Fitness. All about fitness » Stress and anxiety http://www.fitnesscentr.com Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:55:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Credit Counseling: A Path to Financial Freedom http://www.fitnesscentr.com/credit-counseling-a-path-to-financial-freedom.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/credit-counseling-a-path-to-financial-freedom.html#comments Sat, 29 May 2010 03:49:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/credit-counseling-a-path-to-financial-freedom.html Living from paycheck to paycheck… getting a loan to pay off another loan… filing of bankruptcy — these are situations faced by thousands if not millions of Americans who have somehow buried themselves in debt. No wonder, many people are increasingly being diagnosed with depression. The sordid financial trouble people face leads them to more negative thoughts of hopelessness, insecurity, and desperation. Four years ago, the U.S. Federal Reserve reported that consumer debt had already hit $1.98 trillion. The figure was the aggregate amount of debt from credit card and car loans alone. The total debt for mortgages was not included in the said figure. The American Bankruptcy Institute also came up with a report which indicated that 1.6 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2003. Credit card debt figures for 2005 was reported to have reached $753 billion in debt for the United States alone. Based on recent estimates, the average American household has $18,700 in debt. But why do many people fall into debt? One major reason for indebtedness is uncontrolled spending. The lack of control over spending habits starts a cycle of spending more money than what one makes; and the compulsion to apply for a loan to acquire more things. In some cases, the loans are made just to repay other previous loans. In terms of credit card abuse, a person falls into debt not only because the list of payables grows long. A person falls deeper into debt because of the interest. It is not surprising to hear of people who have been in credit card debt for such a long time. After excessive use of the credit card and no increase in their capacity to pay, they are left to face the reality that they are only able to pay-off the interest without decreasing the principal amount of debt. Aside from the interest, not paying a debt on time also spells trouble for the undisciplined card holder since late payments entail a “late payment penalty.” Late payment charges can can range anywhere from ten dollars to forty dollars. Using the credit card over one’s credit limit will also entail an over-the-limit fee which usually starts at $39 per transaction. The next logical question is, “Why do people overspend?” Many people seem to have lost control over their finances because of status anxiety, an emotional and psychological problem that makes a person feel insecure about his or her sense of personal worth and significance. It can also be a compulsion to become or appear to be popular, wealthy, and “above everybody else.” Many call this, in layman’s terms, trying to “keep up with the Joneses.” If a neighbor passes by sporting a brand new car, a socially insecure person would might feel the need to rush to the bank to get a car loan since he can no longer “afford” to be seen driving a 2001 Nissan sedan even if he really cannot afford to pay for a 2007 Mercedez Benz SLK Class that comes at $43, 500 plus loan interest. Seeing an officemate brandishing the 4-gigabyte i-Phone worth $499 instantly creates a need to buy the 8-gigabyte model worth $599. This desire to be seen as good or even better than one’s neighbors in terms or social standing, material possessions, and influence is a cause of anxiety for many people. Financial woes have also increased the level of stress and anxiety among individuals who have uncontrolled spending habits and social insecurity. The emotional and psychological problems brought about by financial difficulties are also causes of physical illness that include migraine headaches, depressive behavior, heart ailments, to name a few. So, how can people stop themselves from committing financial self-destruction? One easy step is to inquire from the credit card company if they offer free consumer debt counseling. This form of counseling focuses on helping consumers learn the wise uses of credit and various strategies for debt payment and reduction. The usual advice starts with the theme of “not spending more than what you earn.” This advice is usually followed by convincing the person in debt to list and determine what accounts should be settled first. Almost as a given, many credit counselors also try to convince people to start on a savings plan. Professional debt counseling services also include the more technical process of computing taxes, interest rates, and payment timelines that should be followed by an over-spender who really want to regain financial freedom. Frivolous spending may actually be more than just a case of financial illiteracy or lack of discipline in money matters. In some cases, people with enormous debt must also consult a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the root causes of overspending. Living from paycheck to paycheck…paying one loan after another is surely not the way to live. There is a way to financial freedom, and everyone must start by making a financial choice of using money for what one merely wants or for what one really needs.