Category: Health

Do You Look up Treatments for Symptoms Online?

May 2, 2009 – 4:56 pm
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One of the top 10 reasons for using the internet, for me, is looking stuff up when I am sick. It used to be there were home remedy books and you’d dust them off once in a while for an odd pimple on your lip or a strange pain in your side that seemed unrelated to anything you could recall doing.

Now, at the first sign of anything odd, we can look for Treatments for Symptoms online. I’ve learned a lot since the early days of the internet and some stuff I’ve learned has actually saved me the trouble of going in to see the doc. Now, I will warn you right away not to take all these sites at face value. You should always value your doctor’s advice higher than anything. But once in a while, as you are using your best judgment you will find the answers to many of your questions and maybe even the cure in your own medicine cabinet or herbal garden.

One example is a site I found that said Windex sprayed on a zit will make it go away overnight. Should you believe it? I’ll tell you I haven’t tried that one yet. If you exercise a little common sense, searching for diagnoses online can be a healthy thing and it can save you time and money as well. Nonetheless, recognize when it is time to get off the net and see a real doctor because they have more information than the web.

For more inputs on treatment for symptoms, visit the Amen Clinics established by Dr. Daniel Amen. More information on the Amen Clinics here.

By Damien Riley | Tagged online diagnosis, online medical, self-diagnosis, symptoms, treatments | Comments (0)

Put Your Mental Health First

April 22, 2009 – 8:16 pm
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This time of year I am always just a little bit more stressed than usual. Like a runner straining through his laps at the 3/4 mark of a long distance race, I can see the end. At the same time, because I have chosen to take on tough projects and goals in my career, I get fatigued around March. When this hits, even the most admirable of goals must go on the back burner until I can get where I can run well again.  Forget the projects and goals, I have to be present and emotionally available to my wife and three kids when I get home.  This takes time “away” and an open mind to get there.

As a 4th grade teacher, each year my kids have to take a standardized test (cst). Nowadays a teacher’s career more or less mirrors those once-a-year scores. I’ve been very successful every year since 2003. Before that I was still finding my way as a teacher and there was not always the growth I wanted to see. Since then I have been successful because I stress a little more than usual. I don’t really know why so many people tend to think stress is bad. It’s only bad if you fail to manage it. You need to see yourself as a child. Would you drive a fatigued child into the ground with work and demands? Of course not. First of all, it would be terribly immoral and mean and second of all, it just wouldn’t get you the results you want anyway. At the same time, you know that child will never advance unless he is challenged at least a little.  That means a little stress.  So, if you are that child, what should you to to get yourself mentally healthy and strong to manage the stress? I’ll give you some thoughts but first here are 3 fatigued people I know whom I was thinking about this morning:

  • A middle aged single mom who has lost her job and doesn’t know how she will support herself and her kid.
  • A good-hearted single guy who is pining uncontrollably for a married woman half-way across the country.
  • A person who made a terrible mistake and is now facing the consequences.

As I have considered these people’s issues in the last month, I have come up with no solutions for them.  Nonetheless, I know they all need to put their mental health first.  They should all make an appointment with a psychologist (cognitive behavioral therapist) to get their minds healthier.  Without a rested, focused, and strong mind, goals and tasks are irrelevant.  Even one who might tell me, “But Damien, I can’t feed my family.”  I admit that is brutal; however, especially in these uncertain times, we must spend the hours in meditation and mind nurturing to keep ideas flowing through us.  I’ve organized my life so at any time I can comepletely disconnect from my tasks.  I keep them on a service called “Remember the Milk” online.  I know they will be there when I “re-emerge.” Try to set your tasks up that way.  Make your mental health a priority and you will see solutions materialize.

Did you ever have a terrible headache and then found it went away after a few ibuprofen and some “still time?”  Well, when your mental health improves after making it a priority it is kind of like that only instead of the pain subsiding, you become empowered and solutions run through your mind instead of sadness, melancholy, and fatigue.  Take care of yourself by making your mental health a priority today. Get away from your tasks and “the race.”  At my school, sometimes at lunch I will walk the soccer field.  Without blogs and tests and music and all the things I commit myself to, I need that time to remember why I do it and more importantly how to do it.

By Damien Riley | Also posted in Psychology, Self Improvement | Tagged Education, kids, life, marriage, mental-health, Psychology, relationships, Self Improvement, success, Teaching, Work | Comments (0)

Power of Mantra

March 31, 2009 – 10:10 am
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Like the words of a psychologist to you on the couch, this post will introduce a series on the practice of having an open mind.

I’ve been writing about psychology and inspiration here since December of 2006 and in the process I’ve done a lot of homework I love to share. Mark Twain once said: “When I turned 20, I was amazed at all my father had learned in ten years.” Our perception of the world is filtered through our point of view.

