There are some foods and herbs such as turmeric, oily fish, red fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens that have anti-inflammatory properties. Carrots, squash, watermelon, and peaches are all additions to your diet that could help.

Seek Help from a Medical Professional

There is help available if you’re experiencing in chronic pain. Your healthcare provider is a first step in treatment, or you can visit a specialist- like a chiropractor or physical therapist. Moreover, depending on the type of pain you’re experiencing, you could also try acupuncture or massage therapy.

Another alternative medical approach uses feedback modalities- such as Neurofeedback or Biofeedback. These non-invasive treatment therapies help teach you how to control your own physiology, and in many cases, can reduce pain symptoms in the back, neck, nerves and other areas.

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Guide To Getting A Good Night's Sleep

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DISCLAIMER: As always, this post is only to provide general information. Please consult with your healthcare professional regarding treatment for your specific needs.

Sleep problems can be common with a lot of people. We have all been around friends or colleagues that have said they are exhausted or didn’t sleep well last night. The good news is that if you are intentional and committed to making some changes, you can get a much better night’s sleep, which can be a benefit to your life, as well as your health and wellness.

Below, I share a few suggestions that you can try in your nightly routine that may help you achieve a more effective sleep.

Avoiding Caffeine

It can be hard to cut caffeine completely from your body, but when you have caffeine close to bedtime, it can significantly disrupt your sleep. If you are someone that does have caffeine in their diet, then avoiding it closer to bedtime will be beneficial to you. The impact that caffeine has is also true as you get older, especially if you consume it multiple times throughout the day, so taking steps to get into healthier habits now, will augur well for your overall health.

Rest and Unwind

This might sound like an odd one, because surely going to bed itself is a way to rest and unwind? But in actuality, stress has a massive impact on how well you are able to sleep. So before you actually get into bed, you need to take time to rest and unwind. It could simply be meditating for a few minutes, lighting a candle or listening to calm music. It’s best if you can avoiding screens and computers before bed because they can overstimulate your brain. A good book or magazine is the perfect alternative, but either way make sure it is stress-free. If you’re quite easily involved in fiction, then a tense, scary, or emotional story is not great for bed-time. Keep it easy, breezy, and even uplifting.

Try Natural Remedies

They say that pillow sprays made from things like lavender can have an impact on your sleep, so that is a natural easy win that can help you to drift off. Diffusing essential oils can help, as well a CBD oils like those of Imbue Botanicals, for example. The reason being, if you suffer from anxiety at night, or are someone that suffers from insomnia or wakes up a lot, then this kind of oil might be a solution, as it relaxes the mind and body, reduces your heart rate, and helps you drift off to a restful night’s sleep.

A fragrant, warm bath filled with luxurious oils or bubbles is a great way to relax. We may not have the time to regularly indulge in baths during the week, but they are perfect before an early night. Breathe deeply, apply a face mask or other pampering treatment, and try to release all the tension from your muscles. When we fall asleep, our temperature drops slightly. This also happens when we get out of the bath, and mimicking a slight temperature drop can tell our brain that it is time to sleep.

Create a Conducive Environment for Sleep

Where you sleep plays a big part, because if you are not comfortable, then it will be hard to drift off to sleep. Making sure that you have a mattress with good support and some comfortable bedding is an easy win. Then make sure your room is just the right temperature for you, as too hot or too cold will impact how well you sleep. Don’t use your bed for things like studying or doing work as these can be things that stimulate the mind, and you will start to associate your bed with those things. Not good when you are already struggling to drift off.

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Headaches: Causation, Treatment & Prevention

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While the science behind headaches stems from a biochemical disorder, psychological influences can play a key role in the onset or maintenance of a headache. Research has shown that there is a comorbidity between psychiatric symptoms and headaches, particularly that of anxiety and depression. Due to biopsychosocial factors, headaches can have serious influences on a person's overall quality of life. In this post, we are going to take a look at the causation of headaches and ways you can treat/prevent them.

