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genderqueerdykes · 29 days ago

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considering visiting a psychiatric hospital, inpatient behavioral health unity, or other mental health crisis center? here's some tips about what to expect

i've been inpatient about 6 - 7 times now in various areas of the country and i thought i'd write down a few things on what to expect whenever you visit these kinds of facilities in the United States. i have gone in for psychotic and dissociative episodes, as well as suicidal ones. i cannot write about the experience in other countries unfortunately, this is my own personal experience. note that i can't tell you everything about your facility but i can tell you what i've experienced personally that generally applies to these kinds of places

when trying to get admitted to generally need to go to the ER first to tell them you are having a psychiatric crisis. use the word crisis. a lot of places will not admit you unless you admit you are having suicidal or homicidal thoughts. if you are visibly in a psychotic episode you may not have to admit these things but generally a lot of places won't admit you unless you are suicidal. if you aren't but need help anyways, mention that you're suicidal. it's not fucked up to do this. if you need help, you need help.

in almost all cases expect to be held for 72 hours (3 days) MINIMUM inside of that hospital. you cannot leave at all during this period. this is referred to as a 72 hour hold, it is for your safety. you are not allowed to leave during this time unless you opt to leave against medical advice (AMA) which will be noted on your chart. some places won't have this but most psychiatric hospitals will do this. please note that this is the MINIMUM hold! you may be there for longer depending on the severity of your situation

you cannot use your cellphone in most of these places. they will be locked away with your other possessions. this is to prevent you from contacting/being contacted by people who may be abusing or scaring you, as well as to prevent you from worrying about the stressors that brought you in to begin with. be prepared to not use any electronic devices for several days to a week. some people really struggle with this but it's vital in the healing process

you will not have access to any of your possessions outside of simple things like books and notebooks. you are not allowed to bring in anything that's spiral bound. you can't wear any clothing with draw strings or shoe strings. you can't bring in things that have elements that can be used to injure yourself or others. you can't bring in pencils or pens, they will provide you with some. you cannot bring your own hygiene products or medications to be used unless it's a very specific medication that's necessary that that hospital cannot administer

if you use nicotine, you will be given patches in most facilities, but some do allow patients to smoke their own cigarettes. most modern facilities provide nicotine patches

you more than likely will not be able to wear your own clothes. if you can, you will be given to on-site laundry facilities, or the staff will do it for you depending on the location. in a lot of places you will be given scrubs to wear. you will also be given non-slip ("grippy") socks to wear all the time. this is the only footwear that's permitted generally

you more than likely will have to share a bedroom with another patient. not always, but often this is the case. in a lot of hospitals trans patients are put in rooms with just one bed for safety reasons but this will vary wildly depending on location

there will be group therapy and visitations from therapists in most places. please attend these if you feel up to it, a lot of them are genuinely helpful. not all classes or therapists will be good, so if you feel uncomfortable feel free to leave, but i recommend trying to attend these

there are generally vegetarian, vegan, etc. options for meals so feel free to ask the staff in case you have a specific diet, especially medical diets

some psych facilities are small crisis centers or rehabilitation centers that are not connected to a proper hospital. if they are not, their resources will generally be a lot less and they will have less knowledge when it comes to physical health ailments

you may or may not receive a diagnosis. i was instantly diagnosed with schizophrenia the first time i went to the psych ward. i was clearly in a psychotic episode, confused, not entirely sure where i was. i was interviewed for a long time before the doctor came to the conclusion of schizoaffective disorder. other times i was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder & depersonalization derealization disorder. i get diagnosed with DID and schizophrenia most times i go. your mileage will vary greatly depending on your situation. you may have wildly different diagnoses the different times you visit or you may get the same ones. you may not get a diagnosis at all. it's going to depend on your situation

you are more than likely going to be given new medications. much like the rest of the hospital, you may not be told the name of the medication right away. this is normal. it happens whenever you visit the ER, get a surgery, or are in other parts of the hospital, the name of the medication may not always be told to you right away. ask if you're curious about medications. they'll gladly explain

if a medication is making you feel like garbage or making your symptoms worse tell the nurses right away. you do not have to keep taking a medication if it starts to make you feel worse, you are allowed to communicate how medications are making you feel

try to take care of yourself and focus on getting better. your treatment may not be perfect but if you focus on yourself it gets easier. you're there to learn how to take care of yourself better. there may be "problem" patients but they are there to work on themselves too

if someone starts causing problems with you, tell staff and try to resolve it as quietly as possible as the other patient may just need some help that they weren't being given prior

feel free to ask for the hospital to let you know exactly what your discharge instructions rare. they will generally be setting you up with a lot of appointments upon discharge. this will usually involve an appointment with a therapist and a medication manager if they want you to stay on medication. keep up with these appointments, they will help. if you and your therapist do not get along well, feel free to find out how to find a new therapist

discharge can take a few hours longer than you make expect due to the amount of paperwork and appointments mentioned above. if it takes a long time for you, that is not abnormal

ASK FOR RESOURCES LIKE SOCIAL WORKERS, CASE MANAGEMENT AND SO ON. THIS IS HUGE: if you have EVER been admitted in-patient for mental health reasons you almost always qualify for case management services through your insurance. if you don't have insurance you still may qualify for low or no cost services. these are people who can help you sign up for government and public assistance. they can help you figure out how to pay your bills. they can help you find transportation, help with rent, help navigate addiction, help with signing up for housing programs and so on.

"severe" mental health (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, autism, personality disorders, OCD, and other conditions) & substance use disorder diagnoses often qualify you for discounted housing programs, bill/rental assistance, resources for navigating and escaping homelessness, help with children & family, and other great resources. take advantage of them especially if you genuinely struggle with these things

there are patient advocates for most hospitals. these people are literally hired to listen to patient feedback about their time in the facility. if you were treated well, poorly, or have questions or concerns about the treatment process, google "(facility name) patient advocate" or look through your discharge paperwork to see if that information is included. you can also call the hospital and ask to be transferred

don't look down on other patients who have more severe symptoms than you do. if someone has no idea where they are, what they're doing, or how to interact with other patients don't laugh at them, gossip about them or look down on them. you're there for help just like they are. similarly, don't look down on anyone who you believe has less severe symptoms than you do. you can't tell just by looking

certain things may vary depending on where you're located, but this is what i've experienced going to hospitals in 3 different states. i hope this information can be helpful to some. if you have any questions feel free to ask i'm happy to help!

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crevicedwelling · 7 months ago

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hi! i was wondering about handling captive bred insects/invertebrates. my mom really loves this jumping spider facebook, and i was like, i know its cute but she really shouldnt be handling it that often, and my mom got really defensive. am i wrong? how often can you handle spiders/invertebrates? i was under the impression it should only be when necessary, and i guess necessary does fluctuate (showing off the features when given indicators that they arent distressed and its okay to do so, etc) but i dont know. sorry for the long ask you just seemed like you know a lot about this and in the case of jumping spiders specifically i was under the impression especially it was not wise to handle them bc they end up stepped on; even when the person knows what theyre doing. thank you for sharing your creatures with the world <3 and for your time should you answer this

yeah handling pet invertebrates should be kept to a minimum, especially species for which handling is a huge stressor (such as things that need high humidity, darkness, have skin sensitive to oils and salts, or just really hate being handled)

jumping spiders are one of the more-ok groups to handle in my opinion because they tend to be active, arboreal, diurnal animals and human hands aren’t too far off from a bunch of sticks to jump around. however, handling often means a spider is moving more than it would otherwise, or it might feel chased, or it might just want to get off these weird warm sticks attached to a big staring face. additionally, I don’t think the jumping spider will gain anything from being handled, and only stands to gain negative experiences from it.

brief handling when necessary (prevent escape, cleaning, showing the animal off for a short time) is fine but constant handling wouldn’t do the spider any good.

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yoonyia · 5 months ago

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what's your favourite tree?

