Monthly Archives: January 2014

Health News

Addiction Recovery Tip #11 – Anger Management

A great way to stay sober is to practice anger management. One of the quickest ways back to the bottle, cigarette or other substance is the inability to control your emotions. Many people self-medicate with substances as a bandage for emotional spills.

Anger management means keeping your feelings in check when it comes to work and your personal relationships. In the office, you must get along with other people and learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully and effectively. You must put your emotions in check so others will respect you and so you can make decisions with a level head.

Your family will also respect you if your emotions are in check. If you have a bad day at the office, it is a good idea to diffuse the stress with exercise or some other form of personal time before you enter your home. You just need to remember that your family is the most important foundation that you have in your life and you must make an effort to practice anger management to protect them.

Those who practice anger management will often find that they are able to live a balanced life and be free from substance use or abuse. Many people who are sober will say sobriety was the best thing that ever happened to them and how much they enjoy life without substances. Many people in recovery will also tell you that anger management is a secret ingredient to staying clean and sober. It is well worth the rewards when you can keep negative emotions in check.

Dusty Lindemann writes for http://substanceabusevideos.com … If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, please visit a treatment center today.

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How Can Zen Meditation Help?

It is distinguished from other traditional forms in that the person practicing Zen meditation does not get into a ‘trance’. That is the person meditating is awake the whole time enabling him to experience the peace and serenity that each breath brings and thus receiving a more fulfilling experience.

Of central importance is the place in which one is going to meditate, so select a comfortable and silent place where there will be minimum disturbance. Regulate the temperature and the light in the location. Maintain a balance and see that the conditions are not extreme. Place a rug and you are all set to go. A blanket or cushion works just as well. Whether you would place it on the floor or on a pad is up to you.

There are various meditation pads and cushions available in the market. These are also referred to as zabutons and zafus and are target specific merchandise aimed solely for the purpose of meditation. But as a beginner you could start by using other general items like pillows, cushions and blankets.

The first thing that Zen meditation, also referred to as Zazen, demands of a person is the ability to control his mind. This requires training. However this is not a cause for worry because of all the meditation techniques that one is exposed to these days, this is the simplest and easiest. Learning to control one’s mind is not difficult; just look up the subject on the internet and find the correct way of doing it.

The worst thing you could do while mastering the technique to do Zen meditation is trying too hard. People more often than not push themselves too much and forcefully quiet their minds by clearing out their thoughts as fast as possible without giving the time that the thoughts demand.

The person meditating must reflect upon all matter pressing them at the moment and then slowly calm down. While practicing Zen meditation it is required that you let your mind quiet down with certain autonomy and most importantly without resorting to force.

The best way to start is by learning to observe your breathing pattern and understanding the basic structure of your thoughts. This helps you to detach yourself from your thoughts and enables you to compartmentalize your brain such that it becomes easier to clear out your mind and calm down faster. Needless to say, mastering this technique requires time and practice. However this is effective and with time you will realize that you are able to quiet down easily without spending much time or thought on it. Zen meditation is a sure way to reach your core and find complete peace and patience is the key to success.

It is popularly believed that Zen meditation is practiced solely by Buddhist monks and philosophers but in truth common individuals too can use this technique of meditation. It is simple and effective. It gives you concentration and teaches you how to deal with the present. If you keep practicing this form of meditation you will see that you are progressively being able to think only about the moment at hand, all anxieties about the past and the future being relieved. Zen meditation teaches you to connect with attributes of your self that you didn’t even know existed and finally be at peace with your body, mind and soul.

Here’s an excellent way to start enjoying the benefits of meditation today. The Deep Zen audio program is easy for anyone wanting to learn how to meditate – offering a free demo, and helps advanced meditators achieve deeper levels of meditation too. Try another free demo here: Totally Tranquil

 

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the Benefits of Yoga Meditation

When many people hear the word “meditate,” they think of a man in a loincloth with a serene look on his face sitting cross-legged on top of a mountain. Meditation, however, isn’t nearly as esoteric as people think. It doesn’t require years of study or mystical knowledge from on high; all it takes is practice.

Meditation is a spontaneous flow of consciousness when all the conditions are just right. It’s about listening inwardly with a quiet mind for the wisdom and guidance of a more expansive and unlimited mind.

All the arts of relaxation — breath control, contemplation, prayer, affirmation, repetition of a mantra, and visualization — are different, but they all direct you toward self-realization and a deep meditative state. Different systems of thought and traditions vary in their meditation techniques, but they all have the same goal: to reach the point of stillness, quiet, and communion with the essence of your being.

With meditation, you discover how to quiet your mind and increase your level of energy and enjoyment of life. You experience the natural joy of being in meditation, and you establish a greater confidence and a higher understanding. Meditation can deliver deep inner peace; increase your mental stamina; improve your memory; enlarge your multitasking abilities; and teach you to organize your internal awareness and concentration.

