Tag Archive for: meditation

Phone Apps to Use for Mental Health by Katelyn Millinor, LPC

/in ,

In recent months, there’s been quite a few mental health apps available to smart phone users. These, most often free apps, offer a wealth of resources at your fingertips. Our behavioral health expert, Katelyn Millinor, LPC, recommends the following apps for you to try out at home.

Anxiety/Depression

  • Happify – help reduce stress, overcome negative thoughts.
  • What’s Up – utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance commitment therapy to cope with anxiety, stress, and depression.
  • Sanvello – teaches cognitive behavioral therapy through journeys that combine videos, audio exercises, mood and health tracking.
  • Mood Kit – utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy for mood improving activities.
  • Worry Kit – short (under 2 minute) activities designed for those in between moments in life where you need to reset your brain.
  •  MoodFit – create/track daily goals, understand relationship between mood and lifestyle factors, gratitude journal, mindfulness.
  • Mind Shift – designed for teens and young adults with anxiety that focuses on riding out intense emotions and facing challenging situations.
  • IMoodJournal – record everything from mood symptoms, sleep, medications, and energy.
  • Panic Relief – better manage and move through panic attacks.
  • Breathe2Relax – teaches breathing techniques to manage stress.

Meditation

  • Calm – guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs, and relaxing music.
  • Headspace – meditation and mindfulness.

Other

  • Quit That! – help users beat habits or addictions (drinking, smoking, drugs).
  • eMoods – designed for people with bipolar disorder to track symptoms.
  • notOK – suicide prevention app that users can add trusted contacts and let them know they are not okay.
  • PTSD Coach – education, assessing, and offering easy to understand tips to manage common symptoms.

Treating Yourself to a Good Night’s Sleep by Dr. Xiao Kristin Liang, MD Family Medicine Resident, PGY2

/in ,

What better way to jumpstart your day than with a solid, restful night’s sleep? In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, there is still no substitute for a good old-fashioned snooze, which comes with numerous health benefits. These include improved mood, alertness, work or school performance, and even heart health.

Here are some ways to get the most bang for your buck while you catch those z’s! Also known as “sleep hygiene:”

  • Avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea in the afternoon.
  • Have a regular sleep schedule and stick to it, e.g. bedtime at 10 pm and alarm clock set for 6 am.
  • Sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet room.
  • If you are unable to fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing (see activities below) so that your body does not associate the bed with wakefulness.
  • Do something relaxing before bed such as drinking a warm beverage, reading a book, or meditating.
  • Avoid screen time before sleeping, as the blue light from phones and computers stimulates wakefulness.
  • Avoid drinking too much alcohol as it can disrupt your body’s sleep cycle.
  • Regular exercise, ideally in the morning or early afternoon, also improves quality of sleep.

Are you doing all of these things but still having trouble with falling or staying asleep? If so, you may have a sleep disorder. Our doctors at NOAH are happy to work with you to achieve your best sleep, health and wellness. Feel free to call us for an appointment at 480-882-4545.

group of people doing yoga in studio

Relax and Take Time for You

/in , ,

By Stephanie Olzinski, MS | Registered Dietitian

While eating well and exercising can be helpful in maintaining a healthy weight, relaxing is just as important to rejuvenate and rid your body of stress. Stress can attribute to negative physical symptoms, such as headaches, anxiety or depression, high blood pressure, and much more. Starting today, take at least 10 minutes every day to do something special for yourself:

Take deep breaths/practice mindful breathing.

  • Journal your feelings
  • Practice meditation or yoga
  • Do a puzzle or brain teaser
  • Go for a walk
  • Sketch or draw
  • Drink hot tea
  • Listen to music

Get into the habit of doing anything that allows you to unwind and clear your mind. Along with practicing mindful eating and tuning into your body, you will begin to feel more relaxed. Your NOAH Care Team is here to help you create and manage your healthy lifestyle habits. Need help setting or sticking to your goals? Schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian or counselor today.