Ann & Richard

 

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Music therapy is a great alternative for kids and teens that are battling mental health conditions and other illnesses. This type of therapy entails a licensed professional utilizing music in a clinical setting to achieve objectives that are personalized to each individual. Music is utilized to decrease pain in patients, provide them the capacity to express how they feel without saying them, and promote relaxation through playing musical instruments, listening to music, writing songs, or singing.

This well-known and ancient health practice uses the emotional, mental, spiritual, aesthetic, and physical aspects of music to assist people in enhancing their general well-being. When teens and children can express themselves through music therapy, they can let go of unpleasant emotions effectively and productively.

Ancient Music Therapy

Music therapy is widespread in philosophy, Native American culture, and Greek mythology. Historically, music therapy was a popular resource during the two past World Wars. During these times, musicians voluntarily played for the war veterans and those who were wounded in the hospitals. Doctors, nurses, and patients themselves observed that there was an improvement in mood and a positive emotional reaction to the music. They also noticed that their outlook in life changed positively and their pain decreased as well. Listening to music was very well received that the medical teams hired musicians to play for the soldiers.

Nowadays, music therapy is enjoyed by teens, children, and even adults who are confronted with physical and mental ailments in hospitals. Among the marvelous features of music therapy is that is personalized from individual to individual. This implies that a child may find playing an instrument useful, while another may do better with singing or simply listening to his favorite music. Kids have a strong liking for music therapy because it’s not only exciting and fun for them but it also offers physical and mental alleviation.

Below are some of the most common mental and physical benefits of music therapy.

Physical Benefits

For teens and children with cancer and other medical conditions, the pain can be unfathomable and excruciating. Regardless of how mild or strong their medications are, often they simply aren’t enough. When they play or listen to music, or if they sing or writing songs, pain in some of these patients decreases significantly. Music therapy can tremendously help lower pain and decrease anxiety and stress levels for the patient, leading to positive physical changes, which include:

• Decrease in blood pressure
• Lowered heart rate
• Muscular relaxation
• Improved cardiac output

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This type of therapy has been proven to produce a remarkable impact on a patient’s perceived efficacy of treatment, which includes respiration rate, pain reduction, relaxation, reduced anxiety levels, and relaxation.

Furthermore, professors from the Berklee College of Music state that there is a procedure for dealing with pain management by music therapy. It is grounded on a cognitive behavioral therapy model that suggests new feelings, body states, and thoughts may be acclimatized to substitute abnormal patterns. Particularly, a calm body and pleasing visual images could replace anxiety and tension when they are conditioned as a reaction to calming and familiar music. This process occurs when listening to music is combined with profound relaxation by constant practice. Eventually, the music alone signals the reaction.

The therapy process is created to do certain functions, some of which include:

• Provide a rhythmic pattern for a systematic surge of body tension.
• Shift focus away from the anxiety or pain, diverting the listener with soothing music.
• To provide cues for positive visual imagery.
• To produce a profound relaxing response.
• To focus on healthy feelings and thought patterns.
• To improve mood.

Mental Benefits

For young adolescents in the hospital, merely being admitted can be a terrifying and frustrating experience, apart from fighting an end-stage disease or other serious illnesses. One outcome of being hospitalized is stress, which can ultimately lead to other health issues.

Typical effects of stress on the body include muscle pain or tension, chest pain, sleep disturbances, stomach problems, and fatigue.

Typical side effects of stress on one’s behavior include social withdrawal, eating problems (under-eating or over-eating), and anger flare-ups.

Finally, typical effects of stress on one’s mood include anxiety, anger or irritability, restlessness, depression or misery, and overwhelming feelings.

Conclusion

Source: thehealthy.com

Music is indeed one of the most effective solutions for stress. Music is frequently associated with moods and specific songs can make people feel a range of emotions from calm, invigorated, relaxed, happy, or excited.

