Mental Health

In a world of constant exposure to social media, we are definitely saturated with screens of all sorts. From iPhones to our laptops to television, screen time is omnipresent in our society. While all of this connection via social media and texting can be great, it can also make us feel the opposite of connected. With our heads down and our minds on our phones, it can feel impossible to be fully present in the moment. In turn, our mental and physical health suffers. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the reasons why decreasing screentime can greatly improve both mental and physical health, as well as practical ways to reduce your own amount of screentime.

You’ve probably experienced a “gut feeling” or a “gut reaction” to something. People have been talking about the “gut-brain connection” for a while now and research keeps pouring in about the connection between a healthy brain and a healthy gut. While this topic is trending, and for good reason, what does the gut-brain connection really mean and how can you use it to your advantage? In this article, we’ll unpack the details and science behind the gut-brain connection and talk about some practical ways you can use food to increase digestive health and overall happiness.

Grief has been defined as, “Deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.” Grief can be an incredibly deep and emotional experience that everyone goes through when a loved one has passed away, or even when a traumatic event has occurred. We can’t really predict how much an event will affect us until we’re in it - and in all cases, it’s crucial to surround ourselves with people who can love and support us through the pain.  Addiction recovery is already an experience filled with ups and downs, and to receive news that a loved one has passed can sometimes feel “too much” on top of everything else we’re going through. For loved ones of those in addiction recovery, what is said can have a huge impact on a person’s wellbeing. Self.com, a website that publishes information related to fitness, food, health, love and beauty, notes several key phrases that should truly be avoided when trying to support a loved one in recovery who’s gone through grief:

Anxiety affects millions of people each year, and unfortunately, many people don’t seek the treatment they need to manage it effectively. The Mental Health Foundation, a UK-based organization, explains that anxiety is based on fear - the thought of a threat or a worry that something will go wrong in the future. In many cases, the argument of anxiety can feel so incredibly real that it’s difficult to determine what the truth is in a given situation. In addiction recovery, the way a person manages their anxiety can mean the difference between having a mental breakdown or sailing through a situation in a productive way.  The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) notes that those with anxiety disorders are two to three times more likely to battle a substance use disorder (SUD) at some point in their lives, and while there has certainly been some debate as to which comes first - anxiety or substance abuse - the fact remains that both can have a significant negative impact on a person’s livelihood. If not careful, anxiety can lead to a few serious problems in addiction recovery:

Color psychology may sound a bit silly, but it’s not - as research has shown just how much of an impact colors can have on our mood and mentality. The colors we wear, the colors that we incorporate in our daily living environments and the foods we eat can have an impact on our perceptions and, in some cases, how we feel. Very Well Mind, a website that publishes information related to cognitive psychology, behavioral therapy, developmental psychology and personality psychology explained that when used in therapeutic settings, colors can have significant therapeutic influences:

There’s been much debate lately over the influence of cannabis and the development of psychosis and disorders such as schizophrenia; many people believe that since cannabis is a natural substance, that it’s harmless. It’s important to remember, however, that any substance that can alter the mind and body can potentially yield negative results, and writer Benedict Carey stated for the New York Times earlier this year that an overuse of cannabis - along with an overuse of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, stimulants, and hallucinogens can cause psychosis symptoms. While scientists may differ on all the causes of psychosis and their relation to cannabis use, one thing is for certain: if a person is already susceptible to developing a disorder like schizophrenia, their chances for experiencing psychosis from cannabis use increases. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that in addition to this, it’s about how much cannabis (or other substance, for example) is used along with the age of the person and the first time they used the substance.  Professor Marcus Munafo, a researcher who participated in a study related to cannabis and schizophrenia, stated: “There is growing concern that cannabis use might increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Our results support this, but also suggest that those at increased risk of schizophrenia may be more likely to try cannabis in the first place.” The information presented regarding the link between cannabis use and psychosis is meant to serve as a cautionary message - because not only can excessive use of substances lead to dependence and, later addiction - but it can also cause a person to produce side effects that may be quite discomforting. If you’ve been abusing substances, including cannabis, and you’re ready to seek treatment, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

