Music therapy is defined as “the use of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs” of groups or individuals. It can include playing or listening to music, writing songs, or doing guided imagery. Music therapy degrees are available to grads and undergrads, and all music therapists have to pass a rigorous certification. Practitioners work to address emotional issues, such as depression or grief, to cognitive conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Unhealthy Relationship Patterns
As infants, we are completely dependent on the responses of those around us. Our attachment to caregivers begins during the first 18 months of our lives, with instinctual behaviors like crying or clinging when we need help or attention. As stated by Positive Psychology, these behaviors are thought to be evolutionary mechanisms that help infants increase their chances of survival.
Unlike the relatively similar behaviors of infants, caregivers may respond with a whole range of reactions. Their responses to our behavior teach us what is “acceptable” and what isn’t. This has a huge impact on how we interact with people going forward.
The Key To Happiness
When we do things that we enjoy and are skilled at, like practicing a new sport, writing a legal brief, or birdwatching, we enter a trance-like state where we are completely immersed in the activity. We lose track of time and become less self-conscious.
5 Ways to Resolve Anxiety-Related Sleep Problems
Have you ever lain awake in bed feeling like your thoughts were running through your head nonstop? Has looking at the clock and seeing how long you’ve been trying to fall asleep made you feel even more wound up?
Many of us experience anxiety-related insomnia, and our attachment to nighttime use of our phones and TVs only exacerbates the problem. Luckily, there are strategies you can try, especially before bedtime, to help reduce anxiety and improve your sleep.
Mental Health in the Black Community
Campbell’s work helped raise awareness within the Black community about the importance of recognizing, and addressing, mental illness. Her efforts stand as a reminder that the work is ongoing and the consequences of ignoring the issue are considerable.
The Dangers of Workplace Fatigue
Workplace fatigue is so common in our society that we seem to have accepted it as the norm. According to the National Safety Council, more than 43 percent of workers are sleep-deprived—that’s nearly half of all employees. Yet we as a culture don’t seem to be making any moves to change that. In fact, working… read more
Grieving the Loss of a Pet
Our bond with animals is often integral to our lives, yet their deaths are often seen as less significant than those of humans. In actuality, for many people, the loss of a pet hurts just as much as the loss of a loved one.
As a consequence, the process of mourning a pet is often hidden from others because we worry that we’ll be seen as “overly sentimental, lacking in maturity, or emotionally weak.”
Can Exercise Reduce Symptoms of Depression?
Research has shown that exercise can decrease symptoms of depression. This may be due to the circulation of endorphins, the fact that exercise can distract us from unpleasant thoughts, or our tendency to feel proud and accomplished after a good workout.
How Running Can Boost Your Mood
Over 55 million people in the U.S. run or jog recreationally, and for good reason. Most of us know that running offers a host of physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and better sleep.
Its benefits are also mental and emotional: running has been shown to improve brain functioning and create resistance to stress. What’s more, it can have a powerful effect on one’s mood.
The Power of Gardening to Improve Mental Health
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 20th century novel, tells the story of Mary Lennox, a girl who moves to England following the deaths of her parents. As she copes with her grief, she also faces ill health, loneliness and a ton of additional concerns that we now would recognize as major stressors. As you… read more
