Letting go of a love that was never meant to be yours is one of the most terrible ordeals in life. It will consume your whole being and all your emotions as if it is the end of the world. Getting through it makes it even more challenging as you would find it impossible to overcome because of the unbearable pain. …

“He Is My World. I Could Not Imagine Life Without Him.” 

When I met him, my instinct did not deceive me that he has a thing for me and that I could confidently say. He made me feel special, yes, in everything he does; he made me feel like a VIP. As expected, I fell for his trap. I became too dependent on him without knowing if he also has special attention to me. I was hesitant to confront him, as he’s too coward to confess. In the end, we just let things happen as they were. Days go by and I realized how much I had given most of my time to him. I did not know that I tolerated our status unlabeled for two years because we were happy with each other as if we were officially together. Until that dreadful day came and I realized that I had no right over him when I learned that he was courting someone else. That very moment I felt numb, I wanted to cry, but not a single teardrop would fall off from my eyes. I wanted to scream so loud, but no sound would resonate from my throat, and the only thing that was clear to me that moment was the fact that my world is being taken away from me. I was scared to lose him as he was my ALL. But I forgot we had no particular connection. …

Exercise. People have a love and hate relationship with it. Everyone knows that the benefits of exercise can significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health. Many types of research support that exercise releases happy hormones called endorphins, thus stabilizing moods. In a way, exercise can be utilized as a complementary therapy to mental illnesses. Despite the many affirmations and significant benefits of exercise, there are still some people who don’t get into the system and practice it.

“Many people skip the workout at the very time it has the greatest payoff. That prevents you from noticing just how much better you feel when you exercise,” Michael Otto, PhD, says.…

Depression affects approximately 16.1 million Americans and this mental illness can take a toll on their lives as well in their spouse and family’s lives. The divorce rates are escalating as an effect of irreconcilable differences due to a psychological condition, and feelings of hopelessness towards living together. Divorce-proofing your marriage is said to be a hopeless tactic since nobody knows what the future brings, but taking proactive steps is also one way to curb the anxiety of possible divorce. It is often best to strengthen the foundations of marriage than to repair damages.  …

The pursuit of happiness is a lifelong process and it is continually changing depending on the definition of the individual. Some find it in the most random places while doing something trivialities, but amazingly, they have attained happiness.…

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Most of us, including me, are suffering from anxiety and stress from common factors like parenting, fatigue from work, or financial issues. When we are anxious and stressed, other symptoms such as irritation, nervousness, and chest pain also manifest. Generally, anxiety is known to be one of the most common mental health conditions observed in adults.

“There’s a societal pressure to keep going, put your best foot forward, and never show vulnerability or weakness,” said clinical psychologist Jaclyn Lopez Witmer, PsyD.

In fact, in America, more than 15% of adults suffer from anxiety yearly. On the other hand, conditions like hyperthyroidism may also lead to anxiety disorder. Thus, it is wise to be properly diagnosed before you seek treatment.

This article will focus on the different healthy remedies of anxiety and stress. These natural ways are safe even if they are used in conjunction with prescription medications.

 

• There are never enough reasons for you to exercise. Physical activity and regularly active routines help on a lot of things, one of which is releasing bad toxins in the body that are caused by stressful situations.

 

• If you are trying to control your tantrums and violent reactions due to anxiety, you can always express it by writing. Often, I have learned to write down the anger and frustration that I feel whenever I have too many chores to do and no time for myself. I used to vent them out to my children and most especially to my husband, which is not good at all for our relationship and the family as a whole. Writing about my problems as well as the solutions that I could try has helped me manage my anxiety.

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• Relaxation Techniques. A common one that is taught in some meditation classes is the isometric muscle contractions. When we are so stressed, we don’t notice how tense our muscles are, and that adds to the negativity that we feel inside. You can use this technique when you are lying on the bed. Slowly tense your muscles consciously, maybe starting from the closing your hands into fists so that you are contracting your upper extremities. Then add the belly muscles and eventually down to your toes. Reverse the procedure when you release the tension, starting from the toes up to the fingers and jaw muscles. This is a very effective technique that puts some people to sleep after.

 

• Cannabinoid Oil. Unlike marijuana, the cannabinoid oil or CBD doesn’t have the THC component, the substance in marijuana that produces a ‘high.’ It is available in the market without any prescription from a doctor. There have been numerous reports from individuals who have felt a significant reduction in their stress and anxiety. In areas where marijuana has been legalized, some doctors also prescribe it. According to Peter Grinspoon, MD of Harvard Medical School, “CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.”

 

• Herbal Tea. A lot of teas promise to aid in relaxation, ease of sleep, and decrease in anxiety levels – and most of them hold to their promise. Chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and green tea are only some of the several effective herbal teas available all over the world.

