Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center
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We’ve all had those days when the alarm goes off and we lie in bed, feeling depleted of our energy, and maybe even our good mood. We think to ourselves, “I’m not really sick, but I just need a break from real life today.” While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling […]
We’ve all had those days when the alarm goes off and we lie in bed, feeling depleted of our energy, and maybe even our good mood. We think to ourselves, “I’m not really sick, but I just need a break from real life today.” While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling physically unwell, what’s not as common – but perhaps should be – is taking a mental health day when you are feeling mentally and emotionally unwell.
Now many, if not most, companies do offer their employees personal days with no questions asked. But many people save these days for what seems like real-life emergencies. They feel guilty if they use one of these days to simply rest and relax their mind.
The truth is, taking a mental health day from work or school can be extremely important for your overall well-being. It can help you avoid burnout, improve your mood, help you get some much-needed rest, and rejuvenate you so you can tackle “real life” once again.
So how do you know when you are really in need of a mental health day and when you’re just feeling a bit lazy and unmotivated?
Stress
You’ve been feeling overwhelmed and irritable.
You Just Feel… Off
Sometimes we don’t feel like ourselves, but we can’t quite put our finger on what’s wrong. We know we feel anxious and like the world is a bit too much. This is a sure sign you need a break.
Getting Sick More Often
Are you dealing with a cold that “just won’t go away?” When we are stressed, our immune systems become compromised, and it’s harder for us to fight off the common cold.
The bottom line is you should never feel guilty for taking some time for your mental health. I encourage you to take a mental health day every once in a while. Sometimes it’s the absolute best thing we can do for ourselves.
And if you find a mental health day didn’t quite do the trick, you may have more going on in your life that requires more hands-on treatment. If you like the idea of speaking with someone about whatever is bothering you, please get in touch with me so we can discuss treatment options.
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July is BIPOC mental health month. The event was established in 2008 as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in an effort to create awareness of the unique struggles faced by underrepresented groups in the United States. Campbell was an author, teacher, and mental health advocate with a mission to shine […]
July is BIPOC mental health month. The event was established in 2008 as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in an effort to create awareness of the unique struggles faced by underrepresented groups in the United States. Campbell was an author, teacher, and mental health advocate with a mission to shine a light on the mental health issues of minority communities.
BIPOC mental health month seeks to continue the visionary work of Campbell by developing public education campaigns that bring awareness to as many people as possible while also addressing the needs of BIPOC.
According to the Mental Health America organization, over 15 million BIPOC have reported they struggle with mental health issues. Unfortunately, many of these people face roadblocks to seeking the treatment they so desperately need.
Far too often people in the BIPOC community refuse to seek help for their mental health issues because they belong to a culture that has a social stigma surrounding therapy. For instance, in some BIPOC communities, admitting you need help means you are “crazy” or “weak.”
Often, people within the BIPOC community do not speak English. If these people live in smaller, rural communities in the United States, they may not have access to clinicians who speak a foreign language. In addition, according to the American Psychological Association, 86% of psychologists in the United States are White. With so few BIPOC people becoming therapists themselves, it can then be hard for others within their community to find a therapist who understands their culture and specific challenges.
Individuals within the BIPOC community often face a lack of resources to even begin learning about mental health and the specific issues they may be facing. One such resource is the National Alliance of Mental Illness. If you are a member of the BIPOC community, please share this resource with others.
If you or someone you know is a part of the BIPOC community and suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or any other mental health disorder and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.
RESOURCES:
You have worked hard and deserve to enjoy health and wellness after you retire. Like most Americans, you may count on Medicare to provide for your medical and mental health needs. You may, therefore, be surprised to learn that Licensed Professional Counselors cannot be reimbursed through Medicare. This means that many seniors who need counseling […]
You have worked hard and deserve to enjoy health and wellness after you retire. Like most Americans, you may count on Medicare to provide for your medical and mental health needs. You may, therefore, be surprised to learn that Licensed Professional Counselors cannot be reimbursed through Medicare. This means that many seniors who need counseling do not receive such services. Many older Americans struggle with grief, depression, anxiety, and addiction to opioid pain medication. Licensed Professional Counselors have the training and skills needed to help the most vulnerable and deserving members of our community.
At Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center, our Licensed Clinical Social Workers serve clients who are on Medicare. Our Licensed Professional Counsellors serve clients who pay cash or have other insurance. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act proposes an extension of Medicare coverage to include services provided by Licensed Professional Counselors. This will make Medicare more fair and allow us to better serve you and your community.
The Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S.286/H.R.945) was introduced to the U.S. Senate on January 31, 2019. There it was read twice and then referred to the Committee on Finance. Currently, the bill has only 17 cosponsors in the Senate and 35 in the House. Legislators pay attention when they hear from their constituents but may ignore important issues if they are unaware of how their constituents are affected.
