Singing Away IBS
Study: Irritable Bowel Syndrome felled by song.
Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial psychological and biological effects of singing, with associated feelings of relaxation, energy and joy. An inter-university Swedish study has set out to test whether there were any additional stress-related benefits from choir singing in comparison with other group activities…
(Via GoodTherapy.org.)
Focus on the Family
A massive anthropological study of American family life is complete. Cameras on 32 families; 1,540 hours of video.
“This is the richest, most detailed, most complete database of middle-class family living in the world…What it does is hold up a mirror to people. They laugh. They cringe. It shows us life as it is actually lived.”
Postpartum Depression in Dads
From the L.A. Times: Postpartum depression affects fathers too [link now inactive[.
“We are expecting dads to be more involved in parenting than we ever have before…Most dads are welcoming of that, but they don’t have any models about what a dad is supposed to do. That creates uncertainty, and that uncertainty can lead to anxiety and depression.”
Divorce Risk
On the NYT’s Well Blog, a collection of divorce articles and assessment tools. Plus news:
Divorce rates have actually declined since peaking in the 1970s, and 10-year divorce rates have dropped dramatically with each generation.
Stress Management Pages
The stress management section of MayoClinic.com has lots and lots and lots of ideas about how to handle stress. Here, a sampling of links:
Stress relief: Learn how to say no Discover the why, when and how of saying no to reduce stress.
Forgiveness Forgiveness and letting go can lead you down the path of healing and peace.
Massage Explore the health benefits, potential risks and what to expect from massage therapy.
Meditation Learn quick and easy ways to meditate, no matter where you are.
Tai Chi for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Science Daily: Tai Chi Gets Cautious Thumbs Up for Psychological Health.
[A study] found that practicing Tai Chi was associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem.
What’s Tai Chi? Wikipedia’s answer is here.
Chronic Pain Anonymous
Added to the resources page here, Chronic Pain Anonymous. New and not huge, you’re more likely to find online or phone meetings than one nearby. From the site:
How do I know if I may benefit from Chronic Pain Anonymous?
If your life is managed around your experience of pain and if you make choices in activities, careers, entertainment, or any other actions depending upon how much pain you are experiencing, than you may just be experiencing chronic pain. If you can answer the following statement with an unequivocal yes:
• I admit that I am powerless over my pain-and my life has become unmanageable.
… then you may benefit from Chronic Pain Anonymous
Los Feliz Psychotherapy
Happy to announce that I’m now seeing clients in Los Feliz, 90027. In addition to the therapy offices in Silver Lake and Beverly Hills, I’ve now got office space on a nice, tree lined street just off Hillhurst. Same therapy, same therapist; extra location.
Please call of write if you’d like to arrange an appointment.
RAINing Mindfulness
The Tara Brach spells out RAIN (the mindfulness acronym):Irish Times
R is for Recognise. Just recognise that you have the emotion, that you’re very anxious for instance.
A is for Allow. Allow the anxiety to be present, accept that it’s there. No need to get into a fight with yourself over it.
I is for Investigate. Notice how the anxiety manifests itself physically, emotionally and in your thoughts. Perhaps your chest feels tight, your thoughts might be, “This is bad” or “I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this” and your emotion might be fear.
N is for Non-identify. Notice that there is more to you than these thoughts, feelings or physical experiences. You might say, for instance, “This is not all of me” or “There is more to me than this”.
Some like “A is for Accept.” Easy to accept/allow either.
Tourette’s Therapy
From the Los Angeles Times: Behavioral therapy effective in treating Tourette syndrome:
The therapy, called comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics, has several elements. The key component, habit reversal training, helps patients become more aware of the urge to tic, then teaches them to engage in a voluntary behavior — rhythmic breathing, perhaps — that competes with the tic.