You can practice different forms of meditation:

Mantra meditation: You focus your attention on a repeated word, thought, or sound.

Metta or loving kindness meditation: You practice acts of generosity or loving kindness toward others.

Stair-step meditation (or modified progressive relaxation): You focus on different areas of your body with the aim of relaxing those areas one at a time.

Mindfulness: You observe whatever goes through your mind without judging or analyzing it.

(Some yoga practitioners don’t consider this a true form of meditation, but rather a practice or deeper step toward meditation.)

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Meditation – Having More Fun

There are a lot very good reasons for developing a meditation practice. You are likely to be healthy both physically and mentally. You’ll have less stress. You might gain some insight into the workings of your own mind. Your friends may find that you are easier to be around.

Then there are the spiritual goals. Some people use meditation as a form of prayer. For some it means learning to be in the moment, with the hope that this more natural and peaceful state of mind can be carried into everyday life and activities. Other find that meditation helps them to become more compassionate.

Whatever your reasons for meditating, it also can just be pleasurable and interesting. If you want to make it more pleasurable and more interesting, there are some things you can try. The following are just a few examples.

New Meditation Experiences

The first thing you might want to try is meditation CDs or other recordings that use brainwave entrainment technologies. These make meditating easy. Just put on your headphones and listen – that’s all it takes. You will be guided into an Alpha state or deeper without any effort.

Some of these recordings are designed strictly for meditation. They are often sold as sets, with each CD or MP3 download meant to take you into a deeper state of consciousness. Others are meant to take you in and out of deeper states on a sort of brainwave roller coaster ride. These might be more useful for stimulating creative thought, or for entertainment than for meditating.

One thing about this powerful technology that makes it very interesting, is that it does the work for you. Some will claim that you lose something if you replace regular meditation practices with brainwave entrainment, and this is a possibility. On the other hand, there is no reason you can’t do it both ways. The power of this technology (if you listen while laying down, you’ll probably fall asleep in minutes) means you can meditate in places and circumstances that are normally ruled out.

For example, you might not ordinarily think of meditating in the lunch room at your place of employment, or in a coffee shop. But with a meditation recording on an MP3 player, you can do this easily. Sit back and close your eyes and hit the play button. The others in the room will assume you are listening to music, and the recording will diminish the volume of all the distracting sounds in the room.

You can also take a walk while meditating. Just clip that MP3 player to your belt or drop it into your shirt pocket as I do, and put in the ear-buds. I like to walk the woods or along a beach while listening to a brainwave entrainment recording. You might try it on city streets as well. In fact, the small size and almost meaningless weight of MP3 players has opened up many interesting ways to practice meditation using brainwave technologies.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To learn more about Meditation, which are the best meditation recordings, and to get the free Mindpower Meditation ebook, visit: http://www.BestMeditationCds.com

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Meditation and Yoga Tips

There are many ways to improve the quality of your life, but one that you may not have thought of is that of meditation.  Some don’t believe it can offer them benefits but there is one thing that meditation and yoga can definitely provide to you:  the ability to relax.

Yoga is a great tool for both exercise and relaxation.  Both meditation and yoga have been shown to provide improvements for those that are in need of stress relief.  And, when you learn how to do them effectively, it takes minutes a day to wash away your stresses.

So, how does this fit into your lifestyle fitness plan?  It’s simple.  You need to spend ten minutes each day, usually before breakfast, quietly meditating or doing yoga.  Ten minutes per day is all that it takes to see significant improvement in your overall well being. 

When you take into account all the things that you are doing in the morning you may not think you have time.  But, again, invest the time for a couple of weeks and you are sure to see the improvements quickly and they will not be such a demanding time taker.

You can learn how to do either meditation or yoga (or both if you like) easily.  Some people are familiar with it enough that they can learn how to do is through at home study.  It’s often a better solution, though to learn with others through a professional. 

Get together with a friend and take a class at your local recreation center or your community college.  You’ll find that once you learn the technique you can do the process on your own, easily.

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Art Therapy – Healing the Heart

We know that art therapy can help children with anger, stress and depression. Do you know that it can also help children with heart disease?

One such patient is an 18 year old girl profiled in the July 1 2009 issue of the Wall Street Journal. At age 9, she had her second heart transplant. Her body was determined to reject the first heart. She went into cardiac arrest six times in 2 hours. She recalled being “awake” when the doctors were frantically trying to revive her.

Fearing that they would pull the plug on her, she tried desperately to tell the people in the hospital room that she was alive.Recuperating at home was no easy matter; she kept having recurring nightmares in which she watched herself suffering cardiac arrest.