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/credit-counseling-a-path-to-financial-freedom.html/feed 0 Getting Out of the Black Pit of Depression http://www.fitnesscentr.com/getting-out-of-the-black-pit-of-depression.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/getting-out-of-the-black-pit-of-depression.html#comments Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:04:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/getting-out-of-the-black-pit-of-depression.html “Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore, avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.” – Socrates Every single day, Cindy (not her real name) felt utter, total despair that could be compared with the kind desperation that drove the famous grunge band singer Kurt Cobain to commit suicide. According to Cindy, she was only 23 years old when she got married and had a baby early in the marriage. She said that the first time she held her baby, she did not feel the joy and excitement that were usually felt by first-time mothers. In fact, she said that she felt numb… as if she was stuck in a proverbial black hole. She could not explain the sadness that she felt. Even if she was afraid to admit it, deep inside, she did not feel that she wanted to take care of her baby. Her emotional instability strained her relationship with her husband, family, and friends. She tried to hide it from her husband but she felt really miserable about her situation as a new bride and new mother. To make it worse, she felt guilty about having all those melancholic feelings. The medicines she took to alleviate her sadness did not work. She suffered side-effects like nausea, migraine headaches, muscle spasms, and cramps. Upon the prodding of her husband and family, she went to another doctor who gave her a complete examination. Unlike the usual medical check-up, the doctor spent more time speaking with Cindy about how she felt and though about her new situation as a young mother. After some time, the doctor finally identified what was wrong with Cindy. He said that Cindy was suffering from Postpartum Depression. Beyond the Blues Postpartum Depression (PD) is caused by a number of factors that vary from individual to individual. First-time mothers experience some degree of depression during the first weeks after birth. This happens when hormonal changes takes place and affects the emotions. Experiences may vary but some of the most common symptoms of PD are: l anxiety panic attack l persistent low mood l helplessness l exhaustion l insomnia l not eating or overeating l inability to cope with routine task l withdrawal from the outside world Coping with Post-Partum Depression Postpartum Depression (PD) cannot be determined through a simple diagnostic test. It takes a lot of experience to know if a woman is suffering from PD. The key is to convince the woman to undergo a treatment method or therapy such as counseling, group sessions, and psychotherapy. Alternative therapies such as constitutional homeopathy and acupuncture also work for some women. Being a new mother could be very stressful for the few months but it won’t last forever. In addition, to the available medications and therapies, here are more useful tips to cope with postpartum depression: l Make your day as simple as possible. Don’t do heavy tasks that leave you feeling so exhausted. l Avoid undue pressures. l Involve your partner in taking care of the baby. l Divide the household chores between you and your partner. l Get some sleep or rest when the baby is sleeping. l Schedule some time out to go to the park. Have a picnic or watch a good movie. l Have a good time with your best friend or group of friends. l Have a good laugh. l Get some exercise. With enough love and support from your husband, family, and close friends — you can overcome your postpartum blues in no time.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/getting-out-of-the-black-pit-of-depression.html/feed 0 Infertility: A Source of Marital Conflict http://www.fitnesscentr.com/infertility-a-source-of-marital-conflict.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/infertility-a-source-of-marital-conflict.html#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:41:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/infertility-a-source-of-marital-conflict.html Robert and Meryl were seen by their friends as the perfect couple. They started out as high school sweethearts and were even voted the King and Queen of Hearts during their senior prom night. Their sweet, innocent relationship in high school became more serious as the years went by. They married soon after finishing college. The first few months of marriage was nothing but bliss. The couple lived in the proverbial paradise on earth as they enjoyed each other’s company as newlyweds. People would often see them walking hand in hand as they strolled along the beach. They still regularly went out on a movie date just like they used to in high school. However, on their third year of marriage, things slowly began to change. Friends and family began to wonder why, after three years of marriage, the couple was still childless. Soon enough, Robert and Meryl also began to feel the pressure and frustration of not having a child to call their own. The empty nest began to take a toll on their romance as the feelings of