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A Therapist on the Benefits of a Holistic Approach to Mental Health

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When Anita Phillips, Licensed Social Worker-Cwas a child, watching her older sister struggle with mental health issues. At the time, it was unclear what to do in such a crisis because there have been no open conversations about mental illness. “When she first started struggling, there was no conversation about mental health,” she says. “My parents, who were pastors, didn’t deny the belief in mental illness and instead prayed. It just wasn’t on the list of options for explaining her problem.”

That experience led Phillips to a profession as a therapist, specifically a trauma therapist, and a big part of her work helps people take care of their mental health while also accepting the many other parts of who they’re and what their mind, body, and spirit require. That includes being spiritual beings. In addition to being a therapist and life coach, Phillips can be a minister.

“I had big questions at the intersection of mental health, spiritual health, and relational health, and that led me into this field,” she says. “I became a trauma therapist, so I wanted to share what I had learned from a lifetime of searching and living. I wanted to share it with people who might have big questions at a complicated intersection, just like I did.”

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And one of the most complex intersections for some people is balancing mental health with spiritual practices. As history goes, black people were once resistant to therapy and conversations about mental health because of religion. According to Pew Research Center survey, 97 percent of black adults consider in a higher power, and 59 percent say religion could be very vital to them. But Phillips says that while there have all the time been encouragements to rely on one’s faith in difficult times, blacks have not really been immune to psychology when it’s needed.

“Black people know that healthcare has not always been a trustworthy and safe place for us, and that includes mental health care,” she says. “For a long time, the field of psychology has stigmatized people of color, their culture and their worldview, and psychology in general has stigmatized religion for a long time. And that has put black people in a double bind because not only are we people of color with a different cultural perspective, but we are also more committed to our faith. And it really wasn’t our fault.”

'Do It All': A Therapist on the Benefits of a Holistic Approach to Mental Health
Courtesy of Anita Phillips

Phillips adds, “We wisely protected ourselves from a field that wasn’t for us. So now that the field of psychology has expanded to be culturally competent and to embrace faith, and there are more black people who are mental health professionals, we are taking responsibility to translate the language of the mental health field into the language of our people, into the language of our faith. And we are seeing that change. So I reject the idea that black people stigmatized it or that we just wanted to pray about it. I hear that, but I really feel like it was more than that. I feel like the field that wasn’t necessarily meant to keep us safe is now trying harder to do that.”

As increasingly people search out therapists alongside their favorite virtual sermons, Phillips encourages us to delve into every little thing we want to feel our greatest. She has published a paper titled help people recognize their emotions and do the work needed—whether it’s a physical practice like taking a running class, reading the Bible, or releasing tension in a therapy session—to achieve optimal well-being.

“My encouragement is to do all of these things,” she says. “Often we try to decide where the problem is and then only respond there. So we think the problem is spiritual. Then we strengthen our spiritual practices. If we think it’s physical, we either want to take medication or do some exercise. When it comes to how we feel, I want us to have a holistic approach.”

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“So go to church on Sunday, go for a run on Sunday night, eat well during the week, and see a mental health professional,” she continues. “When was the last time you had a physical exam? Do everything. It’s not just one thing. We are gardens. I love my gardens. And in a garden, you have to have good seeds, good soil, light, and water. It’s all in a system. And I want people to not think of themselves in parts. My spirit is here, my mind is there. We are a system. And take care of every part, while you do everything. Your well-being as a whole is what matters most.”

Phillips adds, “The garden is a vast place, and I want people to accept their whole life, their whole set of experiences, their whole present, their whole past, their whole future, and make sure they have a healthy relationship with pain so they can get the most joy out of life.”

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Why wearing sweat and playing in sudoku can be good measures of your overall health

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While aging is inevitable, good aging is something that we can influence. It isn’t just concerning the number of candles on the birthday cake – whether you’ve got a puff to blow them up, balance to wear a cake and memory to recollect why you’re celebrating.

How we age Our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks, bones weaken, slow response times. But this doesn’t mean that we’re all intended for the longer term of walks and daytime television.

Aging isn’t about staying free from wrinkles-it will remain independent, mobile, acute mental and social. In gerontology, There is a saying: We wish to add life to years, not only for years of life. This means specializing in quality – the power to do what you’re keen on, move freely, think clearly and enjoy sometimes with others.

