Attack Your Comfort Zone

Summertime is supposed to be fun and relaxing. If you’ve got summer depression, it isn’t. Some people experience symptoms of depression in spring or summer. The symptoms can be mild and then progress and become more severe. Those experiencing summertime depression may feel agitated and restless, with causes ranging from changes in schedule to increased sunlight to the season’s heat and humidity. Read on to learn more about what seasonal depression in the summer looks like, as well as its potential causes. Typical Symptoms of Summer Depression include: Sad and low mood Feeling anxious Feeling agitated Reduced appetite and Weight loss Difficulty sleeping and insomnia Understanding Summer Depression Why do some people feel more depressed in summer? Here are three reasons. 1. Body image issues.  As the temperature climbs and the layers of clothing fall away, a lot of people feel self-conscious about their bodies, says Cook. Feeling embarrassed in shorts or a bathing suit can make life ...

Manic Depression Disorder episodes are the main sign of the condition, and most people with bipolar disorder also have depressive episodes. The condition is manageable with medications, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and other treatments. Manic Depression Disorder is a term for what is now referred to as Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior.  Manic Depression Disorder. (Bipolar 1 Disorder) Manic Depression Disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by wide mood swings from high (manic) to low (depressed). Periods of high mood swings are called manic episodes. The person becomes very active, but in a scattered and unproductive way, sometimes with painful or embarrassing consequences. Examples are spending more money than is wise or getting involved in sexual adventures that are regretted later. Most people who have manic episodes also experience periods of depression. There is some evidence ...

 Women and men are equally likely to have bipolar I disorder, but women are more likely to have bipolar II disorder and may experience more rapid cycling between highs and lows. Women with bipolar disorder are also more likely than men with bipolar disorder to have other physical and mental health conditions, including problems with alcohol use, depression caused by bipolar disorder, thyroid disease, obesity caused by medicines that treat bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches. Women with bipolar disorder tend to have more depression and anxiety symptoms than men. In women with bipolar disorder generally, depressive symptoms are more likely to be dominant. In fact, women with the condition are twice as likely to experience depression as men. Women are also more likely to experience psychosis with depression. Because depressive symptoms tend ton be dominant. Women with bipolar disorder often receive an incorrect diagnosis of depression. Researchers found that women with bipolar di...

  Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). The mood episodes you experience and their intensity can vary depending on which type of bipolar disorder you have. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. Experts believe there are a number of factors that work together to make a person more likely to develop it. Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that causes changes in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.  People with Bipolar Disorder experience intense emotional states that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes. These mood episodes are categorized as manic/hypomanic (abnormally happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood). People with Bipolar Disorder generally have periods of neutral mood as well. When treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive li...

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy). Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder are two of the three major forms of Bipolar Disorder. If you or someone you know is dealing with bipolar disorder, educating yourself about the condition is important. Understanding the differences between Bipolar Disorder 1 and Bipolar Disorder 2 can help you plan for how to manage future mood episodes and get the best treatment for your mental health. Bipolar 1 Disorder  Bipolar 1 Disorder is characterized by extreme, intense mood episodes. Those with bipolar I experience intense mania, which lasts at least seven days. T...

Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that causes changes in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. People with Bipolar Disorder experience intense emotional states that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes. These mood episodes are categorized as manic/hypomanic (abnormally happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood). People with Bipolar Disorder generally have periods of neutral mood as well. When treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives. Bipolar Disorder commonly runs in families: 80 to 90 percent of individuals with Bipolar Disorder have a relative with Bipolar Disorder or depression. Environmental factors such as child abuse, stress, sleep disruption, and drugs and alcohol may trigger mood episodes in vulnerable people. Though the specific causes of Bipolar Disorder within the brain are unclear, an imbalance of brain chemicals is believed to lead to dysregulated brain activity. The average...

 On any given day, something can happen that makes an individual upset, afraid, or angry. Emotional triggers stem from many different factors and they affect people in a variety of ways. What’s important to note is that emotional triggers are unique to each person. An emotional trigger could be an item, subject, word, or even memory that evokes very strong negative feelings for you. Just about everyone has some emotional triggers, though these might look a little different from person to person. Knowing what your emotional triggers are (and how to deal with them) is a key component of good emotional health. What are Triggers? When we’re triggered, our reactions may be difficult for us and others to handle. A trigger might make you feel helpless, panicked, unsafe, and overwhelmed with emotion. You might feel the same things that you felt at the time of the trauma, as though you were reliving the event. A trigger can be anything that sparks a memory of a trauma or a part of a trauma....

At some point in our lives, we all come across someone who causes a lot of problems in our lives. They may stir up trouble and be the reason behind some conflicts. These people are actually toxic individuals, based on the behaviors they exhibit. If you know someone who’s difficult and causes a lot of conflict in your life, you may be dealing with a toxic person. These people can create lots of stress and unpleasantness for you and others, not to mention emotional or even physical pain.  What’s a Toxic person? A toxic person is someone who is subtly or outwardly manipulative, self-centered, needy, or controlling. Their behavior is typically unpleasant or malicious toward others. A toxic person is anyone whose behavior adds negativity and upset to your life. Many times, people who are toxic are dealing with their own stresses and traumas. To do this, they act in ways that don’t present them in the best light and usually upset others along the way. A toxic person's problems are never ...