Things, however, began to change when she took up the pen. She began writing down her thoughts about being helpless and scared. She turned these details into poems and stories. Eventually, the nightmares disappeared.

Now 18, she has successfully completed high school and is looking forward to nursing school in the fall.She credits her writing for helping her deal with her heart and surgery. It was her creative expression through writing that enabled her to transform something frightening and painful into a positive goal – to make something of her life.

Researchers are taking note of the positive relationship between art therapy and the heart. Some current clinical data on this relationship include the following:

a) Psychosocial factors like depression and stress have been found to be strong risk factors for heart attacks. In fact, these emotional factors are considered as strong as physiological factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.

According to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, depression increases the risk of heart disease more than genetics or the environment. This means that any intervention that can reduce depression can benefit the heart. Scientists are working to determine how artistic expression can be considered a valid form of clinical intervention to be used along with exercise, diets and medication for reducing heart disease.

b) Researchers at Temple University in Philadelphia have found that music can offer substantial benefit to patients who are stressed and anxious about undergoing treatment for coronary heart disease. Listening to music decreases blood pressure, heart rate and levels of anxiety in heart patients. In fact, music therapy is getting increased recognition as a viable form of treatment for depression and mood.

Take for example, Justin P, a young boy born with a heart defect. At 8 months, he had heart surgery. Since he was five years old, he has been experiencing attention and behavior problems at school. Unable to “settle down” in the classroom, Justin nevertheless responds well to music, especially songs with a strong upbeat tempo.

His parents decided to place him in a music therapy class when he turned six. Now 7, Justin can play the piano; he is more focused in school; he is just starting to read and he is a happier child.
According to his parents, music relaxes him and makes him more open to their suggestions.

Creative expressions in art, writing and music can be very effective therapeutic processes for children with heart disease.

Bianca Tora is a writer interested in the relationship between lifestyle and the brain, specifically the area of emotional regulation and control. She has published a book on anger management for children. Visit her at http://www.help-your-child-with-anger.com

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Game Addiction Rehabilitation

What is Video Game Addiction?
Video game addicts are living with a psychological addiction to playing. This form of addiction is not currently included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) due to a lack of research and evidence indicating that it is a disorder. If it is officially recognized as a psychological disorder, it will likely be placed in the same category as gambling addiction – a disorder involving a lack of impulse control.

When they play, their brains produce endorphins, giving them a high similar to that experienced by gamblers or drug addicts. Gamers responses to questions even mirror those of alcoholics and gamblers when asked about use

Causes of Addiction
The video game addict may start off playing for fun, but get “hooked” on the fact that video games are designed to give players a series of rewards for reaching certain levels while playing. The person keeps playing in order to keep getting this payoff. The video games also allow players to develop relationships with other players, and the video game addict may find these virtual relationships more rewarding than those that take place outside of the game.

Signs that a person has become a video game addict include:

1. Do you neglect relationships with your friends and family to spend more time playing video games?
2. Do you struggle to keep up with your schoolwork and/or professional responsibilities?
3. Have you ever taken a “sick day” to play your favorite game?
4. Do you lie to others about your video game use? Have you ever been criticized by someone close to you for spending too much time playing video games?
5. When you’re not playing video games, do you feel angry or depressed? Do you spend your time wishing you could be playing your favorite game?
6. Do you get so engrossed in video games that you neglect to eat, sleep or shower?
7. Do you suffer from backaches, dry eyes or headaches after playing video games? Have you been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome?

Treatment for Video Game Addiction
1. A therapist or treatment program that specializes in adolescents would be a first place to start. For example, a summer camp or wilderness program will get your child out of his normal environment and into a situation where he is forced to experience reality.

2. Sending a socially challenged child to a rough-and-tumble military or boot camp with highly competitive activities could do more harm than good.

3. Sharing experiences and interacting with other video game addicts could also be an essential part of the recovery process.

4. Video Game Detox, treatment for video game addiction is similar to detox for other addictions, with one important difference. Computers have become an important part of everyday life, as well as many jobs, so compulsive gamers cant just look the other way when they see a PC.

5. With appropriate help and support, a video game addict can learn to stop playing games.

However, therapy involving a young child will usually focus on the parents developing strategies and setting appropriate limits for their child.

Read more Rehabilitation Information http://rehabmethod.com/

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Guided Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a process that can help you get in touch with yourself and your mind. This practice, a series of meditation techniques and philosophy, descends from Buddhist teachings. Basically, mindfulness involves having a total awareness of one’s self, their mind and body and consciousness, as well as having a completely open and curious mindset. Most importantly, mindfulness involves slowing the mind down so as to be aware only of the immediate present. Before attaining this mindset, one must clear away all thoughts of distraction.