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There is not any universal definition, but some easy home tests can provide you with a good idea. It doesn’t require a elaborate laboratory – only a toothbrush, a stopwatch and a way of humor.



Oscillate

One funny (and surprisingly useful) way of testing the balance is to face on one leg when brushing teeth. If you can do it for 30 seconds or longer (eyes open), that is an incredible sign of lower body force, coordination and stability of posture.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ46e0w0w

Found a study 2022 The incontrovertible fact that individuals who couldn’t balance one leg for ten seconds had an 84% higher risk of death in comparison with the median statement of seven years than those that could. As such, balance is like superpower for healthy aging – it reduces falls, supports mobility and can be improved at any age.

Grip

The strength of adhesion is greater than just opening jars. It is a strong overall health indicator, predicting heart health, cognitive functions and even a risk of mortality.

Studies show that for each 5 kg it reduces the strength of grip, risk of death For all reasons, it increased by 16%.

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You can test the grip power using a manual dynamometer (many gyms or clinics have them) or just concentrate to on a regular basis tasks-the bottles, moving food or tools turn into harder?

Floor feat for the feet

Can you sit on the ground and stand up without using your hands? This test is an actual measure of the strength and flexibility of the lower body, that are vital for each day activities and reduce the chance of falls. If you can do it, you’re in great shape.



If it is simply too difficult, try the SIT-to-Stand test. Using a chair (armless), see how much Transition to the Setting on Stand You can do in 30 seconds. This task is a good measure Lower limb function, muscle balance and strengthIt can also predict people threatened with falls AND Cardiovascular problems.

Mental sharpness

Cognitive functions can be measured in alternative ways, but some basic home tests are surprisingly eloquent. Try to call as many animals as possible in 30 seconds. Less than 12 may indicate anxiety; Over 18 is a good sign.

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Try the spelling “world” back or bring a brief list of three elements after a number of minutes. This skill is a vital strategy Increase memory in the elderly. Add a challenge for puzzles, sudoku or learning a brand new skill. This kind of “verbal liquidity” and memory reminder tests are easy ways to detect early changes in brain health – but don’t panic whether it is empty sometimes. Everyone forget where they generally left the keys.

Lifestyle matters

There is not any magic ball for good aging – but when it existed, it might probably be a mixture of exercises, weight loss program, sleep and social connections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si_tjyyzy0

Hi Best studied strategies activate:

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Daily movement: Walking, resistance training, swimming or tai chi maintain a powerful balance of muscles and bones and supporting the balance and health of the center.

Healthy nutrition: AND Diet in the Mediterranean style – wealthy in full grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts – is related to higher brain and heart health.

To sleep: Seven to nine hours of prime quality sleep bracket, resistance and mood.

Connection: Some studies suggest that loneliness is just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Stay involvedJoin the club, volunteer or simply raise your phone to your friend.

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If you can balance one leg when brushing your teeth, wear a potato bag up the steps and name 20 animals under pressure, you’re doing thoroughly. If not (yet), it’s okay, these are skills that you just can construct in time. Aging means a proactive approach to health: making small, consistent decisions that lead to raised mobility, clearer considering and richer social connections.

So tonight give a challenge for one leg to your teeth. Your future self can thanks, especially in the event that they still have all teeth.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Chloe and Halle Bailey hit St. Lucia – with a children’s halo in the mix

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Chloe and Halle Bailey hit St. Lucia - with a children's halo in the mix

Instagram/@Hallebiley

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They may not sing together now, but Chloe and Halle Bailey are still doing every little thing different together, including for a very needed vacation. The sisters packed their bags and went to Happy Place Chloe, St. Islands Lucia. But it wasn’t just a sister’s escape. Halle took her one -year -old son, Hello, to enjoy the sun and sand (and sleep, after they show photos). They stopped in the wonderful Landing Windjammer center, surrounded by transparent blue waters and greenery. “It was our first sister journey from a minute and we both just wrapped our films, feeling more blessed than ever,” she wrote. Chloe also explained that the center is a personal favorite for her.

“I feel free again in my house, st lucia !!!! Oh, how I missed you !!!” she wrote. “Thank you @windjammerlanding for always taking care of your girlfriend.”

