In what ways might art therapy be utilized?

Art therapy is a versatile approach that does not necessitate high levels of artistic ability. Each patient’s demands will determine the art medium used in therapy.

Intentionally exposing you to non-traditional art materials (such as tree branches and leaves) may let you express yourself more fully. Doodling, abstract designs, and contour drawing are all ways to experiment with new ways of expressing yourself.

If you think doodling isn’t helpful, consider the famous doodlers: Samuel Beckett; the poet and physician John Keats, who doodled in the margins of his medical notes; Sylvia Plath; and the Nobel laureate (in literature, 1913) poet Rabindranath Tagore. Doodling was typical among US Presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, and John F. Kennedy.

One of the most famous doodlers of all time was Leonardo da Vinci, who made copious notes and doodles in the margins of his notebooks. Just like the rest of us, Leonardo doodled and scribbled: you can see it in his digitized notebooks. But the prototypical Renaissance man, both unsurprisingly and characteristically, took that scribbling and doodling to a higher level entirely. His margin notes and sketches are not only elegant but also reveal his early insights into important subjects.

Doodling can help you process and visualize things. It may, unintentionally spark some creativity that you didn’t realize you possessed. Don’t feel the need to be another Leonardo; this activity is about reducing stress, not adding to it by feeling competitive.

Depending on your requirements, art therapists can guide you in a form of creative expression. But even if you aren’t working with an art therapist, using art yourself can prove a stress reducer.

In research studies utilizing art therapy, there was less burnout and reduced work dissatisfaction among the study’s participants. Those who took part in the creative arts therapy program saw reductions of 28% in anxiety, 36% in depression, 26% in PTSD, and 12% in emotional tiredness as a result of burnout. These enhancements persisted for a full year following the program’s end. The use of art therapy has also been seen to help healthcare professionals deal with their experiences of burnout.

But while we know that art therapy works, how does it work in the brain? Researchers are posing this question and hope to answer it. One answer seems to be that it has the power to stimulate the activation of various brain areas that may be involved in perception and emotion.

Modern imaging techniques have improved our understanding of the many brain regions and functions involved in processing information. Stimulating the senses is the most fundamental level of intervention using art mediums.

The visual information processing system’s ventral and dorsal branches handle visual feature recognition and spatial placement. Mood-state drawings capture the variations in brain region activation accompanying distinct emotional states. Art therapy provides an opportunity to work with fundamental sensory components for processing information and emotions. Even the most basic kinds of expression could provide a window into the brain’s anatomy. It is an exciting opportunity for mental health and all forms of mental functioning.

But other than imaging, one other means of measuring stress is via the stress hormone cortisol levels in saliva. The biological basis of creative self-expression has been the subject of ongoing investigations. Salivary cortisol has been studied as a noninvasive biomarker and a surrogate for human stress experience.

No matter the participant’s demographics, level of art experience, or preferred medium, the results show that even a short art-making experience can have a physiological effect on cortisol levels. The importance of this cannot be overstated, since we know that cortisol can be destructive at relatively consistently high levels. Research has shown that it can be involved in tissue damage.

Expressive writing has been associated with health benefits and reduced stress levels over the long run. There is some evidence that creative expression, such as through music or painting, can have a beneficial influence on physiological and mental health, similar to the effects of expressive writing.

An interesting aspect of writing is when you use cursive form rather than a computer or a typewriter. We know that many famous writers have produced their first drafts by hand on legal tablets. However, not many of them realized that the very fact of moving their hand to produce letters and words has an important effect on their brain’s activities in areas where creativity may be sparked.

Cursive writing should never be dismissed as an antiquated form of writing and should be included in your life and the education of children, as I have noted in previous articles I have written on medium. So, get a line or online journal for yourself and begin this excellent doodling adventure or cursive writing exercises. Either one will benefit you.

Research has made the case for using art therapy, in any form, to assuage stress levels and improve mental and physical health. No matter the means used, individuals can benefit from anything from writing to music to any form of art, such as painting, sculpting, or working with other mediums.

It is now up to each of us to decide which form is most appropriate for us as a stress-reduction method, and although professionals are available in the area of our therapy, that is not a mandate for us. We can begin our own form of therapy at any time we wish.

The post Fire Up the Power of Art Therapies Against Stress and Help Yourself appeared first on Medika Life.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, stress has become an unwelcome companion for many. Juggling work, family, and personal commitments can overwhelm and exhaust us.

The answer lies in something we all love to do — laugh. This essay explores the fascinating connection between laughter and stress relief, delving into the scientific evidence supporting laughter as the best medicine.

The Physiology of Laughter

To understand how laughter combats stress, let’s peek into the body’s physiological response when we indulge in a hearty laugh.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, commonly known as the “feel-good” hormones.