incompleteness began to seep in. Soon after, Meryl began showing signs of obsession about getting pregnant. Ironically, her desire to have a baby caused a rift between her and her husband. Depression cast a dark cloud on their relationship as Meryl developed strong feelings of inadequacy for not having been able to conceive after several years of marriage. Robert also had to grapple with his own stress and anxiety about being childless. He would often feel embarassed about not having any stories about his own child whenever his friends would open up the topic of marriage and family during their regular get-togethers. The couple also found family reunions and other occasions with relatives to be quite awkward. The couple would often be surrounded by children of their siblings and relatives, all time wondering if they would ever have children of their own. Robert and Meryl always had to dodge questions about the fact that they were still without child. The worse thing that happened about Robert and Meryl’s relationship is that they slowly began to blame each other. The stress and anxiety in their relationship almost took a toll on their marriage. Far from the almost idyllic relationship they had when they first started as a newlyweds, the couple began to have more and more fights. A concerned friend mustered enough courage to ask the couple to consider going to a counselor. The couple’s friend also advised them to see a doctor who specializes in fertility issues. Fortunately, the couple decided to follow their friend’s advice. After a series of tests, the doctor told Meryl and Robert that she was perfectly capable of conceiving a child. The doctor also advised Robert to get more sleep and rest periods that would help him improve his sperm count. Like Robert and Meryl, many couples experience problems with infertility. In fact, in the Unites States alone, an estimated six million couples face infertility challenges every year. About 10 percent of all married couples in America struggle with the issue of being childless, a situation that causes emotional as well as relational problems. Infertility is defined by doctors as a condition when a couple fails to attain pregnancy after one year of regular and unprotected intercourse. Under ideal circumstances, the probability that a woman will get pregnant during a single menstrual cycle is only about 30%. In most cases, infertility is caused by a combination of factors that prevent conception from occurring. Based on recent studies, infertility affects one in 25 American men. Infertility cases in men are due to low sperm count or poor sperm quality. In most industrialized countries like the U.S, sperms counts have been in decline supposedly due to the increased work load and hectic lifestyle of the male population.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/infertility-a-source-of-marital-conflict.html/feed 0 Over-eating, Stress, and The Modern World http://www.fitnesscentr.com/over-eating-stress-and-the-modern-world.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/over-eating-stress-and-the-modern-world.html#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:59:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/over-eating-stress-and-the-modern-world.html There mere fact that the term, “comfort food” exists is proof enough that eating certain foods is good for relieving stress. Whether it is some sort of psychopharmacological thing, something connected to mental health and memories, or an evolutionary instinct, the fact is that eating is effective stress relief. However, when one considers all the stress and anxiety that gets tossed around in modern society, it isn’t surprising to learn that the weight loss pill market is on a steady increase. Indeed, as people are put under more and more stress, with less and less time to find stress relief for it, food becomes an increasingly tempting option. Sure, stress and anxiety are not the only factors behind the increasing number of people with obesity, but it does have to take some of the flak. People look to food as a cost-effective means of stress relief, mainly because a number of modern environments simply don’t allow for a significant amount of time to relax. For example, in those high-stress corporate environments, people tend to have very little time to spare between getting to work, actually working, and their duties outside of work. To avoid allowing the stress to build and become a danger to them or the people around them, they do the one stress relief activity that they can do. A little candy bar here or some potato chips there can be enough to get a person’s mind through the stress and anxiety of a typical work day. However, when one develops a dependence on these things to relieve stress, then there is going to be an eventual need for a weight loss pill or diet plan. It isn’t just the corporate workplace and the employees within it that end up eating a little too much “comfort food,” however. As stated in a number of books, such as “Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety,” shows, mothers also have to deal with the problem. Between the stress of having to keep a handle on active children and the duties that mothers have to perform, there is plenty of room for the average mother to binge a little. This can be especially true in suburban environments, where there is often a subtle competition between housewives that puts