Tag Archives: stress

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

01/17/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a specialized type of psychotherapy used to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It has been used successfully to help people cope with traumatic life events, such as physical or sexual abuse, accidents, war experiences, natural disasters, and more. This article will provide an overview of EMDR therapy and explain how it can be beneficial for those struggling with mental health concerns.

The Principles of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is based on the idea that trauma and other negative life experiences are stored in the brain in a way that can cause distress when triggered. During EMDR sessions, the therapist works with the client to help them process these memories in a safe environment while providing tools that they can use to manage their symptoms outside of treatment.

How Does EMDR Work?

The main principle behind EMDR is bilateral stimulation—a method that involves stimulating both sides of the brain simultaneously. This stimulation is usually done through eye movements or tapping on alternating sides of the body.

As the client follows these movements with their eyes or taps along with the therapist’s instructions, they are encouraged to think about their trauma or anxiety-inducing memories while also focusing on positive self-statements that can help them cope with their emotions more effectively. This process helps them reprocess their memories so that they no longer have a negative emotional impact on them.

The Length of Treatment Depends on the Individual

The length of EMDR therapy depends on the individual and their needs. Generally speaking, the duration of treatment may take anywhere from 3-6 sessions. The number of sessions needed for successful completion also depends on the individual’s progress in therapy. If a person is making steady progress and responding well to the treatment, fewer sessions may be necessary; if there are more complex or deep-seated issues to work through, more sessions may be required.

Why Is EMDR Effective?

EMDR uses an efficient approach when it comes to treating mental health issues. Rather than spending long hours discussing past traumas and working through emotions one at a time, EMDR allows clients to access deeply stored memories quickly and efficiently in order to reprocess them in healthier ways. It also works faster than other types of talk therapy because it targets emotions directly rather than trying to work around them by talking about other topics. This makes it an ideal option for those who don’t have much time or patience for traditional therapies.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Studies have shown that EMDR therapy is highly effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues including PTSD, panic disorders, phobias, anxiety disorders, depression, and more. Additionally, many clients report feeling calmer after just one session and find that they are able to better manage their symptoms over time with regular sessions. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that EMDR is just as effective as traditional talk therapies but can often provide faster relief from symptoms due to its unique approach.

Overall, EMDR therapy can be an extremely beneficial tool for those struggling with mental health issues related to traumatic life events or anxieties brought on by difficult circumstances. By combining elements from traditional talk therapies along with bilateral stimulation techniques designed to access both sides of the brain simultaneously, this type of treatment offers an effective way for individuals to process their trauma in a safe environment while providing them with coping skills they can use outside of treatment sessions.

If you are looking for relief from your mental health struggles or would like more information about this type of therapy before making a decision about treatment options for yourself or someone you love, please contact our office today! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding EMDR or any other psychotherapeutic treatments we offer here at Metric Marketing!

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle, Tips

Tips on Boosting Your Sense of Well-being

11/11/2022 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Your well-being is your sense of happiness, contentment, and mental and physical health. It encompasses all the things in life that can affect these three fundamentals. If any of these things are out of alignment, then it can bring down the other two. The good news is that there are many ways you can focus on your well-being and improve it. It is far better to do this than to try and improve something like happiness in itself. So, here are a few ideas to help you boost your sense of well-being:

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Take Care of the Essentials

If you want a better sense of well-being, then you need to take care of the basics. That means going to the doctor, optometrist, dentist, and any other specialist care that you may need. If you have a problem, it is far better to get it checked out rather than leaving it and hoping for the best. Problems, especially health problems, generally do not go away without some form of treatment, and the problems will also play on your mind and fester. You may need to see an emergency dentist if you have left a dental problem for too long. So, keep on top of the essentials, and this can relieve you of a lot of health worries.

Your Financials

Having financial difficulties can cause a whole range of issues. It may affect the relationship you have with your partner and your children, as well as producing unwarranted stress. So, first of all, be honest. Talk to your partner and try and come up with a solution together. Look at your statements and see where you can make cut back. Maybe you need to shop at cheaper stores, or maybe you have to do without one of your luxuries but fixing money problems is a far better way of enjoying your life anyway.

Practice Gratitude

Do you have a bit of a negative mindset? Well, there are ways you can combat it. You have to become more aware of your thoughts and try and stop any negative spirals. You also should try and practice gratitude. You can begin doing this by waking up each day and coming up with three things in your life that you are thankful for. Say them out loud to really project them into the world. Write them down as well to make them more statements of intent. By waking up and focusing on three things you are grateful for, you start realigning your mind to be more positive. This is so important, and it can even extend your life expectancy.

