Managing anxiety during the time of the coronavirus

The global health crisis the world is currently facing is unlike any crisis anyone has ever experienced before. With a huge percentage of the world’s population in their homes not allowed to venture out for their own safety, experts predict that countless people will develop mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Peter Max.

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Psychologists believe it’s very important that people learn to manage their stress levels during this trying period in world history. Some people who already have existing mental health issues are urged to take on activities to get their mind off the current situation. While that is a lot easier said than done, there are some tasks such as exercising and making art which have been proven to lower anxiety in many individuals. Peter Max.

However, for people who are struggling with more serious mental health problems, it is imperative that they look to the internet for help. Nowadays, there are several mental health professionals such as psychologists who accept patients online, conducting video calls and therapy sessions via conferencing apps. Such meetings, even if in cyberspace, can go a long way in helping people cope with the isolation of being in lockdown. Peter Max.

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But while there are measures that can be taken to manage one’s anxiety, the acceptance of the situation should come before anything else. Peter Max.

New York and beyond: Staying safe at home

As much as it pains Peter Max, he acknowledges how much his beloved New York City has struggled over the past few months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York has been one of the hardest hit cities, and because of this, Peter wants to take this opportunity to set aside his sports blogs for a moment and contribute in the battle against the global health crisis.

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Today's blog will be devoted to listing important information on how New Yorkers can stay safe at home.

Disinfect anything that comes from outside.

From groceries and food to mail, keys, mobile phones, shoes, and clothing, if it came or was used outside, it should be disinfected before bringing the items inside. Spraying them with disinfectant should do the trick. It is also recommended if all homes will have a "disinfecting area" where all the cleaning will be done.

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Be obsessed with personal hygiene.

The constant washing of hands and showering after touching anything that came outside can be a life-saving practice. The novel coronavirus has a weak shell, and soap and shampoo foam can penetrate it easily.

No visitors, yet.

It may be hard, especially for people who are not used to being in isolation, but everyone should entertain any visitors yet. The fewer contact people have with each other, the lower the chances of getting infected, explains Peter Max.

Expert advice on food for people with depression

Several leading researchers in the field of mental health have predicted that depression will be the leading cause of disability on a global scale in the next decade. A huge factor in the ever-increasing number of people with depression can be attributed to a lack of awareness. Peter Max.

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However, many people have rallied to the cause of battling depression. This blog shares a mental health expert’s guide to food that can help people suffering from this terrible disease. After all, in a crisis like this, every little bit helps. Peter Max.

To keep those energy levels up

Patients suffering from depression almost always complain of a lack of energy, which makes them feel lethargic, unmotivated, and uninspired. To keep those energy levels up, one should consume fruits and vegetables, as well as a healthy amount of carbohydrates.

As far as caffeine is concerned, while it may be effective in energizing a person, it may also lead to dehydration being a diuretic. Coffee and tea are acceptable as long as they’re taken in regulated amounts. Peter Max.

Food to stay clear off

Mental health experts caution people with depression to stay clear of food with high sugar content because of the sugar crash that might come after. They explain that the highest sugar highs may not be worth the lowest of the lows.

And of course, it goes without saying that people with depression should not drink alcoholic beverages since alcohol is known to dampen one’s mood and may very well worsen the condition. Peter Max.

Yankee lore: Remembering McCann’s toe

Peter Max is a long-time fan of New York sports teams. In fact, every time he gets together with friends, he loves talking about all the legends and lore that surround the Knicks and Yankees as much as he loves talking about current news about these organizations.

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On this blog, Peter Max recounts one of his favorite more recent Yankees stories – Brian McCann’s toe.

The world sees Brian McCann as a tough guy, especially after discovering that he not only played but excelled with a swollen left toe. Any baseball player will tell you that it’s darn near impossible. But McCann did it, and he did it splendidly.

Throughout the season, McCann has been a force to be reckoned with, being on base in 13 of 22 plate showings. He has reached base without incident twice in the five games he played in and even led the league with a jaw-dropping .591 on-base percentage. He tied the great Yogi Berra as a catcher to score 10 runs in six games.