These neurotransmitters act as natural painkillers and mood elevators, instantly creating a sense of well-being.

Also, laughter reduces stress hormone levels, which are notorious for wreaking havoc on our bodies when chronically elevated. These hormones include adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol.

Laughter and the Endocrine System

A 2008 study conducted by Dr. Lee Berk and colleagues at Loma Linda University (USA) investigated the impact of laughter on the endocrine system.

Dr. Berk is a pioneering medical researcher studying the neuroendocrine and immune effects of positive emotions.

The researchers found that laughter increased endorphin levels and decreased stress hormones, providing concrete evidence of the stress-relieving benefits of laughter.

Psychological Effects of Laughter

Laughter is a physical response and a powerful psychological tool for managing stress. It acts as a natural mood enhancer, shifting our focus from life’s stressors to the lighter side.

When we laugh, our minds momentarily escape from the pressures of reality, creating a mental space that allows for relaxation and rejuvenation.

In a 2003 study by Martin, participants who watched a funny video experienced improved mood and reported feeling less stressed.

The researchers concluded that humor and laughter contribute significantly to psychological well-being, offering a simple yet effective strategy for stress management.

Social Bonding and Laughter

Laughter is a social behavior that benefits individuals and strengthens social bonds.

Shared laughter creates a sense of connection and camaraderie, fostering positive relationships.

Social support is a well-established buffer against stress, and laughter is a mechanism for building and reinforcing these supportive connections.

Laughter plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining social relationships, contributing to the overall resilience of individuals in the face of stressors.

A study by R.I.M. Dunbar and colleagues explored the role of laughter in pain reduction. The findings are interesting:

Pain thresholds were significantly increased with laughter, whereas when subjects watched something that does not naturally elicit laughter, pain thresholds didn’t change (and are often lower).

The action of laughter-endorsed endorphin release can best explain these results.

Laughter Yoga: A Structured Approach

Laughter Yoga, a concept developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, combines laughter exercises with yogic deep-breathing techniques.

Laughter yoga, or laughing yoga, involves breathing and movement exercises promoting deliberate laughter.

Though laughing therapy has been used for decades, Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physician in Mumbai (India), discovered laughing yoga in 1995.

This structured approach to laughter promotes physical and mental well-being and is a valuable tool for reducing stress.

An Egyptian research study studied nurses. The investigation showed a significant reduction in burnout among a laughter yoga group compared to a control group.

The findings suggest incorporating laughter into a structured program can offer targeted stress relief benefits.

Practical Tips for Incorporating Laughter into Daily Life

Now that we understand the science behind laughter and stress relief, I want to offer some practical ways you can incorporate more laughter into your daily life:

• Watch a Comedy Show or Movie. Whether it’s a classic sitcom or the latest stand-up special, set aside time to indulge in laughter-inducing content.
• Join a Laughter Yoga Class. Explore local laughter yoga classes or join online sessions to experience the combined benefits of laughter and yogic breathing.
• Share Jokes and Funny Stories. Cultivate a habit of sharing jokes or amusing anecdotes with friends and family. Laughter is contagious and can create a positive ripple effect.
• Attend Live Comedy Shows. Live performances amplify the laughter experience. Attend a comedy show or improv event for a night filled with genuine, bellyaking laughter.

• Practice Laughter Meditation. Dedicate a few minutes each day to laughter meditation. It begins with forced laughter and will soon transition into genuine laughter, leaving you with a lighter heart and a relaxed mind.

Final Thoughts — Laughing Is A Scientifically Proven Stress Solution

In conclusion, laughter can be a potent stress antidote.

Endorphin release, reduction in stress hormones, and social bonding contribute to laughter’s efficacy as a stress management tool.

We can tap into this natural stress solution by incorporating more laughter into our lives through various means, such as watching comedies, practicing laughter yoga, and sharing humor with others.

So, the next time life feels overwhelming, remember: a good laugh might be just what the doctor ordered.

What makes you laugh?

The post Laughing Is A Scientifically Proven Stress Solution appeared first on Medika Life.

First, a brief aside. I enjoy the work of sculptor Roland David Smith. This innovative American abstract expressionist painter and sculptor died in 1965 from a car crash at age 59.

Smith radically altered the terms of sculpture, a medium historically defined by casting, modeling, and carving. He was the first to use industrial welding as a sustained technique for large works.

I love his large abstract steel geometric sculptures. So here’s why my mind went to David Smith: I often most appreciate his sculptures when looking at them from different vantage points. They can be so radically different, depending on where you stand.

This perspective shift may be especially relevant when viewing Smith’s last works, the Cubi sculptures.

