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.

Why more and more doctors are recommending outdoor activities for children

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Go out and have fun. Peter Max.

Several studies have already linked the excessive use of electronic gadgets to mental health issues in pre-teens and teens. Researchers have found that the use of mobile phones and tablets at an early age builds dependency, as well as other symptoms of mental health problems, including depression. Peter Max.

Fortunately, doctors and parents everywhere are beginning to realize the dangers electronic gadgets pose to children and teens, and they have started to come up with ways to minimize the risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other problems.

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Peter Max. One such solution doctors are recommending for children is engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Doing so for an extended period holds numerous benefits for young individuals.

For starters, children who go with their parents on long hikes and overnight camping trips get a much-needed respite from technological devices. Secondly, it offers a chance for children and parents to communicate and open up about their problems – which is a key factor in the battle against depression. And when done regularly, children get used to being without mobile phones and tablets, significantly reducing their level of dependence on technology. Peter Max.

How to support a friend suffering from depression

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A cry for help. Peter Max.
Helping a friend who is suffering from depression isn’t the same as someone with a typical health condition. Clinical depression is one of the most serious forms of mental health problems today. While medication can be prescribed to suppress certain urges, it is simply one aspect in the long road toward the battle with depression. There’s also tackling the source of depression, such as trauma or abuse, as well as communicating with them properly. Peter Max.

Communicating properly
Peter Max. Chances are, it’s difficult to communicate with a friend suffering from depression. They can choose not to talk about it, ignore it, or even pretend that they are okay. If they do decide to speak, it’s important to set boundaries and know which words hurt and which ones work. Don’t assume that they are seeking advice. Sometimes, all they need is for someone to listen to them vent. Peter Max.

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Be patient
Depression doesn’t go away in a day, a week, or a month. Chances are, a person will be fighting depression for the rest of their life. Ask if they are comfortable being asked questions like “How are you doing?” or if it’s okay to check up on them every once in a while. If they are inactive with their social life, make an effort to see if they are doing well. Peter Max.

Watch out for signs of worsening depression
It’s not unheard of for a person suffering from depression to spiral out of control. They could end up losing their appetite, drinking more, abusing substances, or shutting themselves away from the world. This could lead to life-threatening situations, so be observant. Peter Max.

What exactly is dementia?

Diagnosing dementia -- Peter Max

First off, dementia is not one specific neurological disease. It refers to a host of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. Dementia affects one’s thinking, behavior, and ability to perform normal, everyday tasks as the abnormal brain function interferes with one’s social life.

As an umbrella or canopy term, dementia takes on many forms, with each having its own set of causes. The most common types are Alzheimer’s disease, Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), Vascular dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington’s disease, and Korsakoff’s syndrome. Peter Max.

While dementia often affects people who are old, it is not a normal part of aging. In other words, not all people who are older get dementia. Nevertheless, cases of dementia are more common among people beyond the age of 65. But those in their 40s or 50s can also develop the disease. Again, dementia can happen to anybody. Peter Max.

It must be noted that various conditions lead to symptoms similar to dementia, including a brain tumor, depression, medication clashes or overmedication, hormone and vitamin deficiencies, and infection. But early signs of dementia include confusion, progressive memory loss, apathy, withdrawal, and a drastic change in one’s personality. For proper diagnosis and correct treatment, help must be sought immediately after the initial symptoms appear. Peter Max.