HealthyLife Articles

Tag: therapy

What Professional Counseling Really Is

Mental Health Care

A counselor helps you identify a problem area, explore factors which may be contributing to your difficulty, and provides options for you to consider.

Counseling is not something that’s done to you. On the contrary, you are called upon to play a very active role in getting better and form a team with your therapist to work toward agreed upon goals. A therapist may have you keep a daily journal, read personal improvement books, practice new behaviors, etc. The goal in counseling is to draw upon your strengths to help you resolve your problems. Counseling is a way of helping you help yourself.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Healing Touch

Alternative Medicine

Balance your energy field

Healing touch therapy is based on the belief that people have fields of energy that connect and react to the environment around them. It proposes that imbalances or blockages in those energy fields cause illness and pain. Common forms include Reiki, Qigong, and Therapeutic Touch.

How healing touch works is not known. It is theorized that it affects patients through the connection of energy fields within and outside of the body. There is some evidence that it can reduce pain and improve joint mobility, reduce stress, and trigger a sense of well-being.

Rubdown not included

Healing touch is not a massage. In fact, it may not involve practitioner to patient contact at all. During this energy therapy, the practitioner’s hands hover above the body, moving slowly from head to toe, pausing in specific energy centers to clear blocks and energize and balance the energy flow surrounding the body. A session can last from 10 to 40 minutes. Expect to fall into a relaxed state. You may even fall asleep.

Reported benefits of healing touch therapy

* Reduces stress

* Increases energy

* Calms anxiety and depression

* Enhances recovery from surgery

* Hastens wound healing

* Relieves side-effects of chemotherapy

* Strengthens the immune system

* Supports grief management

* Deepens spiritual connection

* Eases acute and chronic conditions

* Creates a sense of well-being

Action Step

If you are considering healing touch therapy, talk with your medical doctor first. It is generally considered safe, but some patients have reported side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, restlessness, and irritability.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Overcoming Hoarding Disorder

WELL-BEING

Many people have seen TV shows or articles about hoarding disorder. It’s a very real mental disorder that makes it hard for people to throw anything away.

What is hoarding?

When a person has hoarding disorder, things may pile up in their home. This can lead to fire hazards, pests and problems with a job and relationships. Symptoms of hoarding include:

* Not being able to throw anything away

* A strong emotional attachment to everyday household items

* Severe anxiety when trying to throw something away

* Feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed about all the things in their home

* Strong fears about running out of things

* Losing living space because of too many things

* Becoming isolated or losing relationships because of too many items in the house

How is hoarding treated?

The only proven treatment for hoarding disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT is a type of talk therapy. It helps a person learn how to change their thought patterns and reactions to situations.

Some people with hoarding disorder also get help in support groups. They can connect with others who understand and who are also trying to get better.

Getting help for hoarding disorder

If you think you may have a hoarding disorder, you can seek help from a mental health professional. You can start with your primary care physician.

You can also go to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) resource page at:

www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.

Sources: American Psychiatric Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
When To Get Help For Your Anger

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Let’s face it: life has its challenges, and some moments may trigger feelings of irritation and upset. Everyone gets angry sometimes.

However, for some people, anger is more than an occasional feeling; it is a daily occurrence. For these people, anger may become extreme and negatively impact their life. When that happens, it may be time to seek anger management help.

Signs you may need help with anger

It can be hard to admit your anger is a problem. Take time to observe and reflect. Ask those around you for feedback. Look for these signs:

* Anger feels intense.

* Experience anger frequently.

* Hold grudges or plan how to “get even.”

* Express anger with aggressive verbal or physical actions.

* Angry outbursts upset or frighten others.

* Anger feels out of control.

Consequences of anger

When you have an anger problem, the consequences can ripple through your life and the lives of those around you. It may cause:

* Damage to relationships

* Difficulty performing at work

* Health problems including a higher risk of heart disease

* Potential legal repercussions

* Dangerous driving behavior

* Substance abuse

What to do

If anger is causing problems in your life it’s time to get help. A professional anger management program may be a good choice for you. Here are a few ways to access care:

* Talk to your primary care provider and ask for a referral for anger management.

* Visit mhanational.org and find a provider in your area.

* Check with your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

* Look up anger management classes or support groups in your area.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Give Water Exercise A Try

Fitness

Water exercise (or aquatic exercise, as it’s sometimes called) is popular among people of all ages. Buoyed up by water, you feel light as a feather, and you can move in ways that are otherwise difficult or impossible yet still tone your muscles and improve your circulation, breathing, and endurance. You weigh 90 percent less in water than you do on land, easing the burden on weight-bearing joints like your hips, knees, and back. That means many people who find it difficult or painful to jog or perform other kinds of weight-bearing activities find it easier to work out in water. Water exercises take place in the shallow end of a pool, in waist- to chest-deep water, and you can usually hold on to the side of the pool for safety and comfort.

Swim the English Channel (or Its Equivalent)

Imagine the pride you’d feel if you could tell people, “I swam the English Channel.” As remarkable as it may sound, you can achieve such a feat, without leaving your hometown. Here’s how: Assuming one lap equals 60 feet, keep track of how many laps you swim and convert that figure into miles once a week. The English Channel is 21 miles wide which is the equivalent of 1,848 laps. You can apply this motivational tool to walking, bicycling, stair climbing, or running. Using the following table, decide on a goal-climbing a well-known mountain or skyscraper, swimming a famous body of water, walking to a faraway city. Then figure out the distance and get moving.