Today, most Cubi works are part of well-known museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Back to me and the perspective shift: Look from the side, and I have sufficient hair. From the front, still okay.

Now wander behind me as I sit in a chair, and voila: thinning hair on my crown. Consider me a Cubi (or perhaps Cubus?).

Hair Loss and Shedding

This morning, I read a piece in the New York Times entitled “Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?” I want to share some highlights from the article.

First, how many hairs do you think an average healthy individual sheds daily? According to the American Academy of Dermatology,

Healthy individuals shed approximately 50 to 100 strands of hair daily.

Are you losing more than that amount? You may have a condition with the unwieldy name of telogen effluvium or excessive hair shedding.

Stress

Can stress induce excessive hair shedding (telogen effluvium)? Yes, there are three hair loss types associated with high-stress levels. All have challenging names:

• Telogen effluvium (excessive hair loss). In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), stress pushes numerous hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might suddenly fall out when washing or combing your hair.
• Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh) is an irresistible urge to pull hair from your scalp, eyebrows, or other areas. Some pull to cope with uncomfortable or negative feelings (such as tension, stress, boredom, frustration, or loneliness).
• Alopecia areata. Various factors are thought to cause alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Hair Shedding Risk Factors

The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers that excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced any of these stressors:

• Experiencing lots of stress (caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
• Lost 20 pounds or more
• Given birth
• Had high fever
• Undergone an operation
• Recovering from an illness, especially if it includes a high fever
• Stopped taking birth-control pills

Excessive Hair Shedding — How Common Is It?

The incidence of excessive hair shedding is unclear; many individuals suffering from it never receive a diagnosis.

The condition is more common among women. Pregnancy is associated with excessive hair shedding. Fortunately, this hair loss tends to be temporary.

Writing in the New York Times, Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, offers this observation:

“People often develop telogen effluvium (excessive hair shedding) between six weeks and three months after a stressful event such as a major surgery, an illness (especially if it involved a fever), pregnancy or a death in the family — basically, anything that causes stress or shock to your system.

I was surprised to learn that this form of hair loss can occur after people recover from Covid-19. In a 2022 study, researchers surveyed almost 6,000 Brazilians who had recovered from Covid within the past three months. Nearly half of those who responded reported experiencing hair loss.

Hair Loss Differs from Shedding

Hair loss occurs when something stops hair from growing. For some, inherited genetics are the cause. Others have hair loss because of drugs or other treatments.

Certain hairstyles that pull on the hair can lead to hair loss. Sometimes, the immune system overreacts. In addition, some harsh hair products can be problematic.

Finally, some people have a compulsion to pull their hair.

Hair Shedding — Some Positive News

The good news? The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers this observation:

Most individuals see the excessive shedding stop after the body readjusts. Many see too much hair loss a few months after the stressful event; for example, some women see it peaking roughly four months post-delivery.

Within six to nine months, the hair regains its normal fullness.

On the other hand, if you don’t relieve yourself of the stress, the shedding can be chronic. Those under a lot of stress can see long-term excessive hair shedding.

If the stressor stays with you, hair shedding can be long-lived. People constantly under a lot of stress can have long-term excessive hair shedding.

Hair Loss — Get Input

Unfortunately, if you have hair loss, your hair won’t grow until the cause disappears. In my field of oncology, chemotherapy sometimes causes the loss of lots of hair. When the treatment stops, the hair usually regrows.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned that a particular medicine might be causing hair loss.

Other hair loss causes need treatment. Those with hereditary hair loss might find help with medicine or other interventions. Treatment can help many, but not all. A dermatologist can be an excellent resource for information.

If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss (or more than usual hair loss when washing or combing your hair), talk to a healthcare provider.

Sudden hair loss can be associated with an underlying medical condition (such as a thyroid problem) requiring management. Your doctor may also suggest treatment options for your hair loss.

Action Plan

Dr. Lamb suggests trying a daily multivitamin with vitamins D and B12 for those losing hair secondary to stress.

The former is involved in hair growth, while the latter might be deficient in some patients with telogen effluvium. Vitamins may be especially important around surgery.

On the other hand, Dr. Lamb does not recommend over-the-counter products high in biotin.

Such supplements have been shown to alter thyroid hormone test results, and the drugs sometimes cause acne flare-ups.

Many benefit from over-the-counter topical minoxidil treatment, such as Rogaine. Others get hair growth from prescribed medicine.

Minoxidil can accelerate shedding for several weeks or months before the shedding slows. Then, you may see re-growth. If shedding continues beyond three or four months, please check in with a valued healthcare professional.