Support Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center and your friends and family members who are Medicare-eligible. Ask your representative to cosponsor this bill.
Few things zap your energy the way a stressful day can. Stress is known to reduce our levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that play an important role in our mood, energy and motivation. After a difficult day, you might be tempted to lounge on the couch watching TV until it’s time to go to […]
Few things zap your energy the way a stressful day can. Stress is known to reduce our levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that play an important role in our mood, energy and motivation. After a difficult day, you might be tempted to lounge on the couch watching TV until it’s time to go to bed. Although it might feel good in the moment, it won’t give you the mood and energy lift you need after a rough day. Here are five simple ways you can recharge yourself.
1. Unplug
After a stress-filled day, you need to unwind—and that means turning off your phone for some much-needed “me” time. It can be tempting to sit on the couch with your phone all night, checking emails, responding to texts, or getting lost on Facebook or Instagram.
Unplug. Turn your phone off and put it in a drawer in a room in your house that’s out of the way, or leave it in your car. Don’t touch it again until after you’ve had a good night’s rest.
2. Go Outside
If the sun is still out after your rough day, put on your comfy shoes and go for a quick walk. Exposure to the sunlight will help your brain release serotonin, which will boost your mood and help you feel calm and focused. Exercise is also one of the best ways you can improve your mood, helping you relieve stress and sleep better at night. Even if the sun is down, a walk outside will still help, as the exercise and fresh air will help you feel invigorated.
3. Refresh Yourself
After a tough day, take the time to refresh yourself by taking a 45-minute nap. A quick 5 or 10-minute meditation session can also help lift you up. Use your phone to find a guided meditation on YouTube, or play some relaxing music while you meditate quietly for a few minutes. You can also pamper yourself with a bubble bath, or if you need something more uplifting, take a quick shower. Before you get out of the shower, splash some ice cold water in your face; the chill will refresh you and wake you up.
4. Eat Healthy
A healthy dinner or snack is just the thing you need after a rough day. Avoid comfort foods that will leave you feeling sluggish. Instead, fuel your body with protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods will slowly release energy into your bloodstream, and you’ll likely get a mental boost as well from the feel-good result of eating healthy.
5. Make Plans
Looking forward to something is a great way to boost your mood long-term. Plan a vacation, a weekend getaway, or just a day trip. Even planning a special meal, or a visit to a new bar or restaurant will help; give yourself something to look forward to.
Are you struggling to maintain your energy levels? Is stress causing you to feel tired, anxious or depressed? A licensed therapist can help you find ways to manage stressful situations. Call my office today and let’s schedule a time to talk.
Having an important interview is nerve-wracking for just about everyone. But when you’re an introvert, interviews can feel almost unbearable. If you are an introvert and you have an important interview coming up, follow these tips to feel calm and in control. 1. See it as an Opportunity An introvert’s first reaction to the prospect […]
Having an important interview is nerve-wracking for just about everyone. But when you’re an introvert, interviews can feel almost unbearable.
If you are an introvert and you have an important interview coming up, follow these tips to feel calm and in control.
An introvert’s first reaction to the prospect of an interview is usually dread. This obviously sets a very bad tone for the actual event. See the interview as an opportunity to advance your career or positively change your life in some way. Feeling anything right off the bat besides positivity is just setting you up for experiencing anxiety.
The more you know what to expect, the calmer you will feel walking into that meeting. It’s fine for you to ask some details about what you can expect. Will you be meeting with one person or more? What will be discussed? Don’t obsess over the information but try to get a sense of what you will experience. This will help you visualize the event ahead of time and get comfortable with the idea.
Once you find out who will be interviewing you, spend a little time looking up their background. Knowing a little bit about the person or people will also illustrate your interest in the position and help you be comfortable in conversation.
On the day, don’t scold yourself for being nervous. It is completely natural for everyone to be nervous. You care about the outcome, and you’re feeling on the spot. Everyone feels like this. Accept that nerves simply mean you want to do a good job and then stop thinking about them.
You know why there is so much discussion about the benefits of slow, deep breathing? Because it actually works. By breathing slowly and deeply you are sending a signal to your brain that there is no danger in your environment. Your brain then tells the rest of your body to “cool it.” Fight-or-flight hormones cease being excreted, heart rate slows, and you feel calm. This is powerful and it WORKS! So that morning getting ready, and on your drive, and while you are waiting, think of little else than keeping your breathe slow, deep and steady.
Being an introvert doesn’t have to be a curse. If you follow these five tips you will set yourself up for interview success.