a lot of undue stress and anxiety on mother and child alike. Children can also sometimes fall victim to over-eating “comfort foods.” With so much pressure on children to succeed on all possible levels, there’s plenty of stress and anxiety to go around. The problem lies in the fact that children nowadays are subjected by their parents to all manner of time-consuming extra-curricular activities, with even the slightest potential becoming something that could be “developed.” Parents tend to be well-meaning in cutting down on the playing time of their children, as all of these activities are designed to help them succeed. However, there comes a time when children will need to be given time to be children. Stress and anxiety are things that the mental health of a child is not fully capable of handling, such that any form of stress relief can be seen as acceptable. For most, succumbing to peer pressure or playing video games can do the trick, but a few others end up turning into binge eaters. Over-eating due to stress and anxiety is not an all-encompassing problem yet, but statistics show that it is getting there. As competition in the workplace, stress in the home, and the pressure to succeed compounds with each generation, more and more people are going to need effective, quick stress relief. Pressed for time to find ample ways to relax, food can often be the only viable option available to them.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/over-eating-stress-and-the-modern-world.html/feed 0 Overcoming stress and anxiety in the workplace http://www.fitnesscentr.com/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety-in-the-workplace.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety-in-the-workplace.html#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:56:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety-in-the-workplace.html We live in a stressful world. No matter how hard we try to circumvent stress and anxiety, our rendezvous with them is as sure as death and taxes. Encountering distress is an undeniable reality. Understanding that stress and anxiety are always present in one’s life should be accepted…but that does not necessarily make it easier. For example, have you ever been picked on by a boss? Who can ever forget that ill-fated day that you became the “official office target” of the boss? Have you ever been accused with a blunder that you never committed. Not contented with what he did, the boss startled you with words that you have never even heard of before. To top it all, he did it in front of the whole work unit. Left with no choice but to keep your mouth shut, you just allowed your boss to unreasonably splatter his saliva all over your face. Still, you manage to fake a “cherry grin.” These kinds of situations is just a normal office scenario but tends induce stress and anxiety. Stress first was attributed to external pressures like workloads, competition and other stimuli that could induce a distress one’s body. Recently, however, stress was described not only as external stimuli but it may very well be the reaction of a person to another individual’s negative perception, capacities and understanding. Meanwhile anxiety is described as an overwhelming fear, worry, or apprehension. These intensified feelings are always accompanied by bodily manifestations like chronic sweating, uneasiness, heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breathing, and headaches. Work-related stress and anxiety, and chronic cares of same sorts can affect one’s work performance. Anxiety induced by a past negative encounter with an officemate, worrying on multitudes of paper works labeled “urgent,” and apprehensions to confront a boss can affect indeed office performance. The apparent effect of it to a professional is not only depressing but could also be a one- way ticket to unemployment. No one wants to be fired right away right? And companies don’t give into excuses like, “Sorry sir, I’m just stressed.” So wise up see the practical anxiety treatments. Start with a proper diet. Others might raise their eyebrows with this practical self-help tip but actually it has scientific explanation. Anxiety conditions are the avenues for the usual response of “fight or flight.” This is a condition where people who are confronted with anxiety challenge or flee from anxiety. With a healthier diet, the body becomes more stable, and eventually, event the anxiety reactions are lessened. Have a proper attitude. Don’t put unnecessary stresses to your life by going through unnecessary notions. Yes, your boss may have shouted a couple of times but harboring resentment would do no good either. Focus your strength and energy where you really need it most – on the work. Anxiety would be gradually obliterated by taming one’s mind. Instead of using your energy to backstab a tyrant boss or get even with a co-worker with hideous attitude, learn to channel those energies to a more worthy cause. Proper attitude is an excellent anxiety treatment. Life’s full of stress and we can’t afford to add insult to the injury. Greater stress would entail greater risk for anxiety.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety-in-the-workplace.html/feed 0 Corporate Bureaucracy: Dealing With And Surviving Catch-22 At Work http://www.fitnesscentr.com/corporate-bureaucracy-dealing-with-and-surviving-catch-22-at-work.