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If we have an open mind as we travel through life, we transcend much of the trouble around us. One invaluable tool in keeping an open mind is to have a mantra.

Remember when you were younger, about junior high age? You could run around all day: boys at the football field, girls at the mall or maybe the softball field. (Of course I don’t mean to sound like all women wanted to be at the mall but many I knew did). At any rate, physical activity back then had very few consequences. I would run 5-10 miles on the x-country team and have no soreness whatsoever the next day. Well, now fast forward to today. I can barely run to the end of my street without needing to stop and gather myself. Part of that is my fault for not exercising enough. Another part of it is just plain aging. Even as a youngster; however, practice had its place. Running those hill workouts paid off when I won the races. Our minds need practice too. A mantra can be part of that life-changing practice.

The big picture of this series is the way we feel about the world. Our mind processes things differently as it is accustomed to do. The good news is that as long as we practice the right mental things, we never need to suffer the way we do in our physical aging. In fact, if we stay mentally “worked out,” we can be more enlightened the older we get. Kind of cool eh? So, just to clarify the big picture here:

Physical Practice = Winning races/competitions

Mental Practice = Seeing the world the way it is.

One mental exercise we should engage in is the practice of having an open mind. Just like running one mile and skipping the rest of the week will not make a young runner any stronger, so we are made “mentally flabby” when we neglect this practice. The time this verb “practice” is most vivid to me is when I get angry or when I get disappointed or otherwise discouraged. It’s in those moments I can hear that inner psychologist on the couch in my mind say: “Calm down, this is what practice is all about.”

When and how to use a mantra to keep your mind open:

  1. When we are out of sorts it comes from 1 of 2 sources: a) Internal – we have a chemical imbalance happening and need food or medicine to balance it out -or- b) External stimulus has disagreed with us in some way. The first step therefore is to determine which source is bringing you down. For example: Would a glass of water help? Some peanuts? You make the call there. This step is kind of like a stop and regroup.
  2. The second step is to ACT to accept the cause of the problem. It could be your blood sugar or a person in your face. Either way: ACCEPT the cause for what it is.
  3. The third step is a mantra. A mantra isn’t a middle eastern mystery, it’s just a phrase that has good energy for you. Remember the little engine that could? His mantra was: “I think I can, I think I can.” You can use many mantras that already exist or make up your own. I really like the mantra: “Is that so?” Eckhart uses it and recommends it in his book. I recommend it as well.

Other things you could say are (for example): “That’s one way to look at it,” “This too shall pass,” etc. I know you are creative because you’ve read this far. I encourage you to pick a mantra, write it on a card and when you lose your peace in the day, read the card, say the card, BE the card. I think you will as I have that the mental and spiritual rewards are mammoth.

When you exit a room of dissent and feel like you’ve made a contribution of peace, it’s one of the most powerful victories you can imagine.

By Damien Riley | Also posted in Inspiration, Psychology, Reviews, Self Improvement | Comments (0)

Invite Order and Stillness into Your Life

March 20, 2009 – 8:21 pm
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When the arrows of life’s hardships are flying past you and you can hardly gather your thoughts, invite order and stillness into your life. I know it’s hard but you should take some time to walk the beach or even just pull into a parking lot and creak the seat back. Breathe slowly and visualize a peaceful image. Doing this for even 10 minutes will bring order and stillness to your mind. You can also engage in introspection and questioning such as: “Why do I feel this way?” Take the time to explore the possible causes. People will take notice you are different. When they do, let them know your secret weapon. Taking time to invite order and stillness into your life will add quality to the years you have ahead. Here’s a few quotes about order and stillness that I absolutely love:

“Sometimes we reach the boiling point before we realize that the stove is on. Become aware of your feelings – keep your eye on the stove.”
Karen Dougherty

“It doesn’t matter how inspired your work is if you’re not healthy.”

Care deeply..give freely…think kindly…act gently and be at peace with the world.
anonymous

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”
Benjamin Franklin

“May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart!”
Eskimo proverb

More psychology quotes at my Crazy Quotes Page

I hope you agree this is important.  How will you invite order and stillness into your life this week?

By Damien Riley | Also posted in Psychology, Self Improvement | Tagged Health, Inspiration, life, mental-health, Psychology, Self Improvement | Comments (0)

Turbulence Training

March 10, 2009 – 9:39 pm
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I read a review of a new book tonight and I must say this is something I may do.  I’ve never been one for the hour or more gym visit.  I’ve been able to do things like lower my blood pressure and build muscle in the privacy of my own home.  That’s why I like reading this Turbulence Training review.