Psychology Today documents that all genres of music may produce therapeutic results, although music coming from one’s own country or culture might be most potent. Genres of music vary in the kinds of neurologic stimulation they produce. For instance, classical music has been shown to induce relaxation and comfort while pop-rock music can possibly cause discomfort. Music may attain some of its therapeutic effects by increasing an individual’s pain tolerance.

Another remarkable positive effect of music therapy is seen in children who are recuperating from surgery. Studies have revealed that listening to music is a safe and viable substitute to medications for alleviating post-surgery pain in kids and teenagers.

 

 

 

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 When some individuals are feeling drained or fatigued, they often do yoga, indulge in a massage, or practice mindfulness. For others, though, wiping the kitchen counters, arranging the closet, or giving the shelves a good dusting is just as enriching for their mental health as utilizing a yoga or mindfulness app. Some people even feel relieved by the mere sight of a spic and span home after an overwhelmingly stressful day.

Below is more information about the positive impact of cleaning, including its benefits and how to create a cleaning schedule and integrate it into your life.

Benefits Of Organizing And Cleaning

• It Enhances Physical Health. A tidy and organized home positively affects your physical health. In a study done by research scientists from Indiana University, individuals with clean homes are inclined to be happier and healthier compared to those with cluttered and dirty homes. As a matter of fact, tidiness was considered to be a suitable predictor of positive health compared to walking within the neighborhood.

• It Improves Your Mood. Apart from the perks of having a clean and organized home, the connection between mental health and a tidy house can also help you alleviate your anxiety. Plus, studies reveal that sleeping on fragrant and clean sheets and fixing your bed is linked to a good night’s rest. Consequently, getting sufficient sleep offers a range of mental health benefits, which include a better mood.

• It Heightens Concentration. When you have a messy and extremely dirty home, the disarray that this mess produces can affect your capacity to concentrate. The mess also restricts your brain’s capacity to process data. Additionally, experts have found that people become less bothered, less annoyed, and more productive when working in a clean and organized workspace. Restricting the number of things that you own might also have a similar effect, as it decreases the number of things that your brain needs to focus on.

Integrating Cleaning Into Your Daily Life

Whatever you may be going through right now – a new baby, having depression, or experiencing a disordered life – the idea of organizing and cleaning can be a daunting task that is merely out of your reach at the moment. Some people even struggle with making cleaning a part of their daily schedule. However, realizing that having a more organized and cleaner space would help enhance your mood and encourage a healthier life, could be worth trying. Here are some simple tips on how to integrate cleaning into your daily life.

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Let Others Help You. Occasionally, you reach a point where tidying is really not something that you can deal with by yourself. Perhaps you’re recuperating from a major disorder, raising a home filled with children, working while going to school, or operating your own business – whichever scenario you are in, if you think you can’t potentially get everything done without help, then consider asking assistance from your loved ones – start with your family.

Start With Small Steps. Some of us postpone cleaning because it seems too large-scaled to handle. But rather than anticipating to get the whole house organized in two days, start with smaller steps and organize or clean a little bit daily. This could mean arranging the closets in your room and your kids’ rooms today, and then organizing the living room the next day, and so on. Before you realize it, the atmosphere in your home will be cozier and more livable.

Keep Track Of The Time.

Another alternative for achieving a productive cleaning schedule is to monitor your time by setting a timer. This will enable you to see the scope of cleaning you’ll accomplish in that specific timeframe. Or you can use methods like time blocking for managing your cleaning schedule. For instance, set aside 20 or 30 minutes to clean and organize, set your timer, and then begin your task in the living room of your home. You could perhaps start by picking up items that are scattered on the floor or the table and put them back in their places. When the alarm rings, you’re finished with the day. The bedrooms will be set for tomorrow then.

Final Thoughts

If organizing and cleaning alleviate your stress, improve your mood, and decrease your anxiety, then go ahead – pick up your cleaning tools and start clearing out. After all, a chaotic and disorganized home can be bothersome. Make sure that your cleaning routines are set smoothly. Remember, though, that you don’t necessarily have to depend singly on cleaning to provide your life with peace and happiness.