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/corporate-bureaucracy-dealing-with-and-surviving-catch-22-at-work.html#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:07:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/corporate-bureaucracy-dealing-with-and-surviving-catch-22-at-work.html Corporate life can take a serious toll on the mind, particularly if you happen to be the one caught amidst the company’s hustle and bustle. There are a thousand things that need to be done any given shift, and you’d need at least a shift just to get one of those tasks to be done properly. There are also the occasional added duties of the typical employee, such as the meeting with the boss, rant sessions with fellow employees, and the pressures and responsibilities that the typical worker adds to his already overwhelming set of problems. The need for stress relief is most commonly seen among people who are doing the dry grunt-work of a company, the ones working the trenches at the front lines of the “corporate war.” Of course, a company employee may not necessarily be fighting a “war” against the company’s enemies, or business rivals, as the case may be. For anyone who has ever read the novel “Catch-22,” the rather daunting concept of a soldier fighting the rigid bureaucracy of his own army is a humorous, unpleasant yet all too realistic storyline. Unfortunately, for some corporate employees, the Catch-22 is an everyday ordeal. They find themselves willing to fight even their own corporate bosses. Even worse is when there is no convenient or regular source of stress relief, which tends to wear down a person’s mind and makes the situation much worse. Once a person thinks the situation is getting worse, it inevitably really does become worse, through some dismiss it as a mere quirk of fate. Yes, this sounds terribly pessimistic, but there are several people who go to their jobs day after day — resigned to go through the daily drudgery. The fact is, there are always a few disgruntled, disenfranchised, and disillusioned employees who will look at the corporate power structure and only see the Catch-22 bureaucracy. They literally see policies leading them around in circles, with stress relief being just a pipe dream — with each step leading to the path of madness. Of course, madness is not included as a job skill requirement although in some lines of work that involve creativity, being somewhat “looney” is an unwritten prerequisite. Dealing with a Catch-22 bureaucracy can be taxing on your mental health, whether you’re fighting it or you’re trying to work with it. There is ample anecdotal evidence to show that attempting to work within a bureaucracy that keeps on going around in circles can drive employees to develop frequent bouts of nausea. Besides the nausea, chronic fatigue also seems to be a growing problem among employees that attempt to survive in a Catch-22 environment. Mental fatigue is also a problem, as some people tend to spend hours upon hours trying to figure out how to get out of the mess that the company’s policies have gotten them into, all the while realizing that any attempt to get out is likely just going to get them deeper into the problem. Naturally, from a realistic point of view, the above situation is hardly feasible, but if work-related stress and anxiety are not dealt with in a timely and effective manner, it can lead to some unpleasant situations. For the most part, the common reaction when the situations get extreme is to simply try and find a way to escape, or at least get into a position where the bureaucracy is less constrained. In a corporate environment, the former is little more than just removing yourself from the company’s employ, and the latter means working within the constraints to get into a position of power. Of course, working twice as hard just to get away from the bureaucracy means the company will be getting more work out of an employee, but not have to pay more. Why does that sound like exactly what your typical corporate slave driver actually wants? If it does start sounding that way, then it is a safe assumption that your stress and anxiety at work has gone past being an anxiety disorder and developed into a full-blown paranoia. Next thing you know, you’ll start thinking they’re all out to get rid of you.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/corporate-bureaucracy-dealing-with-and-surviving-catch-22-at-work.html/feed 0 A Child’s Web Of Sleep http://www.fitnesscentr.com/a-child-s-web-of-sleep.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/a-child-s-web-of-sleep.html#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:22:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/a-child-s-web-of-sleep.html The average person associates sleep problems with things like stress and anxiety, such that they do not immediately believe some groups can have trouble sleeping. However, it isn’t merely the pressures of work, society, and relationships that can take a toll on a person’s ability to get good sleep quality and quantity. Other things can play a role, such as mood or behavioral problems, food intake in the immediate hours preceding sleep, and a whole milieu of little things. Recent studies show that children are just as likely to have problems getting to sleep as adults are, though the reasons are not quite the same. What’s worse is that this lack of sleep may bring about a problem more serious than being sleepy in class: obesity.

