Benefits of owning a pet are coming to the forefront, as more and more research is being dedicated to this line of thought.

Following are the benefits that will hopefully motivate you to get a pet for yourself:

1. They love you unconditionally, and are a great source of support.
2. Pets provide you constant companionship and prevent against isolation. They make you feel needed.

   

3. They act as great listeners, and thus, provide a vent for your feelings.
4. Some pets need to be taken out for walks. As a result, they act as motivators for you to step out, exercise and interact with people. Thus, acting as protective factors against heart diseases and depression.
5. They help children with developmental disorders. For example, in case of autism, pets help improve their social interaction; in case of ADHD, they help children release their excess energy. They also help reduce the anxiety and stress that these children experience as a result of their daily life challenges.

   

6. A snuggle with your pet will help you calm down and get rid of your anxiety and stress.

   

7. By giving you a reason to wake up every morning, they provide your life with a sense of purpose.
8. Pets help provide some structure and routine to your day-to-day life.

It is because of the recognition of these mental health benefits that pets serve, that animals now are being used for therapy in the form of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT).

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Bully Daughter-in-law?

Yes, it is possible that your son’s dear wife is bully. Hence, it is your misfortune that you daughter-in-law is a bully. She resents you, her mother-in-law, and as a result of that, in covert or not so coveted fashion she is bullying you. So, nothing you do is correct, even when you help her raise her children or help in the kitchen. Thus, in her attention, your focus is always on her husband and you are always trying to destroy their relationship.

More often than not, people don’t realize that their daughter-in-law is a bully. People often shrug off this idea by rationalizing that it is her who is feeling difficult to settle down and you are the one who is not able to understand her. Even when you try and discuss this with your son, he dismisses the idea by saying, “she is doing whatever she can do”. Here, it is first important to know, what is bullying? Bullying is an unacceptable act or behavior among children. Hence, bullying is the use of force, threats, coercion, intimation and/or aggressive and dominant behavior to subjugate the other.

The following seven points are indications that your daughter-in-law is a bully. If you observe these behaviours in her; it is a good opportunity to talk to an experienced psychologist:

• She prevents you to make a contact with your son or grandchildren.
• Refuses to have any contact with you, what so ever, thus skipping on opportunities to communicate
• Makes snide comments about you, in presence of other family members, trying to belittle you
• She will not allow you to visit your son
• Makes you feel as if you are a burden in the family and always trying to destroy your relationships.
• Manipulates her husband and you by crying, misbehaving or pouting till everyone agrees to her demands.
• Saying hurtful and mean things to you.

If you feel that your daughter-in-law is a bully, then the first person you need to talk to is your son. Thus, it is his duty also to sort out the situation and act as a buffer and medium between the two of you. If you find the stress dealing with a “bully” daughter-in-law is taking a toll on your mental well-being it is an excellent opportunity to meet with an experienced counselor.

Also, Read – Seven Signs Your Mother-in-law is a bully

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Although incorrectly, empathy and sympathy are two distinct words that people often end up confusing and using interchangeably. Both the words share a similar root i.e. they are derived from the Greek word “pathos”, which means “feeling” or “suffering”. Therefore, both the words deal with emotions that one has in reference to another person. However, they are in no way synonymous because of the prefixes attached to them, which differentiates the meaning of the two words from each other.

While the prefix sym in the word sympathy, comes from the Greek word sýn, which means “together”, the prefix em in the word empathy, comes from the Greek word eń, which means “within”. Thus, while sympathy means sharing the same opinions, interests, or feelings as the other, empathy goes beyond sympathy. It denotes not only the sharing of emotions but also an understanding of them as if they are one’s own. So, while sympathy signifies feelings of pity and compassion towards someone’s sorrow and suffering, empathy refers to one’s ability to experience a situation by putting oneself in someone else’s shoes. This way, empathy involves the component of projection, which requires one to be able to imagine how the other person might be feeling in a situation.