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There will certainly be times when circumstances won’t go your way and you probably won’t be able to follow your schedule, so you’ll have to prepare other tools in your bag that you can use to unwind and relax.

On the other hand, if you are suffering from depression or other mental health issues and you want a tidy and orderly home, but you just don’t feel like you have enough drive to do it, don’t do something big or major right away. Simply cleaning the kitchen counter today and then organizing the living room tomorrow will make you feel that you are able to manage things at home, and most probably your life in general.

 

 

The moment I realized I have been dealing with depression this whole time, I panicked. Negative thoughts rushed in, and there are tons of what-ifs. I was in a mental health crisis, for all I know. Everything was too overwhelming, people are too damn annoying, and I can’t seem to find the right attitude to fit in the day. I was entirely out of my senses. Fortunately, before I went crazy and lost control, I decided to undergo counseling. I know it was not a great option at that time, but I was glad I engaged with it.

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I Was Able To Explore My Issues

On the day of my first counseling session, I expected myself to understand my concerns immediately. There was this mentality that before going in there, I first have to know what’s bothering me all this time. But you see, that is the problem with mental health. Sometimes, I can’t figure out what is going on. I know that I am not okay and that I am suffering from something no one genuinely understands.

It is a good thing counseling managed to help me with that. A quiet few moments of silence and deep thoughts allowed me to explore my inner issues. From there, I came to realized that I was emotionally bothered with my social relationships. The whole thing enlightened me and showed me that the things happening to me are caused by rejection and criticism. But not just ordinary people. These are individuals I entrusted my whole life with. These people failed me big time because they brought toxicity and negative vibes to my life.

I Was Able To Talk About My Past Openly

Those people who knew me would agree when I say that I am a forgiving person. I don’t usually talk about stuff, especially if that already happens in the past. For me, digging something that should have been forgotten will only lead to sadness and lots of disappointments. Thus, as much as possible, whether things are okay or not, it is much better to stay in the past.

However, the problem with that was my inability to resolve past issues. I do not want to talk about what went wrong before because I am afraid to handle reality, which is the truth. Fortunately, counseling made me look at that ideology differently. Counseling ensured that looking through my past and talking about it was one way to deal with its unresolved issues and eventually heal.

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I Was Able To Troubleshoot

I can count all the days were I stumbled and failed with my relationships with others. I must say, I am not that good when it comes to social connection. I get distracted easily, especially when individuals I cared about didn’t appreciate me as much as I do. I get too overwhelmed with people who kept on telling me they care, but they completely do not. I easily get disappointed for not being part of these people’s world because I believed I should be.

With counseling, I realized that I needed myself more than I needed others. Yes, it would feel like heaven when people appreciate you. However, I began to think that I do not need their appreciation anymore. If that was a thing I can only obtain by sacrificing my emotional and mental health for them, it was not worth it. I needed myself more than I needed their approval. Counseling made me realized that I could choose to live happily alone instead of trying to fit in other people’s unappreciative world.

I Was Able To Understand My Counselor’s Goal

Opening up to a stranger was not my thing. I always felt that it was too damn hard to do. Perhaps that was due to this mentality where I get stuck with “I do not want to be judged or criticized. “ I have this fear that when someone finally knows what’s going on, he would immediately tell the world how stupid I was for letting that happen. At some point, I don’t want people to see me as weak and vulnerable because I wanted to be seen as someone who can manage to deal with everything despite being alone.

I was at the core of trusting the process, but I don’t know where to start. But then, counseling made me realized that I was wrong. It showed me that I was harsh to myself for not wanting any assistance of all sorts. Counseling made me realize that my problems are not something I should deal with alone, and my counselor was right about that.

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Final Thoughts

I was so satisfied that the counseling process was not that stressful. I somehow felt like it was the best thing I did this entire time. Yes, it is not perfect, and its results vary. But I like how it affected my overall well-being.

