In a previous blog post, we talked about the alarming link between loneliness and a wide range of physical ailments. So how can you work with those behavioral health clients who are struggling with loneliness, to help improve their mental and physical outcomes? First step: Identifying at-risk clients Loneliness can be challenging to treat, especially…
Human beings are social creatures, meant to live in relationships, to one degree or another. Unfortunately, many of us experience loneliness—a sense of discomfort or distress when we want social connection, yet feel alone. Loneliness is not just about the size of a person’s social network. You can know a lot of people—you can even…
As a behavioral health provider, you know that success can look different for each person. It is not an all-or-nothing approach. Diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and nutrition can have a real impact on our mental health. But many of our beliefs and habits regarding diet can be unhelpful and even…
Everyone knows that not getting enough sleep, or having their sleep disturbed, can have many different affects. Irritability, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, and memory issues are all common side effects of low-quality, insufficient sleep. In a previous blog post, we looked at the connection between insomnia and depression. However, a lack of sleep has also been…
The brain has many different parts that affect both our mental and physical health. Let’s review the human brain and how it influences our thoughts and behavior. Basic Brain Overview Each region of the human brain has particular functions. The three main parts of the brain include the: Cerebrum: Located at the front of the…
Whether you love making New Year resolutions or think they’re overrated, the New Year is a good time to consider healthier habits. If you want to try building your mental health in 2022, here are some goals to consider. 1. Practice gratitude. Gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving! Taking time to be grateful, even for…
Mental illness can create significant strains on the body as well as the mind. The opposite is also true: physical disorders can cause symptoms that imitate many mental health conditions. Treating the underlying physical condition may resolve many psychological symptoms. If you have a behavioral health client with mental health symptoms, always rule out underlying…
Experts have known for a long time that there is a link between depression, insomnia, and insufficient sleep. Depression can lead to disturbed sleep, which can worsen depression symptoms, creating a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break. Experts do not fully understand the link between insomnia and depression, but new research continues to shed light…
When was the last time you got a great night’s sleep? Chances are, it’s been a while. According to the Sleep Foundation, more than one-third of U.S. adults report getting less than seven hours of sleep per night. (Seven to nine hours per night is the standard recommendation for adults aged 18-64.) Many different factors…
In this mini-series on problem gambling, we’ve covered some unhappy statistics about gambling and its risk factors. But what can be done about it? Are there effective treatments for gambling addiction? Let’s look at what experts are trying. Current standards for gambling addiction treatment Problem gambling affects people in different ways, and so do the…