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The benefits of exercise have been explored for decades. The profit of a holistic approach to psychotherapy that incorporates a physical regime may improve outcomes in mental health treatment (Weir, 2011). Three exercise routines per week, lasting 20-30 minutes in conjunction with psychotherapy and a concurrent medication regime has been associated with enhanced mental health treatment. [More]

In the mental health field, music has been used as an effective mode of therapy since the 1800’s (American Music Therapy Association, 2015) and is still widely used today for many mental health issues and disorders. In particular, it has been found to be highly effective for those with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. [More]

Everyone gets depressed from time to time, and often it passes and our mood brightens again. But when struggling with clinical depression, your mood can be depressed for weeks, months, or even years, resulting in real loss of functioning and quality of life. Almost 1 in 10 Americans is affected by depression every year, and 17% of us will experience a major depressive episode at least one time in our life. Additionally, depression is a major cause of disability, with an annual cost of about $40 billion in lost productivity and treatment costs (Craft & Perna, 2004). [More]

Taking the time to learn how to be more mindful is well worth the effort. Researchers are more interested than ever in how mindfulness and meditation affects our health and well-being. According to 2011 research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, there are several ways that mindfulness training can be good for our mental and physical health [More]

There are some eastern philosophies and treatments that aren’t as well known here in the west, but which may offer alternatives and help for those struggling with conditions like anxiety and depression. Two such approaches are Morita Therapy and Naikan Therapy, which both have their origins in Japan. With a little investigation, we can see that Japanese therapies like Morita and Naikan have different philosophies about why people suffer and develop symptoms of mental illness and how they can recover and feel better. [More]

Conventional medicine, including surgery and the use of synthetic drugs, has been around for only a relatively short period of time. Conventional medical interventions are often what we receive when we go to the doctor or the hospital, and there are certainly times when the advances in modern conventional medicine are something to appreciate. For instance, when we are seriously injured, we’re very relieved to arrive at a modern emergency room equipped with the latest technology. [More]

Being able to squarely face and accept the reality of a situation is the first step toward understanding, clarity, and even change. Accepting and tolerating realities that you cannot, or chose not to, change is the real path to freedom and peace. [More]

Sleep. Sleep is something that many of us admit that we want to get more of, but most of us don't. As I write this, I've been struggling with my sleep patterns for a couple of weeks at this point. We all go through times like that, but did you know that, if you are not getting enough sleep, you can actually be negatively affecting your mental health? It's true. Getting good sleep and feeling well rested is absolutely vital when it comes to taking care of our mental health. Why? We're going to take a closer look at that and how you can be sure to get better sleep. [More]

Working out is a superb way to manage anxiety, depression, and anger. It is also a useful adjunct to manage addiction, PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), and insomnia. It has been noted that mental health providers are slowly recognizing this, and are advised to include it as part of a treatment plan (Weir, 2011). The exact mechanism by which exercise improves mood is unclear- it may be partly due to increased catecholamines- the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norephinephrine- which can all elevate mood (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Release of beta-endorphins, the natural opiates produced by the brain are also a likely cause (Mental Health Foundation, 2013). [More]

There appears to be a connection between dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Vitamin B-12, but not one that suggests a cure for dementia of the Alzheimer’s or another type. If B12 reduces memory loss and deterioration of brain volume, it is a step in the right direction for the eventual effective treatment of the terrible condition known as dementia. [More]