Water exercise is excellent for people who:

* Are over 50 years old.

* Suffer joint pain.

* Have weak leg muscles or back problems.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Help For Addictive Behaviors

Substance Use & Abuse

Don’t let drug or alcohol dependence rob you of a quality life.

You know you can’t go on this way much longer. Your drug or alcohol addiction is destroying your relationships, your career, and your health.

Reasons to get help:

* Calling in sick at work, showing up late, or making errors could cause you to lose your job.

* You can destroy relationships with your family and friends.

* You risk injuring yourself or others.

* You are destroying vital organs in your body that cannot be fixed.

* You are putting yourself at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

* Using non-sterile needles increases your risk of hepatitis or blood poisoning.

* You could die due to an overdose.

You’re not alone

* If you are working, find out if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). With this, you can get help at work with a counselor. You do not need to give your employer a reason for your request. The information you share with your counselor remains private.

* Ask your doctor or health care provider for referrals.

* Find out about substance abuse services in your area from 1.800.662.HELP (662-4357) orwww.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

* Admit yourself into a drug treatment clinic.

* Look for area support groups, such as:

– Alcoholics Anonymous atwww.aa.org

– Cocaine Anonymous atwww.ca.org

– Narcotics Anonymous atwww.na.org

Action Step

Don’t wait. Seek help. Take it one step at a time and be prepared to fight for your life. Believe that you and the people who love you are worth it.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Address Depression

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 6

Signs & Symptoms

* Feeling sad, hopeless, helpless, and/or worthless

* Fatigue

* Loss of interest in daily activities, including sex

* Change in eating and sleeping patterns

* Anger, anxiety, or irritability

* Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions

* Thoughts of suicide or death

Strategy

* Accept thoughts as they are. Focus on your response, rather than trying to shoo away the emotion.

* Be with and call relatives and friends who lift your morale and make you laugh.

* Do something to help someone else.

* Keep up with your regular exercise.

* Do something different. Walk or drive to someplace new.

* Challenge yourself with a new project. It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it should be enjoyable.

* Watch a funny TV show or movie.

* Reflect on your expectations and make adjustments – it takes a long time to change habits and feel the new habits are “normal.”

* Change your clothes. Take a shower. Do small self-care activities.

If you feel depressed for two weeks or longer, see a doctor.

For a screening test for depression, contact:

Mental Health America

800-969-6642

www.mhanational.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Injury And Disability

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 5

Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about exercises you can do at home, at a gym, or in a pool. While there may be activities you can’t do, there are probably many that you can do. Plus, there are many exercises that can be adapted to suit your individual needs and abilities.

* Focus on what you CAN do.

* Choose low-impact exercises that don’t make an injury worse.

* Find a supportive buddy to help motivate you or assist you with exercises.

* Use flotation devices in a pool for support.

* Try new things as you lose weight. You may find some activities easier when you are carrying less weight on your joints.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Massage

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 5

Massage can be a form of recovery for your muscles. Massage, especially deep compression massage, can help relax tight muscles and knots that have formed between muscle layers. This can help with normal blood flow, keep your muscles flexible, and reduce pain.

A professional massage therapist or a friend can assist you with massage. Or, you can give yourself a massage.

Self-Massage

Use a foam roller, tennis ball, Thera Cane®, or muscle roller stick. These items are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased from major retailers and sporting goods stores. Or, using your fingers is free! Apply pressure to specific parts of your body. Go slowly. If you purchase a self-massage tool, follow package instructions.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Helping A Depressed Family Member

FAMILY LIFE

Depression is a medical condition that can be serious. The National Institutes of Mental Health say depression can affect how you feel, think and cope with daily life. Eating, sleeping, socializing and working can all be difficult for someone with depression.

If a member of your family has depression, there are ways to support them.

Tip #1:

Don’t tell them to “just snap out of it.” Experts believe depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. This may be due to genetics or it may be triggered by a stressful event such as death of a family member, divorce or abuse. Sometimes, a cause cannot be found. It’s important to understand that the person’s everyday actions may be affected by this disease, and they can’t make it just go away.

Tip #2:

Take medical care seriously. Treatment for depression often involves medication and/or therapy. It can take some time to find the treatment that works for your family member. Whenever possible, offer to go with them to doctor appointments. Support them in following their treatment plan. Do what you can to make sure they take medications as prescribed without forcing or arguing.

Tip #3:

Offer to take them out, but don’t push. Many people with depression struggle to get out of bed each day or leave the house. But, with treatment, it is possible to start enjoying life again. Ask the family member if they’d like to do something simple, such as go to the store or park. If they decline, wait a few days and offer again. Eventually, they may say yes.

Tip #4:

Listen when they want to talk. If your family member wishes to talk about his or her feelings, let them do so without judging or offering advice. Simply listen to their thoughts and feelings without trying to “fix” anything.

Take loved ones’ comments about suicide or self-harm seriously. Many times a person will confide in a loved one prior to committing a harmful act.

With help from a doctor, depression can be treated. Let your family member know you care, and ask them to get the medical help they need. Proper medical care can help them get on the path to a healthier, happier life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026