Welcome to the New Year – January 2015
Welcome to the New Year!
How is your new year going? This month we are bringing you topics like how to trick your brain into sticking to those new year’s resolutions, as well as information on stress, PTSD, and anxiety. We want to guide you to full wellness in this new year and help you release any ails from 2015.
Psychological Tips for Maintaining Your New Year’s Resolutions
The new year is a great time to reassess yourself, your health, the habits that are working for you, and the ones that aren’t working. It’s easy enough to make a goal for the new year but sticking to it is more than just a matter of willpower and motivation. Willpower and motivation will initially get you on the right path, but rarely do they keep you on track to forming new habits. That is because willpower and motivation reserves vary from person to person and levels decline as you use them. For example, studies show that willpower for healthy eating habits are strongest at the beginning of the day and decline as the day progresses. To move pass relying on the initial willpower and motivation of your goal(s), step forward into creating a new brain framework for your goal with these steps. Adjust appropriately to your goal and see how you can stick to it! Below are the general steps; but for further details visit pickthebrain.com.
1. Set small goals that lead to your larger goal.
2. Use triggers or visual ques for building automatic associations.
3. Do it early in the day when willpower is high.
4. Be prepared with everything you need daily and in advance.
5. Make it as convenient as possible.
6. Make it fun.
7. Don’t “Break the Chain”.
Click here to read more about these steps…
How Stress Effects the Brain
Stress and anxiety are a big part of our modern lives. If you have tried to cope with stress and anxiety on your own and are finding you need help, make an appointment and get relief today. Let us help you deal with stress and anxiety on a mind-body level for a deeper solution.
Treating PTSD, Panic and Anxiety
“Researchers at Columbia University’s Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and the Department of Neuroscience at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have identified a cellular circuit that helps the mouse brain to remember which environments are safe, and which are harmful. Their study also reveals what can happen when that circuitry is disrupted–and may offer new insight into the treatment of conditions such as post traumatic stress, panic and anxiety disorders.” Read more
Stress Reduction in a Bowl
There are some key foods that are helpful in reducing stress. Try out this Avocado and Quinoa Bowl recipe from A Couple Cooks for a stress reducing meal.
Avocado & Quinoa Bowl
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 small head cauliflower
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 carrots
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1 avocado
- 6 radishes
- 16 cups spinach leaves
- Kosher salt
Recipe and photo from A Couple Cooks. For full instructions click here.
For other stress relieving foods that you can create your own recipes with, see this infograph from livestrong.com.
Thank you to everyone who donated to Long Beach Rescue Mission! With your donations of jackets, blankets, and dress clothes you have helped people be warm and aid in recovering from homelessness this holiday season. You rock!
SPOTLIGHT: Non-Profit Organizations Doing Amazing things!
“The Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP) addresses the mental health and cognitive needs of warriors returning from war. CSRP provides military rehabilitation services at key stages during a warrior’s readjustment process.
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat/operational stress are common after war-time experiences, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) approaches these issues from the warrior’s perspective. We understand the stigma attached to mental health, access to care, and interpersonal relationship challenges.
Our approach to meeting mental health veterans services is two-fold:
- We challenge warriors to think about goal-setting and understanding their “new normal.” Many warriors begin their journey with Project Odyssey®, an outdoor, rehabilitative retreat that promotes peer connection, challenging outdoor experiences, and healing with other combat veterans.”
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyH6SfpRTNA |
Wounded Warriors is an important organization to Dr. Groves. As a vet, he regularly participates and donates to this cause and would like to share the organization’s contribution to our vets with you. We are highlighting the Odyssey Project for the vets who suffer from PTSD upon returning home from war. Thank you for reading and learning about the Wounded Warriors Project. Click here to donate to Wounded Warriors.