Ok I had to search up the English word for it because I only knew it in korean but apprently it's called Ginkgo

it's my current obsession regarding trees and it's so cool

I grew up with them and I never really thought how cool they are

these are what they look like in the fall but they're usually green throughout the year

they give off a "foul" pungent smell in autumn due to it dropping its fruit all over the streets and people stepping on them

these fruit has a hard shell and only releases the smell when the outer shell is broken

this is mostly because the tree relied on animals to eat its seeds ti spread them, cause although it's consider "rancid" and "barf-like" to our noses it's a smell considered a remarkable meal.

their species name is Ginkgo biloba and it's known as 'a living fossil' due to it looking the same as it did thousands of years ago (more like couple of million years ago, I think there was a fossil from 250 million? (i was wrong it was 270 million years ago which arguably makes this so much more impressive) years ago of an identical shape and size. This dosent mean it hasn't evolved but it does mean that it didn't need to adapt drastically for its appearance to change and only required minute genetic alterations, hence the 'living fossil')

it was originally a global tree but due to some factors near the ice age disappeared from Europe and North America. So now it's a more Asia specific tree. This is probably likely due to there not being enough seed dispersers, but could be more external stresses like extreme weather and lack of nutrients in the soil.

These trees are very long living and are almost considered immortal, if one tree is left alone without being subjected to stressors it can live more than 3000 years

I dont know how common this is in the rest of the world but in korea it's popular to roast or Sautee in oil the seeds and eat the insides

from my memory they turned green or greenish yellow when you roast them and they get this nice savory mildly buttery thick flavor.

here's a photo for reference.

They're so awesome and also insanely stupid

these things survived like minimum 3 extinction events

there's only 5 extinction events like these things aren't normal

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d3ard3ughter · 11 months ago

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Dumping some OMORI he's! First up, Sunny!

- Sunny is pretty delayed mentally due to reverting to childhood as such as a coping mechanism as well as the delay of being home for four years after Mari's death when he was 12 just sleeping and doing the bare minimum to care for himself alongside the neglect from his mother so alongside physical growth he is mentally stunted. mentally for a while, he is 12

- Kel is usually the one being told he stinks/hj but you know it bad when Kel is shoving Sunny to shower or something because of how long he's neglected himself people don't wanna talk about how long you neglect themselves with depression and stuff and how bad it is I think he rarely bathed during those four years and the trauma heightened everything too so that near drowning experience before made him just not wanna be in water too and just some sensory related issues with water

- he has very sensitive hearing and tons of sensory issues He gets overstimulated easily and it is a whole mess because he can't express himself well

- he's autistic and selectively mute adhd too

- he uses sign language alongside just physical contact and stuff and or communication cards and just writing stuff

- Sunny goes non-verbal even if it's not stressful but it's just a big thing and all or a stressor he reverts

- still childish due to the lack of aging mentally and just trying to keep it the way it was before per se And is also on the late developmental spectrum of autism

- he said his first words p late at 3-4 and it was "Mari" but Sunny had a bit of a speech impediment so speech therapy and it was "mawi" for ages

- he's Japanese & Korean English he speaks both but he had difficulties in learning someKorean was mainly at home and English outside but

- yk the raw steak and all thing? That is no longer his favorite food it makes him sick

- Sunny used to wear Mari's clothes a lot whether or not they were old He likes skirts in general a lot The cotton flowy ones because they aren't restricting

- Sunny's voice is developed well due to lack of speech so it hurts to speak at times and it's just raspy and all his baby face does not go with the deep quiet voice he has

- Sunny's bi and he had a crush on Aubrey as implied in canon and also Basil

- he has a collection of stuffed animals and blankets that he's piled on his bed the only thing is it's not messy like you'd expect it's meticulously organized was his side of the room and Mari's was a "mess" but she knew where everything was

- Sunny tends to mimic people a lot especially those he is close with like Mari for example

- After the good ending, Sunny grows his hair out to be like Mari's. Unlike before when he hadn't realized how long it'd grown in the past and had to cut it from sheer panic

- artistic v much so that he likes to draw and write shit but most of it will never see the light of day despite the horrifyingly good detailed nightmare fuel he wants hero to hang up on the fridge

- Mari and Hero's nickname for him is "Sunshine"

- Mari named Sunny because he straight up was a nameless baby for ages and she called him Sunny and he stuck

- Sunny sounds sarcastic and dry and all in everything even when he isn't and it's almost Mirroring Mari's issues in sounding rude and not genuine so they both have to overcompensate

- Sunny has RSD.

- severe separation anxiety

- I think he is still kinda religious he believes in god but that's about it especially because it kinda got shoved down his and Mari's throats as kids he stuck to it but Mari drifted away really

- Sunny is just really dense romantically to for any of the ships the others just have to yank him and say it straight up for him to realize hey, something there

- He doesn't register any flirting or sarcasm

- v sensitive but he just wasn't raised to think it safe to cry or put it out there he was very emotional when he was little and it was overwhelming with no outlet

- high sympathy autistic actually and it a probably meanwhile Maris low empathy autistic

- Sunny becomes a tattoo artist as an adult in the good ending

- Sunny doesn't register flirting or is good at it but he can be kinda bold about things without thinking about it and he catches everyone off guard

- Sunny is very clumsy

- he's anemic so that and being a klutz result in so many Hero questions about him and he's like?? I don't know where that bruise is from

- he was a preemie (born prematurely) so more stunted growth too

- v sick kid all of the time

- woo pulmonary fibrosis

- iron deficiency squad member/HJ

- Sunny is very sarcastic as a person and he doesn't even realize it either but at the same time he is somewhat aware he will get punched if you allow him to say what he wants most of the time He says something so out of pocket and promptly stops verbalizing anything

- Sunny's knife is his emotional support, he snatched it from Hero & Kel's kitchen so when Kel takes it from him he realizes that was the missing knife and is like?? "Why do you have our knife???"

- Mari & Hero would always Kiss injuries better for the younger kid and Sunny is convinced it still worked so Basil does it for Sunny's eye when sunny stabbed Aubrey he tried to do that to apologize and Aubrey was like "WHAT THE FUCK??"

- Sunny has a scar where his eye was stabbed He goes between just with his eye/socket or just an eyepatch too

- has to wear sunscreen just to go outside or else he will just be burned. (It's good to protect yourself anyway) but Sunny is just so pale and sensitive skin and Mari always ingrained it into him to lather sunscreen to go outside

- Sunny is hard of hearing

- he narrates himself whenever he's stressed

- so sunny isn't good at expressing himself and he got it from mimicking how Mari handles herself So when he can't verbalize his feelings and all and she isn't getting any the hints no matter what he resorted to throwing and breaking the violin as the I'm fed up to get her attention and it backfired because before she's find out the problem becomes she understood breaking things as a means id expressing because I see her having the issue as a kid and just she realizes it's not socially acceptable so its put more like Squeezing things and nails in her hands type thing but she just assumes sunny was doing it to make her made rather rhan expressing jt

The autistic to autistic communication is not communicating and Sunny wanted to verbalize it and react to the overwhelming emotions without hurting himself or someone else so he acted out on the violin but Mari, his safe space, getting so angry and for a skittish kid and sensitive one he felt threatened and was scared so it resulted in the shove

- He particularly mimics Mari a lot in general so they share a lot of habits and all because of the mimicking and just being family and close but she is his go-to if he has to mimic and he doesn't even realize he's doing it

Mari and everyone thought it was cute at first until Mari realized oh he's doing what I do

- I also think Mari & Sunny's parents weren't particularly good about dealing with Sunny selective mutism and also his neutral expression that was only ever changed when he cried or something and Sunny attempted to poorly

#omori sunny

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mermaidsirennikita · 4 months ago

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ARC REVIEW: Give It to Me by Angelina M. Lopez

4.75/5. Releases 9/3/2024.

The Vibes: super sexy, Latine rep, a story for every mood

Heat Index: 8/10

The Basics:

A collection of hot short stories by Angelina M. Lopez, some with a bit of magic, several with a lot of heart, and all with plenty of female pleasure one way or the other.

