While studying martial arts my Grand-Master repeatedly reminded me to "go soft". He said, "Caty, you can't always go hard, hard, hard. you have to go soft too". I did not understand these great words of wisdom. All I knew is during every class and every workout I poured every ounce of strength and endurance out of me. I left spent. Eventually I began to realize that my body needed some "soft time". In order to do better I needed to do less. I needed to let my body rest and repair.
Like one's body our minds also need some "down time". When everyday is giving your all and going above and beyond, your brain is stimulated and frequently over-stimulated. Many jobs require us to travel where we need to adjust to time changes and weather differences. Our body and mind are going at full speed. After our trip, we return to the office debrief and continue moving forward. Our pace is fast and faster. If we take the time after working hard to allow our mind and body to rest and recharge our work product will be better. A weekend where the focus shifts from work to self can provide the rejuvination needed to keep you going longer and harder. In addition to marriage retreats, we will be offering in 2018 retreats for executives and professionals as well as retreats for new moms and dads. See insightsatthebeach.com for updates. The below article addresses a study that supported the benefit of "retreats" and "wellness holidays": By Theresa Fisher • January 13, 2017 at 3:39pm SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON FACEBOOK TWEET TUMBLR EMAIL What do rich and/or famous people dowhen they need to take a break, lose holiday weight, sober up or gain perspective? They fork over a few thousand dollars and go on a wellness retreat: For a few days (or weeks), they live in off-the-grid luxury and relinquish control over their diet, exercise, therapy, technology use and sleep. They trade in sugar, texting and vegging out for controlled portions of raw wonder food, sunrise hikes and group sessions on circadian-rhythm recalibration. They are pampered and pushed to their limits, and their souls/urine are purified. It's tempting to dismiss these fancy adult camps as nothing more than places to burn money, be hungry and feel superior. But, according to a new study, published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, wellness retreats actually do have lasting, measurable health benefits, especially for people who aren't in stellar health. (So now we can rest easy knowing that Minka Kelly's visit to #theranchmalibu really was a "special, unique, detoxifying, and reenergizing experience.") Wellness itself is a nebulous concept that overlaps with (but somehow differs from) health. Similarly, there's no defined formula for a wellness retreat. But, study authors wrote, most of them include activities and services that foster "a sense of respite, rest, quiet, reflection, rejuvenation, and an opportunity to regain good health." Does opportunity, in this case, translate into concrete results? The study involved guests at the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, who'd already paid a minimum of $3,500 for their week-long stay. Well, there's not much proof in the way of scientific studies. But the few that exist do suggest that wellness retreats fortify the mind and body more than regular old vacations. For instance, in one 2014 study, two groups of women stayed at a resort, but only one group participated in a structured wellness program, and they reported greater improvements in spirituality, gratitude, self-compassion and anxiety. The current study involved guests at the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, in Queensland, Australia, who'd already sought out and paid a minimum of $3,500 for their week-long stay.The average guest was a middle-aged woman with a college degree and an omniverous diet containing some organic food. This particular retreat focused on developing healthy habits, including a consistent circadian (sleep-and-wake timing) routine. But there were also nature activities, on-site wellness gurus, rules (electronics to the left), specially named afternoon breaks (2pm "dreamtime") and various other services and amenities. Participants underwent extensive health evaluations, including measures of height, weight and other GP check-up basics, urine analysis, assessments of cognitive function, anxiety, depression, eating habits and sleep, and a 98-question, multi-dimensional psychological evaluation, called the Five Factor wellness inventory. Researchers repeated (most) of these measures three times: at the outset of the retreat, when it ended, and six weeks later. While 47 guests initially participated, only 16 completed the six-week follow up. The health changes were most pronounced in guests who'd started out in the worst shape. Between the beginning and end of the retreat, researchers found that health improved across the board. Participants were less moody, better-slept, a little skinnier and no longer showed detectable levels of pesticide residue and other undesirable things in their urine. After six weeks, some of the effects were sustained, notably for mood stability and five-factor wellness measures. But other measures, including anxiety and sleep, returned to pre-retreat levels, presumably, study authors wrote, because guests didn't keep up their ohm-filled, device-free lifestyles back in the real world. The health changes were most pronounced in guests who'd started out in the worst shape. The study had limits: Gwinganna guests were a self-selecting pool of high-earners with the wherewithall to go on a retreat, so they hardly represent the general population. Regardless, researchers saw the health changes, especially the six-week results, as evidence that this type of multi-dimensional, immersive wellness experience is a legitimate way to improve assorted mind/body/other issues that make us sad, fat and sick. Researchers were not, however, blind to the fact that the people likely to benefit most from wellness retreats aren't the same people who can take them. Rather than conclude that, based on these findings, we should all just follow the lead of Insta-lebrities, researchers pointed to countries where alternative health services are covered by insurance. In Germany, for instance, residents are allowed up to three weeks of free residential spa treatment. And taking this spa vacay, a 2008 study found,corresponded to fewer lost workdays and less hospital time. But government-funded R&R doesn't exactly scream "America." In the US, wellness is a lifestyle to profit from, not something to give away for free.