Recent studies have shown that children below the age of six can experience difficulty in getting to sleep and staying asleep. The study was prompted by some statistics that show children are getting less sleep, with the aim of finding out why this was happening. The results showed that children who watched certain types of TV shows, particularly police dramas and news broadcasts, had difficulty getting to sleep at night. The study found that the longer the child spent watching shows of that nature, along with other violent or disturbing programs, the longer it took for them to get to sleep. In some cases, the data was also correlated with the child experiencing breaks in sleep. The more they watched, the more frequently they woke up in the middle of the night.

Background TV exposure also seemed to play a role. According to the research, sleep problems can also appear if the child is not directly watching TV. The types of programs remained the same, but the nature of exposure was changed. Background TV exposure, such as hearing bits and pieces of a broadcast but not being in front of the TV itself, caused the same sleep problems that directly watching programs did. However, the research also revealed that the risks were lower than with direct viewing. Not by much, but they were noticeably lower. However, a lack of sleep caused by this can cause a child to eventually become overweight and obese as part of the side effects, according to another study.

The study recorded the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the sleep patterns of children in both the third and sixth grade. The results were that, as the children obtained less sleep for a variety of reasons, their BMI also went up, with some skirting the risk of obesity as early as the fifth grade. Factors such as genetics, environment, medical history, and sex, race, and education were eliminated to ensure that the results were as accurate as possible. The results showed that BMI did experience an increase as the hours of sleep decreased, though there could have been some variables that were not taken into account while the study was being planned. These factors include things such as personality and financial status, along with the inevitable lack of physical activity due to the lack of sleep.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/a-child-s-web-of-sleep.html/feed 0 How Divorce Affects Your Children http://www.fitnesscentr.com/how-divorce-affects-your-children.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/how-divorce-affects-your-children.html#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:42:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/how-divorce-affects-your-children.html When a marriage turns into a complete wreck and nothing can ever fix the problem anymore, divorce is the only best option to take. Millions of people prefer to leave their partners when certain aspects of the relationship are no longer smooth sailing as they were before the marriage. Although divorce may sound and appear easy for some, it actually requires a lot from both parties. Each one needs to get divorce consultations from lawyers and financial specialists to help them in the process. Hence, divorce is not easy, especially for the children. Endless fights for custody are usually the toughest moments not only for the separated couple, but also for their children. The children are generally the ones who suffer most when their parents separated. Effects of divorce on children According to studies, the children of a divorced couple often take the blame on themselves as the reason why their parents need separation. Some kids tend to think that they are the ones responsible for the failed marriage, thus, resulting to stress and anxiety. One of the most notable effects of divorce on children is the sudden change of attitude towards activities and friends that they enjoy before. In addition, divorce can also cause detrimental effects to a child’s perspective on relationship and marriage. Some children may regard divorce as a betrayal of their patients, hence, compelling them to be afraid and withdrawn from building or developing future relationships. Also, children of a divorced couple often find it hard to trust anyone as they grow up. Lessening the effects of divorce on children It is really up to the parents how they want to make the situation easier for their children. For starters, it is important for separated couple to have their children understand that the divorce is not, in any means, their fault. Another important thing is that the children know that they are safe, secured, and loved by their parents even if they are not together as a family anymore. Divorced parents should also always be around or available for their children every time they are needed. When it comes to the welfare of the children, the separated couple should still work together in providing for their kids’ emotional and financial needs Role of a child specialist In the process of divorce, collaborative lawyers may suggest to their clients the need for the children to have a child specialist who will basically act as the children’s voice and guide in the entire duration of the divorce process. A child specialist is the one responsible in explicitly explaining the role and rights of the children. Having a child therapist helps in the sense that the children will not be caught in between their parents during the process of the divorce. Choosing between two adults is hard for any kid. Having a child specialist in the process can also help minimize the emotional difficulties of the children as they cope to accept and try to live a normal life despite having a broken family.