Reduce Stress

Here are five ways that I reduce my stress levels:

1. I stay active. I love physical activity, whether walking or weightlifting.

2. I try to eat a healthy diet.

3. I have recently been better about regular meditation.

4. I love laughing.

5. I try to get at least seven hours of sleep (often coming up short by five to 15 minutes, alas).

Oh, my bald patch is the result of inherited genetics!

The post Hair Loss: The Hidden Toll of Stress appeared first on Medika Life.

You’re working in a stressful and/or abusive environment and you feel that it would be unsafe to leave because you need the job to survive. One part of you desperately wants to stand up for yourself and set some firm boundaries, while another part of you is desperately afraid of losing the job and wants you to do whatever you need to do to keep the job.

I got a bunch of messages about this post from folks who identified with the scenario and wondered how they could possibly reduce their chronic symptoms while stuck at a stressful job.

It’s a great question! This is truly a hard situation. And unfortunately, a common one in the society we live in. To anyone who finds themselves in this kind of situation, I send my empathy.

I don’t have concrete answers and we are each so different and are navigating different circumstances. So what I will share is just a little piece of my own personal experience. And if this dilemma is one you relate to, you can see if there’s anything about my story that gives you an idea that might be useful to you.

What I have found is true for me is this:

My body reacts to stress, and stress is an unavoidable part of life. But my body reacts with a very different level of intensity if it truly feels that I am on its side.

If my body senses that I would rather make my boss like me than take care of my body, then my body feels it cannot trust me and it freaks out at me.

If my body feels I’m blaming it for the way it’s responding to external stresses at work, then my body feels betrayed by me and it freaks out at me.

If my body feels that my priority is anything other than loving and caring for it and standing up for it the best I can through stressful times — like I would for my own child if I had one — then my body feels unsafe with me and it freaks out at me.

But if my body feels that I am truly and fiercely on its side like a loving parent, then my body can weather the stresses of life much better.

Kind of like if my body was a child who was getting bullied by a teacher at school: I, as the parent, might not be able to remove the teacher or stop the teacher from bullying.

But if the child knows that I am standing beside them, acknowledging the injustice and standing up for them at home by telling them how loveable they are and undeserving of abuse, then the child will be able to weather the stress a lot better than if I said something like “well, what are you doing to make the teacher angry?”

Does that make sense? If anything here is helpful, use it — and if it doesn’t feel helpful or relevant, then toss it aside!

Whatever your circumstance or experience, I do believe this to be true: Our bodies are happier when we treat them with kindness, care and deep respect.

➡️ If you need support with chronic pain and anxiety, take my FREE QUIZ called “Why the *bleep* am I still in pain?!” so I can help you get some clarity.

The post How to Reduce Chronic Symptoms When You’re Stuck in a Stressful Situation appeared first on Medika Life.

Besides the health advantages of pet ownership, it is important to note that there is an increasing number of pet owners in the United States, with 60 million families having pets. Forty percent of pet owners’ annual spending on their animals—an average of $1,126—goes into providing them with food and treats.

The main way pets improve our mental health is by lowering our stress and anxiety levels. One study found that having a pet helped people with mental health problems lessen their anxiety and depression symptoms by a lot. Think of kids with autistic spectrum syndrome and pets.

Puppies offer solace and company, which can lessen feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Also, spending time with pets helps reduce our bodies’ levels of stress chemicals like cortisol, which reduce tension and anxiety. Also, talking to and playing with our dogs might cause the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to relaxation and bonding.

Pets can enhance our physical health in several ways. Many pet owners say that their overall health is better because they walk their pets often. Studies have shown that walking a dog can aid to strengthen muscles and enhance cardiovascular health. But there are benefits of which we may be unaware and they include reducing triglyceride, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.

Pets have advantages beyond just good physical and mental wellness. Also, they can support mingling and forming relationships with others. Individuals with strong social networks have a 50% higher chance of living longer than those with weaker ones. Pets can help us meet new people, like when we take our dogs to the park, join a club for pet owners, or do things that have to do with our pets.

Pets can also aid in the development of our sense of responsibility and purpose. Taking care of an animal demands dedication and responsibility, which can help us find our purpose and feel more valuable. Pets can help kids develop their social skills, empathy, and emotional control. Also, pets can offer support and comfort through trying times like illness or grief, helping us better cope with life’s obstacles.

Pets have many advantages, and not just for dogs. Many pet owners benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of their mental health. They learned that pets like cats, birds, and rabbits can be comforting and helpful, especially during times of loneliness and uncertainty.

Pets can significantly contribute to the preservation of our mental and physical health. These can help people get more exercise, feel less stressed and anxious, and meet new people. Taking care of a pet can also provide us a sense of responsibility and purpose, as well as comfort and support during trying times. Shouldn’t renters be permitted to have pets, too?