During the holidays, Halle opened to something that many ladies are struggling with – weight gain. The 25-12 months-old singer, who wore swimwear on the pictures of the journey, jumped on Snapchat to debate what she feels about her body after the birth of the child.

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“I’m a bit thicker at the moment than usual. And I do not really know – it’s a bit uncertain of it.

The actress gave birth to her charming twin Halo Granberry in December 2023 with rapper and YouTuber DDG. The former couple separated lower than a 12 months after Halo. During her conversation, Snapchat Bailey shared how her weight hesitated after delivery.

“So I felt like my body was coming back to the place … I thought I did it then, but it was still very free. Now I am 25 years old, I just have the impression:” Oh, the burden is more holding. “Okay.” I did not have time – that is my first break.

Then Bailey shared how recently Tiktok did with her sister Chloe during the journey, she caused a part of her uncertainty about her weight and body weight gain.

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“Yesterday, me and Chloe, we were on the beach and we did the fun of Tiktok and then a little bit of it. Smelling with this text and I asked:” Hey, can you are taking it off because I feel really bad due to my body, “she said. “Some people ask,” Why is it removed? “It’s due to me.

The star then stated that she was going to work to embrace her body and lean into love for himself.

“But today I say,” I’ll feel higher. ” I will not be too much because I was working on a really nice job that I just finished. “So my message for today that I tell myself:” Enjoy the moment. Don’t be too difficult for myself and let yourself live a little and have fun. “

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Black MDS question removing Dei from the criteria of the medical school

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Black doctors, medicaid, low-income patiens


On May 19, the Medical Education Committee (LCME) voted in favor of removing the partnership and variety programs from the assessment criteria for medical schools awarding “MD” degrees, citing growing repression at the level of diversity, equality and integration.

According to the Committee indicated That these repression is contrary to the standards of the accreditation body, and the abandonment of the standards of diversity would allow them to find out “a single set of accreditation expectations with which all schools, regardless of their location and the current legislative environment, must be consistent.”

A spokesman for the liaison committee also said from the market that the committee made a call after “caring and careful consideration and discussion”, but regardless of what made them come to eliminate diversity from assessment criteria, doctors who worked on increasing the diversity in the field of medicine said that this was determining their efforts.

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Dr. Virginia Caine, president of the National Medical Association, a corporation representing black doctors, said that the decision made “stunned”.

“We are simply stunned by this decision made by LCME,” she said, then pointed to research indicating that black patients often have higher health results and are involved more once they are treated by black primary care physicians.

“We have such a rich and amazing story of talented black doctors,” Caine, who can also be the director of the Public Health Department at Marion County, Indiana; He told about the mouth. “If we knock out access before they enter medical schools or academic schools, we will simply be a nation that is not so creative, not so innovative and is not so successful.”

According to numbers from the Medical College Association, although the percentage of black doctors increased from 2.6% in 2019 to five.2% in 2022.

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On May 22, also National Medical Association issued an announcement Convonance of attacks on diversity, equality and inclusion by the federal government.

“Dissemination of federal administration limitation of diversity, equality and integration (DEI) negatively affect access to medical education for the next generation of black doctors. Medical education liaison committee (LCME), ancient medical education schemes, resulting in a physician of medicine, and jointly sponsored by the Association of American medical universities and American universities Medical Association, and voting to eliminate its various programs in the scope of these changes.

In addition, although there are over 150 medical schools in the United States, medical schools at Four Hbcus, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Meharry University they mainly exceed white institutions As for the production of black doctors, which further emphasizes the Caine point.

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According to Dr. Osose Obeh, who graduated from staying in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins University after graduating from the Michigan State University, the transition from LCME together with the repression of diversity, equality and inclusion is “discouraging”.

“There is an attack on something that is really good,” said Obah. “The variety has been renamed as it gives the opportunity to uncouled people, while in reality exposure to qualified people increases.”

Confirming Dr. Caine’s previous statements about how black patients engage with black doctors, Dr. Obah told about the case when she had to present black patients bad news.

“They (patient’s family) were very grateful that I received it from me,” said Obah. “They understood why we were taking the steps we are taking and why we intend to conduct the interventions we intended to do. They felt as if nobody explained it to them.”

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(Tagstranslate) National Medical Association (T) Medical Field (T) Diversity

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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