 

We deal with stress all the time, and that is part of nature. Even if sometimes we want to get rid of it, we still end up worrying about something. Understandably, that is due to our limited capabilities. We do not have much control over the outcomes of every situation. Most of the time, when we are under a lot of pressure, we suffer emotionally, physically, and mentally. We face big changes in our lives and deal with uncertainties, making us work ourselves too much. And with that long-term exposure to stress, we suffer from series of conditions such as headaches, heart diseases, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, digestive issues, weight gain, poor concentration, and sometimes memory loss.

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Top Causes Of Stress

Every one of us sees situations differently. But most of the time, there is prolonged stress. With that, we can expect health problems. Therefore it is crucial to know the causes of stress that seem to complicate everything.

Unhealthy Lifestyle – Primary cause of stress is an unhealthy lifestyle. Not having a proper diet, not drinking enough water every day, not getting enough sleep, and not taking extra self-care leads to overall health problems. An unhealthy lifestyle reduces our ability to cope and heal emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Not Having Enough Time – Things in our lives can be demanding. Sometimes, it requires us to use all our energy and time only to get a task done. In some unfortunate instances, we deal with poor time management that makes us feel pressured and exhausted all the time. Thus, we end up failing ourselves for not being able to accomplish our responsibilities.

Trying Too Much – It is okay always to give our best. However, some situations do not require our most attention. The problem with stress is that we often put out mind and body into something that sometimes we know we can’t handle. That pressure leads us to unrealistic expectations of our goals. We take so much that we do not make an effort to consider our limitations.

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Unavoidable Conflicts Everywhere – A huge part of our lives revolves around social interaction. We need people to survive, grow, and develop ourselves. However, even if social connections help a lot in our developmental process, conflicts can stress. Unfortunately, there is no way one can stop that because misunderstandings happen all the time.

Taking Things Seriously – Another thing about stress is its inability to see the humor in certain situations. Stress often grows with fear and anxiety that stops us from essentially brushing aside the negative thoughts. Stress somehow hinders us from taking things at a slow pace.

What We Can Do To Fight Stress

Since stress is inevitable, we need to look for ways to reduce it. We have to understand that even if we do not have the power to change the situation, we can always choose a better response. With that, we need to immediately lock ourselves to a positive attitude to gain that healthy well-being.

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Listening To Music: There is nothing more soothing than listening to music. Music is known as the healer of the mind, body, and soul. It elevates mood and relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression. Music promotes better emotions, reduces stress, and provides comfort. It also boosts self-esteem and self-awareness.

Walking Outside: Aside from physical advantages like managed weight and lowered cholesterol levels, walking helps with mental problems. It is best for improving mood. Walking is a form of exercise that also releases endorphins in the body. These brain chemicals trigger positive feelings and help in positive stimulation. A 30-minute to an hour of walking a day can surely make a difference.

Dancing: Like walking, dancing is also a form of physical activity that promotes better balance. It is a great stress reducer as it helps activate the brain’s pleasure circuits to maximum potential. Dancing is a fun activity that provides satisfaction and happiness. It calms the body, sharpens the mind, and builds social connections.

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Gardening: Gardening may be a simple task, but it greatly helps with mood regulation. That is due to its ability to connect the mind and body to nature. It relieves anxiety, stress, and depression because it focuses only on the creativity and beauty of creations. Gardening allows us to spend more time with ourselves.

Journaling: Journaling is an excellent thing to do when it comes to dealing with stress. It provides clarity as it promotes internal awareness of past, present, and future experiences. Journaling reduces stress by providing an escape from the emotional dilemma. It becomes a release from the unwanted feelings and thoughts that are unspoken.

Watching Movies: Watching movies is people’s most favorite part of leisure. That is because it relieves stress almost in an instant. It offers a great sense of distraction that takes away negative thoughts. Watching movies interrupt the trouble of the continued cycle of rumination.

 

I was diagnosed with anxiety, and it is something that I wasn’t expecting. It took a toll on all the aspects of life. I became too anxious about almost everything, and I began to feel scared all the time, even without a particular reason. My anxiousness escalated, and it made me choose isolation. I distanced myself from family and friends, and I quit my job because I was too scared to make mistakes at work.

