February 4, 2023

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting 40 million adults in any given year. If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from anxiety, you know how debilitating it can be. The good news is that there are many effective treatments for anxiety, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In this blog post, we will discuss seven tips from a top cbt center for anxiety and ocd on how to manage your anxiety symptoms. Accept Your Anxiety: Acknowledging and accepting your anxiety can be one of the most powerful steps towards managing it effectively. Remember that this is just a part of you, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Practice Self-Compassion: Instead of beating yourself up for feeling anxious, practice self-compassion by speaking kindly to yourself when these emotions come up. Remind yourself that you are doing your best and that this isn’t permanent. Focus on One Thing at a Time: When feeling overwhelmed with anxious thoughts or feelings, focus on one task at a time instead of trying to tackle everything all at once. Start with something simple like making your bed or doing a few minutes of light exercise. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can be a great way to reduce anxious feelings and help clear your head. Make sure to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, whether that means going for a walk or conducting some yoga poses in your living room. Eat Healthy Foods: Eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables can help improve your mood and make it easier to manage anxiety. Avoid processed and sugary foods which can further exacerbate anxious feelings. Connect with Others: Isolation can often trigger more anxious thoughts and feelings, so make sure you’re taking the time each day to connect with people you care about, even if it’s virtually. Talking things out with a friend or loved one can often provide perspective and help reduce feelings of anxiety. Get Enough Sleep: When your body is tired, it’s much easier for those anxious thoughts to run wild so aim for 8 hours of sleep each night if you can. Make sure to create a pre-bedtime routine that helps you get into the right headspace for restful sleep. Anxiety can take a huge toll on our mental and physical health, but with these tips you’ll be better equipped to manage it. Remember to always practice self-care and reach out to a friend or professional when the going gets tough. With the right tools in place, you can start feeling more at ease with whatever life throws your way. cbt center for anxiety and ocd

Music can be a source of joy and emotional support for people with dementia. It helps them regain a sense of identity and belonging, as well as connect with their loved ones in a new way. It can also help reduce symptoms of depression, agitation, and anxiety, as well as improve social interaction. This is the basis of many music-based interventions for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Music and Dementia Approach One such approach is a musical “bridge to memory.” This involves playing an individual’s favorite songs and using that to engage the person in conversations about the song, their life, and their past. Then, they are encouraged to sing along with the music and perform an action or gesture associated with the song. A new study found that this type of music intervention can significantly boost cognitive ability and life satisfaction in individuals with dementia. The study involved patients in a memory care unit at Silverado Memory Care in suburban Chicago and their caregivers. The music therapy program involved chamber musicians and a singer performing songs from the participants’ youth that they grew up with and loved. The program was conducted over a 45-minute period and included training for the patient/caregiver pair on how to interact more effectively during the musical performances. Researchers found that the musical intervention increased social engagement, reduced agitation and anxiety, and improved mood in both patient and caregiver groups. The intervention also enhanced patients’ receptiveness to verbal and nonverbal communication. This study is important because it shows that music can be used to foster an emotional connection between patients and their loved ones. Often, Music and Dementia lose their ability to communicate verbally with their family members as they progress in the disease. However, a recent study by Northwestern Medicine and the Institute for Therapy through the Arts suggests that this gap may be bridged with a novel music intervention. It is thought that the long-term memories of music remain intact until late in the course of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. This is because parts of the brain that are involved in music memory and processing are not as affected by Alzheimer’s or other dementia until much later in the course of the disease. In addition, receptiveness to language is also preserved in the brains of people with dementia. This is because language processing is also centered in the parietal lobes, which are involved in music recognition. The brain’s receptiveness to music is likely due to a combination of factors, including its ability to activate the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. The hippocampus is also responsible for the production of dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter for mood and reward regulation. When the hippocampus is activated by music, it triggers dopamine release in the striatum, another part of the brain that is critical for impulse control and motor response. In turn, this increases the brain’s overall alertness and responsiveness and can result in increased movement and activity.

Did you know that physical therapy can provide a wide range of health benefits? If not, you’re in for a surprise! In this article, we will discuss 5 health benefits of physical therapy. Physical therapy is an extremely beneficial treatment option that can help people with a wide variety of conditions. It can improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote better overall health. Keep reading to learn more about the amazing benefits of physical therapy! Jess forbes physio Can Improve Mobility: One of the first benefits of physical therapy is improved mobility. This could include being able to walk, stand, sit, and move around more easily or with less pain. Through therapeutic exercises and stretches, a physical therapist can help patients gain strength in their muscles and joints to improve range of motion and overall movement. Physical Therapy Can Help Reduce Pain: An additional major benefit of physical therapy is its ability to reduce pain from both chronic and acute conditions. A physical therapist will assess your condition, provide treatments such as massage or dry needling, and offer exercises that can help alleviate discomfort and make it easier for you to achieve your goals without feeling overwhelmed by pain. Physical Therapy Can Improve Balance and Coordination: Physical therapy can also help improve balance and coordination. Through various exercises and activities, physical therapists can help patients improve their strength, stability, and posture to reduce the risk of falls or injuries. Physical Therapy Can Increase Mobility: One of the most common goals for many people in physical therapy is increasing mobility. Many conditions limit a person’s ability to move freely, but through specific stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises physical therapists can help increase range of motion. This increases freedom of movement which helps make everyday activities easier and more enjoyable. Physical Therapy Can Assist With Recovery: No matter what condition you are dealing with, physical therapy can help you recover quickly and safely. Many times physical therapists will use specific exercises and stretches to help the body heal from an injury or illness, as well as to prevent any further damage. Physical therapy can also provide relief from chronic pain caused by a number of conditions. No matter what condition or injury you are dealing with, physical therapy can help. Physical therapists provide a wide range of treatments and exercises to help improve mobility, reduce pain, and increase strength. By working with a qualified physical therapist you can make sure that your recovery process follows the right path that will lead to better health in the long term. jess forbes physio