Primary Headaches

There are 2 types of headaches that a person can experience- primary or secondary. Primary headaches happen when there is an issue with the pain sensitivity structures or they go into overdrive. Nerve or blood vessels around the skull, head or neck muscles, or chemical activation in the brain can all play a role. One of the most common types of primary headaches is a migraine.

Migraine

Symptoms can cause intense pain or throbbing typically on one side of the head. While the verdict is still out on the causation, researchers believe that the causation is related to unstable nerve cells that overreact to different triggers. These triggers can include...

  • Issues with sleep

  • Depression, Anxiety or Stress

  • Hormonal changes in the body (including PMS)

  • Fatigue or hunger

  • Alcohol Use or caffeine withdrawal

  • Bodily strain related to posture

Secondary Headaches

These headaches are typically related to a secondary cause, such as a medical condition. These can include...

  • Head Injury (such as a concussion)

  • Infection

  • Overuse of medication

  • Congestion of the sinuses

  • Tumor

  • now COVID-19

Treatment of Headaches

As there are many ways to treat a headache, I will touch on a few common and not-so-common treatments.

Over-the-counter

Anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aspirin or ibuprofen) and acetaminophens (i.e., Tylenol) are what many individuals use for pain relief. These medications either block the production of chemicals that cause inflammation or elevate pain thresholds to relieve pain and reduce fevers (in the case of acetaminophens). If you see a primary care provider or specialist, they may recommend other types of medications which call for a prescription.

As we stated before, because there is a psychological aspect that can onset headaches, there are other forms of treatment that don't require medication (but an appointment with a psychologist or therapist). These include...

Stress management

Using learning relaxation techniques- such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation to manage stress which can reduce headaches. Additionally, Cognitive Behavior Therapy can teach coping skills to manage pain.

Acupuncture

Some research shows acupuncture to be effective in the treatment of headaches by restoring the flow of energy in the body and removing negative energy related to pain by dividing the body into zones and pressure points (typically near the nerves).

Feedback Treatment

Biofeedback is a common modality used in headache treatment. It involves sensors placed on different parts of the body that monitor physiological changes in the body (including muscle stress, heart/ respiratory rate and skin conductance). In turn, instant feedback is provided to the specialist who helps teach the individual how to gain control of these bodily processes.

Additionally, neurofeedback is another feedback modality where sensors are connected to the head to determine neural activity levels in specific brain areas. This information is relayed in real-time, and the specialist provides techniques to teach the individual ways to control brain activity responses.

These feedback modalities can decrease psychiatric symptoms like stress or anxiety, reduce pain and muscle tension, as well as strengthen brain activity.

Headache Prevention

As we've discussed, there are many things that can cause a headache and while some of these may be out of our control, there are still preventative steps that you can take to either reduce some of the characteristics of headaches (duration, intensity, frequency). These include...

  • Diet changes & increase water intake

  • Healthy sleep regimen

  • Reducing stress

  • Seeking Therapy to decrease psychiatric symptoms

  • Increasing opportunities for self-care

  • Talking with your doctor


As always, this post is only to provide general information. Please consult with your provider regarding treatment for your specific needs.

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Ways To Boost Your Mental Health At Home

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Maintaining a high level of mental health has never been as important as right now. A pandemic and subsequent lock down means long stretches stuck in the house; and, if you like to get out and socialize, the enforced house arrest can feel like hell. For those who already suffer from mental health issues, it’s essential to keep tabs on any negative emotions.

Of course, it’s not as if you will have help. Sure, Zoom video calling makes it less tough, and some professional therapists will conduct sessions online, yet the options aren’t comprehensive. You may find that you’re alone with only your brain for comfort, and that can be tricky. If you don't take action while you’re locked down, your well-being could be in jeopardy when the world begins coming into its new normal.