0 Comments
The practice of law may not be what the an aspiring attorney envisioned. Although, it is a profession that emphasizes zealous advocacy and ethics there is an underlying current that is not known or seen until one has begun to practice. Neither the Bench nor the Bar consistently works with the attorney. The Bench needs to clear its calendar, the Bar association worries about public image to the detrinent of justice and fairness, and the attorney pool frequently steals each other's clients or is generally uncooperative. Rather than working in an environment that is supportive, the attorney is always in a combative roll.
The constant push to meet deadlines, appear before several judges at 9am when none of them are in the same building or county and few entertain the inconvenience of scheduling your case for a later time causes the pressure to build. Whether one is in private practice or an employee of a firm-large or small- the stress of one's caseload, billable hours, deadlines, client needs and wants combines with and amplifies daily life stresses. The attorney as a spouse tries to balance work demands with spousal needs. Both are desirious of the attorney's attention. Add a child and the stress continues to climb. Something gets neglected. One who normally is the "fixer of problems" finds he cannot fix or even recognize his own. Many attorneys are able to juggle for the duration of their career and many more suffer in silence. What happens next may not be a pretty picture. Substance abuse, divorce, and punnishment by suspension and disbarrment may occur. Thus, the attorney, now without an income is expected to continue meeting financial and social obligations. One stripped of family, identity and friends, the bar frowns upon having continued dealings with a suspended or disbarred attorney, is isolated. Feeling shamed and abandoned, he or she is expected to find the answer and help himself. Although there are programs to help attorneys, some are costly or time limited. Many fear the stigma of seeking treatment. The article that follows further exemplifies the growing problem within the legal profession. Hopefully, awareness will help those in distress seek counseling. It may be a difference between life or death. Here is an article recently published that may be of further interest" The Lawyer, the Addict high-powered Silicon Valley attorney dies. His ex-wife investigates, and finds a web of drug abuse in his profession.By EILENE ZIMMERMAN JULY 15, 2017Main Menu The New York TimesSearch https://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/toni-bernhard-jd
What one endures early in life carries forward into adulthood. It may be unrecognized by the individual but his/her relationships and style of life are directly related. This may be expressed through various addictions, failed relationships, problems at work or difficulty maintaining employment, for example. Exploration of the past may take some fortitude but the resultant understanding and resolution of past destructive relationships or environment can occur. A new life story can emerge! This is why I love being a therapist!!