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/how-divorce-affects-your-children.html/feed 0 Surviving The Horrible Memories Of War http://www.fitnesscentr.com/surviving-the-horrible-memories-of-war.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/surviving-the-horrible-memories-of-war.html#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:12:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/surviving-the-horrible-memories-of-war.html “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?” Gandhi could have not been more right when he said his piece about the futility of a war that brings bloodshed and chaos. Nobody really wins but everyone is a losing victim of man’s atrocities and evil doings against each other. Sometimes, it would have been better to be dead than to survive and face the almost life-long trauma one has to deal with after going through the harrowing experience of war. War is a complex web of violence, loss, and human tragedy. Aside from the destruction of lives and properties that is inherent in any armed conflict, violations of human rights is also prevalent. Torture, oppression, sexual abuse of women, abductions, and massacres also occur during times of armed conflict. Surviving the horrible memories of war is a victory in itself yet the survivors often still need to deal with stress and anxiety long after the fighting has ceased. For many war survivors, the shooting may have stopped but the battle against psycho-emotional distress and serious medical conditions are still on-going struggles. Everyday, military personnel and civilian survivors relive the catastrophes of war. Men and women, young and old alike, still cannot remove the images and sounds of battle from their minds. For a long time, they will vainly try to deafen the sounds of gunfire and bomb explosions ricocheting in their heads day in and day out. They find it extremely difficult to erase the painful memories of witnessing their beloved families, relatives, and friends being gunned down to death or dismembered. Scenes of burying their own dead in open trenches continue to flash back in their minds. Soldiers are haunted by episodes of being forced to shoot innocent civilians, including women and children —- all in the name of duty. Most war survivors suffer from emotional and psychological disorder such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Though PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans or survivors, it can also result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as rape, torture, being kidnapped or held hostage, child abuse, vehicular accidents, plane crashes, even natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. It is considered to be one of the most severe forms of emotional disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a terrifying ordeal involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm happens to a person. The person may have been the one who was harmed or the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a traumatic event that happened to loved ones or strangers. Most war veterans or survivors get easily startled and can become emotionally numb especially in relation to people with whom they used to be close. Like other people who are suffering from PTSD, they tend to lose interest in the things they used to value and enjoy. They have a hard time showing affections, can be easily irritated and may become more aggressive to the point of being violent. It is possible that a traumatized person may not develop a full-blown PTSD. For a case to be considered PTSD, symptoms should last more than a month. Usually, these symptoms appear within the first three months after the traumatic incident, or it could manifest several years later. Recovery from the condition may vary as some individuals may need at least six months to deal with PTSD, while others may need more time before they fully recover. War veterans and survivors with PTSD experience severe headaches and anxiety attacks. Aside from having crying spells, they also tend to sweat heavily, get easily depressed, experience sustained bodily pains. They develop phobias or irrational fears that may or may not be related to the actual traumatic event. PTSD patients are often afraid of being alone in the dark or have trouble sleeping at night due to recurring nightmares about war. Some war veterans even develop a fear of heights due to terrible memories of parachute jumps. These painful memories are called flashbacks and may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, which are often triggered by ordinary occurrences. The popping of firecrackers, the startling sound of a slammed door, a car tire explosion, and other sudden, loud noises can trigger flashbacks resulting to panic attacks. A person having a flashback may lose touch with reality and believe that the traumatic incident is happening all over again. Treatment of PTSD involves regular therapy and the use of medications. Health care professionals may prescribe antidepressant drugs to help PTSD patients to relax and find relief from the aching physical and emotional wounds of war. These medications may also help induce sleep in those who are suffering from insomnia, aside from making it easier to deal with daily stress and anxiety. Various psychotherapy programs are being studied and developed not just to bring modest relief from stress and anxiety but to effect noticeable changes in the lives of these emotionally battered and perhaps physically disabled survivors of war. While there is yet no cure or formula to totally stop wars, there is available assistance and medication for those who inevitably become traumatized by armed conflict. As long as there are bitter, armed struggles in the world, these medications and therapy sessions will be in high demand.