The Review:

Angelina M. Lopez wrote one of my favorite contemporary romances that I recommend all the time, Lush Money. She's such a strong writer, so good at channeling chemistry and character into her stories. So naturally, I jumped to review a collection of her short stories.

Short stories are hard to pull off... and she's more than up to the challenge. Now: A few of these are separate scenes, related to books she's published in full. However, they all function as standalone short stories without any issue. The spoilers are limited to "these are romance novels so people end uip together", but Lopez offers a forward for every story—so you'll know either way.

Lopex excels at offering diverse setups, as well as stories that center Latine characters and strong, but incredibly human (and yes, flawed) women. No matter how quick and dirty, these stories are well-written and at minimum offer a glimpse into a woman's mind, her stressors, her desires. This is just a great collection, and it's ideal for those who need brain candy but want like... brain candy that isn't brainless.

My top favorites:

--The Phone Call and Star *69. The first and final stories in the book actually tell a two-part story, and I fucking LOVED it. It's a simple setup that I am personally a sucker for: Rosemarie's husband died, and his best friend, Sam, has become her best friend and confidante over the past few years. Though they're a flight away, Sam has always been there for her over the phone... so Rosemarie decides, after realizing she needs to get laid, that Sam should be the man who eases her back into sex. The tension? Exquisite. The character development? Somehow fabulous for a pair of short stories. I loved Rosemarie and Sam, I loved their love, and though I'd read a full book about them any day, I felt like I got their full story here and I was GRIPPED.

--Twelve Drummers. Lopez sometimes plays with magical realism, and this story is heavy on the magic... and the eroticism. It's hard to explain this one, so just know that it's linked to an ancient holiday, a mystical drum, a jewel thief and a security guard, and, well—a twelve-person gangbang. Yeah. It's GREAT.

--Too Old for You. On the surface, this is another lightly supernatural-infused story with a hot age gap, a hero who's all "Noooo I'm too old for you but... I mean... Well... if you INSIST", and some very dirty car shenanigans. But. If you read Lopez's forward... Well. I found it DELIGHTFUL.

--The Proposal. This is a pretty straightforward, sweet-but-also-hot story about a girl who wants to learn about sex and the boy she's selected to reach her... but I've been saving Lopez's Full Moon Over Freedom because I've read almost everything else in her backlist. And now! I must read it posthaste, because this story is connected to it, and um, it's SO good. She nails characterization within limited pagetime.

--Hot Pockets. I wanted to call this one out because I didn't think I'd love a slice of life story about a very realistic married couple trying to sneak in some quickies in between handling the day to day, but... It's so sweet? And so HOT? And again, she just nails the quick-turn characterization.

--A Mermaid and Her Star. I mean, gotta call this out because there's paddleboard sex. Like. Come on. You want to read this.

--Harvest Time. This story is connected to Lush Money, and you don't need to read that book. But like. Read it? I think this will convince you if you haven't. Roxanne and Mateo are FIRE.

Aaaand that is like, half the collection, and I could add more, because they're all good. I will say—most of these stories are romance OR in a couple of cases, erotica. One, A Good Man, is not. In the forward, Lopez mentions the issues that the romance genre has with accepting authors of color, and how that's led her to try new things. It's more on the thriller side. It is hot! But it's not romance.

I really hope Angelina doesn't leave romance, though I'll definitely try anything from her. The story is quite good. She can do whatever she wants, I'm sure. But if the, frankly, racist resistance from readers pushes her out of the genre... I'll be so fucking sad. She's a true talent.

So... you know. Let's support her work and give ourselves JOY. We all win.

The Sex:

I don't think I need to get into this again, but uhhhh. You get it all. The gangbangs, exhibitionism, soft intimate loving sex, morning sex, the aforementioned paddleboard sex. It's here, it's good, I recommend. Two of these stories don't show sex on the page. One follows up on it in a second story. I did kinda wish we got the follow-through on the other one, but I do see how it played with the teasing of the eroticism.

I seriously recommend this one. In truth, I've been struggling with feeling really connected to books this summer. Even when I enjoy them, excitement can be elusive. I'm just burned out. These short stories were exactly what I needed and left me feeling so refreshed.

You deserve a treat. Buy it!

Thanks to Angelina M. Lopez for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#romance novel blogging #romance recs #book recs #romance novels #arc reviews #book reviews #books

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activefitglow · 27 days ago

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How Can You Effectively Reduce Stress In Your Life?

To reduce stress effectively, one requires awareness as well as concrete steps that can be consistently implemented. The following provides an integrated program to reduce stress while considering changes in mindset, habit and lifestyle.

Understanding Stress and Its Causes:

Stress is basically the normal response to challenges or demands, which are often termed "stressors." Such stressors can be brought by various factors from the outside-such as work pressure, problems in relationships and financial concerns or maybe from inside like negative self-talk, fear, and other unrealistic expectations. Knowing precisely what contributes to your stress will help you know how to focus your efforts.

I.) Physical Health Takes Priority:

Since physical health influences mental health, being properly fit or regularly exercising and eating a balanced diet with adequate rest helps build an energetic body and mind, increasingly better at coping with stress.

Exercise: A minimum of 30 minutes of moderately exercised days, physical exerts that lead to activities like walking and jogging. It gives some mood enhancement which is seen in patients as the best mood improved naturally. It dissolves tension and anxieties from the patients and their surrounding. Now with this all physical exercise should prepare for what will actually give vent. Active Diet: An active diet with enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins has the energy to combat stress. Examples of foods containing more nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and magnesium would keep up with the regulation of hormones about stress. Proper Sleep: Lack of sleep increases the stress load, impacts your mood and concentration. Sleep in good quality by creating the right soothing sleep routine. Limit your exposure to gadgets at night. Create sleep-friendly environment.

II.) Mindfulness And Meditation Practice:

One of the most effective simple ways of dealing with stress is the attainment of a state of mindfulness, a state of consciousness that entails the full presence of mind without judgment. It has been found that through mindfulness meditation, stress decreases and mental acuity improves. Mindfulness is as simple as taking some time each day to notice your breath, how your body feels and observe any thoughts or emotions that arise without acting on them.

Start Small: Begin with five to ten minutes of mindfulness meditation early in the morning. Subsequently, gradually increase as per comfort level.

Meditation: Through apps like Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer you might have available guided sessions on how to reduce stress or improve sleep quality or alleviate anxious feelings. Mindful Activities: Practice mindfulness in mundane activities including walking, eating or even doing household chores. This maximises focus and minimizes mental clutter bringing calm into everyday moments.

III.) Self-Forgiveness And Positive Self-Thoughts:

Now after all, it is our attitude that causes stress. Negative self-talk, perfectionism and self-criticism usually inflate and blow minor stressors out of proportion. Recovery with self-compassion and positive thought patterns is liberating.

Reframe The Negative Thought: You see a negative thought. Apply a more balanced perspective when you replace that thought, for example. Instead of "I mess up all the time, I always," You have- "Everyone makes mistakes, I can learn from that one." Expect Less To Achieve More: If the target is too high, then there is a probability of disappointment and stress. Attainable goals will make one celebrate every progress in lieu of results. Practising Gratitude: Gratitude reduces stress because it keeps one's mind on things as they are right. It takes a few minutes from any day to write down the three things you are appreciative of, no matter if they are minute. As time goes by that becomes an automatic training about focusing on the positive versus the negative.

IV.) Time Management:

Poor time management can be one of the ways through which stress is magnified because it leaves open avenues for feelings of powerlessness and incompetence. Knowledge of effective time management would greatly minimize the unnecessary stress one has to endure.

Prioritize Tasks: First thing on the list is prioritize, that is, what is to be done can be ranked according to which of them is urgent, according to which of the priorities and then how these are divided into the four quadrants of this Urgent-Important Matrix. This framework clears the way and direction of energy to know which to do at once and which to until later. Break Tasks Down Into Small And Manageable Tasks: Large projects or big tasks overwhelm you. Give them smaller dimensions so that to achieve something will not scare you to handle. A small accomplishment gives you much satisfaction that will help control the feelings of being overwhelmed. Set Boundaries: Get into the habit of saying "no" to others regarding things that are not high on your priority list about serving while protecting your time from stress. Let people understand the limits but firmly and respectfully.