See below article: Behavioural problems are common in early childhood, and can result in enduring costs to the individual and society, including an increased risk of mental and physical illness, criminality, educational failure and drug and alcohol misuse. Preventing enduring behavioural problems in young children through early psychological intervention (Healthy Start, Happy Start): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Ramchandani PG1, O'Farrelly C2, Babalis D3, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ4, Byford S5, Grimas ESR2, Iles JE2, van IJzendoorn MH4, McGinley J6, Phillips CM2, Stein A7, Warwick J8, Watt HC9, Scott S10. COMMENTARY
Apple pie and ... Publish date: November 7, 2017 By: William G. Wilkoff, MD How do you feel about apple pie? Is it a concept that evokes a positive feeling for you? Even if you prefer pumpkin or blueberry? Although your attitude toward apple pie may be relevant as we approach the holidays, is it a topic worthy of discussion in a publication devoted to pediatrics? MD-IQ QUIZ: Managing pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome Treatment & Diagnosis of Mental Health Drug & Dosing Information Certainly not, but what about motherhood? How do you feel about motherhood? As someone who is devoting his or her professional energies to the health of children, you must have formed some opinions about motherhood. Although your patients are children, it is their parents – and more often their mothers – with whom you communicate, particularly in the first several years of life. The interaction between a child and his or her mother can provide the child critical emotional support. BananaStock/Thinkstock My guess is that, like the majority of people, you will answer that the concept of motherhood is one about which you have positive thoughts, regardless of how you feel about apple pie. But let’s sharpen the focus of my question and ask if you believe that, for biological and physiological reasons, mothers are necessary for babies. And, here, I am asking you to look beyond the obvious events of pregnancy and childbirth. Do you believe that a mother is uniquely equipped to provide some things for her child that can be critically important for that child’s emotional development, particularly in the first 3 years of the child’s life? You may never have been asked that question in exactly that way before, but I suspect you have thought about it both professionally and personally. You may have considered the answer as you were deciding if, when, and how you were going to return to work after maternity leave. Or you may have been forced to consider the question in formulating an opinion in a case of contested child custody. An opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal (“The Politicization of Motherhood,” by James Taranto, Oct. 27, 2017) suggests that how you answer my question about the biological necessity of motherhood will determine your position on one of our nation’s political divides. The article focuses on Erica Komisar, who has written a book in which she lays out evidence from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and epigenetics supporting her view that a mother is biologically equipped to provide for the emotional development of her child (“Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters,” New York: TarcherPerigee, 2017). Dr. William G. Wilkoff As you might suspect, her book has been embraced by the more conservative among us who feel that a mother’s place is in the home. On the other hand, she has been shunned by more liberal folks who believe that much of what one might consider traditional motherhood can be subcontracted out to fathers and day care providers. However, Ms. Komisar’s liberal roots become apparent when she suggests that the federal government should mandate employers to provide generous maternity benefits including flexible and extended maternity leaves. I haven’t read Ms. Komisar’s book, nor am I aware of the studies she cites, but reading the article prompted me to think a bit more deeply regarding how I feel about motherhood. I guess I always have felt that there is something special that a mother can provide her children, particularly during the first 3 years of life. I don’t know whether there is a neurobiological basis for this special something, but if it is missing, the child’s emotional development can suffer. Are there situations where another person(s) can provide a substitute for this special maternal sauce? Of course, but it doesn’t always work as well as the real thing. And not every mother has an adequate amount of that certain maternal something. As pediatricians, we are faced with two challenges. The first is to help families cope with situations in which that special maternal ingredient is absent or in short supply. Our second challenge is to help mothers who believe there is something special they can offer their children but feel guilty because, for whatever reason, they can’t be there to provide it. I am interested to hear how you feel about motherhood ... and apple pie. Dr. Wilkoff practiced primary care pediatrics in Brunswick, Maine, for nearly 40 years. He has authored several books on behavioral pediatrics, including “How to Say No to Your Toddler.” Email him at [email protected]. Children and trauma: How Sesame Street can help\\n