Empathy is considered a higher order feeling because of its complex nature. Thus, you might find it easier to sympathize with someone than empathize with them. It is because of this reason that not everyone is said to be empathetic by nature. The two words might be used in similar contexts such as a death in one’s family. However, the following examples will clarify how the two words convey different feelings even in a similar context.

“I am sorry for your loss.”

This statement communicates sympathy. Sometimes, sympathy ends up conveying that the person facing the situation, is the only one suffering from the problem while the rest seem to be coping just fine. This might make the person in front of you feel patronized. Thus, instead of offering support, it might end up making them feel alone in their struggle.

“I can understand how hard this must be for you. Having lost a loved one myself, I know how this can feel.”

This statement communicates empathy. It conveys that feeling what the person is feeling right now is normal and common. Hence, it is more reassuring than the above statement.

A person is more likely to feel connected to the person who empathizes with them, rather than the one who sympathizes with them.

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What is an eating disorder?

Unlike the popular notion, eating disorders are not a form of extreme dieting or a lifestyle choice. Instead, they are a serious mental disorder which often has fatalistic consequences (mental disorder with highest mortality rate). An eating disorder is characterized by unhealthy and abnormal eating practices that as a result have an adverse impact on one’s mental and physical health. Over 70 million people worldwide suffer from some form of eating disorder during their lifetime. With its onset usually during adolescence, the disorder is found to be more prevalent among women than men.

Types of eating disorders

There are three types of eating disorders:

1. Anorexia nervosa – this disorder is characterized by extreme restriction of one’s food intake, often to the extent of starving oneself. Symptoms include:

• Extremely restricted eating
• Emaciation due to an unwillingness to maintain a normal body weight
• Distorted body image
• Intense fear of weight gain

  

2. Bulimia nervosa – people suffering from this order engage in regular episodes of binge eating, which they follow up with compensatory behaviors. Binge eating involves consuming large quantities of food in a short span due to a loss of self-control. Compensatory behaviors include actions taken to control one’s weight after binge eating, such as self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercising, and use of other drugs. Symptoms include:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating and consequently engaging compensatory behaviors
• Distorted body image and preoccupation with eating and body weight

  

3. Binge eating disorder – people suffering from this disorder engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating. However, unlike bulimia nervosa, people suffering from this disorder do not engage in compensatory behaviors. Thus, people with this disorder are often found to be obese. Symptoms include:

• Eating large amounts of food in a short span of time
• Consuming food in spite of feeling full
• Eating even when you are not feeling hungry
• Eating secretly in order to avoid the embarrassment of people noticing how much one is eating
• Feeling depressed, guilty, and disgusted with oneself after eating

Causes

Eating disorders can be a result of temperamental, genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. Risk factors thus include:

• Individuals suffering from depression, anxiety disorders or obsessional traits
• Individuals with low self-esteem
• Body image dissatisfaction
• Cultures, or professions that value thinness
• A first-degree biological relative suffering from the disorder
• Childhood sexual or physical abuse
• Internalization of an ideal appearance
• Childhood obesity
• Early pubertal maturation

Treatment

Based on an individual’s need, treatment plans can be tailored using any one or a combination of the following methods:

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Nutritional counseling and monitoring

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Panic attacks are common when someone has anxiety issues. When a panic attack happens, the person starts to feel that he/she is having a heart attack. The heart starts beating rapidly and there is a sense of fear that they are going to die. There is also a sensation where they feel like they cannot breathe and loosing all of the body controls. Thus, making it a terrifying experience for the person.

But, all these things can be stopped in the first three minutes of the attack. The glands which are secreting the chemicals, inducing the panic attack could be stopped within three minutes.

Thus, below are the steps to stop a Panic Attack:

Relaxing:

Firstly, it’s important to relax when you are going to have a panic attack. You can relax by taking deep breaths, slowly. When having a panic attack the first thought is of a heart attack. You need to calm your self by knowing that it is not a heart attack but a panic attack. Thus, it doesn’t have any threat to your life. During this, keep taking slow and deep breaths.

