Everyone knows that not getting enough sleep, or having their sleep disturbed, can have many different affects. Irritability, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, and memory issues are all common side effects of low-quality, insufficient sleep. In a previous blog post, we looked at the connection between insomnia and depression. However, a lack of sleep has also been linked…
As a behavioral health provider, you know that success can look different for each person. It is not an all-or-nothing approach. Diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and nutrition can have a real impact on our mental health. But many of our beliefs and habits regarding diet can be unhelpful and even harmful.Enter…
Human beings are social creatures, meant to live in relationships, to one degree or another. Unfortunately, many of us experience loneliness—a sense of discomfort or distress when we want social connection, yet feel alone. Loneliness is not just about the size of a person’s social network. You can know a lot of people—you can even…
In a previous blog post, we talked about the alarming link between loneliness and a wide range of physical ailments. So how can you work with those behavioral health clients who are struggling with loneliness, to help improve their mental and physical outcomes? First Step: Identifying At-Risk Clients Loneliness can be challenging to treat, especially…
Social media has revolutionized entertainment, business operations, and even healthcare. However, experts have warned of numerous drawbacks and trade-offs that come with the use of social media. Anxiety Over Current Events With social media, news travels faster than ever. As platforms compete for views (and ad revenue), users are bombarded with news stories from around…
We previously discussed some of the negative effects that social media can have on people of all ages. But does science back up those ideas? Here are four things to know about social media, according to research. 1. We Need Better Studies About Social Media’s Impact. Social media is still a relatively new phenomenon. According…
As more Americans live with complex, chronic health conditions, caregivers are more important than ever. However, caring for a loved one with a condition like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or severe mental illness can be exhausting in every way. Caregivers who neglect their own needs have a more difficult time providing for a loved one, and…
Cancer can be a devastating, life-changing diagnosis that can cause mental and emotional distress. In fact, about one-third of cancer patients experience mental health disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. Let’s look at some connections between cancer and mental health that behavioral health providers should be aware of. This can help prepare behavioral health clinicians to…
Research indicates that higher social media use among teens increases the risk of developing an eating disorder. An Australian study, published in late 2019 in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, looked at nearly 1,000 middle-school students and their use of Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Tumblr. Having more social media accounts was linked to higher scores for thoughts…
While the great outdoors is no replacement for medication or therapy in treating mental health, study after study demonstrates that getting out into nature regularly provides tremendous benefits that aid mental health *in addition to* the formal supports of therapy and medication.