www.mdedge.com\\n \\n Nearly half of American children have faced one adverse childhood experience (ACE), according to new analysis of the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, and more than 20% have had two ACEs or more. This may include abuse or neglect, witnessing violence, parental substance abuse, mental illness, or incarceration. And from news headlines, we are all too aware of other traumas children face, such as natural disasters and mass violence.\\n Sesame Workshop 2017\\n The presence of a caring adult makes all the difference in the life of a child coping with the effects of trauma.\\n While some stress in early life is normal, chronic exposure to traumatic experiences can become toxic. Children who have had multiple ACEs are at higher risk for challenges affecting development and learning, and are more likely to face serious health issues as an adult. The groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences study found that, as the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as alcohol abuse and drug use, obesity, and depression.\\n But we know that children are remarkably resilient, and trauma does not have to define their trajectory. With the right tools and support, the effects of trauma can be mitigated, and children can build coping skills and resiliency for a healthy, promising future.\\n Sesame Workshop 2017\\n Adults can help children express themselves … even when children don't have the words.\\n That’s where Sesame Street comes in. You may know us as the TV show, but as a nonprofit educational organization, we have nearly 50 years’ experience working in communities to address developmental, physical, and emotional needs of children. Over the years, we have addressed difficult topics, such as death and illness, divorce, and incarceration in a “Sesame way” – through the lens of a child, with content featuring the iconic Sesame Street Muppets, loved by children and trusted by parents and providers.\\n When we began hearing from community service partners and child development experts that there was a critical need for resources to help children cope with trauma, we felt we could help.\\n Traumatic experiences can disrupt brain development, but when children have hope, when they feel seen and heard by caring adults who can guide them through those crucial resilience-building techniques, the impact of ACEs can be mitigated, and children can be set on the road to healing and stability.\\n With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other funders, Sesame Workshop set out to create content for universal coping strategies to address “big feelings” like anger, anxiety, and sadness. To do this, we enlisted the pediatric community and professionals in the field, grounding our approach in the latest research. Then we used our proven model to produce resources that could engage and comfort children while building coping skills and foster crucial nurturing connections between children and the adults in their lives.\\n Our free materials – some are targeted for children and others are for providers – include videos, storybooks, and digital activities in English and Spanish. They are all available at sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/traumatic-experiences.\\n Sesame Workshop 2017\\n Trauma's a big deal -- but Big Bird's got a supportive friend who gives big hugs.\\n We know that pediatricians and other pediatric providers are uniquely situated to identify children who are at risk, and can, in turn, equip families with resources. And we created these resources with such providers in mind: What makes our tools so effective is that they can be integrated into any intervention or service, enlisting our lovable Muppets as guides. Watching Elmo or Big Bird talk about their emotions can provide comfort to children coping with big feelings of their own.\\n In one video called “Comfy Cozy Nest,” when Big Bird faces an unspecified difficult situation, he learns to think of his nest as a “safe space” with comforting items like his teddy bear and Granny Bird’s birdseed cookies. This is a place he can go in his imagination to make himself feel safe. In others, Elmo builds a blanket fort to feel secure and the Count teaches Cookie Monster a breathing strategy to help him relax.\\n In addition to engaging materials for children, providers can find professional development workshops, webinars, and other adult-facing content that includes, as part of our trauma content, a powerful animation to help parents and caregivers understand the impact of domestic violence from a child’s perspective.\\n Sesame Street Workshop\\n Dr. Jeanette Betancourt with Elmo\\n Our trauma content is part of Sesame Street in Communities, a first-of-its-kind initiative to help the pediatric community, providers, parents, and caregivers give children a strong and healthy start. Sesame Street in Communities offers hundreds of free, multimedia tools to help children as they grow through the critical developmental window of birth through age 6 years. In addition to our new resources around traumatic experiences, Sesame Street in Communities pulls together decades of content for providers and families around early math and literacy, healthy habits, food insecurity, handling emergencies, and more. All resources are available for free in English and Spanish at www.sesamestreetincommunities.org.\\n No one plays a more vital role in children’s health and well-being than pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and family physicians. Our hope is that Sesame Street in Communities will allow us to work together, to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.\\n Children and trauma: How Sesame Street can help