What About Rabbits?

About 50% of all small animals kept as pets in the US are rabbits, which is a sign of their rising popularity and there are about three million rabbits kept as pets in the United States as of 2023. People choose rabbits as pets for a variety of reasons. They were once thought to be animals kept outside the house, but rabbits have proven to be more of an ideal animal to be cared for inside our homes and apartments.

First off, rabbits may make very loving pets and have individual personalities. Every individual rabbit has its own personality, and it can be cuddly, cheeky, clingy, or fiercely independent. They are highly intelligent animals that can be trained to perform tricks.

Second, because they are so quiet, rabbits are the perfect pet for people who have trouble sleeping or live in apartments. They are also low-maintenance pets that don’t need daily walks like dogs, which makes them a fantastic option for people with hectic schedules.

Third, compared to cats or dogs, rabbits are much kinder and easier to care for by nature, making them a great pet for kids. They are a fantastic option for families because they can teach kids about responsibility and animal care.

It’s crucial to remember that rabbits need the right care and attention to remain healthy and happy. From an early age, they should be touched, socialized with, and given enough room, food, and water. They should have sanitary and welcoming living conditions, and they need frequent veterinarian examinations. As a result, it’s crucial to be ready and determined before getting a pet rabbit. So, yes, be prepared for vet bills for your bunny.

Do you know how many breeds of rabbits there are? There are 300 breeds of rabbits worldwide and some of them can weigh up to 20 lbs. The largest rabbit breed? The largest rabbit on record was 50 lbs. and four feet long. The Flemish Giant is the largest rabbit, weighing. an average of 22 lbs. and measure 4 ft. long.

One concerning aspect of rabbits is their short lifespan which may be no more than 8–10 years and that is a consideration. But that’s an average. Who’s to say your rabbit would live a lot longer with good care and love?

You could train a rabbit to wear a harness and take them outside, but remember that they can pick up ticks and fleas, so it may not be a good idea to put them on the ground.

Pets also boost social support: Having a pet can also help social relationships and social support. Having a pet can give you something in common to talk about, which makes it simpler to get along with people and make friends. They can also provide company and support, especially to older people who can feel more alone.

We had a woman in our apartment complex with a beautiful macaque she’d take outside and sit on a bench while he perched above her. People immediately stopped and talked to her and I’m sure both she and her bird loved the company.

Ultimately, having a pet can improve social ties, general well-being, and physical and mental health. Dogs aren’t the only pets, so remember rabbits are right up there as being great companions and a wonderful means to maintain your physical and mental health.

The post Pets Can Be Lifesavers and Rabbits Make Great Pets appeared first on Medika Life.

This information can then be used to treat applicants unfairly or steer them toward programs that aren’t as desirable as other future career options. But this flies in the face of special laws designed to protect potential students from such discrimination.

The fact that the application process may ask for this information and that testing may be required can cause stress, making it hard to do well on tests and worsening existing health problems.

The student may have a lower chance of getting into the college of their choice if they don’t do well on standardized tests and meet other requirements. Rejection is never easy for anyone to handle, but in the face of mental health issues, it can prove to be devastating. One answer to potential future rejection lies in multiple applications to colleges.

Many students apply to multiple colleges as their “fall-back” choices if their first choice doesn’t accept them or if they’re placed on a waitlist, which means passing up other college acceptances. But this requires money to afford all the application fees.

Students with mental health problems can face different kinds of bias when they apply to college. Colleges and universities can help in this area by getting rid of the requirement that applicants tell them about any mental health problems they may have had, making it easier for accepted students to get help and resources for mental health, giving students with mental health problems more options for accommodations, and coming up with and putting into place plans to reduce stigma at the institution level.

Schools must re-evaluate their programs if they don’t have the resources to properly care for and help admitted students with mental health problems. Today, there is no legal reason to fail to assist these students. There could be a drop in academic performance, a rise in the number of students who drop out, and other problems.

What Can Colleges Do to Help?

Institutions do have ways to assist these students. They can help students prepare for college by giving them resources and information.

Students may have access to counseling services, classes on dealing with stress, and other support programs to help them respond to the pressures and stresses of the application process and being a college student. It does take a bit of change in many ways.

When a student goes to college, they may have better access to mental health care and counseling. In terms of their mental health, therapy and peer support groups are important for many college students to adjust well.

Many adjustments can be made to improve a student’s performance on standardized exams, such as longer testing times, different testing environments, or even different means of testing. One student I had in a class required that all his tests be recorded, and he also responded to them on a digital recorder.

Plan and implement strategies to reduce prejudice against students with mental health issues. Putting in place procedures for dealing with complaints of discrimination and teaching staff how to help students with mental health problems may be steps that need to be taken in this direction.