Dealing with Negative Thoughts:

A panic attack occurs due to negative thoughts. Thus, the next step is to stop the negative thoughts. You can stop this by saying very loudly in your head, “STOP”. By saying this you will interrupt the process of thinking. Once the thought process is interrupted you will be able to replace the thoughts.

Replacing the Negative Thoughts:

Thirdly, after there is an interruption of the negative thoughts it is important to replace them with the positive ones. You can do this by saying to your self that it is going to be fine, and it is just because of your anxiety your heart is beating very fast. Thus, by saying nothing is going to happen to you, you will start becoming calm.

Accepting the Feelings:

Lastly, you should accept your feelings. Usually, people get panic attack because they are afraid, scared. You should understand this feeling of fear and validate them. Thus, you should accept the feeling of fear and the reason for the fear. It is ok to be afraid, it tells you that you need to be safe. Listening to yourself and your feelings will actually validate them.

The above steps can stop a panic attack from happening. But, stopping them doesn’t mean curing them. Hence, if you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, it is recommended that you visit a mental health professional immediately.

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Along with Intelligence Quotient (IQ), it’s very important to develop your child’s Emotional Quotient (EQ) too.  It’s proven that children who have a better EQ, turn out to be much nicer, smarter, and more intelligent person in general. This is because a person with higher EQ is able to handle stressful situations more easily than a person who doesn’t have a high EQ.

Thus, below are few Tips to Increase your child’s Emotional Quotient (EQ):

Identifying their Feelings:

Most importantly, you should teach your child to identify their feelings from a very young. If they are throwing tantrums, it’s important that you teach them to identify their feelings. This way they will understand why they are feeling like this. Also, it should be done when they are feeling happy. Thus, helping them verbalize their feelings.

Showing Empathy:

Once they are able to verbalize, it is important for them to know how to empathise with others. Empathizing doesn’t mean agreeing with other, it means to put yourself in other’s shoe. Thus, when they are verbalizing their emotions it is important to teach about empathy. Also, if you disagree with their request, it is important to give them a reason while acknowledging their feelings.

Problem Solving:

It’s important to teach them about how to solve their problems. If they come crying about a fight, you should praise them for not reacting to the situation. Also, you should teach them how they can solve this problem without losing their cool. You can provide them with a solution and teach them how to positively find a solution for the fight.

Managing Your Own Feelings:

To teach them how to manage their feelings, you must set an example by managing your own feelings. If they did something which might anger you quickly, then it is advisable to first check your own feelings, so that your child can learn from it. Once your anger is at a check, then you can talk about how you feel and why you feel this. This way, they will learn and understand how to react in a similar situation.

Being Sensitive to Others:

Teaching about empathy is not a very easy task. Hence, it is important that they start showing empathy for others. You should teach them to be sensitive towards their friends and family. Soon your child will start showing care for others and start asking their friends if they are feeling sad or not. Thus, being a good human being overall.

These tips will help your child to grow their EQ and reach a level of understanding and management of stress. Thus, helping them to understand about others, and keep a distance from mental illnesses.

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Everyone wants to be more intelligent. All of us want to charm our bosses and peers by appearing more intelligent than them. In a scientific research, it is shown that our way of speaking and how we appear, increases the perception of others and finds the person  intelligent. here some tips to increase intelligence

Thus, below are few ways to appear more intelligent:

The First Impression:

The first impression is very important. A study shows that people most of the time making assumptions about the other within first 11 seconds of meeting. Thus, it is important to pay attention to how you look. The more clothes you wear the more it is easier for the other person to notice your mind rather than your body. Thus, appearance plays a very big role in the first impression.

Maintaining Eye Contact:

It’s very important to maintain eye contact when you are talking to someone. When you maintain eye contact with the other person, you are able to listen to them and thus respond in an intelligent manner. It also shows that you are confident and ready to listen to them.