V.) Building Support Networks:

Blowing off with the trusted friends and family can provide a psychological relief while giving one a new angle with which to look at things. One such effective buffer against stress happens in social relationships. Knowing others will support him raises a person's level of resilience while helping to temper the experience of isolation.

Nurture Relationships: Schedule regular time to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, even if it is only through the computer or a call in. These contacts provide positive emotional support and may remind someone of what really matters. Seek Professional Help When Needed: At times, professional mental health support would be highly useful. Licensed counselors may also help in becoming more adept at learning sources of stress and techniques used to handle it. Join Community: Be a part of a community of shared interest. For example, join a book club, some sports team or hobby group to make one feel included and socialize as much as possible.

VI.) Hobbies and Recreation:

Hobbies and recreations help bring about a healthy balance in life. Hobbies are meant to give the mind a break and are usually full of creativity and satisfaction thus helping to work off tension.

Make Time For Your Hobby: From painting and gardening to playing a musical instrument or cooking, a hobby can be very uplifting and a productive stress-reliever. Limit Screen Time: Since too much use of social media stress and anxious individuals. Imposes boundaries to the amount of time that a person spends in front of a screen and spend some non-screen time.

Go Explore Nature: Since it has effects of de-stressing a person. Strolling around a park, hiking or sitting in the open, tends to higher the level of the hormone which causes the lower stress levels of a person and even their mood tends to become a little brighter.

VII.) Relaxation Techniques:

There would be the elimination of tension and the physical de-stressing techniques would come to life before you in the form of relaxation. Such techniques could easily be integrated into some of your practices to produce cumulative results.

Deep Breathing: The method is simple breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing. This could bring you to your relaxation response. Take in deep through the nose, pause awhile, exhale slowly through the mouth. That would take you five to ten minutes.

Imagine: The mind will actually draw images during guided visualized about some safe place at the beach or deep within the forest. The imaginary will place all those perceptions of thoughts there itself where this will give some sense of some peaceful condition to that particular mind. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: One can produce a relaxing effect through a technique called progressive muscle relaxation. This can be done by contracting his muscles and relaxing one by one starting from his toe and finally his head while allowing relaxation on every exhalation.

VIII.) External Stressors Minimization:

Such causes of stress from external factors include environment, workload, or financial pressures. This may be a good avenue through which one can reduce the level of stress from external sources.

Work-Life Balance: Just work hard to institute boundaries separating work from personal life. See to it that there is an end of work. After that do some relaxing activities during your personal time. Financial Planning: Most individuals face financial stress and planning can reduce much of it. One should create a budget, track the spending, and even take on a financial advisor if need be. This will then make the finances appear easier to manage and cut back on uncertainty. Organize Your Space: The disorganization of a surrounding often contributes to the mess in your mind. It will take some time organizing your workspace and your house. Only keep in there what you need. It creates a sense of order and calmness.

Conclusion:

What seems to be the basis in alleviating stress of itself is that it provides an understanding of the factors that bring stress and confronting not only the mental concept of well-being but collaboration with both concepts. Acting on the mindfulness, right care of health, nurturing support network as it is said to be elementary while working with stress management. governing time, having positive thinking and engaging with activities of joy bring in a place of prominence while maintaining things in proportionality. Indeed working over such steps on time ensures and modifies the response patterns associated with stress and boils up the living standard.

Such slight variations can decrease the level of stress in life and enable a human being to live serenely with greater strength.

#reduce stress #simple way to reduce stress #stress reduction tips #How we reduce stress

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givelifetoaworld · 29 days ago

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idk it’s been just over 3 weeks of not working full time for the first time since 2021 and while i have to be really strict with my money with my now very limited income for the time being, i just feel like a different person already. i’m obv still mentally ill and a full time grad student and not fully unemployed lol but the removal of a chronic and overbearing stressor had almost an immediate positive effect and i can actually enjoy things and pace every day realistically and i don’t even feel bad if i do nothing for a day.

i think everyone should think about what having 35-40 hours freed up every week - where you no longer have to preform and fit into someone making (at minimum) 3x your salary’s expectations to prove you are worthy of their pennies - would do for them.

#turns out i’d rather be a broke college student than a Devoted And Always Smiling Employee huh

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naturewingsholidaysltd · 6 months ago

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Bhutan Package Tour from Mumbai

Hello, Mumbai dwellers! Are you feeling drained by the daily grind and the constant hustle and bustle of city life, aggravated by never-ending traffic? If so, it's time to break free from these stressors and embark on a journey to immerse yourself in the enchanting embrace of nature with an exclusive Bhutan Package Tour from Mumbai.

Discover the irresistible charm of the Buddhist Kingdom, where the air is imbued with an undeniable magic, effortlessly soothing your soul and replacing the chaos of urban life with serenity and joy. Don't wait any longer! Reserve your spot now for a Bhutan Tour Package departing from Mumbai, and experience the tranquility of its breathtaking natural landscapes, far removed from the frenzy of Marine Drive, while indulging in luxurious comforts.

Turn to NatureWings, your trusted Bhutan Tour Specialist. Our tailored, luxurious chartered flight service from Mumbai to Paro ensures a seamless journey for even the most discerning travelers. Although regular direct flights from Mumbai to Paro are scarce, our partnership with Bhutan Airlines allows us to arrange special chartered flights exclusively for our esteemed guests heading to Bhutan. Opting for our upscale Mumbai to Bhutan Package Tour not only guarantees a lavish experience but also ensures a hassle-free arrival at Paro International Airport [PBH], Bhutans a lavish journey but also ensures a seamless arrival at Paro International Airport [PBH], Bhutan, with minimal hassles during check-in.

Apart from that, NatureWings - also offers personalized and flexible Bhutan Package Tour from Delhi, Bhutan Package Tour from Jaigaon, Bhutan Package Tour from Phuentsholing, Bhutan Package Tour from Kolkata, Bhutan Package Tour from Ahmedabad, Bhutan Package Tour from Bangalore, Bhutan Package Tour from Bagdogra Airport, Bhutan B2B Packages, Sundarban Package Tour from Kolkata at Best Price.

For Booking this Mumbai to Bhutan Tour Packages Call our Bhutan Tour Expert at +91-98300-13505 / +91-99035-39505 Visit our Website : https://www.naturewings.com/packages/bhutan-package-tour-from-mumbai

Day wise Bhutan Tour Package Itinerary from Mumbai :

Day 1: Welcome to Bhutan and Transfer to Thimphu

Day 2: Thimpu Sightseeing - After Breakfast, Start for Thimpu Local Sightseeing

Day 3: Thimpu to Phobjikha Valley

Day 4: Phobjikha Valley to Punakha and Punakha Sightseeing

Day 5: Punakha to Paro [116.2 Km] and Paro Local Sightseeing

Day 6: Paro Sightseeing - Taktsang Monastery

Day 7: Paro to Chela-La-Pass Day Excursion

Day 8: Cherish Your Memories

Entry formalities for regional guest travelling Bhutan :

For Indian, Bangladeshi & Maldivian passport holders no visa is required to visit Bhutan. However entry permits must be processed to enter into the country. The entry permits can be processed on arrival or in advance by a local travel agent like NatureWings Bhutan.

A valid Passport (minimum of 6 months validity) is required for travel to Bhutan.

Tourists are free to travel on any day beyond Thimphu and Paro with the same single permit.

With the new tourism policy, regional tourist must pay SDF (sustainable Development Fee) Rs.1200 per person per night excluding the tour package price (Flight, Hotels, Meals, Guides, Transportation & Monument fees).

All permits for Mumbai to Bhutan Tour will be processed online

Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) approved hotel booking and tour guide are mandatory.

Online permits can process through the local registered tour operator or any international partners.

WHICH IS THE BEST TIME TO BOOK BHUTAN PACKAGE TOUR FROM MUMBAI?