An example of a potential lack of sufficient mental health care for one university student resulted in her setting herself on fire in her dorm room and dying. Her parents sued the university for a lack of acting in loco parentis.

Providing tools and support for applicants’ mental health during the college application process can help alleviate stress and pressure. As a result, the student’s grades may improve, making it easier to get into the school of their choice. Parents play an important role in alleviating this stress. But there is also legal help for them.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says that postsecondary schools must make “reasonable accommodations” for students with disabilities, especially those related to mental health.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 also makes it illegal to treat students with disabilities differently. Like the Americans with Disabilities Act, the law says that schools must adjust for students with special needs.

However, schools only have to look at student requests for accommodations and make them if they are reasonable or would place an undue burden on the school. So, the results for the student are questionable if the school can show proof of an unfair burden.

In addition to ADA and Section 504, The FERPA law says students can keep their educational records private. The law also indicates how educational institutions can store and share these records.

A disability attorney may also help outline the actions that can be taken for any student with a mental health issue applying to a college. They will be able to tell them their rights and help them get any accommodations they need.

There are resources to help screen colleges for their ADA admissions and assistance policies. In addition to housing, potential students should consider test accommodations including alternative test formats and locations and more time to take tests. Students can also request extra time to complete coursework and fulfill graduation requirements. Again, if a student’s believes their rights have been violated, they can file a complaint.

When a student files a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), they investigate it. If the student is correct in their allegation, the court may order the school to change its policies and procedures to stop discrimination from happening again and make the correct accommodations.

The application process is stressful, but if a student or parent thinks they are being treated unfairly for whatever reason, there are ways to deal with this and things they can do. There is hope.

The post College Applicants Do Have the Means to Fight Mental Health Discrimination appeared first on Medika Life.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted work and self-perception in several ways. One way is that it has encouraged more people to work remotely (aka a hybrid model), which has altered how work is performed and viewed. It has also increased workloads and job insecurity resulting in feelings of stress and uncertainty.

For new hires, it has presented challenges few had to face before the WFH (work from home) model, and limited opportunities to interact with other employees physically. This can erode essential aspects of corporate culture, loyalty, and expectations regarding promotions and learning.

The pandemic has also changed people’s sense of who they are personally and professionally. Some people may feel that their work has more meaning now, while others may re-evaluate their priorities. Now, in addition to the WFH model, we need to consider the decrease from a five-day-a-week model to one day less.

A four-day workweek may seem like a pipe dream to some, but it’s a reality for many companies and employees. There are benefits to working a four-day workweek, including:

1. Increased Productivity

Compressing work into four days may mean fewer co-worker interruptions, meetings, or phone calls. A block of time can be cleared for intense work activity mixed with time to relax and refresh a bit without the regimented time constraints of the “coffee break.” Here, the idea meshes well with the Pomodoro Technique.

Does anyone know why coffee breaks were instituted? Lore has it that health insurance played a role in a belief that decreased stress led to healthier employees and less use of health insurance benefits, which lowered premiums for employers.

A coffee break encourages workers to talk to each other, which leads to more creative ways to solve problems at work. Scientists at Bell Labs may have developed the first transistors around the coffee cart.

2. Improved Work/Life Balance

Your work/life balance may be enhanced by working four days a week. Three days off will give you more time to focus on your personal life and interests.

3. Less Stress

Stress levels may decrease if you work fewer hours. You’ll be less stressed because you’ll have more time to unwind, enjoy your personal life, and engage in hobbies. The value of hobbies cannot be overstated. This may result in a more upbeat attitude toward work and a decline in stress-related health issues.

4. More Time for Family and Friends

A four-day workweek leaves more time for family and friends. One challenge the pandemic presented was restrictions on interactions with family, friends, and even neighbors. You can use your three-day weekends to take a break from the hustle and bustle of work and restore and strengthen these ties.

5. Increased Job Satisfaction

Four-day work weeks generally result in happier workers who are more content with their positions. This is probably because they think they have a better work-life balance and less stress at work.

There are benefits, but there are also problems that come with less office interaction and less supervision of employee activities by management. Let’s say a company decided that watching their workers’ computer keystrokes would be a good way to ensure they were working. Having Big Brother lurking over your shoulder while you’re working isn’t very comforting.

A healthy mix of WFH and occasional office visits might be a suitable solution. Who’s going to do the research?

The post Working Less Is Not Goofing Off — It Makes Mental Health Sense appeared first on Medika Life.

Not a disease, tinnitus is a symptom of age-related hearing loss. The source may be the tiny hairs (cilia) in the ear’s cochlea. These hairs are responsible not only for hearing but for balance. They are not regenerative and are damaged by excessive noise, disease, or toxins. Once gone, there is no remediation.