Exercise

If you really want to boost your overall well-being, there is nothing better than exercise. Exercise can help the body function better. It increases the happy chemicals in the brain. It can improve the way you look too. Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean running a marathon. It can be a brisk walk, doing some weights, boxing, taking the kids to the park, or playing chase with them. Maybe having family outings too is a great way to exercise.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Lifestyle

The Adverse Effects of Stress on Your Body

12/11/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

The word “stress” is often used to describe a feeling of pressure and tension, but there can be many different causes of stress. When you feel like you’re running on empty and everything is an effort, it’s time to take a look at your life and see what might be adding unnecessary stress. Stress affects the body in various ways- learn about some of the most common consequences below.

Photo by Nathan Cowley from Pexels

#1 Can cause headaches

Stress is a leading cause of headaches, which can be accompanied by tension in the neck and shoulders. Migraines are one type of headache that can be brought on or made worse by stress. If you’re experiencing regular headaches, it’s important to identify any potential triggers, including stress. You may need to make some changes to your lifestyle or find ways to manage stressful situations better.

Some people find relief through relaxation techniques such as yoga or deep breathing exercises, while others prefer over-the-counter medications or prescribed treatments from their doctor. Stress has also been linked with other types of pain, such as joint pain and back pain. In fact, research has shown that stress can affect the immune system, which makes it harder for your body to fight off illness.

#2 May lead to mental health problems

Stress can be caused by many factors, such as work or school expectations and pressures. However, this type of stress is usually temporary and may even help motivate you to achieve your goals. However, constant feelings of anxiety frequently brought on by sources such as family life (e.g., overbearing parents) or an unpredictable economy can lead to mental health problems like depression or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Depression makes it difficult for the sufferer to carry out everyday tasks and activities – which interferes with their ability to function at home and work. GAD causes excessive worry about a variety of topics, including personal relationships, money matters, and one’s own health; this chronic condition often occurs without warning signs in between episodes when everything seems fine. If you feel like you struggle with anxiety or even substance abuse in order to cope with your anxiety, feel free to have a look at Sunshine Behavioral Health for expert advice on the subject.

#3 Gastrointestinal issues

Stress can also lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a condition that causes stomach pain, cramps, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. These symptoms can be very disruptive to one’s life and may cause a great deal of stress in addition to the original problem.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s important to seek help from your doctor. Managing your stress levels may bring some relief. This could include relaxation techniques, exercise, and changes to your diet- avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can make symptoms worse.

#4 High blood pressure

Stress can also have a negative impact on your blood pressure, which may lead to heart disease. Too much stress over a long period of time without any relief can cause high blood pressure or hypertension. The underlying causes of hypertension aren’t fully understood, but it’s believed that several factors, including genetics and salt intake, play a role in its development.

The good news is that keeping your stress levels under control could help prevent the early onset of other serious health conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, or kidney failure. In fact, research has shown that reducing one’s own perception of stress through relaxation techniques like yoga lowers cortisol production- lowering blood pressure in turn.

#5 Skin conditions

Stress has also been linked with skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis. In addition, cortisol can cause your body to produce excess sebum- triggering the development of pimples in those prone to breakouts. Psoriasis is a condition where patches appear on different areas of the body; these lesions are typically red or silvery-white in color and may be accompanied by scales. Stress triggers inflammation, making it harder for the immune system to fight off disease; this leaves sufferers more susceptible to serious infections like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Dermatitis is an inflammation that causes dryness, itching, scaling, and even cracking; chronic stress can make symptoms worse, leading to worsening outbreaks over time if left untreated. If you’re experiencing any of these skin problems, it’s best to consult a dermatologist who can help treat the issue and relieve some of the stress.

#6 It Can Lead To Addiction

While the initial decision to use drugs or alcohol is usually voluntary, addiction is a complex condition that can quickly take over a person’s life. Once addiction sets in, drug use becomes compulsive and chaotic, despite the negative consequences. One of the biggest risk factors for addiction is stress. People under chronic stress are more likely to turn to substances as a way to cope. Additionally, stress can lead to changes in the brain that make a person more vulnerable to addiction. For example, chronic stress has been shown to increase the risk of developing an addiction by altering the brain’s reward system. As a result, it’s crucial for people struggling with stress to get help before it leads to drug abuse or addiction. Fortunately, many drug rehab programs can provide treatment and support for people who are struggling with addiction. With the right help, it is possible to recover from addiction and build a healthy, drug-free life.

Stress can have a number of adverse effects on your body, including mental health problems, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, and skin conditions. However, by finding ways to manage your stress levels, you may be able to avoid these health concerns altogether!