On Leisure & Mental Health
I try to practice what I preach. And so, as I am currently on vacation, today’s segment is on the importance of leisure for mental health. Indeed, leisure activity does not command the respect that it deserves.
Unfortunately, for too many people, leisure’s health benefits are neither appreciated nor understood. Too many think of vacationing time as an unnecessary luxury or, worse, as wasting time. Think leisure is a waste? That may not bode well for your mental health — ScienceDaily
Today I want to debunk some of the myths concerning leisure and explain why leisure activity, is so essential for brain health and emotional well-being.
Becoming Reasonable: Updating our Notions of Mental Health and Counseling.
Despite all of the progress psychology and medical science has made, there are many who still hold an outdated and misleading view of psychological disorders and their treatment. Common Misconceptions About Psychotherapy (verywellmind.com) To be clear from the get go: 1) Most of the people who have mental health issues are normal people. Their problems are generally caused by past trauma or by current stress or a combination of both. 2) Most counseling is a process by which clients can expand their awareness of how their past experiences and present have combined to create perceptional distortions and irrational emotional and behavioral reactions . The impact of this expanded awareness enables individuals to perceive life more accurately and respond to it in a more congruent way. The lack of public understanding is problematic because it perpetuates stigma, confusion, unnecessary fears and avoidance of seeking help. Let me update and expand on two of the most common mental health myths.
Good News: NYS Mandates Schools to Teach Mental Health
A new New York State law mandates that public schools to teach mental health in physical education and health classes. As a mental health counselor, I am overjoyed and want to explain why this long overdue directive is so vitally needed. Historically, mental illness has been feared and avoided in the public mind. ven more important than, the specific information that the classes will provide is the modeling of open discussion which breaks the silence which has long surrounded mental health issues. Fear and ignorance are perpetuated by the absence of discussion where in sharing feelings, questions and concerns is acceptable. Having programs which explicitly address not only facts but also feelings and cultural attitudes can go a long way to normalize and make comfortable talking about things which were heretofore implicitly forbidden or, at least, very uncomfortable.
Redefining Mental Health: The Struggle to be Reasonable
May is Mental Health Awareness month . While progress has bee made in public awareness, misleading myths persist. The outdated medical model has created confusion and unnecessary fears with the sharply dividing categories of healthy and sick. Seeing mental health on a continuum which ranges from rational to irrational is a better way to understand both emotional well being and being emotionally disordered.
Redefining Mental Health: The Struggle to be Reasonable
Since May is Mental Health Awareness month, I have to ask : How mindful are you about mental health? or, What does it mean to be mentally healthy? While understanding has grown and attitudes have improved over the years, there are still some misconceptions which...
Why Mental Health Check-Ups Are a Good Idea
Everyone knows that seeing your doctor on regular basis for a check-up is a good idea. Periodic physical exams are a good way to identify conditions early. Catching a problem early is better than waiting until it has become bigger and more complicated. Well, the...
Mental Health Myth # 4: Talking to friends is the same thing as going to therapy.
A common misconception which confuses public awareness is that talking things over with friends is the same as going to therapy. While it is true that the empathy and support one receives while talking honestly with a good friend is therapeutic, psychotherapy...
