Show 173 - What Your Brain Wants and Needs

Being on the anxiety road to recovery is understanding how and what we eat and drink can affect the brain. In order to feel better, sleep better and possibly reduce your symptoms you have to eat better.




If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

The music this week is Troposphere from Purple Planet Music.com

Resources Mentioned: 

From Psychology Today a blog post for those of you that have Social Anxiety - don't give up.

From ADAA.org some tips about understanding that Thoughts Are Just Thoughts: How to Stop Worshiping Your Anxious Mind

Harvard Health Nutritional Psychiatry: Your Brain on Food by Dr. Eva Selhub, M.D.

Cleveland Clinic Chief Wellness Office Michael Roizen, M.D. has a five page report PDF on Food for Brain Health.

Mental Health American page on Healthy Diet: Eating with Mental Health in Mind

HealthyBrains.org from the Cleveland Clinic seems to be designed for older Americans but the information about nutrition is true for everybody. The 6 pillars of brain health is worth a look.

UC Irvine page on Foods That Can Reduce Anxiety.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Video from TED-ed on How Stress Affects the Brain

Stress is not exactly the same as having an anxiety disorder but there are many things in common. If you become over-stressed and that excess stress is affecting your life then you have a problem.

This is a 2015 TED-ed video that explains how stress can have a direct impact on the brain. Especially if it goes on for a long period of time.





In the next episode, I'll talk more about what the brain wants and needs.


If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resource (UN) Mentioned: 

Healthy Diet: Eating with Mental Health in Mind from Mental Health America.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 172 Intro to Nutritional Treatment Options

According to the Medline Plus, “nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet. Food and drink provide the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy.”

And that is what I want to spend some time talking about in the next couple of episodes. But I have a feeling thinking about food as a treatment option it is gonna be a hard sell for some of you.




If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Medline Plus definition of nutrition and other nutrition terms.

From the Harvard Health Blog - Nutritional Strategies to Ease Anxiety.

Everyday Health article on 9 Foods that Help or Hurt Anxiety.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 171 Two Mediation Apps - Quickies

I'm in transit from one coast to the other. There is turbulence and not just in the skies. I forgot that my Chromebook can't edit audio so this is gonna be a bone naked episode.

I have two meditation apps that might or might not be of interest to you. If it works for you fine, if not pass it on down the line.




In the meantime, take care and I'll catch you next time on the Anxiety Road.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Information page at Care.com about the Free for School Teachers subscription to the meditation app.

Liberate Meditation app that has specific meditations for Black, Indigenous and People of Color
communities.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 170 Living in Traumatic Stress Times

I tried not to do this episode. But I want to help. I want to stand with those of us that do mental health outreach and advocacy to say that we know you are going through it and we can see and feel your pain.






So I thought about it. Hard.

And I'm going to keep it simple. In the podcast I'm going to share what Traumatic stress is and a few coping skills and resources for people that know somebody that is in a world of hurt. You might not want to listen now and that is ok.

Just a few reminders for all of us;

1. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
2. Keep working on that breathing practice; especially if you want to cuss out the idiot spewing hate and is proud of it. 
3. You might want to avoid social media for a few more days. 
4. This one is hard but try to dial back on the sweets and the booze. Hug up on the veggies and natural fruit.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies has a definition of traumatic stress:

"Traumatic events are shocking and emotionally overwhelming situations that may involve actual or threaten death, serious injury, or threat to physical integrity. "

The organization has short pamphlets on their public resource page that might help a person understand what is going on and how regain stability.

The American Psychological Association has a page about how to Recover Emotionally from a Disaster.

Everytown.org has a Emotional Support for Survivors resource page for those that have are are experiencing gun violence and they also have a resource for building a self-care plan.

Verywell Mind: Coping With PTSD Symptoms Following a Shooting

The music this week is Meltwater from Purple Planet Music

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.