With all the changes that my mental health disorder has caused me, it made me realize one thing – I can’t let this continue. Yes, I am not emotionally and mentally unstable, but I know I have to regain myself back no matter what. Thus, I went to find the right coping strategies that I know will help me reduce my anxiety. And here’s the answers that I found from some of the frequently asked questions.

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How can I get rid of anxiety fast? 

You can immediately get rid of anxiety if you follow these tips. Exercise daily to allow yourself to feel good, take deep breaths, meditate, and prioritize your inner peace. Always get enough sleep and avoid drinking too many caffeinated beverages. Quit smoking and alcohol drinking. Take a bath regularly and eat a well-balanced meal.

Basically, this all means that a lifestyle change is a must. When I tried working on these tips, I somehow noticed positive changes in my mental health.

 How can you reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety? 

Self-care is the most recommended strategy to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety. These include prioritizing enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, getting physically active, and trying relaxation techniques. It also has a lot to contribute to having a healthy lifestyle and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.

There is no excuse for this. Once you get committed to doing it, you need to find the right motivation to continue the positive routine. Of course, there are slipups, but you should not feel discouraged about it and still focus on getting better health.

 What stops anxiety instantly? 

For immediate relief from anxiety, you need to identify and learn to manage your triggers. Try standing up, place your feet widely apart, position your body and shoulders straight, then breathe deeply. This proper posture, combined with minutes of deep breathing, helps your body calm and relaxed as it signals the brain that there is no danger in an instant.

Usually, 10 to 15 minutes of meditation works perfectly fine. As long as you do it regularly, there is a great chance that you will also feel comfortable with your mind and body.

 What helps severe anxiety? 

Severe anxiety can cause a lot of damage. Therefore, you need to learn to manage your triggers. Work on a daily self-relaxation or meditation routine to keep your body and mind active and healthy. If anxiety symptoms persist, adapt cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or ask a doctor about possible medications.

Note that symptoms vary from one person to another. If you think that your mental health condition is getting way out of hand, seek professional help immediately. That way, you can develop better strategies to deal with the mental condition together with your doctor’s help.

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 What to drink to calm nerves? 

The calming drinks you can add to your favorite list are kava tea, warm milk, valerian root tea, and peppermint tea.

These are natural drinks that provide great benefits with fewer side effects.

 Can anxiety have physical symptoms? 

Yes. The anxiety that is related to GAD manifests in certain physical symptoms like insomnia, restlessness, stomach upset, and fatigue. You can also consider the feelings of nervousness and restlessness and experience a sense of danger, which potentially increases heart rate.

When you feel like these physical manifestations are present, make time to ask for a consultation. It is always better safe than sorry.

 Does anxiety go away when you ignore it? 

No. Ignoring your anxiety will not help as it does not make it go away. Unfortunately, the relentless thoughts continue, and you can’t just stop thinking about your stressors instantly. It would help if you found a better way to manage anxiety to the best of your ability.

 How long can anxiety last? 

Heightened anxiety attacks usually happen within 10 minutes. It rarely lasts more than 30 minutes, depending on the coping mechanism used by an individual. But during that short time, a person may experience the severe terror that makes him feel as if he is about to die.

 What triggers anxiety? 

Anxiety triggers include health issues such as cancer or a chronic illness. It can also come from medication, caffeine, skipped meals, financial concerns, negative or overthinking, pressure, social events, conflict, stress, and other personal triggers. There is no exact moment as to where anxiety hits, so it is essential to recognize the possible cause.

 How do you stop being nervous? 

To overcome nervousness, remind yourself that it is normal in any uncomfortable situation. Sometimes, it can even help keep you in a positive headspace. Release your anxiety by breathing deeply. Visualize calmness and change your focus. You can also take time to express your feelings by talking to someone that understands your condition. It could be your family, schoolmates, workmates, friends, or significant other.