Thankfully, there are tons of resources that can be accessed, and the following come with no guarantees, YET they may give you the boost you need to manage self-isolation.

Meditate

The simplest and most effective thing you can do when life starts to get challenging is to meditate. What’s incredible about this tool is that you can do it from anywhere in the world. All you need is a quiet space and plenty of focus. Don’t worry if you don’t have the latter because you’ll build staying power the more you practice.

There’s no reason to fret about understanding the “dynamics” of meditation at all. Yes, most people do it one way, but if your methodology is a little different, it’s not an issue as long as it works. At first, try and channel your thoughts towards a single goal for a minute or two. Then, the more you get used to the feeling of weightlessness, the longer you’ll be able to meditate.

Meditation allows you to eliminate thoughts and emotions that lead to stress and anxiety. Therefore, meditating once a day should act as a factory reset for your mind and body.

Go Outside (If You Can)

Depending on the rules, you may not be allowed outside at all. Certain countries have only relaxed their state of emergencies, and even then it applies to kids and pregnant women. So, going outside every day may not be an option. However, if it is, you should take the opportunity to leave the house and relieve the tension.

A PNAS study found that spending ninety minute outside of the house can lower brain activity. Now, this doesn’t sound like a good thing, but it’s essentially a form of meditation. You use walking (or any form of exercise) to forget about the problems that appear as if they are insurmountable. They seem that way because you’re surrounded by and have nowhere to go. Of course, leaving the confines of your property instantly opens up the brain to a new, healthier environment.

Repair Stuff That Makes You Self-Conscious

It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t change anything about your body if you think the step is too great. After all, it’s not as if you can get your old features back once they’re gone. Still, you don’t need to revolutionize the way you look to make you feel better about yourself when you stare into a mirror. Repairing can be as simple as updating your wardrobe or meeting a wellness goal. Moreover, think about your smile for a moment - does it impact the way you act when you’re in public? Lots of men and women will try not to smile as smiling shows oral flaws and imperfections. With Invisalign treatment, though, you can straighten out your teeth in no time without invasive procedures. Plus, the treatment is proven to work, so the odds of boosting your smile are high.

Review Relationships

Mostly, your relationships will help you to get through tricky periods in life. Without a strong core of people who support you no matter what, maintaining your mental health is hard. That said, not every relationship will be healthy. Some are toxic and people don’t realize it until it’s too late.

One of the resources you have in abundance is time, and you should use it to reflect. Analyzing whether a friendship, partnership or romantic relationship is helpful will allow you to cut the cord if necessary. The key is to watch out for the telltale signs, such as a lack of compromise and constant judgment. Inc has more if you’re interested.

Purging people from your life is a decision you shouldn’t take lightly. Yet, it could be the correct one if those people only bring negativity.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation

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The art of meditation has grown in popularity over the years. It is recommended for everyone because of its benefits. Physically, mediation is said to lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, lower heart rate, lower respiratory rate, and lower blood cortisol levels.

Meditation is also associated with mental health. It's believed to be helpful for those who experience anxiety and depression, helping them maintain peace of mind. It also helps reduce stress, increase relaxation, and improve cognitive skills like concentration and attentiveness.

With all the wonderful effects of meditation that encompass physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual health, there's no question why many are eager to try it out. If you're trying meditation for the first time, here's a guide to help you get started.

Sit quietly for two minutes

The art of meditation requires peace and quiet so you can get in touch with your body and mind. For most people, it can be difficult to sit quietly with minimal movement for a long time. That's why it's ideal to take things slow, especially for beginners. In the first few days of trying out meditation, start with sitting quietly for only two minutes. Do this every day and you'll find that you'll be able to do it for longer periods of time as you go along.

Don't worry too much about knowing how to meditate

Most beginners worry too much about the logistics of meditating. They try to find the perfect spot, get a comfortable cushion to sit on, etc. These are all really good when it comes to maximizing your meditation efforts, but for your first time, you don't really need to worry about these things. You'll figure it out sooner or later. But for now, all you have to do is sit quietly and begin without worrying about whether or not you're doing it right.