www.mdedge.com Nearly half of American children have faced one adverse childhood experience (ACE), according to new analysis of the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, and more than 20% have had two ACEs or more. This may include abuse or neglect, witnessing violence, parental substance abuse, mental illness, or incarceration. And from news headlines, we are all too aware of other traumas children face, such as natural disasters and mass violence. Sesame Workshop 2017The presence of a caring adult makes all the difference in the life of a child coping with the effects of trauma. While some stress in early life is normal, chronic exposure to traumatic experiences can become toxic. Children who have had multiple ACEs are at higher risk for challenges affecting development and learning, and are more likely to face serious health issues as an adult. The groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences study found that, as the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as alcohol abuse and drug use, obesity, and depression. But we know that children are remarkably resilient, and trauma does not have to define their trajectory. With the right tools and support, the effects of trauma can be mitigated, and children can build coping skills and resiliency for a healthy, promising future. Sesame Workshop 2017Adults can help children express themselves … even when children don't have the words. That’s where Sesame Street comes in. You may know us as the TV show, but as a nonprofit educational organization, we have nearly 50 years’ experience working in communities to address developmental, physical, and emotional needs of children. Over the years, we have addressed difficult topics, such as death and illness, divorce, and incarceration in a “Sesame way” – through the lens of a child, with content featuring the iconic Sesame Street Muppets, loved by children and trusted by parents and providers. When we began hearing from community service partners and child development experts that there was a critical need for resources to help children cope with trauma, we felt we could help. Traumatic experiences can disrupt brain development, but when children have hope, when they feel seen and heard by caring adults who can guide them through those crucial resilience-building techniques, the impact of ACEs can be mitigated, and children can be set on the road to healing and stability. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other funders, Sesame Workshop set out to create content for universal coping strategies to address “big feelings” like anger, anxiety, and sadness. To do this, we enlisted the pediatric community and professionals in the field, grounding our approach in the latest research. Then we used our proven model to produce resources that could engage and comfort children while building coping skills and foster crucial nurturing connections between children and the adults in their lives. Our free materials – some are targeted for children and others are for providers – include videos, storybooks, and digital activities in English and Spanish. They are all available at sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/traumatic-experiences. Sesame Workshop 2017Trauma's a big deal -- but Big Bird's got a supportive friend who gives big hugs. We know that pediatricians and other pediatric providers are uniquely situated to identify children who are at risk, and can, in turn, equip families with resources. And we created these resources with such providers in mind: What makes our tools so effective is that they can be integrated into any intervention or service, enlisting our lovable Muppets as guides. Watching Elmo or Big Bird talk about their emotions can provide comfort to children coping with big feelings of their own. In one video called “Comfy Cozy Nest,” when Big Bird faces an unspecified difficult situation, he learns to think of his nest as a “safe space” with comforting items like his teddy bear and Granny Bird’s birdseed cookies. This is a place he can go in his imagination to make himself feel safe. In others, Elmo builds a blanket fort to feel secure and the Count teaches Cookie Monster a breathing strategy to help him relax. In addition to engaging materials for children, providers can find professional development workshops, webinars, and other adult-facing content that includes, as part of our trauma content, a powerful animation to help parents and caregivers understand the impact of domestic violence from a child’s perspective. Sesame Street WorkshopDr. Jeanette Betancourt with Elmo Our trauma content is part of Sesame Street in Communities, a first-of-its-kind initiative to help the pediatric community, providers, parents, and caregivers give children a strong and healthy start. Sesame Street in Communities offers hundreds of free, multimedia tools to help children as they grow through the critical developmental window of birth through age 6 years. In addition to our new resources around traumatic experiences, Sesame Street in Communities pulls together decades of content for providers and families around early math and literacy, healthy habits, food insecurity, handling emergencies, and more. All resources are available for free in English and Spanish at www.sesamestreetincommunities.org. No one plays a more vital role in children’s health and well-being than pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and family physicians. Our hope is that Sesame Street in Communities will allow us to work together, to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.Dr. Betancourt is the senior vice president for U.S. social impact at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, in New Y Children and trauma: How Sesame Street can help
