February 20, 2015
by Mary Horn, Psy.D.
Psychotherapy in the 21st century has changed its face. Growing from the early days of psychoanalysis and behavioral therapies, it was once primarily for the severely mentally ill. People who needed and entered therapy were usually viewed as “crazy”. Today, psychology in general, permeates nearly every important field.
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Over the past few decades, a number of studies have evaluated how psychotherapy—from CBT to DBT to Psycho dynamic Therapy—works to change the brain. They have looked at which areas of the brain are affected during and after the therapy process, and how these changes lead to symptom reduction and overall improved functioning for clients.
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You may be carrying around a false belief from the past, and you are unaware of how it got there, or even unaware that you actually belief one or many false beliefs about yourself that were programmed into you from a dysfunctional family pattern.
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Many of us plan vacations to get away from our busy schedules. Arlene Uhi’s text, The Complete Idiots Guide to Beating Stress, suggests that much of the stress we experience is often connected to our daily routines (i.e. commute, commitments, and concerns) (Uhi 2006).
According to a recent 2009 study completed by Joudrey and Wallace, active leisure pursuits (such as taking a vacation) helped reduce job related stress among a sample of 900 participants (Whitbourne 2010). Beyond the individual benefits, taking a vacation can also help increase family bonding, communication, and solidarity.A vacation can (Uhi 2006):
Slow down our frantic routine
Temporarily relieve us from our chores
Provide space and time to reflect
Provide space to recondition negative habits
Teach us new stress-beating skills that we can adapt to our daily life.
The author suggests that you choose a getaway that will instill calmness and relaxation. Taking a break from routine can help decrease hormone activity related to stress and hyperarousal. Give yourself an opportunity to escape from your daily rituals and experience something new. Any new activity that breaks away from your comfort will likely lead to increased satisfaction and joy.
Activities you may want to consider:
Pampering Spas
Receiving a massage
Enter a whirlpool or hot spring
Mud bath treatment
Getting a Facial
Yoga Vacations
Learn and practice Yoga
Enjoy peaceful surroundings
Meet a diverse group of individuals
Active Adventures
Bicycling Tours
Camping
Golf or Tennis Camps
Multisport tours
Walking Tours
Beach or Patio Vacations
References:
Uhl, A. (2006). The complete idiot's guide to beating stress. New York, N.Y: Alpha Books.
Whitbourne, Susan (2010). The importance of vacations to our physical and mental health. Psychology Today: Sussex Publishers
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