Keep track of your breathing

Once you're all settled down, close your eyes and keep track of your breathing. Count how many breaths you're taking, starting with 1 and ending with 10. Repeat the cycle again and again. When you do this, you're focusing your mind on one thing. But later on, your mind will start to wander. You may recall good memories, see peaceful places, or think happy thoughts. This is all completely normal. Allow yourself to live in the moment and then start counting your breaths again later on.

Acknowledge thoughts and emotions

Many people think that meditation is about clearing the mind. It is at some point, but that's not entirely the purpose of it. Oftentimes, when you meditate, you'll feel all sorts of different emotions. You may feel anxious, scared, lonely, or sad. But it's all part of the process. Learn how to embrace these emotions and allow yourself to go through them. Stay and get curious about where your thoughts will take you, but be careful not to dwell on them and make sure to end your meditation on a good note.

Commit to it

It's easy to say you'll meditate every day. But with the hustle and bustle of life and our busy schedules, it's easy to neglect it. But in order to maximize its benefits and really feel the power of meditation, you have to commit to it. Set a reminder for yourself to meditate at least 10 minutes daily. You might even want to consider getting mala beads to serve as a reminder to live in the moment.

Meditation is a powerful art, and all you really need to master it is dedication. Use these tips to help you get started, especially through these trying times that we are currently experiencing present day.

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3 Ways To Modify Your Environment For Your Well-being

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When people think of self-improvement, they often think of stuff that happens "internally" rather than "externally," strictly speaking. For example, they'll work on reducing their negative self talk, setting productive goals, becoming more "motivated" to perform particular tasks, and so on. Interestingly enough, some of the most significant ways to transform your life for the better, actually rely on changing your environment, rather than just your thought process.

As human beings, our internal mental and emotional domains are always liable to be impacted to a significant degree by the surroundings we find ourselves in, and since we all spend so much time in our own homes, restructuring your home can easily be one of the most effective ways of creating that kind of change.

Here are just a few ways you can modify your environment to transform your life.


Overhaul your bedroom, and bedding, to experience a new world of deep sleep

People often underestimate the incredible degree to which the quality and length of their sleep impacts everything else in their lives. The research on this topic is crystal clear, though- when you get a good night's sleep, you're simply a better person across the board. Your emotions are more well-balanced, your mind works faster, your memory is better, and you're healthier.

Many people these days experience insomnia and other sleep conditions. Often, simply overhauling your bedroom, and bedding, can radically transform the quality of your sleep. Specially designed bedding, such as Tencel bed sheets ensure your sleep is refreshingly comfortable and the less crowded your bedroom is, the more likely you are to sleep properly at night.

Reshape your space, to increase or reduce resistance, and manage your habits

Writers Charles Duhigg and James Clear, have both written very successful books on the art of habit management. One theme that both men cover is that establishing good habits, and dissolving bad ones, largely comes down to managing "resistance." In other words – since people are typically inclined to follow the path of least resistance, making it just a bit harder to engage in negative habits, and a bit easier or more rewarding to engage in positive ones, can completely transform how you behave on an everyday basis.

In many cases, this is largely a matter of restructuring your home, and office environments. Such as by removing distractions, putting healthier food in the fridge, et cetera. Our habits define us to an enormous degree – so getting this right can really turn you into a new person.

De-clutter your home to enhance your attention and focus

It's inevitable that if your home is cluttered, your attention will be perpetually drawn in different directions, and you will find it very difficult to focus and maintain your attention on one thing at a time. There's a good deal of research to suggest that this particular state of affairs leads to chronic anxiety, and underperformance in work, hobbies, etc. Decluttering your home can help you to enhance your mental clarity, and simply lead to enjoying a better life.

