Welcome to the Kaizen Counseling Blog!
Welcome to our blog! Here, we explore the journey of mental health and well-being, offering insights and tips to support your path to emotional balance. Whether you're seeking advice, looking to understand more about therapy, or just need a comforting read, our blog is dedicated to helping you navigate life's challenges with resilience and hope.
From self-care strategies and mindfulness practices to expert advice and personal stories, we provide practical suggestions to enhance your mental health and cultivate a positive outlook on life.
We are always looking for suggestions for future blogs, so feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us. Your input helps us create content that resonates with you and addresses the topics you care about most.
July 2024
Summer Mental Health Tips
Exercise Outdoors: Take advantage of the good weather to engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, swimming, or cycling. Physical activity can boost your mood and reduce anxiety.
Try New Activities: Summer is a great time to try something new such as paddleboarding, beach volleyball, or outdoor yoga.
Consistency: While summer often brings a break from routine (like school or regular work schedules), maintaining a consistent daily routine can help keep you grounded and reduce stress.
Sleep Schedule: Try to keep a regular sleep schedule to ensure you are getting enough rest.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you’re spending time outside in the heat.
Healthy Eating: Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. A balanced diet can improve your overall well-being.
Sun Protection: Use sunscreen, wear hats, and stay in the shade to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. Sunburn can cause discomfort and affect your mood.
Connect with Friends and Family: Spend time with loved ones. Social interactions can provide support and improve your mood.
Community Events: Participate in community activities, festivals, or local events to meet new people and engage in your community.
Limit alcohol and substance use: Be mindful of alcohol and substance use, as excessive use can negatively impact your mental health.
Therapist Spotlight:
Amy Nance, MA, LMHCA
Meet Amy, our Adolescent Therapist specializing in ADHD. Amy enjoys traveling to new places, honing her baking skills from culinary school, devouring audiobooks, keeping up with her energetic herding dogs, and immersing herself in the world of Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Book of the month:
The Power of Different
In The Power of Different, Psychiatrist Gail Saltz examines the latest scientific discoveries, profiles famous geniuses who have been diagnosed with all manner of brain “problems”―including learning disabilities, ADD, anxiety, Depression, Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Autism―and tells the stories of lay individuals to demonstrate how specific deficits in certain areas of the brain are directly associated with the potential for great talent. Saltz shows how the very conditions that cause people to experience difficulty at school, in social situations, at home, or at work, are inextricably bound to creative, disciplinary, artistic, empathetic, and cognitive abilities.
Podcast of the month:
ADDitude
Leading ADHD experts give real-life answers to questions submitted by ADD adults and parents raising children with attention deficit disorder across a range of topics covering symptoms, school, work, and family life.
Episodes Include:
ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Mistakes
(Episode #114)Where Is My Notebook? Teaching Organization Skills That Last
(Episode #122)ADHD in Women and Girls: Why Gender Matters in Diagnosis and Treatment
(Episode #81)
App of the month:
Moodfit
There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to good mental health. Moodfit provides a comprehensive set of customizable tools. Learn and target what most affects your mood.
Moodfit can help reduce stress & build resilience, learn what brings you up & down, beat rumination & procrastination, learn to respond versus react, help get your motivation back and identify & dispute distorted thinking.
Includes Easy to Use Tools:
Mood Journal
Gratitude Journal
Breathwork
Mindfulness