Summer in Bhutan is between June to end of September when temperature in most of the central Bhutan prevails between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. It's a kind of Sunny and little humid, nights are cold and you may feel to wear light woolen garments or jackets. Surrounding of cities and tourist points seems green everywhere and clear sky gives an opportunity to behold the long range of snow clad Himalayan peaks. If you travel this time, you can experience Haa Festival which signifies the Bhutanese food, culture, tradition and way of life. With less crowed you can visit and experience many sightseeing places at peace. So, summer is one of the best times to choose for Bhutan Holiday Packages from Mumbai.

AUTUMN [SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER] In terms of travel month, autumn is the best season for Bhutan Holiday Tour from Mumbai. With pleasant weather which range between 10 to 15 degree, travelling and sightseeing in day time makes comfortable while the nights are considerably chill but enjoyable. This is the festive season in Bhutan and travelers get a chance to sneak the authentic cultural heritage and festivals of Bhutan. The Black-Necked Crane Festival, Paro Tshechu, Punakha Tshechu is held with great festivity mood among Bhutanese people. Dzongs and monasteries come into live with colorful flags flattering in wind, big Thonkas and dances of masked man. For tourist it is high time to travel. But NatureWings suggest to book your Bhutan Package within summer season to avoid peak season rush and non-availibity of hotels and flight tickets.

WINTER [DECEMBER - FEBRUARY] Winter in Bhutan is not so soothing, rather it's harsh. Due to high Himalayan altitude during winter temperature drops rapidly and cities like Thimphu, Paro, Punakha gets covered under thick blanket of snow making life standstill. In northern parts high-altitude area temperatures can get down to sub-zero. As harsh weather prevails, Gov of Bhutan declares holidays in schools, collages, and Gov. Offices also. Accessibility between different place become difficult due to heavy snowfall. In spite of that, if you wish to experience the snow and cold with some of the festivals that happen during winter, you obviously can book your Bhutan Package Tour this time. Some festivals like Monggar Tshechu, Trashigang Tshechu, Lhuntse Tshechu and Trongsa Tshechu is held between November and December. So don't look back, book your Bhutan Tour from Mumbai in winter without any hesitates. Winter in Bhutan is Awesome!

SPRING [MARCH - MAY] After a long harsh and cold winter, Bhutan comes to alive during spring. The blooms of Jacaranda and Rhododendron marks the spring in Bhutan. The roads, valleys and surroundings are covered with purple petals which makes the ambience like heaven. During March to May, with little or no rain, sky become crystal clear which marks the begining of world famous Jomolhari and Drukpath treks? Moreover, this is the time of some of the great auspicious festivals like Paro Tshechu, Gasa Tshechu, Rhooddendron festivals, Talo Tshechu etc. The King of Bhutan also takes part in these festival activities. During March to May Bhutan is usually packed with tourists, so NatureWings advise to book Bhutan package from Mumbai as early as possible along with the flights to avoid peak season surcharge, hotel sur-charges and extra flight cost.

Why NatureWings is best to book Bhutan Tour Package from Mumbai :

Assured services in the preferred manner to enrich your best experience while stay in Bhutan

Process e-permit in advance for visiting different places and sightseeing.

Safe and secure personal attention during a stay in Bhutan.

NatureWings Bhutan takes responsibility for the entire duration of your Bhutan Tour from Mumbai.

Make sure hassle-free and trustworthy services in Bhutan.

Get the best deals for the best properties and services as per your preferences.

You can plan a trip to Bhutan even during weekends and holidays.

Bhutan Tour Package from Mumbai Inclusions :

Accommodation in TCB listed Hotels (Double/Twin Sharing Room)

Meal Plan MAP (Breakfast and Dinner)

Transfers and all sightseeing in an exclusive Non-AC Vehicle (Private Basis)

Parking, Toll Tax, e-Permits

Thimphu Local Sightseeing

Paro City Tour

English / Hindi Speaking Tour Guide

All transfer will be on point to point basis

SDF Charges (Sustainable Development Fee)

01 Bottle Packages Drinking Water Per Day on Vehicle

Guest Service Support during the trip from Bhutan & India Office 24/7

TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS OF BHUTAN TOUR FROM MUMBAI

Trashi Cha Dzong, Thimphu

Takin Zoo, Thimphu

Weekend Market, Thimphu

Shopping in Handicrafts Village, Thimphu

Buddha Point, Thimphu

Tiger Nest Hiking, Paro

River Rafting in Punakha River, Punakha

Punakha Dzong, Punakha

Phobjikha Valley, Phobjikha, Gangtey

Haa Valley, Haa District

Q. Where can we enjoy river rafting in Bhutan? A. River rafting can be enjoyed in Punakha on the Pho Chu River which has a 16 Km course stretch with about 15 rapids, and Mo Chu River with nearly 10 Km course around 10 rapids.

Q. Is alcohol cheap in Bhutan? A. Yes, alcohol is cheaper in Bhutan, and the locally made alcohol is good in taste, and these beverages act as a great souvenir for the boozers. Do try out Ara, the traditional hot alcoholic beverage consumed by the majority of the population and is made of rice, barley, wheat, or millet, and herbs which is either fermented or diluted.

Q. What is the elevation of the Tiger's Nest in Bhutan? A. Paro Taktsang or Tiger's Nest Monastery is a sacred place and mostly visited tourist destination for every Bhutan traveler. The site is located approximately 10 km north of Paro at an elevation of approx. 10,000ft. To visit this astonishing place, travelers must trek for 2 to 3 hrs among the beautiful, shady pine forest.

Q. How are the hospital and other medical facilities in Bhutan? A. In Bhutan, medical facility is really limited, only in Thimphu General Hospital you can consult specialist doctors. Rest of the places in Bhutan, the facility is really limited.

Q. Can I get good dialysis facilities in Bhutan as my father requires Kidney dialysis on a regular basis? A. Dialysis facility is available only in Thimphu. You need to do prior appointment for the dialysis. Please consult your travel specialist for arranging the appointments. Please also consult your doctors before taking any decision regarding Dialysis facility in Bhutan.

#travel #tour #nature #holidays #bhutan #trip #bhutanpackagetour

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susannatipsandtricks · 10 months ago

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#HowLongDoesaTeslaBatteryLast

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fitjourneydaily · 10 months ago

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MetaZyne: The Power of Antioxidants: Unlocking the Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin Repair and Free Radical Defense