Having the Right Posture:

To appear increase intelligent, it is important to maintain your posture. Studies show that people who tend to slouch present themselves as less confident and intelligent. Thus, having a straight and right posture presents you as confident and intelligent. Also, it helps you improve your appearance in general.

Getting Proper Sleep:

It’s important to get proper sleep to appear to increase intelligence. A well-rested person is able to listen and learn new things much faster than a person who is sleep deprived. Also, having proper sleep will remove a frown from the face and the eyes will appear wider. Thus, you becoming more attractive and appearing increase intelligent.

Speaking Slowly and Clearly:

Expressing yourself is very important, thus the best way to express is to speak slowly. Slow and clear speech creates an impression of what you are saying, you are confident about it. It makes you appear more intelligent as you present yourself well sorted out. A research proves that people who speak slowly and clearly appear to be increase intelligent than someone who speaks very fast and unclear.

Broadening Your Mind:

To appear and be increas intelligent, the best way is to be open to new ideas. Broadening your mind and horizon helps you to grasp and learn what you didn’t know. It also gives you the ability to understand and look at a situation in a very different perspective. Also, it enhances your listening skills.

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It is okay to be anxious sometimes when things get out of control. A certain level of stress and anxiety actually helps us achieve our goals. But, when the anxiety and thought patterns start getting out of control it becomes difficult to manage the anxiety. Sometimes, it even leads to a panic attack, where the person starts to palpitate and feels like they are going to have a heart attack. Thus, controlling your anxiety becomes the top priority. Here is some tips to how reduce anxiety.

Hence, below are few tips for controlling your anxiety:

Accept Everything Cannot be Controlled:

Everything is not in our hand; hence we can’t control what is happening in our surrounding. It’s ok to let go sometimes. Most of the time, the things making you feel stressed aren’t actually going to happen. It is just the thought.

Don’t aim for Perfection:

One of the biggest factor adding to our stress and then leading to anxiety is perfection. We can’t always achieve perfection in everything. It is ok to be happy with what you get and what you achieve. It’s the effort which matters.

Replace Negative Thoughts:

Anxiety increases because of the negative thoughts. It is important to replace these negative thoughts with the positive ones. The best way to do this is to keep a diary with you. In this diary, you should start writing all the positive thoughts. Thus, when the negative thoughts start to come, you can look at the diary and remember the positive thoughts. Positive thoughts is very helpful to reduce anxiety.

Relaxation Exercise:

If you have constant anxiety issues, it is important that you start practising deep breathing exercise once a day. Along with deep breathing the person should also practice counting 1-10 (if necessary 20) slowly. So, when the actual anxiety will occur and you start relaxation techniques the body will automatically go to rest and calm state.

Exercise:

It is important to keep your body engaged through various exercises. One can go to the gym, or for a walk, or running or even practice yoga. This will help in keeping the mind at peace and keep the negative thoughts at bay.

Eat Healthily:

A panic attack or an anxiety attack weakens the body. It is important to eat a well maintained healthy diet to keep the energy flowing inside your body. You can also keep energy-boosting snacks with you. This way you will be able to decrease the weakness and actually be able to have positive thoughts.

Limit Alcohol:

It’s very easy to start an addictive behaviour to control your anxieties. Hence, it is important to keep away from alcohol and other substances. In reality, these substances actually increase the chances of a panic attack. Also, they start a dependency behaviour.

Get Proper Rest:

Lastly, it is important to get proper sleep and rest. Daily 8 hours of sleep is mandatory when you are stressed. Getting rest is important to replenish yourself, your mind and body.

The above tips can help you control your anxiety. But, alongside it is necessary to visit a professional also. Thus, if you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety or panic attacks, please visit a mental health professional immediately.

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Losing someone who is dear to you, be it a friend or family member, is a very traumatizing experience. People suffering from depression, leave all hope in their life and find suicide the last option. But, the problem arises when they express this to their family member or friend. The person who is approached doesn’t actually know how to address this situation. There is a genuine worry in them but, they can’t address the worry.