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• Animal Therapy. Adopting a pet for love and companionship is very effective in inducing calmness and relaxation. As explained by Sally Nazari, PsyD, our pets “do not need to be trained to provide natural healing. By simply playing with or cuddling our pets, we can benefit from the calming, soothing effect of their company” and can help us “cope with symptoms of anxiety and depression, fear, and the handful of other tough emotions likely to follow a traumatic experience.” Pets, particularly dogs, cats, and horses, may be useful to those who have a range of mental health problems like anxiety disorder. Walking dogs and grooming horses have had significant positive results.

 

• When you are officially diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, it means that you have a chronic mental illness that could restrict you to function normally. When there is no concrete medical cause of the anxiety, then therapy might very much help. Therapy allows an individual to understand his condition, the triggers, and how to manage his anxiety positively.

 

Conclusion

The anxiety that is left unattended can easily worsen and lead to more stress than you’ve ever experienced. But it is good to know that anxiety can be treated and managed. And if you are not fond of taking regular doses of medications, then you can certainly turn to the natural ways mentioned above. Try these remedies before seeking medical treatment. Perhaps all you need is the smell of lavender or chamomile to get that badly needed sleep.

 

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The saying ‘the body is a wonderland and a temple’ only holds true if you are treating it as it is. Are you? How are you taking care of your body? You might have heard that sleep and exercise are among the many ways you can maintain your physical and mental health. Eating fruits and vegetables is also another winner.

In Asia, apart from eating healthily, they are also fond of drinking tea, particularly green tea. Green tea has become the standard drink for most Asian countries as Asians claim that it has helped them keep their skin healthy and young-looking. Western countries are also slowly recognizing its benefits, although green tea continues to be grown in Asia. It is shipped all over the world so that others can also reap the beauty and health benefits of this magnificent tea.

Beauty And Health Benefits Of Green Tea

Weight Loss. Individuals who participated in a study were seen to have lost weight after a month of regularly taking it. This is mainly because of green speeds up your body’s metabolism, so you lose calories while sipping a cup every day, even without exercise.

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Retards Aging. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants known as polyphenols, which are responsible for slowing the aging process. They effectively counteract the ill effects of free radicals that may cause cancer, eye problems, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Most Chinese women also report that they have noticed a reduction of wrinkles on their face with long-term drinking of green tea.

Enhances Complexion. Improving skin elasticity and complexion is a popular advantage that people say about green tea. As you drink the boiled tea leaves, your toxins are subsequently flushed out of your body. Regularly drinking a cup a day helps you normalize your complexion.

Prevents Disease. A study done by health experts showed that drinking green tea daily helped slow or prevented the onset of Parkinson’s disease. This is due to the tea’s ability to keep a person’s brain cells intact, subsequently avoiding the depletion of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is seen as scarce in the brain imaging studies of those with Parkinson’s.

Keeps Teeth Healthy. Some kinds of toothpaste have green tea components added to them, ever since the tea was found to fight bacteria in the mouth from proliferating. Thus, it helps prevent dental plaques, tars, and tooth decay.

Decreases Presence Of Dark Circles And Wrinkles. Green tea consists of tannins, powerful antioxidants that are known to reduce or eliminate the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and wrinkles on the forehead. These antioxidants also able to shrink the small arteries within the skin surrounding the eyes, leading to reduced puffiness and swelling. The lightening effect is due to green tea’s vitamin K component.

Boosts The Immune System. A study on mice revealed that green tea is a potent immune booster that reversed the infection injected on the mice. It may also help manage or reduce infection in other parts of the body.

Heart Disease Prevention. Regularly drinking green tea helps control and prevent the risk of heart conditions. This is one of the most popular health benefits of this tea, and this is why most Asians have it just after breakfast or dinner. It effectively decreases cholesterol levels as well.

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Conclusion

Asia has introduced a variety of teas and distributed these around the world. Among those that are equally popular for health and beauty are lavender, chamomile, and jasmine. Give these a try and experience a relaxing and rejuvenating morning after every drink.

 

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Many individuals think that optimal health implies perfect health or successfully finding a cure for a specific illness. Perhaps this can be true, but sadly, it is not what it usually means. Truth be told, the meaning of optimal health depends on the particular circumstance and the corresponding health condition that you’re facing, which means that what may be impeccably healthy for me may be entirely different for you.

Being The Best Version Of Yourself

Yes, that is the closest definition of optimal health, being the best version of you. It is to achieve your paramount level of wellness physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It is to live to the fullest amidst any mental or physical health illness, trauma, or undesirable situation that you may be facing.

“The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified eight dimensions of wellness to focus on to optimize health. The eight dimensions include: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social,” writes Marjie L. Roddick, MA, NCC, LMHC.

Remember that, again, your best may not be another person’s best, as it may differ from person to person.

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What Affects Optimal Health?

A person’s level of health that he can attain depends on different factors. Availability of money is one of those factors. Perhaps you need to undergo a procedure to heal fully, but you can’t go through it because of financial restraints. Other factors include the type of impairment, stress level, age, individual compliance, barriers, knowledge of health providers taking care of the individual, genetics, and his commitment to recover.