Publish date: October 31, 2017 By: Jeanette Betancourt Ed.D Nearly half of American children have faced one adverse childhood experience (ACE), according to new analysis of the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, and more than 20% have had two ACEs or more. This may include abuse or neglect, witnessing violence, parental substance abuse, mental illness, or incarceration. And from news headlines, we are all too aware of other traumas children face, such as natural disasters and mass violence. MD-IQ QUIZ: Managing pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome Treatment & Diagnosis of Mental Health Drug & Dosing Information Sesame Workshop 2017The presence of a caring adult makes all the difference in the life of a child coping with the effects of trauma. While some stress in early life is normal, chronic exposure to traumatic experiences can become toxic. Children who have had multiple ACEs are at higher risk for challenges affecting development and learning, and are more likely to face serious health issues as an adult. The groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences study found that, as the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as alcohol abuse and drug use, obesity, and depression. But we know that children are remarkably resilient, and trauma does not have to define their trajectory. With the right tools and support, the effects of trauma can be mitigated, and children can build coping skills and resiliency for a healthy, promising future. Sesame Workshop 2017Adults can help children express themselves … even when children don't have the words. That’s where Sesame Street comes in. You may know us as the TV show, but as a nonprofit educational organization, we have nearly 50 years’ experience working in communities to address developmental, physical, and emotional needs of children. Over the years, we have addressed difficult topics, such as death and illness, divorce, and incarceration in a “Sesame way” – through the lens of a child, with content featuring the iconic Sesame Street Muppets, loved by children and trusted by parents and providers. When we began hearing from community service partners and child development experts that there was a critical need for resources to help children cope with trauma, we felt we could help. Traumatic experiences can disrupt brain development, but when children have hope, when they feel seen and heard by caring adults who can guide them through those crucial resilience-building techniques, the impact of ACEs can be mitigated, and children can be set on the road to healing and stability. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other funders, Sesame Workshop set out to create content for universal coping strategies to address “big feelings” like anger, anxiety, and sadness. To do this, we enlisted the pediatric community and professionals in the field, grounding our approach in the latest research. Then we used our proven model to produce resources that could engage and comfort children while building coping skills and foster crucial nurturing connections between children and the adults in their lives. Our free materials – some are targeted for children and others are for providers – include videos, storybooks, and digital activities in English and Spanish. They are all available at sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/traumatic-experiences. Sesame Workshop 2017Trauma's a big deal -- but Big Bird's got a supportive friend who gives big hugs. We know that pediatricians and other pediatric providers are uniquely situated to identify children who are at risk, and can, in turn, equip families with resources. And we created these resources with such providers in mind: What makes our tools so effective is that they can be integrated into any intervention or service, enlisting our lovable Muppets as guides. Watching Elmo or Big Bird talk about their emotions can provide comfort to children coping with big feelings of their own. In one video called “Comfy Cozy Nest,” when Big Bird faces an unspecified difficult situation, he learns to think of his nest as a “safe space” with comforting items like his teddy bear and Granny Bird’s birdseed cookies. This is a place he can go in his imagination to make himself feel safe. In others, Elmo builds a blanket fort to feel secure and the Count teaches Cookie Monster a breathing strategy to help him relax. In addition to engaging materials for children, providers can find professional development workshops, webinars, and other adult-facing content that includes, as part of our trauma content, a powerful animation to help parents and caregivers understand the impact of domestic violence from a child’s perspective. Sesame Street WorkshopDr. Jeanette Betancourt with Elmo Our trauma content is part of Sesame Street in Communities, a first-of-its-kind initiative to help the pediatric community, providers, parents, and caregivers give children a strong and healthy start. Sesame Street in Communities offers hundreds of free, multimedia tools to help children as they grow through the critical developmental window of birth through age 6 years. In addition to our new resources around traumatic experiences, Sesame Street in Communities pulls together decades of content for providers and families around early math and literacy, healthy habits, food insecurity, handling emergencies, and more. All resources are available for free in English and Spanish at www.sesamestreetincommunities.org. No one plays a more vital role in children’s health and well-being than pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and family physicians. Our hope is that Sesame Street in Communities will allow us to work together, to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.Dr. Betancourt is the senior vice president for U.S. social impact at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, in New York. |
AuthorCathy Cosentino, MA, LMFTA Archives
March 2018
|