A mental health professional or volunteers at suicide helpline knows what to say or do. But, they are not available for them 24 hours.

Hence, below are few things you can do to help them:

Show Concern:

It’s very important to show genuine concern for their situation. But, in these cases, you need to show and express your concern about them. Expressing your concern to them will let them know that you are there for them.

Ask them:

Many people don’t ask the person because they think they will instigate the situation. But, it’s very important to ask them. One should ask how they have planned to do it, or how they are thinking about it or what time, etc. Asking them about it, will not instigate the situation, rather will give them an outlet to speak.

Don’t Argue:

Usually, the first instinct of ours is an argument. We tell them that “there is so many good” or “think about your family” etc. But, these things are perceived as an attack. Instead of arguing or giving reasons to them, be with them and care for them. Let them know, that they are not alone.

Take Professional Help:

In these cases, professional help is very important. If the person is going to a psychiatrist or a psychologist, then urge them to contact them. If not, then take them to a mental health professional. It’s very important for them to know that they have different kinds of support.

Don’t Leave Them Alone:

Most importantly, don’t leave them alone. This is the time they are feeling lonely and vulnerable. In their time of need, you should not leave them alone.

Listen to them:

Lastly, it’s very important for you to listen to them. Just listening to them empathetically and without judgment helps them a lot. Hence, patiently listen to them and understand their feelings and emotions.

It becomes a matter of great grief if we lose someone like this. Hence, if you or someone you know is suicidal; then please visit a psychologist nearby. Also, please share this blog as it can help a friend or family member helping their loved ones.

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In today’s time, the emphasis on body image and skin color has increased. We see gyms opening up in every corner, and advertisement focusing on making the skin fairer. Everywhere we see, we are told that our body is not perfect or our skin should be fairer. The constant bombardment of these adverts can make anyone feel insecure about themselves. Hence, leading to different mental health issues like bulimia or anorexia, or depression. But here we give you advice how you accepting yourself.

It’s very important for anyone to learn to accept their body. The fight between the body and self becomes daunting for the person. The acceptance towards one’s body is fogged under the illusion of looking better. Big companies promote themselves by attacking one’s self-image. A lot of teenagers and even adults lose their self-confidence.

Thus, below are ways to understand and accept the self-image:

Making the Decision:

It’s very important to take the first step and make the decision. Positive thinking should be the first step. Along with it, it is important to understand that you are beautiful no matter how you look. Telling yourself every day that you are beautiful the way you are, helps you. Thus, making a decision for the acceptance of the body is the first step. The positive thoughts delete the negative ones which are fed to us for ages.

Dressing for Yourself:

We always have a tendency to dress for others. When going to a party our first thought is what would XYZ think when they look at us. In between those thoughts, one forgets to dress for themselves. We always tend to think that we will look good in the dress if we shed some weight or gain some muscles or look a shade whiter. But, we forget that we have to dress for ourselves. Wearing the dress, you are saving for the future will boost your confidence. It will help you improve your confidence.

Accept the Compliments:

We have reduced some weight, or cut our hair or etc. Then, someone compliments on the thing. Our tendency is always to find the negative in the compliment or dismiss the compliment. We console ourselves by saying that we are being humble, but in reality, we are not accepting the compliment. Hence, it is important to accept the compliment. It’s ok if someone is complimenting on your progress or on yourself, you should accept it.

Being Positive:

In the run of improving our body image or our insecurities and jealousy; we tend to bad mouth the other person. We feel negative, that’s why we tend to see the negative in others. It becomes very difficult for us to give a compliment to someone. Thus, it is important for you to compliment others. It brings positivity and acceptance towards yourself. Giving out compliments to others will make you feel happy and confident.

Conclusion

Hence, as mentioned above, most people live for the future. They enter a vicious circle of going to the future rather than living in the present. Thus, it is important to live in the present. Also, know that we have to fight a long period of negativity, hence it will take time to accept. But, it is possible to accept yourself and be happy.

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