Does CBD help anxiety? 

Yes. A recent clinical test showed that CBD could effectively reduce certain anxiety conditions such as social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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 What vitamins are good for anxiety? 

The vitamins recommended for anxiety reduction include Vitamin D, Vitamin B complex, L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Omega-3, valerian root, and magnesium.

But before taking any of these, please be mindful to ask your doctor for prescriptions. Avoid taking over-the-counter medicines for your anxiety disorder as they may cause harm in the long run if not properly administered.

 Can you self treat anxiety? 

Self-treating a mental health condition is possible, but not all times reliable. Managing anxious feelings is quite effective when it often involves relaxation techniques and an active lifestyle. However, if these changes and health measures do not bring anxiety under control, you need to consult an expert or a mental health specialist to gather other treatment avenues.

 What is a drug that calms you down?

Benzodiazepines are drugs that are common prescribed by therapists. It is also called minor tranquilizers or sedatives that control different levels of anxiety. It quickly works, normally bringing immediate relief within 30 minutes to an hour.

Takeaway

You must learn more about your anxiety before deciding on taking a few steps. Be mindful that your mental health condition requires a definite solution. Don’t take your well-being for granted.

Stabilized mental health is significant in a lot of ways. It can make you create better decisions, allow you to think positively, and make you cope with problems and enjoy life to the fullest. There is nothing more soothing than having peaceful and clear thoughts despite all the uncertainties around. I’ve observed a lot of people do everything to keep their mental health intact. While some prefer to use clinical methods such as therapy and medication, I see others who work things their way. I know some individuals that choose gardening, cooking, sewing, and other productive things like that. Some also turn to music, where they venture into composing songs and playing musical instruments. Others also find comfort in art, where they try and learn to draw and paint. Then some individuals like to sit on the couch, read some books, or binge-watch movies.

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Genuinely, people can do a lot of things to keep their emotional and mental health in check. But of course, it is essential to note that not all those activities apply to everybody. Meaning, not because exercising can soothe your mood, that does not mean it can ease mine. Some situations may look alike, but the necessary actions vary. Of course, some levels of mental distraught are different for all individuals. That explains why I tend to have other ways to keep my mental state in one piece. Let me walk you through what I prefer doing when I am having a mental breakdown.

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Dressing Up – One of the things I often do every time I feel emotionally and mentally vulnerable is to dress up. Whenever I feel sad and lonely, I usually choose an extraordinary dress and wear it. Sometimes, I go overboard with my clothes and accessories. Sometimes, it gets to me that some individuals find it weird and funny that I dress up extravagantly despite being at home. The funny thing is, other people find it an odd hobby, especially when I am in the midst of supposed understanding my life situations, but then I choose to look different. I know quite a few people question this method as they believe it is a very uncharacteristic way of dealing with stress. It is time-consuming, sometimes messy, and way out of line. But hey! Not because I am not emotionally and mentally okay, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have to look good. At least at this stage, I can convince myself that I am still pretty even though I am mentally unstable.

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Putting A Lot Of Makeup – Some people laugh at me sometimes for wearing too much makeup. All they say is that I should not put too much chemical on my face because it will ruin it. Honestly, I don’t mind even if those chemicals soon get stuck on my face. And even if people call me a drag queen, I will not listen to that comment. They can say whatever they want because I am not willing to listen to their opinions. Wearing heavy makeup makes me feel confident and empowered. Therefore, other people’s cosmetic standards won’t have even a single impact on my choice. I put a lot of makeup on my face because I want to, and I know I shouldn’t have to explain myself for that. If people find it too much, that is their problem and not mine. Because for me, the only thing that will and should have to matter is the way I look at myself. And if having too much makeup gives me that sense of empowerment, why would people’s opinion matter?