How can you start doing this? Start by finding a quiet and comfortable place to relax. You don’t have to lie down; in fact, you can sit in a chair or on the floor. Keep your head, neck and back straight, but do not tighten up. Now it’s time to try and relax. Remove all distractions from your mind, everything related to the past and future. Live in the present and let your mind become only aware of the immediate present.

It also helps to use what is called the “anchor.” This is an object that can be focused on, in order to help you clear your mind. Some doctors have used physical objects (remember the old swinging clock?) though a more modern anchor is a concentrated series of breaths. If you become aware of your breathing, and focus deeply on the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body, as well as the rising and falling of your belly, and you really focus on all these physical processes, then this can be your anchor.

Do not try and ignore other thoughts and distractions because this will involve too much fighting. On the contrary, let the thought come and go and concentrate on remaining calm.

Eventually you will start to feel this completeness and calmness. After it passes, sit still for about two minutes and let yourself become aware of where you are. Return to routine gradually, slowing things down. Guided mindfulness meditation will help improve many aspects of your life.

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Health News

Musical Instrument Gift Day Helps Combat Wounded Veterans

Keller, TX (PRWEB) August 16, 2011

On September 21, 2011, the National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) is sponsoring its third annual Musical Instrument Gift Day, where pawnbrokers from around the country make generous donations of musical instruments to organizations in need.

This year, NPA is working closely with Wings for Warriors, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide necessary tools, insights and resources for combat wounded veterans as they go through the recovery process and transition into new realities.

Anthony Ameen, the organizations founder and a combat wounded veteran who served in Afghanistan, stated, My recovery was helped immensely through music therapy by playing the guitar. We are excited to be working with the NPA to deliver the gift of music to help speed the recovery of combat wounded veterans. Visit WingsForWarriors.org to learn how the organization is changing lives.

Now in its third year, Gift Day has donated thousands of musical instruments to charity organizations supporting underprivileged children, families, and veterans. This year, NPA members will donate guitars and other musical instruments used for physical therapy and fun to three leading Army Medical Centers and other related groups.

If you are interested in participating in this years event you can sign up by visiting the Gift Day website GiftDay.org/contact/ and submitting a contact form.

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Health News

New Resources on Adolescent Grief and Bereavement

Eugene, Oregon (PRWEB) September 27, 2011

Losing a loved one is a difficult time for anyone at any age, said Steven Ungerleider, PhD., founding editor of The Prevention Researcher. But for an adolescent, such a loss can be especially difficult.

During adolescence, many young people unfortunately become bereaved due to the death of a family member, loved one, or friend. Most youth are resilient and recover from their grief fairly soon but many others have difficulty and may need the help of supportive adults

In the current issue of The Prevention Researcher, four researchers examine how bereavement impacts adolescent development, explore the influence of culture on adolescent grief, provide insight into adolescents mourning process, and discuss strategies for supporting grieving youth, including use of music therapy.

David Balk, PhD. writes that In order to understand how grieving youth respond to the loss of a loved one, it is important for counselors, clinicians, and others working with youth to understand how bereavement impacts adolescent development and how adolescent development impacts bereavement. In his article, Dr. Balk explores these two components focusing on cognitive, behavioral, and affective responses during three stages of adolescence and discusses human responses to bereavement.

Sandra Lopez, D.C.S.W., examines culture as an influencing factor in adolescent grief and bereavement, introducing a framework for understanding culture and its components. She provides a case illustration that provides practical guidelines for honoring cultural differences for grieving adolescents.

An interview by Carol Thomas, PhD. with Wendy Littner Thomson, a bereavement coordinator in a hospice program, provides insight into the mourning process and shows how adults can be effective in helping youth who are struggling with grief. Ms. Thomson notes that whats written in most high school health textbooks about stages of grief is outdated. We dont get over grief. We learn to live with it; we integrate it into our being, our identity, and the way we see the world.

Katrina McFerron, PhD., writes in Music Therapy with Bereaved Youth: Expressing Grief and Feeling Better that music therapy is particularly effective for promoting resolution of grief-related feelings. She outlines relevant outcomes for the prevention of health problems in response to bereavement among adolescents.

For a preview of a digital edition of The Prevention Researcher on Adolescent Grief and Bereavement, visit http://www.tpronline.org.


About The Prevention Researcher

Founded in 1994, The Prevention Researcher is published by the non-profit, Integrated Research Services in Eugene, Oregon. The quarterly journal focuses on successful adolescent development and serves professionals who work with young people in a variety of organizational settings.

Each issue of The Prevention Researcher covers a single topic, presenting the latest adolescent behavioral research and findings on significant issues facing todays youth. The journal provides information about programs that create supportive environments for youth, strategies for preventing problems affecting adolescents, and resources that help youth-serving professionals.

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