Incorporating Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

I have been doing a bit of reading on Roger Walsh's therapeutic lifestyle changes. To summarize the basics, incorporating these changes is an effective way (often more effective than conventional forms of therapy) to enable patient well being, benefit their cognitive functioning and even treat some psychopathologies. One of his papers can be found here. The eight changes are...

1. Time in nature
2. Relaxation and stress management
3. Service to others
4. Relationships
5. Recreation
6. Nutrition and diet
7. Exercise
8. Spiritual or religious involvement

I am going to attempt to incorporate all of these into my life and see how it goes. Some of these can be challenging. Where will I find time for religious involvement? Not too sure but I suppose starting small and stepping up little by little is the way to go. May plan of acting to begin with will be...

1. Time in nature- take my son for a walk once a week at one of the nicer parks. He might enjoy getting pulled in a sled. The winter will make this a bit of a challenge. -I wrote this and then we had the ice storm last night and there are trees and branches down everywhere, blocking and threatening to crush anyone on the paths. I guess I will have to come up with something else or wait until spring.
2. Relaxation and stress management- Meditate once a day for about 10 minutes. 
3. Service to others- I don't even know where to start here. I once was very involved with volunteer work but usually through various organizations. I try to help people at school as much as I can. I think I will start publishing some of my notes so they are accessible to anyone who needs them. This is kind of a cop out though so I will add something when I think of it.   
4. Relationships- got lots, I'll work on the ones I have.
5. Recreation- Start taking my son swimming regularly, this is exercise and stress relief too. 
6. Nutrition and diet- Eating more and eating lots of fat and protein to get my weight back up (exams just peel off the pounds) then I will concentrate on nutrient dense foods and making more stuff from scratch. 
7. Exercise- 20 minutes of yoga a day, or at the very least 10 minutes. This should be manageable. 
8. Spiritual or religious involvement- currently in research mode. I am looking to experience something different that is close by. Currently in the research phase, I would like to find a faith with a good fit. 

I'm not sure if I will be able to do all this, it will be a step-by-step process. But I think it makes sense to attempt this before I try to prescribe such sweeping changes when I am eventually in practice. Better to work out the kinks on myself.  

Smoking Kid - Best Anti-Smoking Ad I've Seen

      I think I understand why some people smoke (though I am sure there are a wide variety of reasons). At times when I am at my most stressed I feel like standing outside with a cigarette might be just what I need to calm me down enough to keep studying. I don't smoke, my husband would be pretty upset and I don't want my son to see me. But I think I get it, life can be difficult and some people just need something to keep them going and then it's addictive. We live in a culture where indulging in naughty pleasures is glorified, it is the premise of many a chocolate commercial. Most of the anti-smoking ads piss me off because they are too judgmental and shaming people to do what you want is never acceptable. This one did not seem like it was shaming though there was an aspect of guilt included. It seemed more like they were trying to get across that the smoking adults lives mattered too and that these people need to quit for their own reasons. That is what I took from it anyway. And people really do need to quit for their own reasons, in their own way and when they are ready. I tried to convince 3 people to quit smoking so far. I wasn't successful with any of them, though I know one of them quit, I also know it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with their own motivation.    

     When people smoke to deal with stress it is extra unfortunate because there are so many great ways to deal with stress. Meditations are my go to stress busting practice but yoga (free videos on YouTube) also works. Exercise in general is good for reducing stress, treating depression (potentially better then herbs and drugs) and is just great for overall health. The smell of lavender is soothing enough to reduce stress sometimes but engaging in a loved hobby is sure to help. I think stress management should be taught to everyone in high school. It seems like it would be a good time to experiment with what techniques work individually so teens are less inclined to experiment with tobacco and other things. Teens are under more stress than ever before and if we don't teach them how to handle it, someone else might be all to happy to.

Empathy vs. Sympathy

We talk about the difference between empathy and sympathy all the time in different classes. It is important to practice with empathy and understanding instead of sympathy or pity. No one likes it when people feel sorry for them. Empathy can really enhance a therapeutic relationship. I am really looking forward to the counselling side of this profession. People are so interesting, I feel really lucky that I get to learn all about people and that I will have the time to do that. Some people might see it as taking on other peoples "problems" but you get to know people, like really know them and their lives, their motivation, how they think and you get to be there for them and help them. That is just amazing.