The workouts aren’t complicated. It’s like a shortcut that doesn’t fall short on results. The workouts are laid out simply and clearly and they sound really tough. Isn’t that what you want when you are trying to become healthier? I like the fact that you can do these everywhere. You can do them in front of your bed after you make it in the morning and you can do them on the black rubber of the gym if you so choose.

The part I like the most in this review is where he explains the recipe/diet section. How great is that when an excercise book provides a dieting section as well? I think it’s pretty great and I’m going to see how this would complement the workout stuff I normally do. Mind you, I often skip my workout due to time constraints so a workout that’s shorter and more concise is right up my alley.

By Damien Riley | Comments (0)

My Podcast this Week is on: Discomfort

February 6, 2009 – 11:11 pm
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We tend as people to eschew discomfort. Nowhere is this more true than with kids. As a teacher I have noticed that kids will do everything they can to avoid discomfort. This is the case even though we all know that some of life’s best treasures come about through suffering. No one said that life would be comfortable. In fact, if you take some time to consider all the suffering in the world, you might find that it’s quite the opposite. Getting through life in spite of discomfort should be our goal, and it is achievable.

If interested in this topic, I invite you to listen to my podcast this week entitled: “Discomfort…” May you find comfort as you play it in your MP3 players.

By Damien Riley | Also posted in Self Improvement | Tagged Damien Riley webcast, living with pain, Podcast, self discipline, webcast | Comments (0)

Anger and the Brain

January 28, 2009 – 8:09 pm
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Anger therapy is not a waste of time. Dealing with anger issues has never been more worth it. Did you know that science has looked extensively into anger and depression brain chemistry? The findings have been quite interesting. A Harvard study found that when subjects revisited tapes they recorded about events that made them angry or enraged they had measurable chemical reactions in the brain. Only when we unravel that can we know the way to anger management. Many people in the media and in the everyday world struggle with anger and rage and so I’m tackling this issue in hopes it might offer understanding and direction to open minded people who are concerned with their anger and rage.

Here is a somewhat long quote (for me anyway) that explains what happened in the Harvard study better than I could. It is fascinating:

A look into the brains of normal subjects revealed that anger increases blood flow to a reasoning part of their brains, an area over the left eye just behind the forehead, technically called the orbitofrontal cortex. This flow inhibits thoughts of rage. At the same time, blood flow increased activity in the amygdala, an almond-shaped knot of tissue deep in the brain that deals with emotion and vigilance.

Angry feelings arising in the amygdala are normally cooled by activity in the frontal cortex, part of the thinking region of the brain. However, in some severely depressed people a lack of both recognition and control of anger, can lead to violent rage.

“All of us get angry from time to time,” comments Darin Dougherty, an assistant professor who led the research. “At such times, feelings of wrath in the primitive parts of our brains seem to be balanced by inhibitions of our will to act on those feelings.” Source

This process is like a miracle. Of course, the brain itself is a composite of so many apparent miracles it boggles any brain that seeks to understand it. Still we try. While one part of the brain is fed blood and reacts in anger, in unison other blood is fed to an area that controls inhibition that sort of keeps the angry thought under a lid. Of course, brain damage and mental illness can upset the balance of this process. This is why we see movies of people in mental hospitals screaming in rage without stopping. Somehow the delicate balance their brain was meant to have has been disturbed. When this is the case, there is anger management medication. In fact, many people find medical help with their feelings of uncontrolled anger through prescription drugs for anger treatment.

So what does this mean to me and you? Once again, it points us to the truths of Phineas Gage: our mind is a delicate instrument that needs care to stay in balance. When we are getting angry often we should ask ourselves: “Is this chemical?” Is there something disrupting the balance between those two parts of the brain? If so, there are likely drugs that can help … see a psychiatrist or a psychologist that has a practice in concert with a psychiatrist. There are so many triggers that make us angry and even despondent.

If you feel the issue has more to do with behavioral issues such as a recurring annoyance in the form of a memory or if you are suffering from some of the cognitive distortions, get thee to a therapist and discuss those issues. Or, you can go to a book store or library and do your own study on these issues. Personally, I would recommend going to a professional instead but just make sure you tend to the problem in some way.

Your brain is your lens to the rich pageant called life. Don’t let anger steal anything from you, there is no reason for that.  Brain chemistry drugs can save lives when used properly.

