We talk a lot about stress in our culture. Many people are feeling the effects of stress-related illnesses. Our jobs and even our families can cause stress in our lives. But stress sounds like such a nebulous concept. What is stress for one person is not at all for another. Here’s how you can figure…
Did you know that Mother Nature is the most inexpensive therapist you can see? Going back to nature and spending time outdoors can help reduce stress and instill calm in your life. This doesn’t even have to mean a week-long camping trip without electricity or running water. Just five minutes a day outdoors can reduce…
The American Academy of Sleep Science reported an interesting study they conducted of adult twins regarding sleep patterns and depression. The results are important for chronic pain patients who generally suffer from sleep issues and mental health concerns. Here’s what you should know. Poor sleep and depression They studied 1,788 adult twins to determine if…
Did you know that 30 minutes of meditation and relaxation can reduce anxiety and depression? If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you have a higher likelihood of suffering from these conditions. Meditation is a drug-free alternative to managing these conditions. Here’s why you should and how to get started. Why meditation for anxiety and depression?…
Mental illness continues to be a difficult subject–for its high rates of occurrence and the stigmas that are attached to it. Some estimates show that up to one in four people suffer from a mental illness. This can include conditions like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. For those with chronic pain, those numbers…
When faced with the need to medicate for chronic pain, patients need to feel comfortable asking questions and taking control of their care. Opioids are a common treatment for many pain issues. However, there are some risks with them and it is important to be aware of them. That’s especially true for those that have…
The buzz around “mental health” has been getting louder over the last few years. So many people throw the words around like they don’t really mean anything. When someone says “I’m taking a mental health day,” and they don’t come in to work, what are they really saying? Things are changing in our culture and…
We all know that the perceived experience of pain varies widely from individual to individual. Researchers are just now beginning to understand why that is by studying both genetic and environmental variables that contribute to pain sensitivity. What is pain sensitivity? Pain sensitivity, the point at which stimulus is regarded as painful or not, was…
In a poll conducted by Harris Interactive a massive 83% of U.S. workers indicated that they experienced work stress. Eight out of ten adults is far too big of a number for us to accept this as simply normal. Workplace stressors include low pay, increased workload, and issues with other people in the office. Many of…
Anxiety, or a feeling of nervousness about an event with an uncertain outcome, is becoming a prevalent concern for medical professionals. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 40 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Anxiousness, in and of itself, is not necessarily life-threatening but the…