But even with all the accomplishments, it was his effort despite having injured his left big toe that people will likely remember. A foul tip hit his toe, and yet he still managed to reach home base and tie the game. McCann refused to quit and helped the Yankees get their fourth win five games.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder

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Do you have extreme shifts in your moods? Like you’re happy one moment and then super depressed the next? If your moods track within these extremes, you potentially have Bipolar Disorder. We’ll talk about the general symptoms of bipolar disorder here so you can start assessing yourself if you need to seek the counsel of a therapist and then treatment. Peter Max

Statistically, 20% of the people who enter treatment for depression may be suffering from bipolar disorder. The key difference is that people suffering from bipolar disorder may have periods of feelings of elation that therapists refer to as manic episodes. You can differentiate unipolar depression with bipolar depression with these shifts in moods and behavior. The standard unipolar depression does not possess these upticks in feelings like bipolar disorder has. This association with depression has made diagnosing bipolar disorder challenging. Peter Max

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Patients who suffer from bipolar disorder may actually also be suffering from the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Around 60% of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder admit to abusing substances. It’s possible that these patients use alcohol and drugs to escape or manage their conditions, but this behavior can impact the detection of the disorder. The abuse of substances can also induce erratic changes in moods and can cloud the nuances therapists are looking for when making a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Peter Max.

Basically, what potential patients and therapists should look for involves the cycling of the moods between depression and mania. If a patient encounters a major depressive episode within a specific time period like a year, which is bisected by periods of hypomania like being upbeat and euphoric, there’s a high likelihood that the patient has bipolar disorder. The presence of these shifts, as well as how fast the patient cycles between mental states are, will dictate if they possess Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, or other types of the condition. Peter Max

Sports marketing for good: Introducing sports to the community

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As a person who’s truly interested in sports marketing, Peter Max has found ways for people to use their marketing skills for the good of the community.

Time and again, the world has seen success stories of how talented kids were saved from a life on the streets to rise up, develop their gifts, and shine in competition. They would otherwise not have gotten the chance if it weren’t for organizers of sporting events in their neighborhoods. And even in the absence of future superstars, organizing and marketing sports in a community can do so much good for all the members of it.

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Health and wellness events benefit everyone of every age. From school athletes to senior citizens to business owners, sporting events in a village or those held in the public park can have the power to change lives.

Just imagine watching a demonstration of martial arts or self-defense in a park and being inspired to train with them. Peter Max believes similar situations could be the start of something transformational for many Americans, especially those who need to whip themselves in shape.

And even if the inspiration isn’t there, something as trivial as family fun runs around the neighborhood could be oh-so-fun for the family, and something people can build a tradition around.

How does meditation help manage anxiety?

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Anxiety disorders aren’t common, and there are several ways of managing it. The most common means of managing anxiety is through medication. However, anxiety medication has been under fire for several occasions. First off, there’s the laundry list of side effects, including nausea, drowsiness, insomnia, headache, weight loss or weight gain, and restlessness, to name a few. Next, some people take anxiety medication on a need-to basis rather than on scheduled hours which can lead to addiction, overdose, and death. Peter Max.

One way of managing anxiety that isn’t widely talked about is mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation helps one pay attention by slowing down and observing the world without judgment. For people with generalized anxiety disorder, performing mindfulness meditation can decrease worrying thoughts. Peter Max.

Mindfulness meditation is a combination of meditation and mindfulness. Meditation is all about entering a state of relaxation or restful alertness while mindfulness pertains to being observant of the current moment. By combining the two, people can enter a state of consciousness where they can think about problems objectively.

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Peter Max. This is such a great boon for people who suffer from anxiety. For those who don’t know what it feels like to have an anxiety attack, it’s the overwhelming feeling of worries and fears and generally negative emotions. While an anxiety attack stems from a mental state, it can manifest itself physically in the form of dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and a racing heartbeat.

What’s great about mindfulness meditation for people suffering from anxiety is that it allows them to address the issue of their anxiety from a calm and collected state of mind. And while this is not considered a treatment for anxiety, it is one of the best ways of managing it. Peter Max.