By Damien Riley | Also posted in Psychology, Self Improvement | Tagged anger, brain study, chemical reactions in the brain | Comments (0)

3 Ways to Make Your Health a Priority

January 22, 2009 – 6:29 pm
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I was reading my bloggy friend Ginger’s site today and she was talking about a great topic: health. I think she touches on a common topic when she says she feels the economy is affecting her subliminally. This is a serious time we are living in. People who once had health care now do not. This is in addition to millions of workers who no longer have jobs. People with mental disorders are affected by these sorts of times. So what can we do to keep our minds and hearts happy? Here’s a few suggestions:

  • Take more time to be still and meditate. The messages in the media are pumping horror at us about the economy.  Whether it is true or not isn’t the issue.  Like a foul odor, it can literally make us sick.  The solution is not watching Obama dance with his wife, rather, it is to take time each day to meditate and pray or think good thoughts for our families and our world.
  • If you can, go to the doctor for a checkup. There was a pace of time in my early 20’s when I didn’t go to the doctor for 10 years.  When I finally did go, I found I had elevated blood pressure and too much sugar in my blood.  Lucky for me, a little medication and some slight lifestyle changes got me back to normal.  I’m pretty sure it would have been worse had I not gone for another 10.  When you have your health and the doctor signs you off as healthy, it adds a power to your psyche to attack the daily problems of life.
  • LOVE. I believe love gives life to the bones when it is given and received.  However and with whoever you can, I urge you in these times to simply LOVE.

We all want to live to the life expected age and beyond. Life is about doing things well and enjoying the moment. In our later years we can reflect at dinner ceremonies in a tuxedo while being recognized as people who did marvelous things. To get to that point though, we must make good decisions about our health.

By Damien Riley | Comments (0)

Infrared Saunas :: Relax to Feed the Mind

January 21, 2009 – 9:12 pm
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Mental health is so tied into relaxation and the ability to get there.  What better way to relax than in saunas?  Crystal Sauna makes infrared saunas. These are different from traditional saunas. They have more health benefits and features that make them an incredible value for your home or business.

Detoxification

Many toxins linger in our system with no way to exit. There are many ways to “detox” these days and an infrared sauna is one of the most effective. It is even valuable for thyroid repair.

Weight Loss

300-600 calories per sesssion can be burned. This is 2-3 times on the treadmill for me! Sweating gets rid of the toxins and the burning of calories sheds the weight. In a time where everyone is fixated on weight loss surgery it’s nice to know an excellent alternative exists that really works.

Pain Relief

I was always taking showers when I got leg cramps in my teens. The hot water was healing to my calves after a grueling cross country workout. Water of course is expensive and a short shower won’t always achieve the same effect. That’s why an infrared sauna can be such a welcome accessory in a home with runners or anyone experience muscle pain.

Skin Purification

This one is pretty easy to understand. Our skin absorbs toxins everyday. In addition to toxins, there is buildup in our pores that often stays there longer than it’s naturally supposed to. The sweating process inside the sauna causes the pores to excrete that bad stuff and our skin is supple and open pored. This is the purification process.

Cardiovascular Workout and Lower Blood Pressure & Improved Circulation.

If you’ve read some of my health posts, you know I have struggled with hypertension in the past. Medication has been my solution. However, medicine is not enough. One must also learn to relax as a habit. The sauna fosters the relaxation response in people. When your blood pressure drops, you are healthier. The sauna helps you achieve this effect in the privacy of your own home or business. Many people may be able to defeat hypertension simply through relaxation.

The customer service of these folks is excellent. I strongly recommend all interested parties to contact them today about infrared saunas through their website.

By Damien Riley | Comments (0)

Celebrity Psychings – Taking on Mental Health Stigmas

December 21, 2008 – 11:45 pm
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Image from Celebrity Psychings.

A new blog has recently emerged talking about mental health and celebrities. In my research I’ve found that artists and actors are highly susceptible to mental illness. Much of it is silent. From Ned Beatty being bipolar 1 to Tony Curtis’ mother being schizophrenic, there is a plethora of diagnosed stuff out there we should be aware of. There is something about a successful, rich person who admits they have a mental disorder. People eat it up. If a trash collector or a teacher has one, no one really bats an eyelash.

If it’s Princess Leia on the other hand, all of a sudden they are lining up around the corner to get a signed copy of the book. Not that I have anything against Carrie Fisher. This blog’s name is actually inspired partly by her first memoir “Postcards from the Edge.” If any of these celebrities interest you, I read about them all tonight on a new blog sponsored by Psych Central. Check it out, it’s called Celebrity Psychings. Alicia Sparks, the author, seems to have a true vision to raise awareness and erase the false stigma of many mental illnesses. Maybe she can do it through celebrities? If she can, that is something I am definitely on board with.

By Damien Riley | Also posted in Psychology, Reviews | Tagged bipolar, bipolar disorder, Blogging A to Z, blogs i read, Carrie Fisher, celebrities with Bipolar, Inspiration, mental health blog, mental-health, Pop Culture, Reviews | Comments (0)

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