Tinnitus can be a nuisance and highly distracting, but it is not typically harmful. Treatment can be managed with hearing aids or other sound-masking devices. But there’s more here than meets the eye because research has pointed to several factors, sleep deficiency, anxiety, depression, and stress, as affecting the sound’s intensity and occurrence.

Stress plays an essential role in the loudness or the noise in the ears, and it is here that we can help ourselves. Engaging in stress-reducing techniques would seem worthwhile for tinnitus sufferers.

Patients with tinnitus took part in a study of 180 subjects with chronic tinnitus and were administered a particular scale, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. The scale evaluates how tinnitus impacted their quality of life. Sixty-five percent of the subjects had stress symptoms.

The researchers showed a clear progression of increase in stress with the measures noted on the inventory. As stress increases, therefore, the impact of tinnitus has a greater quality of life effect on these individuals.

What effect does a lack of sleep have on tinnitus’ quality of life?

Several measures have been used to assess tinnitus associated with anxiety of a state or trait level. Is the person mostly anxious all of the time, i.e., trait anxiety, or is it the situation in which they find themselves, i.e., state anxiety? Also, levels of sleep quality were assessed related to whether or not the person had a bed partner or they found it difficult to fall asleep, their sleep duration, and sleep medications that they may have been using.

At least one study indicated that quality of life had an overriding effect on tinnitus severity, along with levels of depression. The researchers suggested, Since the category of major depression does not include tinnitus as a characteristic entity, we are forced to conclude that depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders are rather a consequence of the helplessness induced by the uncontrollable phantom sound.

But some research points to something other than sleep or stress; habituation. As data accumulate from cross-sectional behavioral and brain imaging studies, the neural bases of successful habituation are becoming more apparent, pointing to interconnected neural networks mediating cognition and emotion and, only secondarily, audition. What remains unclear are the longitudinal changes in these networks culminating in successful habituation, with or without an intervention. Anyone who uses a hearing aid will experience a period of adjustment (habituation) to their new level of hearing and the device. Tinnitus may require the same adjustment.

Here, thanks to neuroimaging, we see how the brain and our efforts can have a neural impact on the brain. By exercising this personal power, we may overcome the effects of tinnitus on our lives.

Research at the University of Michigan Engineering is already showing progress on a device that might utilize adjacent neural connections to the auditory system and could help anyone with tinnitus. Not a new finding; they’ve completed 15 years of work on tinnitus, how it is created, and where remediation may lie.

The post Sleep Loss and Stress Are Stealthy Culprits in Tinnitus Increase or Are They? appeared first on Medika Life.

The most distressing of the syndrome’s symptoms directly affect Bieber’s ability to engage in his music career because the virus can bring on facial paralysis and hearing deficits. Additional curious and highly distressing symptoms can bring unexpected nerve damage.

One symptom involves abnormal reactions to facial movements ( and is) caused by nerves growing back (and attaching) to the wrong muscles, persistent pain (postherpetic neuralgia), and facial weakness. In rare cases, the virus may spread to other nerves or to the brain and spinal cord, causing confusion, drowsiness, limb weakness, headaches, and nerve pain. It can also bring on vision problems because of its effect on the eyes.

The incidence of this syndrome, one of the herpes zoster group, is 5 in 100K persons and is not necessarily always associated with prior infection with chicken pox.

Factors that increase the risk of herpes zoster will increase the incidence of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, including stress, chemotherapy, immunocompromise, infection, malnutrition, and others. A worldwide music tour is highly physically and mentally stressful, which mitigates against fully recuperating from the syndrome.

The syndrome makes such an effort in a world tour an impossibility until the symptoms resolve, which, in most cases, it does within a short time. For this reason, it was a wise step to postpone the tour until some later date when Bieber has fully recuperated.

Numerous specialties are often required. In the long-term, plastic surgery or otolaryngology, pain management, ophthalmology, speech or physical therapy, and psychology/psychiatry are mandated as part of a care team for anyone with this syndrome. Botox may be required to alleviate muscle difficulties affected by the virus.

Mood and anxiety changes are not unusual and would be expected in a person struggling with this syndrome and its varied forms of manifestation. How would someone with an international profile in entertainment handle it, and what would the outcome be on his career are questions that Bieber and his team must face head-on. In addition to the tour considerations, Bieber’s wife, Hailey, suffered a mini-stroke in 2022.

Bieber has noted on his social media account, “I realized that I need to make my health the priority right now. So I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being. I’m going to be ok, but I need time to rest and get better.”