In today's fast-paced world, our skin constantly battles external stressors like pollution, UV rays, and poor lifestyle choices which can lead to premature aging and damage. However, with the right knowledge and tools, we can empower our skin to combat these challenges. Antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, play a pivotal role in skin repair and free radical defense. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the science behind antioxidants, the benefits of Vitamin C, and how you can incorporate it into your skincare routine. Understanding Antioxidants: Antioxidants are natural substances that protect our cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by environmental factors such as sunlight, smoking, and pollution. When free radicals accumulate, they can cause oxidative stress, leading to cell damage, inflammation, and ultimately, premature aging. Key Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin: Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a potent antioxidant that offers a multitude of benefits for the skin. Let's explore the key advantages of incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare regimen: 1. Skin Repair: Vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen synthesis, a protein responsible for maintaining the skin's elasticity and strength. By boosting collagen production, Vitamin C helps repair damaged skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and enhance overall skin texture. 2. Brightening and Even Skin Tone: Vitamin C helps inhibit the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and uneven skin tone. Regular use of Vitamin C can help fade pigmentation, resulting in a brighter, more even complexion. 3. Protection Against UV Damage: When used topically, Vitamin C can provide a degree of protection against UV-induced skin damage. By neutralizing free radicals generated by UV rays, Vitamin C helps minimize sunburn, sun spots, and photodamage. 4. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Vitamin C possesses anti-inflammatory qualities that can soothe irritated skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. It aids in reducing redness, swelling, and accelerating the healing process. 5. Enhanced Antioxidant Defense: Vitamin C works in synergy with other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, to strengthen the skin's antioxidant defense system. This helps neutralize a broader range of free radicals and provides long-lasting protection against environmental stressors. Incorporating Vitamin C into Your Skincare Routine: To harness the benefits of Vitamin C effectively, it's crucial to choose the right skincare products and application methods. Consider the following tips: 1. Look for stabilized formulations: Vitamin C is a highly unstable compound that easily degrades when exposed to light, air, or heat. Opt for stabilized formulations with ingredients like ascorbyl glucoside or L-ascorbic acid, known to retain their potency. 2. Gradual Incorporation: Start by introducing Vitamin C products slowly into your routine, especially if you have sensitive skin. Begin with a lower concentration and gradually increase the dosage to allow your skin to adjust. 3. Morning Application: Apply Vitamin C serums or creams in the morning after cleansing. This allows for maximum protection against free radicals throughout the day. 4. Pair with SPF: To enhance the sun protection benefits, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 after applying Vitamin C. The combination of both provides optimal defense against UV damage. 1. Antioxidants for Skin 2. Vitamin C Benefits 3. Skin Repair Tips 4. Free Radical Defense Techniques Conclusion: Incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare routine can have a transformative impact on your skin's health and appearance. Its potent antioxidant properties help repair damaged skin, brighten complexion, and provide defense against free radicals and UV rays. By choosing the right formulations and following proper application methods, you can unlock the remarkable benefits of Vitamin C. Embrace the power of antioxidants and indulge your skin in the nourishment it deserves for long-lasting beauty. Embark on your weight loss journey with MetaZyne. This innovative solution is expertly crafted to support your weight management goals, offering a powerful aid for shedding those extra pounds. MetaZyne blends natural ingredients with a scientifically-backed formula, helping to accelerate your metabolism and curb appetite. Stay committed to your wellness objectives by incorporating MetaZyne into your daily regime. Feel the transformation in your body and confidently stride towards a healthier you. Visit the MetaZyne Product Page to make a positive change in your life. Revolutionize your approach to combating toenail fungus with our innovative formula, crafted with 10 Essential Antifungal Agents. Discover the key to effectively targeting and eliminating stubborn fungal infections in your toenails. Our scientifically formulated blend harnesses the power of natural, potent ingredients renowned for their antifungal properties. Ideal for those seeking to restore nail health, prevent recurrence, or find a natural solution to toenail fungus, our product offers a comprehensive treatment. Experience the strength of nature's finest, carefully selected for maximum effectiveness against toenail fungus. Step into a world where healthy, fungus-free nails are a reality, and feel the transformation with each application. Embrace your journey to restored nail health. Learn more about how these 10 Essential Antifungal Agents can make a difference in your fight against toenail fungus. Visit the Fungal Freedom Product Page. Elevate your nerve health with our groundbreaking formula, meticulously designed to nourish and support healthy nerves with 10 Essential Nutrients. Unravel the secret to effectively revitalizing and protecting your nervous system. Our scientifically-supported blend emphasizes natural, potent ingredients renowned for their nerve-supporting benefits. Whether you're looking to improve nerve function, enhance overall nerve health, or seek a natural solution for nerve care, our formula provides a holistic approach to nerve maintenance. Experience the revitalizing power of nature's finest, carefully chosen for optimal nerve health. Step into a realm where robust nerve health is attainable, and notice the improvement with each application. Embrace the journey towards stronger, healthier nerves starting today. Discover more about how these 10 Essential Nutrients can transform your nerve health. Visit the NervoLink Product Page. Revitalize your skin health with our innovative formula, expertly crafted to restore normal skin balance using 10 Essential Nutrients. Discover the key to effectively nourishing and maintaining a healthy skin equilibrium. Our scientifically-formulated blend concentrates on natural, powerful ingredients renowned for their skin-balancing properties. Whether you're striving to achieve a more even skin tone, improve overall skin texture, or seeking a natural solution for radiant skin, our formula offers a comprehensive approach to skin care. Experience the nourishing power of nature's finest, carefully selected to optimize your skin health. Step into a world where balanced, glowing skin is an attainable reality, and notice the difference with each application. Embrace your journey to a balanced, more radiant complexion today. Learn more about how these 10 Essential Nutrients can transform your skin health. Visit the Derma Prime Plus Product Page. Read the full article

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lurkiestvoid · 10 months ago

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I'm so tired of being addicted to cigarettes. It's gross and expensive, and it's a pain in the ass. I refuse to smoke indoors around my family or pets for the record, but that means standing in the snow at 8°F for 10-20 minutes every few hours and it sucks.

But I've associated the habit with sooo many aspects of both my general life and daily habits that quitting quickly becomes complicated. My wife has an iron will and just quit cold turkey years ago but I've never been able to do that, I get highly irritable and panicky and restless and stim endlessly and pace and get bitchy, so I'm trying yet again to just taper off over time. I've tried patches but that went... badly. Tried gum. Tried quitting apps. Tried vapes. Tried candy substitutes.

The problem is I have SO many triggers for it. At minimum I take a "smoke break" every 3-4 hours, especially when I'm focusing on a long task like a cleaning day or gaming. Switching projects/tasks also usually calls for a "smoke break" to kind of reset and refocus my brain to switch tracks. Driving anywhere is a huge trigger, especially after the accident. Major stress often leads to chainsmoking, and being perpetually poor and disabled is a 24/7 major stressor. Getting frustrated, angry, or otherwise upset triggers another need for a smoke break to calm down, recalibrate, and gather my thoughts. Making plans and lists. Before and/or after a meal. After coming home from being out for several hours, especially in non-smoking areas or with the family. Checking the news or social media. Writing. Socializing, especially with good conversations and especially with other smokers. Waking up. Going to bed.

I've gotten better with some of these, reduced others, and still can't quite seem to make much further progress. I really, really need to quit. For almost 17 years I've been smoking a pack a day and I already know it's done severe damage to my health, and I don't even want to calculate how much money that's cost.

Idk what the solution is, but I'm gonna keep trying.

#quitting smoking #rambles

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lovesexplore · 1 year ago

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Keeping Your Eyes Healthy: Your Guide to Optimal Eye Care

Our eyes are continuously exposed to screens and other environmental stressors in the modern digital age, which can negatively impact their health. Since clear vision is necessary for performing daily tasks, maintaining healthy eyes is critical for general wellbeing. In this thorough guide, we'll look at a variety of tactics and routines to keep your eyes in good condition.

Understanding Eye Health

The Value of Frequently Scheduled Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are one of the most important components of maintaining healthy eyes. Optometrists can evaluate your eyesight and look for any early indications of eye disorders during these consultations. To avoid vision loss and to cure problems before they worsen, early detection is essential.

Using Eye Protection from UV Radiation

Your eyes can suffer damage from ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, which also raises your risk of cataracts and other eye disorders. Wear sunglasses that completely filter out UVA and UVB radiation whenever you go outside, especially on bright, sunny days.

Dietary Guidelines for Eye Health

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can harm your eyes and increase your risk of cataracts and other eye conditions. If you go outside, always wear sunglasses that totally block UVA and UVB radiation, especially on bright, sunny days.

Digital Eye Strain and the 20-20-20 Rule

We spend a lot of time staring at displays in the digital age, which can strain our eyes. Use the 20-20-20 rule to reduce digital eye strain. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to concentrate on something that is at least 20 feet away. This straightforward technique might lessen discomfort and eye strain.

Getting Enough Sleep and Eye Health

Maintaining eye health requires getting enough good sleep. Your eyes repair and renew themselves while you sleep. To avoid eye redness, dryness, and irritation, aim for 7-9 hours of comfortable sleep each night.

Smoking Cessation and Eye Health

Smoking is bad for your health in numerous ways, including your eyes. It raises the possibility of getting cataracts, various eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Conclusion

A lifetime commitment to maintaining healthy eyes requires a mix of routine check-ups, lifestyle decisions, and preventative actions. You can protect your vision and maintain excellent eye health for the rest of your life by using the advice and techniques included in this manual.

FAQ

How frequently should I have my eyes checked?

A minimum of once a year is advised for eye exams, although those who are at higher risk may require more frequent examinations.