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Talking To Myself – Amusingly, I find it relieving every time I see myself cry or laugh. It is as if I am looking at a person with the same personality as mine that I can criticize from head to toe. When I am emotionally and mentally unstable, I talk to myself in front of the mirror. Regardless if someone sees me, I don’t care. I pretend these judgmental people do not exist at that particular moment. But unlike other people, I don’t encourage myself. Instead, I say degrading things the way I want to. Of course, it does hurt a lot every time I throw myself some insults. But the way I see it, I want those hurtful words to sink in. I want to tell it to myself first before anyone uses it against me. I want to experience how damaging it would feel to humiliate yourself. Surprisingly, it works fine because other people’s opinions begin to lose their impact on me. I guess sometimes it is helpful to test yourself emotionally. I don’t encourage or sugar-coat to boost my self-confidence. I know I am not perfect, and that’s it. And looking at the mirror telling myself that I am not perfect; it just makes me want those imperfections more.

These are just my ways of dealing with mental health issues. If in case you want to try it, go ahead. But if these don’t work for you, change your ways.

There are a lot of kid-friendly films on Netflix. However, having too many options would be quite a hassle if you are looking for a movie that can entertain both you and your kids. Good thing we have here a list that can round up the best family-friendly movies to can satisfy you and your children’s binge-watching moment.

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure 1985 – It is a cult classic movie that is notable for so many reasons. It is Paul Reuben’s famous role under the directorial debut of Tim Burton. It is a story of Pee-Wee who goes on a big adventure to find his stolen bike. From his journey, he encounters a lot of crazy and wild funny shenanigans on the way. It is a classic comedy entertainment that is refreshing, silly, quirky, creative, and superb. So if you and your kids are up for an entertaining and funny film, this one should be on the list.

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The Princess Diaries 2001 – There is no way you and your children wouldn’t like this clean and endearing film. From the director of pretty woman, runaway bride, and Valentine’s Day comes to this decent teen romantic comedy that will warm your heart. The movie’s essence attempts to break stereotypes of living in a dream. It represents passion, happiness, and life, despite being under pressure. It tells a moral lesson that change is okay, but not always for the better. Watching this film will make you appreciate life and look at it in a brighter and more positive angle.

Ella Enchanted 2004 – It is a movie that is fun, pure, and simple. You and your kids should watch this movie if you like romance and fairy tales. It is a story of Ella played by Anne Hathaway, who receives a visit from her fairy godmother, Lucinda. She presented the magical talent where Ella obeys anything that she is told to do. It somehow turned into a curse than a blessing, though. So to break the spell, Ella embarks on a journey to find Lucinda. Honestly, if you enjoyed this movie when you were a kid, your children will feel the same.

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High School Musical 2008 – The casts, all the songs and everything about this film, is perfect. It is a movie that you and your kids would watch many times. There are engaging songs with great choreography, and the whole soundtracks kept getting better and better. It somehow makes you break free. Your children will love how energized and lively the characters are. The movie also reflects an American High School struggle, which in some ways, your kids can relate.

Paddington 2014 – It is a charming live action that retells the classic kids’ tales. It is a story of a bear that travels from Peru to arrive in London. It is a relatable story because of the struggle of a bear trying to adapt to a new life while avoiding trouble and a hateful taxidermist. Honestly, it could have been just another generic live-action/ 3D-animated children’s movie. But fortunately, it delivers a wonderful story with lovable characters and solid humor. There are warmth and wit that were so appealing in this film which can make you conclude that every actor and actress does their job perfectly.

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Beauty And The Beast 2017 – Who wouldn’t love the live-action remake of the Disney Renaissance classic, not to mention the role of Belle played by an all-time kid-favorite actress Emma Watson? The film will surely not disappoint you and your kids’ expectations. There’s a comfortable, understated level of acting that sets up to compare future magical moments. The film is made with visually amusing effects throughout with colorful sets and scenery. It will help you and your children appreciate the masterpiece of an excellent job of bringing an animated character into life.