We can’t escape those moments when someone - or something - aggravates to the point of no return. Anger begins to boil within, and sometimes it feels almost uncontrollable; despite having such an intense urge to act in a hateful manner, however, we do have choices. In these moments, the choices that we take in how we decide to think and act can have major consequences and can influence our lives greatly. Our society often depicts anger as solely a bad emotion, but did you know there are some good sides to it - as well as some productive ways that it can be utilized? According to the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Howard Kassinove, a researcher that has been published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, explained that: “...While assertive expression is always preferable to angry expression, anger may serve an important alerting function that leads to deeper understanding of the other person and the problem.” Even when anger makes us feel like we’re about to boil over, we can use it in a way to influence actions that are for ours or others’ benefit in the long run. Last year, contributor Frances Bridges told Forbes Magazine that there are several ways to use anger to our benefit:

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies states that trauma is: “…Used to describe negative events that are emotionally painful and that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope.” Healing from trauma is incredibly challenging, but it is often the time spent to restore and rejuvenate from these devastating events that make us stronger in the long run. It’s not uncommon for those in addiction recovery to have previously experienced childhood trauma, and these deep-rooted issues may even be what has sparked a long road of substance abuse - in an attempt to ease the painful feelings that came in as the aftermath of these events.

Music is an incredibly powerful force that can have a direct influence on our mindset, depending on what we’re listening to. If we’re feeling irritable, for example, harsh beats can elevate that feeling – and, conversely, listening to calming music when we’re stressed or frustrated can help keep those feelings of anger at bay. The University of Nevada explains that music around 60 beats per minute can “cause the brain to synchronize with the beat causing alpha brainwaves.” In this manner, music can help physically change our brain’s functioning – with some considering it’s efficacy to the extent of medication.  In 2017, a study published by Science Daily found that our favorite music can trigger certain activity in the brain; Jonathan Burdette, M.D., has explained, “Music is primal. It affects all of us, but in very personal, unique ways. Your interaction with music is different than mine, but it’s still powerful…Your brain has a reaction when you like or don’t like something, including music.”  Music seems to directly impact the parasympathetic nervous system, which is used to help the mind and body relax and sleep. Music can, oftentimes, provide our brain and body with a beat with which to function off of; when we listen to relaxing music, we’ll find that our heart rate slows down, our blood pressure is lowered, and our muscles may even begin to relax. It’s an incredibly peaceful feeling – especially if we’ve had a bad day or need some time to just breathe. Music therapy can sometimes trigger this type of response, especially if clients are listening to relaxing music and soaking in the present moment. If you’re ready to learn more about holistic practices and how they can benefit your journey to recovery, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Most people view addiction as the sole problem a person experiences, because the harmful consequences of substance abuse seem to be the most visible and direct. However, there’s much more than goes on beneath the surface; in many instances, those battling addiction are also struggling with mental illness, placing them in a category of having a co-occurring disorder. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that co-occurring disorders affect people of all walks of life and age groups; when having both an addictionand mental illness, there are a number of implications for recovery:

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) gets the brunt end of many jokes, as people tend to throw the term “narcissistic” around way too easily. Individuals who simply appear vain or self-conceited may be considered to have NPD by the general public, by there are specific diagnostic criteria that need to be met in order for a person to genuinely have this disorder. In fact, everyone has narcissism – if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have enough confidence in ourselves to pursue jobs and other opportunities. Even with the bad reputation that often surrounds NPD, the truth is that those with this disorder deserve more support – because just like any other mental illness, people with NPD have underlying concerns that need to be respectfully addressed. Medical News Today recently explained that NPD is a dramatic personality disorder; those who are diagnosed with this tend to have a preoccupation with success and power, as well as an excessive sense of superiority. On the outside looking in, it may seem as though people with NPD have all the self-love in the world – but in reality, there’s often an underlying blanket of insecurity and lack of self-esteem. Earlier this year, writer Katie Heaney shared the story of a man with NPD whom she interviewed via The Cut, a website that publishes information and stories related to style, self, culture and power. The man explained: “People judge narcissists’ actions, and they have no clue whether it’s narcissism or not…people get almost everything wrong about narcissism because they confuse it with psychopathy.” Those with NPD tend to not realize that they’re defending themselves in ways that harm others; in fact, most people with NPD only want to feel genuinely worthy. If you or a loved one are struggling with signs of NPD, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. Holistic care can provide many options for treatment, and with a team of people there for support, recovery is possible.

We spend so much time as a society talking about the negatives that come with psychological conditions – but despite the grief they can cause us from time to time, there are some positives that we can focus on, too. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by characteristics of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (urges); in many cases, OCD can hold a person back in their relationships, work and other pursuits. However, there are some positives that we can find with OCD, and these positives may help us gain a sense of reclaiming over our story.