2. Can I naturally increase my vision?

There are certain exercises for improving vision, but for individualized guidance, it's important to speak with an optometrist.

3. Exist any particular eye workouts to lessen eye strain?

Yes, there are eye strain relief activities like palming and eye rolls. The 20-20-20 rule should also be applied.

4. What symptoms indicate an eye infection?

The most typical symptoms of an eye infection include redness, irritation, discharge, and increased light sensitivity. Seek medical help if you encounter these symptoms.

How can I safeguard my eyes when playing sports and being outside?

To avoid eye injuries when participating in physical activity, consider purchasing sports-specific protective eyewear such goggles or helmets with visors.

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

#EyeCare #EyeHealth #VisionProtection #HealthyLifestyle #EyeExams #DigitalEyeStrain #UVProtection #NutritionForEyes #SleepAndEyeHealth #QuitSmoking

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mvillamemoirs · 2 years ago

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stress paper 2014

emvee

May 22nd, 2014

Stress Management Psych 20

Final Stress Journal with Terms

Surprisingly, I experienced and established many things I didn’t know about myself throughout this course this semester. I’ve let go of some bad habits, and discovered new habits to keep my life under control, as well as my pure happiness, and maintaining low stress levels. Before going into this course, I used to face stress in a negative way where my health was in danger, and though I’ve doubted this book to begin with, it actually came to be really helpful in endless amount of ways.

Chapter 1: Stress in Todays World In the beginning of this course, I had a rough time admitting I had a lot on my plate, and that I could conquer it all without becoming overwhelmed. Being a full time worker and student, balancing relationships with my boyfriend, my dog and my family- was a difficult and rocky road for me. These were the main stressors I didn’t know how to deal with, and was experiencing distress quite often than I’d like to admit to myself.

Chapter 2: Self-Assessment Along these stressors, I’ve brought along the bad habit of smoking cigarettes. I noticed its side effects with my respiration rate, as I recall taking fewer breaths before picking up this habit. When it came to comparing my carotid pulse and my radial pulse, I found that my pulse was a bit high, considering my poor diet, and obviously smoking. Chapter 3: The Science of Stress On a regular day, I’d find myself panicking about future quizzes, and fearing of falling behind in my reading, I wouldn’t find myself in a prolonged homeostasis as I’ve perceived practically everything as a threat. If I was working, my mind would be on my studies, and because my job is a bit more demanding as desired, I felt like my autonomic nervous system would activate my sympathetic nervous system, and I’d experience a nervous breakdown, or a sky-rocketing amount of stress every now and then. Chapter 4: The Mind/Body Connection When comparing both American and Japanese culture, I’d think that the 2 major similarities that I can relate to would be Karoshi- which means ‘death by overwork’; and sutoresu that refers to stress. I feel that both societies overemphasize wealth way more than they should, and people literally work themselves to death without experiencing the other things in life. Iyashi refers to the mix of calming, healing and becoming close to nature, and depending on perspectives, I honestly feel that traveling and experiencing Mother Nature is significant to growing as a person, rather than working hourly for a lousy minimum wage.

Chapter 5: The Power of Perception Because I am a Virgo, I feel that my rationale perception is valued to a larger crowd, than those whom hold a biased view of the world. As I began learning lessons after lessons, the way I perceived what was a stressor changed. My dog used to feel like a burden to me considering the showering, cleaning, visiting the vet, but I’ve learned to look at her in a different light. I’ve learned cognitive restructuring, also known as reframing, and I’ve began to look at other things less of a burden, and more of a challenge. This began lowering my stress levels, and I began to mold into a hardiness person.

Chapter 6: Thinking and Choosing I praised myself on being optimistic than most, and picked up on positive self-talk to lower my anxiety whenever I began feeling anxious. On top of restructuring my stream of consciousness, I’ve not only learned optimism, but also power language and its beneficial effects of empowerment and acceptance.

Chapter 7: Mindfulness As I interact with people, and read up on the news that’s going on around the world, I learned not to judge as much, and learned to keep an open mind towards a lot of things. Mindfulness self-efficacy reveals this much of me, and I am darn confident that I’ve created a serene environment around me 95% of the day. Practicing mindfulness helped me to live in the moment and with what’s in front of me and not take anything for ganted, as many people would be lucky to be in my shoes.

Chapter 8: Managing Emotions I’ve always kept in mind that you can’t always stay idle in one’s comfort zone and expect to grow as days pass on. Although I’m still working on finding comfortable in my discomfort zones when it comes to mingling with new people, I become soft-spoken and that’s nothing like me. I’m still working on my social health, and admit that I’m making process, I just still have a long way to go, and will reach there in a matter of moments. Of all emotions that I can experience in these discomfort zones, I’ve never felt anger, but rather slightly flustered. If there was a bad encounter with another being, I never resorted to hostile actions, but just brushed it off. Chapter 9: The Importance of Values I never knew that there are different types of values, nor were they any different than morals. Instrumental values allows people to value certain character traits and stay true to them. Terminal values are the outcomes of what we hold important and valuable. They’re the end resulted feelings of doing good, as well as having specific instrumental values that motivate us to work toward those. Taking my role as a barista, I’m honest with what tastes ‘good’ and tell the customers, only to assure their satisfaction; whereas other places would bypass an honest opinion to make sales.

Chapter 10: Spirituality This chapter was difficult for me to intake because I somewhat question my belief in a higher power. Although I’m an Atheist, I do take into account other religious beliefs, and try to make sense out of them. My spirituality is at an ecological level, but I seek to expand my belief in all other dimensions. On a brighter note, when practicing my social health, I find myself creating relationships that can sustain time. This kind of connectedness allows me to gain insight on how others perceive life in general-as well as learn and grow as an individual.

Chapter 15: Healthy Lifestyles Eating a nutritious diet and exercising daily promotes and assures a healthy and long lifespan. I’ve fallen off track with keeping up with my fitness activities and picking the right kind of foods to eat, but am slowly getting back on my way to lose weight. Maintaining my ideal body composition is frustrating at times because I sometimes get discouraged from family members who find my body appearance unacceptable. Their pressure and negative attitudes would’ve normally pushed me develop binge eating, but I tend to not go back to the habit of runaway eating.

Chapter 16: Introduction to Relaxation Whenever I find time to myself, I tend to over relax than necessary. Whether it’s lounging around the house of indulging in a well-needed nap, I find myself a weekend filled with relaxation- knowing the fact that I don’t have school or work. Even if I find that I have time off from both school and work, I take a power nap quite often to get a quick shut-eye and be energized on tasks I’ve yet to complete during the beginning of the week. It’s really helpful on both weekday and weekend.

Chapter 17: Take A Breath Whether it’s the hiccups, sighs of tiredness/stress or yawning, I partake in breathwork to enter a quick state of peace and calmness. I free myself from ongoing thoughts and emotions, and find that inner peace to get a grip of sanity and control over myself. Normally, I find myself doing some restful breathing. It helps calm my nerves, and energy as I allow my body to properly function on its own, as well as becoming aware of it.

Chapter 18: Autogenics If I find myself wrapped in work other than physical fitness, I rely on autogenics. I direct heat and feelings all over my body and it aids in tuning out the environmental sounds. As I become alert of my body’s resting state, I allow all things to take place with effortless effort.

Chapter 19: Progressive Relaxation This progressive relaxation technique has got to be one of my favorite relaxation techniques because it helps drive focus on the tense body parts- along with negative thoughts and emotions. At times when I become angry under any circumstance, I find myself clenching my fists, and notice a bit of my frustration draining out of my system once I stop the clenching. I acknowledge the motor unit that’s becoming activated, and soon to be muscle contraction.

Chapter 20: Guided Imagery When I was a little kid, I used to attempt hypnosis on myself, as well as my siblings. Unfortunately, it was always a failed attempt, but I never realized how big our imagination was whenever we played together. Our imagery brought our thoughts to life, and although we probably imagined things differently, mistaking the floor for lava seemed realistic, as well as swimming through an ocean made of stuffed animals. This kind of visualization added more excitement to our playtimes, as all of us accepted our imagined reality for as we wished.