Dr. Strange 2016 – Perhaps your first real exposure to Doctor Strange was in The Super Hero Squad film. However, Doctor Strange is another reasonably straightforward movie that elaborates on a hero’s journey. He loses his hands in a tragic car accident. But despite that, he ends up gaining something further meaningful. The film delivers an incredible action film with great action scenes and mind-bending visual effects and creativity. It also contains powerful dialogues and energetic performances that add to the quality of storytelling.

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A Dog’s Journey 2019 – Perhaps this is one of the best movies you should need to watch first. It is an emotional and sweet film that pays tribute to a never-ending bond between a dog and his human best friend. The film appears to be liked by everyone because it is so relatable and realistic. This beautiful film shows excellent acting, and the storyline was perfect as well. You and your kids would have a surreal experience watching the reincarnation of a dog and its quest to find its purpose. Somehow, it would make you fall in love with dogs even more.

 

We are all now at home, out of society and out of our routine. The coronavirus pandemic has returned so much personal time in our hands. Why not put it into something that will benefit you? Like blogging? Here are some reasons why you need to start blogging now.

To Reduce Stress And Anxiety

We all know that everyone has been feeling anxious and stressed out these past few months. The coronavirus pandemic pulled us out from our usual routines and physically disconnected us from our friends and loved ones. So, writing a blog about yourself, about your day-to-day experience while in quarantine – your “quaranthings“, can help relieve this stress. 

According to Michael Smith, Ph.D., “Writing about positive emotions may help to reduce stress and anxiety.” He adds that “Earlier research has also found that writing about negative emotions – getting things “off your chest” – can improve your mental health.”

Also, stress affects your body since it puts a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. So, by writing to reduce stress, you are also taking care of your physical health! 

To Learn And Develop New Skills

Did you know that blogging is more than just writing? Managing your blog and creating content for it helps you develop skills in designing, search engine optimization (SEO), content management and creativity. These skills that you learn from blogging – the technological and creative skills – are some of the necessary competencies you will need to thrive in the future.

So, now that you have more time in your hands why not start blogging and get a jumpstart at developing those skill?

To Meet New People

Since your blog is online and on the internet, people from around the world have access to it. So, blogging is also an avenue for you to meet new people in the comforts of your home. You will find a community who shares the same passion and drive that you have – regardless of what the niche of your blog is.

And now that we are facing trial times and disconnection why not try to reverse the effects of being disconnected? Connect with people around the world through your blog.

To Have Access To New Opportunities

Whether your blog is about yourself or your business, it opens you up to new opportunities, globally. 

The pandemic has put a toll on the global economy and has made a lot of people lose their jobs. And blogging is connecting you to a lot of people—from almost anywhere around the globe. And these people can be a market and a potential source of income. Putting up a blog for your business is also an excellent way to build up its reputation and reach in the online community.

Likewise, blogging also opens up a lot of opportunities for you, even if your blog is a personal one. You may find out that you have a knack and passion for writing or that you have skills to share with other people. Especially now that people are at home and online, the opportunities become endless.

To Earn A Passive Income

Like what I have mentioned above, blogging can let you earn a passive income. It will not happen off-the-bat, but it can be a reality with proper blog management. Even personal blogs can earn from ads and affiliate marketing. 

Also, blogging can help other people earn income. Because once your blog has a maximum reach, you’ll have the opportunity to hire people to help you maintain it. And now that a lot of people needs a job, this will be extra helpful.

To Express Yourself Creatively

A personal blog or a business blog is a creative outlet. And the benefits of creativity is not limited to boosting your artistic skills. It also makes you happy. Being happy increases your happy hormones in your body, therefore improving your immune system as well. And lastly, being creative makes you smarter too.

To Do Something Fun And Easy

The final reason you need to blog now is that it is easy. Blogging is way easier than you think. Initially, you do not need to be super tech-savvy to run and create your blog. It will even take you less of a day to find a web host, design your blog, and upload your original content. You have loads of time in your hands, and you need to do something fun now – blogging.

It may seem that blogging is that last thing we need to do while being cooped in our homes. But it is easy and fun and has loads of benefits. So, why not start blogging today?