He thoroughly detailed his symptoms in a video posted on one social media account. “Obviously, as you can probably see from my face, I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and it is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis. As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile with this side of my face, this nostril will not move, so there is full paralysis in this side of my face.” The facial muscle changes had made it difficult for him to eat, and he asked his fans for prayers.

Valiantly, he had tried continuing the tour in Europe but found himself exhausted after taking the stage. The virus continued to express itself, and it was then that the decision was made to put a halt on further appearances in the interests of his health.

The pressures of dozens of tour stops suddenly put on hold have increased his stress as thousands of people depend on his worldwide performances. But which is the more significant push, money or health? If Bieber doesn’t give himself enough time and treatment to regain his abilities, there will be no touring for months, a year, or more.

The complete determination of how long his rehab will take, how effective treatments will be, what residual effects there will be, and whether or not he will have a recurrence of the virus that may lie dormant for a time in his body can’t be known.

Stress plays a vital role in how his immune system is either highly active in fighting the virus or weakened by too much activity and worry. He is right to take time off to learn how to properly relax his body and mind to aid him in this fight. Periods of high stress can spark Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and a world tour would be just the ingredient needed to suppress the immune system and enable the syndrome’s emergence.

Everyone wishes him well and a full recovery to continue his career.

The post Stress Is Justin Bieber’s Greatest Enemy Now. appeared first on Medika Life.

STRESS CAN PLAY HAVOC WITH YOUR BRAIN HEALTH. Today we explore how you can walk away from stress and other means to calm your brain.

One of the best stress-busters is one of the easiest for many of us: Put one foot in front of the other and walk.

Other negative contributants to cognitive well-being include too much sitting, lack of socializing, and inadequate sleep. Fortunately, we can often change our lifestyles to optimize our brain’s well-being.

Chronic stress and health

Do you ever get forgetful or feel disorganized in times of stress? I know that I have had this experience. There are these acute negative consequences of stress, but the chronic ones are in our sights today.

Chronic stress may change your brain to affect cognitive functions such as memory. Listen to Dr. Jull Goldstein, Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at Harvard Medical School:

“Stress affects not only memory and many other brain functions, like mood and anxiety, but also promotes inflammation, which adversely affects heart health.”

Acute stress, memory, and cognition

Why does stress affect our memory and thinking? Let’s get back to brain basics. Rather than thinking of the brain as one unit, conceive of it as a bunch of disparate parts that perform different tasks.

Dr. Kerry Ressler, chief scientific officer at McLean Hospital and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, explains that when one part of the brain is engaged, the other parts may not have as much energy to do their assigned tasks.

This explanation makes sense to me. For instance, let’s say you are in an alleyway and fear being the victim of a robbery. Your amygdala, designed to activate our survival instincts, takes charge in a “fight or flight” fashion.

The other brain structures, including ones designed to store memories or perform high-order tasks, have less energy to do their jobs. In survival mode, energy shunts to brain structures that help us to survive the moment. In this context, you would not be surprised that the stress associated with traumatic events can make us forgetful.

Chronic stress and the brain

Did you know that chronic stress can rewire your brain? Dr. Ressler explains that animals that experience stress over long periods have lower activity levels in brain parts designated for performing high-order tasks (for example, the prefrontal cortex).

On the other hand, chronic stress leads to more activity in primitive parts of the brain focused on survival (for example, the amygdala). The brain builds up the parts of the brain that handle threats, while the brain regions dealing with more complex thought become a lower priority.

Stress management

Many of us could do a better job of coping with stress. Here are some tips that may help you better manage your stress (and hopefully dodge some of its brain-damaging effects):

• Try to establish some control over your situation. While stress is not always predictable, it may help to focus on what you do have control over. Having a routine helps me quite a bit.
• Get some sleep. Stress can cause challenges with sleep, and inadequate sleep affects our brain’s higher-function regions.

5 Things You Need to Do to Get Better Sleep, Backed by ScienceA STRONG BIOLOGIC DRIVE regulates sleep, but the ability to fall asleep at your preferred time and to maintain…medium.com

“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

• Be flexible with your reactions. When I sense that I am about to get upset, I know that I have no more than a second or two before my brain’s primitive centers kick in. Stop and breathe. That driver that cut you off? Not worth reacting to. Breathe and thank yourself later. This brain hack works wonders for me. Alternatively, repeat some mantra to yourself, such as “I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay.” Done quickly, you may keep your mind in the thinking brain rather than the primitive amygdala.
• Change your mindset. We all experience some degree of stress. We need some stress to grow.
• Use lists. The day can seem overwhelming, but I love having my task list. Even better, I love crossing things off.
• Get help if you need it. Early intervention may help you avoid long-term health consequences from chronic stress.

The post How Stress Affects Your Brain appeared first on Medika Life.