This book was definitely the real deal. Although I thought this course was fixated on our everyday stress, I’ve learned to go in life with ease and accept things for what they are. I’ve learned that I cannot change objects or people, but rather I have more control in the way the outer elements affect me emotionally and mentally. Techniques based on love, time/money management, and perceptions are the skills I’ve learned to imprint in my daily lifestyle, and in which I plan to carry with me for a long time to come. I’ve grown into an open-minded and ambitious female only to thrive towards success, and am making the most of every single step along the journey. Considering the seriousness of developing healthy habits in my early adulthood years, I can proudly say that I’m working towards my ideal weight goals, as well as no longer being victim to cigarettes. Eliminating the nasty habit of smoking tobacco is my biggest accomplishment thus far, and I can only transcend here on out. It’s been on hell of a semester, and you can bet your bottom dollar I’ve enjoyed every bit of it! Thank you, professor! ☺

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doberbutts · 2 years ago

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Thank you for tagging!

As you say, unfortunately “problem barking” is too vague a descriptor to be really that useful in determining the cause. Most likely, a trainer would need to either see this behavior in person or see a video of the behavior to determine what exactly is going on. And also unfortunately it’s rarely just the one thing, but multiple factors contributing to the barking including the fact that barking is self-reinforcing- it feels good in the dog’s brain to bark, and so the bark will continue because the brain is rewarding itself. This is also why a lot of times things like bark collars are ineffective as long-term training tools- they may stop the bark while they’re on but once they’re off most of the time the dog will return to barking exactly as they were before. This is also why a lot (and I do mean a lot) of people will debark or “soften” a dog when “nothing else works”- barking that becomes a form of self-pleasure can be a nightmare to stop if you don’t know what causes the dog to seek that form of reinforcer in the first place. This is often the “barking at nothing” thing- it’s rarely actually nothing, but good luck figuring out what it actually is while the dog is getting hits of feel-good with every woof.

This also is really hard when there is something obvious as a trigger but it’s not a controllable something. As you said, barrier and leash reactivity is so hard because the dog begins to BOW WOW WOW WOW and then either is moved away from the trigger or the trigger leaves of its own volition and either way the dog got what it wanted which is the thing leaving. So many people give in to demand barking because at least it shuts the dog up (for now...) without even thinking about the implications of creating that behavior chain and how much of a tantrum the dog will have when the human in the situation has had enough and tries holding their ground and not giving in (and then eventually gives in and does whatever it is the dog wants and now we’ve created a monster). Barking in the crate, barking at sounds... there’s so many reasons dogs will bark and bark and bark and unfortunately it’s one of the least controllable things about dogs because, well. Dogs bark.

I’ve found the most success comes from a number of different things combined into one.

1. Change the entire picture. If you know that your dog will bark when someone walks by, for instance, before your dog even gets a chance to wind up and think about barking, do something else besides stand there and wait for your dog to BOW WOW WOW at that person. Pivot and walk the opposite direction. Whip out a toy and play a good game of tug. Walk somewhere else where people will pass you less. And work with a trainer to solve the reactivity, of course.

2. Unending barking, as said, is self-reinforcing because it’s a hit to the pleasure center of the dog’s brain every time they vocalize. It’s, erm. Kind of masturbatory in that way (and, dogs do masturbate too, for the same reasons). But often when the dog is doing this nonstop, it’s a sign of the dog struggling to cope with something, usually stress. Finding the stressor can be a challenge in and of itself, but often there’s something making the dog unhappy so they’ve figured out they can make themselves happy to try and cope with the stress of that. These types of dogs are often very anxious or aggressive- I lived with a shiba like this and she would literally bark from sunrise to sunset if she heard someone in the yard once in the morning. She was very anxious, and she ended up needing anti-anxiety medication to calm her little brain and allow her to cope better with the stress of “oh my god someone is here and that scares me”.

3. Make sure your dog’s needs are being met. And I know this can be difficult, but for instance my new addition Phoebe will have a complete tantrum meltdown in her crate if she has not satisfied her social and physical needs that day. I need to interact with her for a minimum number of hours and I need to exercise her for a minimum amount of steps or she will be completely inconsolable when I try to go to bed at night. She, of course, cannot tell me “you haven’t hugged me the required 15 times yet today and thus I am Unhappy About It”... but that doesn’t mean that’s not a minimum requirement for her to be fulfilled in her life. You may feel you are “doing enough” for your dog, but if your dog is showing signs of stress like barking nonstop... it is possible that you aren’t, actually. And it’s okay to realize you’ve over-dogged yourself by accident, as long as you’re willing to do something about it whether that is to find a way to meet that need without driving yourself mad, or whether that is to find someone who can meet that need for your dog to live with instead.

I was wondering if you had any advice (or links to such) on the issue of dogs who bark a lot. The two big pieces of advice one tends to see about barking are “figure out what need is not being met” and “don’t reinforce behavior you don’t want” and I kind of… don’t see how to do both of those at once? If I don’t respond (positively) to the barking I don’t know how to figure out what need they’re expressing, and if I do respond to it I don’t know how to ask them to express it a different way? I feel like there’s some Step here I’m missing in how to marry these concepts.

Welcome to why barking is a really complicated behavior problem to address once it’s become frequent. I’m going to say, as I always do here, that you should find a local positive reinforcement-based trainer to work with on your specific issues, but I’m happy to talk theory a little bit.

There’s a lot of different reasons dogs bark, which is where you have to start. They might be letting you know there’s someone nearby (alert barks) or they might be asking for something (demand barks). It could also be communicative with other dogs letting them know to back off (threat barks) or inviting them to play (play solicitation barks). They might be expressing frustration or internal conflict (referential barks - I can’t for the life of me find the paper about this I remember reading). So the first thing you have to figure out is why they’re barking, which means understanding what the context is. Only then can you figure out how you’re going to be able to modify the behavior. That means you may have to watch for a while without trying to interrupt or redirect to figure out what’s going on, even though that goes against the rule of not letting animals practice behaviors you don’t want.

A good example of the variety of causes for barking is your classic “dog barking at a window” situation. A dog barking at passerby and their dogs might be, for instance, frustrated about the proximity of other dogs it can’t greet or interact with. (This is often your classic barrier frustration situation). But a different dog might be expressing discomfort - there’s another dog that’s too close to it / it’s property, and that’s uncomfortable. And a third dog, say of a guarding breed, might be alert-barking to tell you about the proximity of strangers. Each of those is going to need to be addressed differently. For a dog with barrier frustration, I might put up opaque window cling so they can’t see out the window, preventing them from seeing the stimulus that’s triggering the barking. For a dog that’s alert-barking, all it might take in some cases is training an acknowledgement cue. (Basically telling the dog yes, I see your concern, good job telling me, job done, chill out now). I’m purposefully not giving an example for anxiety or fear solutions because those are complicated situations that should be handled individually.

The hard park about modifying barking behaviors is that you’re only the reinforcer for some of them - in some cases, because barking is a bit of a self-referential expression of an internal state, getting to bark at something can actually be internally reinforcing for the dog. In a situation where, say, your dog is demand-barking for dinner, you can very easily choose to stop reinforcing it: don’t react to the dog when they bark for dinner, only put food down when they’ve stopped barking. But if it’s something more complex like a barrier-reactive dog barking out a window, you can’t necessarily stop that situation from being reinforcing for them once it starts: you can’t control passerby or what the outside dogs do, and both the reaction of the strange dogs and your dog’s experience of barking may be reinforcing it. At which point, if you can’t control the reinforcer, you have to control the thing that allows the behavior to happen - in this example, that’s being able to see outside dogs at all, hence why some people put up opaque window film to remove the dog’s ability to see dogs they want to bark at.

Because barking can have so many triggering stimuli, and it’s so context-dependent, that’s why it’s a really good idea to get a skilled trainer who can help you assess the situation and problem-solve it. @doberbutts, tagging you in for any additional thoughts since you’re much more active in dog training than I am these days.

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