You must remove toxic people from your life before they steal your happiness. Although removing toxic people from your life won’t always be a walk in the park, sometimes it’s the best thing you can do for your mental and physical well-being. It’s hard to avoid toxic people sometimes. They sometimes appear like something else, and they’re sometimes inextricably bound up with our work or family lives. The first step in getting rid of something or someone toxic is recognizing the fact that it’s harming you. Toxic people are manipulative and often selfish. They're difficult to please and impossible to work with, even when you're trying to help them. They have a hard time owning their feelings or apologizing, and they will consistently make you prove yourself to them. Toxic people are a distraction from your true purpose. If you know someone who displays any of these, then you may want to remove them from your life. It won’t be easy. But, it’s in your best interest to remove them fr...

Are you dealing with someone who has narcissistic behaviors, or are they just distracted? What are the red flags of narcissistic behavior?  Narcissists use their relationships to feel good about themselves. They will constantly make you feed their fragile ego. The word “narcissist” is one of those tricky terms narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance.  People who show signs of narcissism can often be very charming and charismatic. They often don’t show negative behavior right away, especially in relationships. People who show narcissism often like to surround themselves with people who feed into their ego. They build relationships to reinforce their ideas about themselves, even if these relationships are superficial. What is a Narcissistic?? Narcissism is extreme self-involvement to the degree that it makes a person ignore the needs of those around them. While everyone may show occasi...

Don’t let anyone steal your joy! Don’t let anyone rob your peace. Joy is precious, and you have to protect it. Your happiness and joy depend on you; your thoughts about you and no one else’s words matter. Let me be clear, what they say doesn’t matter. Learn to ignore and overlook many things if you truly want happiness in life because the easiest way to a miserable life is to think that everybody is talking about you. Don’t let anyone steal your joy!  Here are some tips you can remember to help you protect your joy when others want to steal it. Be quick to forgive. Forgiveness means different things to different people. But in general, it involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger and resentment or embrace forgiveness and move forward. Don’t let anyone steal your joy!  Forgiveness is about goodness, about extending mercy to those who’ve harmed us, even if they don’t deserve it. Forgiveness...

Do you want to be happier, have more influence, be a better decision-maker, and be a more effective leader? Self-awareness is how an individual consciously knows and understands their character, feelings, motives, and desires. Self-awareness, then, is the most important muscle you need to develop. It's what will keep you on target to be the best version of yourself and the best leader. Research suggests that when we see ourselves clearly, we are more confident and more creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively.  What Is Self-Awareness? The basic self-awareness definition is the ability to see and evaluate yourself consciously and objectively. Building self-awareness should be your top priority. Self-awareness is about focusing your awareness on yourself. Self-awareness is your ability to perceive and understand the things that make you who you are as an individual, including your personality, actions, values, beliefs, emotio...

Sleep anxiety is a feeling of fear or stress about falling asleep or staying asleep. Sleep is vital to our mental and physical health. Without a good night’s sleep, you may find yourself struggling with mental health disorders such as anxiety are closely intertwined. One can often make the other worse, so it can feel like a never-ending cycle. Good news, sleep anxiety is common and treatable. You can overcome it. What is Sleep Anxiety  Sleep anxiety is a feeling of fear or stress about falling asleep or staying asleep. People with sleep anxiety may think something bad will happen to them while they sleep, or that they shouldn’t sleep because they need to stay alert and watchful. Some people also have a distinct phobia, or fear, about sleep called somniphobia. Sleep problems and mental health disorders such as anxiety are closely intertwined. If you have a sleep anxiety, you might feel anxious or fearful before bed because you’re afraid you won’t get the rest you need. It can feel l...

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep and hard to stay asleep. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects as many as 35% of adults. It is marked by problems getting to sleep, staying asleep through the night, and sleeping as long as you would like into the morning. I Insomnia can effect not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life. It can have serious effects, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and health effects from sleep deprivation.  What Is Insomnia? Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep. The condition can be short-term (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). It may also come and go. Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. Insomnia may cause: Difficulty falling asleep and/or waking up in the middle of the night. Difficulty returning to sleep. Feelin...

The lack of sleep directly affects how we think and feel. Sleep deprivation is when you don’t get the sleep you need, and it is estimated to affect around one-third of the American adult population What is the difference between sleep deprivation and insomnia? Insomnia and sleep deprivation are closely related but aren’t the same thing. Insomnia is when you’re unable to sleep when you try. Sleep deprivation is what happens when you don’t give yourself enough time to sleep don’t get enough sleep or both. Insomnia often involves a lack of sleep, but not everyone with sleep deprivation has insomnia. For example, some people are sleep deprived because they don’t have enough time in their schedule to sleep. This is distinct from insomnia, which involves sleeping problems despite having ample opportunity to sleep. What is sleep deprivation? Sleep deprivation means you’re not getting enough sleep. For most adults, the amount of sleep needed for the best health is 7 to 8 hours each night. When...