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Make Health And Happiness Part Of Your Daily Life

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Like so many women, if you’re living a busy and stressful life, it could be taking a toll on your general health and well-being. It’s important nowadays to take the time to look after yourself and think about each lifestyle choice you make. By making positive changes to your everyday routine; you’ll become happier and healthier, which will help to lead you through a long a fulfilling life. The following are some areas to consider if you feel like life is weighing you down a little, so that you can begin to enjoy health and happiness each day.

Nourishing Yourself

Food is our body’s fuel, so filling yourself up with junk food all the time, will not have a positive effect on your health and how you feel. By no means do you have to give up your favorite treats completely, as a little of what you enjoy can do you good. However, candy, cakes, and fast food should be regarded as treats for special occasions or a reward for a heavy duty workout. By keeping your sugar intake down; you’ll have more energy and won’t have to face any crashes from the glucose leaving your system.

Cooking fresh meals is another smart idea, as it makes it simple to control what you’re eating. If you cook from scratch, then you can monitor the ingredients, including any fats and sugar, which goes into your delicious homemade meals. Cooking can also be therapeutic, as you can focus on the task at hand, and let your daily stresses float away. The more you get creative in your kitchen, the better you’ll get; so check out some recipes and tutorials online for some inspiration, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling beautiful from the inside out!

Seeking Help

It’s always a cathartic experience to talk to somebody else about your worries and problems; however, many people find it difficult and often shy away from opening up, especially when it comes to both their physical issues and mental health. Whether you have worries regarding your intimate area and want to look into the Geneveve procedure, you’re struggling with low mood and need counsel, or you’re impacted by anxiety surrounding an array of things; there’s no better time to get help, than right now.

Try and make time to call, or even email, a friend or family member to tell them what’s happening. By going through everything, you’ll be able to take the weight off your shoulders and are likely to gain some positive advice in the meantime. A simple catch up and chat with somebody can also highlight all the successes and good points in your life right now; this in itself will give you a boost and make you feel better about your situation.


If you’re uncomfortable sharing your thoughts with those that you know, or you feel your problem is too serious or complicated for them to help solve; there are plenty of resources available to you. Take a look online, and you’ll find an array of contact details to access expert help from people who have been professionally trained in dealing with your particular problem. You might just be feeling generally overwhelmed in life, and need some advice on how to ease the pressure and move forward; whatever it is, it’s not worth keeping everything to yourself.


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The Importance Of A Strong Circle

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When it comes to wellness, most people completely forget that one of the most important tools in the bag is a good, supportive circle of people who love you and want to help you to get well again. When you’re in a crisis, the last thing you want to do is feel like a burden on others, so asking for help isn’t always the priority. The thing is, regular contact with family and friends can make you feel distracted from the pain that is going on in your own life, or it can mean that you have a good sounding board to get the support you need for your own issues.

The problem with a lot of mental health issues is that they make you think that you have no one to rely on, when in fact, you have a waiting circle of family and friends who want to know how you are doing and how they can help you. If you are suffering with depression and anxiety, these are the people that can make sure you’re not alone enough to feel so low there’s no way back. If you are suffering through the pain of addiction, these are the people who will be there for you with the information you need, such as Medication-Assisted Treatment: Fact vs Fiction, to help you to get the right treatment that you need. You need a strong, lasting circle to enrich your life and make you feel like you have something to live for. Friends and family around you make you feel good about yourself - even indirectly, and if you are struggling to recognize who is a good friend in your life, then think about these traits:

  • You respect, like and trust them, and they feel the same way about you.

  • They accept you the way you are. If you’re suffering depression, they’re there just to sit in silence with because they know that is what you need from them at that moment.

  • They will listen to you and share with you, whether good or bad.

  • They keep your confidence and trust you to keep theirs, too.

  • They will allow you to feel your emotions and not judge you for them, criticize you for them or make you feel like your feelings are not valid.

