Things not to say or do with your children

Parenting is at times stressful and difficult. If a parent has a significant psychological issue or is struggling in this role for other reasons, it can have a negative impact on the child. This is something I sometimes hear about in my clinical practice when I ask clients about their background experience. This article [here] offers a summary of some research which supports one aspect of this connection (hostility) and offers some helpful guidance for parents. To illustrate some of the challenges in parenting, here a psychologist suggests that some of the things that are said commonly to support children may, in fact, be unhelpful to their development.

Signs of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (which used to be called ‘manic-depression), is a condition where the individual experiences spells where they feel down and lethargic, as well as periods when they feel high. A summary of the condition is provided here. This article {here] describes the condition and offers some helpful information which may help you determine whether or not you are experiencing the issue.

Some more resources to facilitate an increase in levels of exercise

Exercise has long been known to help with mental health issues such as stress and depression. I have provided a list of NHS and other resources in my book that is due to be published in the summer (2023, see here). This article [here] links to some other resources which look to be helpful in that they seem to cover a wide range of abilities. This other article [here] offers some advice about starting to exercise more if you are intending to do the forms of exercise that are available at a local gym. However, many healthy forms of exercise (such as walking or cycling) can be cheaper and sometimes woven into lifestyle more easily (for example by walking or cycling to work).

The role of confidence in influencing mood

This article [here] describes the role that confidence has to play in keeping us mentally healthy. Anticipating success can release chemicals in the brain that can improve mood and performance. Also self-belief in the face of stress can raise immunity and physical performance. Other research has highlighted the role that avoidance plays in developing and maintaining mental health issues. Confidence may tend to limit this kind of avoidance.

Free bike loans to help with mental health

Family doctors in some areas are soon to be able to prescribe exercise for mental health issues (see this article). Such schemes are not new as exercise has long been found to be a helpful intervention for issues such as depression. Walking and cycling mental health groups will have the added benefit of more social support. This is another factor that has been found to be helpful in overcoming depression.

The power of confidence (and Marmite!)

According to this article {here], confidence can help with anxiety and depression, affecting how your brain’s cells function. It can also help with memory, immune system and brain functioning. The article also includes some tips for boosting confidence. Other researchers have found that some types of vitamin B that are found in foods such as Marmite can also affect brain chemistry in a way that helps with anxiety symptoms. However, the study (as described here) used very much higher doses than are found in usual Marmite portions.

More about sleep

There are many reasons why you may not be getting a good night’s sleep. Some of them are described here. An awareness of the cause is usually a first step in finding a solution. This article [here] describes a tip that may be helpful if you wake in the night and find it difficult to get back off to sleep. The ‘15 minute rule’ is an element of sleep hygiene which I have linked to in a previous entry here. Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that can result in tiredness, concentration difficulties and mood swings. Some details about this condition are described here.

Are you addicted to social media?

Social media can encourage a form of app dependency which impacts a proportion of users. Social media can have a negative effect upon mental health and so this kind of dependency is likely to be unhealthy. This article [here] provides some signs and symptoms that indicate that your social media use could be dysfunctional. It also offers some ideas for alternative, healthy activities. A week long break from social media [see here] meant more free time as well as lower levels of anxiety and depression for those involved in the study.

Staying mentally healthy whilst working from home

Many of work practices have changed in that many people are now either working from home or are involved in some form of ‘blended’ approach (a blend of home and on-site). Working much more from home can leave us open to some forms of stress. This article [here] offers some useful ways of protecting ourselves. Working from home can offer an increased opportunity to over-indulge in social media. An article which details both how this can negatively affect upon mental health and how this impact can be reduced, is available here.

More information about sleep

There have already been a number of posts on this blog about sleep. Use the search bar at the bottom of the home page to find these. Here is another article about how to sleep well. I can’t vouch for what it says about supplements, but the psychological advice seems generally sound. For a full programme for treating insomnia, I can recommend this book [here]. The approach described in the book (CBTi) is also very briefly described in this article [here]. This other article [here] describes the sleep disorder: sleep apnoea. This is a potentially dangerous condition which can be treated.