Optimal health does not always mean that you are cured. Sometimes, it may mean that you can manage your condition and are capable of taking necessary actions that ensure the prevention of further complications. With the appropriate measures and therapies, progress can be achieved and optimized, and the person can once more live a meaningful and happy life.

Journey Towards Acceptance

Being optimally healthy doesn’t precisely mean that you have surpassed all health restrictions. At times, it may also mean that you can live day by day as fully as possible, notwithstanding your existing condition. It is about experiencing joy and inner peace, and ultimately finding the confidence to accept where you are in your journey towards aspiring to be healthier than you are now.

“When we’re self-accepting, we’re able to embrace all facets of ourselves—not just the positive, more ‘esteem-able’ parts,” writes Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D.

On the other hand, the positive change is not seen on the outside sometimes, but rather internally, where your emotional and spiritual sense has caused you to move up to the next level from within instead of seeing a physical change.

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Achieving Optimal Health

There are different ways to attain that state of optimal health for you, but the first line of defense would be consuming nutritious food and living a clean lifestyle that is, of course, compatible with being healthy.

Drew Ramsey, M.D. explains, “What you feel, how you perceive things, and how focused you are is a reflection of brain chemistry—and you have some control over that chemistry based on what you eat.”

The primary elements that you should have in place that would make up the structure of your healing plan include living green, following a paleo diet, taking deep breaths, and practicing mindfulness.

When you have achieved these elements, you will move to the next level and include other more essential techniques, like exercising, committing to your plans, and identifying your triggers for stress. Other things are equally important to address, such as social support, relaxation, and positive thinking, among others.

Conclusion

The journey towards attaining optimal health is never-ending. It is a life-long process that needs your commitment and effort to focus on your goal. From time to time, get back to your goal and ask yourself what it means to you to achieve it. Remember that health is a vital part of your life. It should matter to you if you achieve it or not.

 

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Do you evaluate your emotional status and do something about it when you feel that something isn’t right? Do you even care? If we should be honest, no, we don’t usually do. You may assess the status of your mind, but how do you know how to ease emotional pain when you are hurt, or when you are insecure, or when you lose someone? Most of us don’t know how to do that either.

 

The truth is, our emotional well-being is as crucial to our way of life as our physical well-being. But we usually see how much effort we put into working out and going on a diet so that we are physically healthy, yet we do not mind so much about how we are psychologically. It is clear then that we need to pay more attention to our mental and emotional health. A practical method for us to begin catching up is to practice treating emotional injuries when you experience them, just as how we immediately patch our wounds when we stumble. Here are some simple approaches.

 

• Protect Your Self-Confidence. Confidence is our weapon against all psychological battles in life. Naturally, when it is low, no one is more hurt than us. When we are down and weak, we are susceptible to anxiety, rejection, stress, and failure. So when you think you are not emotionally stable, protect one of your strongest inner weapons. “Feed your mind, body and soul in ways that make you feel special,” Deborah Serani, Psy.D, said.

 

• Don’t Entertain Negative Thoughts. When a gloomy day is paired with a gloomy thought, the result is stress and distress. Brooding or worrying too much will only make matters worse. When you are stuck in the hellhole called depression or emotional bog-down, stop the urge to think about it. Do something productive, like working on a project or spending time with family. Don’t let your worries get the best of you.

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• Give The Loss A Purpose. Death may be a natural phenomenon in life, but it something that we can never be prepared for. Despite the pain, grief, and anguish that you may be feeling due to the loss, you can redeem yourself and that loss by finding its purpose. It may be slow, but you will heal once you find it and you start accepting it. Amidst all the tears, find a little happy thought or good news that you received during that time. It will strengthen you rather than break you.

 

• Don’t Let Failure Defeat You. When we don’t achieve our goals, we think that it’s the end of the world. We become hopeless, depressed, and shattered. Initially, we lose the determination that we once had because we dropped a good fall from the failure. To counteract this emotional breakdown, we can recover by first making a list of the remaining things that you still have full control of, like your struggle, commitment, and preparedness. Give these some thought and slowly ‘brainstorm’ how you can improve on implementing these things. Shift all your negative emotions towards focusing on the recovery. You can certainly reverse that failure into success. Dean Parker, Ph.D., said, “There’s no guarantee that everything you do [will bring] positive feedback. All you need is one indication of success.”

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• Regain Your Worth. The pain from rejection and failure can be physical in that you can feel the exhaustion and helplessness within your body. For you to recover from that pain, you need to remind yourself (or someone needs to remind you) that every person has something to offer, and that doesn’t exclude you. You are here for a reason, and that alone gives you an affirmation that you are worth every person in this world. List the positive qualities that you like in yourself and linger on those. Write about it even. You will soon ease your emotional pain and ultimately improve your mental as well as emotional health. John Grohol, Psy.D, notes, “People with a good and healthy self-esteem are able to feel good about themselves for who they are, appreciate their own worth, and take pride in their abilities and accomplishments. They also acknowledge that while they’re not perfect and have faults, those faults don’t play an overwhelming or irrationally large role in their lives or their own self-image (how you see yourself).”

 

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