  • A good friend will give you the best advice - when you ask for it - and will assist you in taking the right action to feel better about yourself.

  • Will allow you to help them when they need it.

  • You look forward to being with them, but you’re not obsessed about it

  • Will never take advantage of you.

Not everyone in your circle will meet all of your emotional needs, but you can have a group, a solid circle of people who will all in some way make you feel like you want to be alive. They will appreciate you for your quirks and the way that you love them, and you’ll appreciate their support and friendship and the ability to make you smile when you don’t feel there’s anything to smile about. Looking after yourself means surrounding yourself with people who make you want to be better than you are. Making a list of the people that you feel close to in life can really help you to be a better, happier person because you can see on paper who you have that loves you in every avenue of your existence.

You should be able to rely on the people in your life for support and having a network of people who want to be with you and make you feel like a good person is important for your recovery. Emotional health and mental health are often fragile in those with depression and addiction, and if you know that you have a strong group of people who will always believe in you, even when you do let them down, you are lucky. You won’t always let others down, but it happens - in the same way that they may let you down. Your life can be a happier, more enjoyable thing to live when you have the right people making it worthwhile for you. Social relationships play a very important role in the quality of life that we achieve.


Life is a gift, and friends are the ribbons and bows on top that make us feel fulfilled. Making your heart feel full is easy, when you have a group of people around you who love you very much.

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Your Rights Pave The Way To Recovery

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Recovering from a traumatic event takes time and support. Not everyone can bounce back. Most people experience severe depression during the recovery period. Indeed, as you learn to get better — whether your suffering is the result of physical or emotional pain – you get to spend a lot of time thinking about what happened to you and living the same situation over and over again.

Your recovery is first and foremost a mental journey. Indeed, you might find that you need to tackle stress and anxiety issues. Don’t ignore these. Your mental health is precious and ignoring issues don’t make them go away. On the contrary, they establish themselves stronger every day. Most of those who are trying to heal choose to tackle their fears through therapy and a positive and loving environment. However, dealing with post-traumatic stress and worries is only half of the battle. When you’ve been injured – physically or psychologically –, you can develop a feeling of vulnerability as a response to an unfair situation. Your self-confidence is shattered. And, if you don’t claim your rights back, you can fall into a victim mindset. Your rights are the way to recover your mental strength.

You’re entitled compensation

First of all, you have rights which are designed to protect you. Consequently, when you suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence or fault, you can and should be defended after a personal injury or another claim of a similar nature. What this means is that you don’t have to pay for something you didn’t do. The recovery process is long and painful enough. But making your rights known and respected ensures that you can regain your dignity and self-worth in the process. Indeed, you shouldn’t feel guilty for someone else’s mistake, nor should you let them get away without taking responsibility for the event they caused.

Don’t suffer abuse in silence

Discrimination, hate speech, and racist abuses are, unfortunately, everyday occurrences. More recently, a passenger of a low-cost flight was filmed insulting an elderly woman. The man, who has been identified by his neighbors – after they’ve seen the video on social media – has been named and is currently undergoing investigation for his behavior. Authorities have come together and demanded an explanation from the airline company as to why they failed to remove the abusive passenger. Supports from all over the country have gathered online on behalf of the victim. The video – which was taped by another passenger – brings a new dimension to the recovery process. Nobody has to recover on their own, and the victim here is receiving messages of support from all over the world every day.

Ignoring your rights is dehumanizing yourself

Your rights are not only part of a legal book. They define you as an individual. The moment you refuse to acknowledge that your rights have been violated, you authorize others to break you. When you do, you describe yourself as somehow less worthy and human than others. Ignoring your rights is the highest form of dehumanization. You matter, and so do your rights.



The recovery process is a long and painful journey, during which you need to rebuild your confidence and strength. The journey begins with making your rights respected because your rights bring protection, empathy, and humanity to your journey.

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