June 21, 2018   •   Volume 11, Issue 25   •   Subscribe to Hope & Harmony Headlines

The Art of Self-Care

It’s common to toss out a “Take care!” when saying goodbye. The phrase has become ubiquitous—we don’t even think about taking steps to do just that.

Well, we should. Self-care is essential, especially when dealing with challenges that can make it tough to get out of bed for a shower, or slow down long enough to eat a meal.

Tracking moods, establishing and following routines, getting enough exercise and sleep—all of it supports a foundation for healthier living.

“Keeping yourself functioning properly is the basis for everything else,” says Lisa Butler, a professor of social work at the University of Buffalo.

Butler has identified six areas in which self-care skills need to be developed: physical, professional, interrelational, emotional, psychological and spiritual. With any of them, she notes, “the overarching principle of self-care is being mindful.”

A large body of research has shown that practicing mindfulness—being in the present moment without judgment—can help ease psychological stresses such as depression, anxiety and pain.

And an increasing number of studies are using theories of self-care as a basis for larger work, including developing and testing interventions to improve outcomes for patients with chronic diseases.

Giving yourself an extra helping of attention and concern helps with the day-to-day management of symptoms—and those benefits extend to others. It’s like that well-worn anecdote about putting on your own airline oxygen mask first; only then are you in a position to help someone else.

When consistently prioritized, good self-care supports healing. It’s all about maintenance, monitoring and management.

Beth Brownsberger Mader says she considers writing her column cathartic and an “exercise in self-care…I find out a little more about myself, track my illness and recovery, and sympathize with others.” Read more >>

Why Am I So Restless?

Restlessness can be a symptom of bipolar disorder and it is important to understand the impacts it can have on your life.

A video blog by Julie Fast

I’ve lived my life constantly changing jobs, locations, driving aimlessly, never being satisfied and always wondering what is wrong!

Bipolar disorder affects us physically. We often feel a need to get up, get out and get moving. This feels like a good thing in the moment, but the fallout is often less than positive. Not being able to settle creates a restless life that keeps us from staying in work we enjoy, sticking with relationships that have potential and reaching our own dreams. Watch Julie’s video >>

Are You ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree’ by Sleeping with Your Dog?

Let sleeping dogs lie … in the bedroom. That’s according to a new Mayo Clinic study that’s sure to set many tails wagging.

It’s no secret that Americans love their dogs. According to the American Veterinary Association, more than 40 million American households have dogs. Of these households, 63 percent consider their canine companions to be family. Still, many draw the line at having their furry family members sleep with them for fear of sacrificing sleep quality.

“Most people assume having pets in the bedroom is a disruption,” says Lois Krahn, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist at the Center for Sleep Medicine on Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus and an author of the study. “We found that many people actually find comfort and a sense of security from sleeping with their pets.”

The study, “The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment,” evaluated the sleep of 40 healthy adults without sleep disorders and their dogs over five months. Participants and their dogs wore activity trackers to track their sleeping habits for seven nights. Read more >>