]]> http://www.fitnesscentr.com/surviving-the-horrible-memories-of-war.html/feed 0 Effective Communication is the Key to a Stable Marriage http://www.fitnesscentr.com/effective-communication-is-the-key-to-a-stable-marriage.html http://www.fitnesscentr.com/effective-communication-is-the-key-to-a-stable-marriage.html#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:36:00 +0000 http://www.fitnesscentr.com/effective-communication-is-the-key-to-a-stable-marriage.html Meredith, 30, had been married to Ralph, 32, for more than six years. She was a stay-at-home wife and he was a top business executive. Ralph’s work has kept him so busy that he really thinks that he has no time to start a “family.” His frequent business travels have kept him away from home several days, and even weeks at a time. Like a typical workaholic, Ralph has made same mistake committed by many career-driven husbands — neglecting his wife. This situation has even made Meredith think that Ralph and really married to his career and not to her. Meredith and Ralph had been fighting more than ever before and it was pretty obvious that there was already a serious problem with their marriage. She accuses him of being cold and indifferent, and he accuses her of being a nagger. All their marital woes have caused them enormous stress and anxiety. Aside from financial trouble, infidelity, and problems with the in-laws, many marriages suffer from the simple lack of communication. Like Meredith and Ralph, many couples fail to resolve their problems early on. As a result, couples grow further apart and are left to struggle with their respective anger and frustration. Instead of speaking with each other as adults, many couples resort to withdrawal or the “silent treatment.” In many cases, couples have already formed the way they communicate based on how their own parents communicated with each other. A person who grew up with parents who constantly fight has the tendency to be argumentative too. A person who was raised by parents who ignored each other whenever they had problems may have the tendency to ignore his partner and his own problems in marriage. It is said that it takes two to tango and it takes two to argue. But many marriages end up in separation or divorce precisely because the couple even evades quarrels and just chooses to ignore their problem. With mutual “silent treatment,” a couple denies their own opportunity to discuss and hopefully resolve their problem. And when they do talk, the couples would often just exchange accusations and even hurl invectives at one another. Many women complain that men are so cold, indifferent, and insensitive to their needs and to the issues that affect their relationship. They say that men spend too much time at the office and neglect their duties as husband and father. Women feel angry when men go home only to spend time in front of the t.v. or go out to have drinking sprees with their friends. Men, on the other hand, complain that women are so boisterous, jealous, and nag all the time. So, how can men and women in marriage deal with their marital problems? The first step that couples should take is to improve the way how they communicate with each other. Shown below are some of the ways how couples can improve their communication skills in marriage: 10 Ways to Communicate Effectively 1. No name calling and don’t make any threats. 2. Don’t interrupt when your spouse is still speaking. 3. Don’t dominate the discussion and stay on the same topic or issue at hand. 4. Listen and pay attention to what the other is saying. 5. Respect each other and be prepared to make changes in the way you think, feel, and behave. 6. Avoid mentioning or bringing up past mistakes and old resentments. 7. Don’t assume too much that you know what your spouse is thinking or feeling. 8. Don’t presume that you’re always “right” in any argument. 9. Try to meet half-way or compromise. 10. Be honest and acknowledge the validity and importance of each other feelings. Many couples forget that simple affirmation or small acts of love and kindness can do wonders for their marriage. A warm hug or attentively listening to your spouse can bring back a semblance of peace, love, and respect in your relationship. Indeed, one of the keys to a lasting marriage is effective communication. Given enough time and lots of patience, any couple on the rocks can revive their marriage. It just takes a lot of listening and kind words to make your marriage a real match made in heaven.

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