Tips from a Psychiatrist for Good Mental Health in the New Year

Working in the field of mental health for over a decade I've seen all manner of mental health problems and difficulties strike a broad variety of people. In fact, none of us are free from occasional psychological hang ups - whether it's a bout of anxiety or despair in a situation we would normally be able to handle with relative ease or someone suddenly pressing our buttons out of the blue.

Through all my observations, I have found that one factor is central to all of these situations; be it anything from a row with a partner, a panic attack or a full blown psychotic episode, the fundamental problem is the same for everyone. It's a habit that every one of us is afflicted by almost on a constant basis - indeed no one in the human race is immune from it. It is the basis of the human condition and I can describe it in two words; over thinking.

Thinking is over rated. Take it from a guy who knows. I am a thought junkie - just like you.

After studying various therapies for over a decade I went to my first meditation class several years ago. I learnt a variety of meditation techniques and I discovered that what ever technique you use, all forms of meditation will bring you to the same realization - namely, that you are not your thoughts.

A study released by Julie Barlow, a Professor of Health Psychology at Coventry University, suggests one hour of meditation can be equivalent to eight hours of sleep. The list of benefits, in mental and physical health are enormous, as an ever growing body of research suggests. The reason for this, to my mind, is that it is the ultimate in holistic experience. It enables you to be with more of yourself than just that intellectual/cognitive driver in your head.

It's not about stopping your thoughts, mind you, it's about observing them. As soon as you start doing that, you'll be ready to probe (experientially) the ultimate question; who is observing who?

Then your journey of self discovery will begin...

Do it any way you want: Approach it any way you wish; sit, stand or even lie down - just find a moment (even 1 minute will do - that's how I started out) each day to be still and observe your thoughts. It is the ultimate self help program, and the best gift you could give yourself for the New Year.

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Dr Russell Razzaque earned his medical degree from the University of London, he is a member of the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists and is a Consultant Psychiatrist practicing in the British National Health Service. In 2009, after several years of development, he launched an online stillness based self help program - Sileotherapy - a unique combination of meditation techniques and Internet therapy:
http://www.meditation-therapy.net

Recovering From Anxiety Disorder By The Help Of Anxiety Support Groups

Recovering From Anxiety Disorder By The Help Of Anxiety Support Groups
Suffering from anxiety alone without anyone understanding your situation absolutely makes the condition worse. It is never good to suffer from anxiety, more so suffering in isolation. This is why anxiety support groups are created. It is surely hard for anxiety patients to get no help and empathy from family or friends about the whole situation.

We may not truly know how a sufferer feels until we go through the same situation. That is why it is essential to consult a professional who can completely treat anxiety disorder. Actually simple support groups for anxiety patients and suffers can be found within the home – mom, dad, sisters, brothers or extended members of the family or some friends with usual interaction with the anxiety patient and with utmost consideration and sympathy.

But then again, anxiety support groups are also found online. Even though internet is not a very ideal place for any anxiety patient to initiate treatment as there is no straight interaction, it still proves to be helpful. It may not be easy for patients with serious anxiety to communicate through blogs or emails, but these kinds of groups are encouraged.

Support groups build up online forums and geared up by helping people anxiety are also wanted by people with the disorder because of the helpful discussions, testimonials, suggestions and even techniques that helps in preventing anxiety and improving the person's health for the better stimulation. But you should always remember that online information should be verified and checked for authenticity because not all of these are constructive and true.

Certain organizations also support various websites that bring out the information for both online and local support groups. They are reliable groups that also offers information into the online sites. A patient must get the proper help from general practitioner. Doctor needs to support or be familiar as to where to locate the support groups within the locality. The group leaders are the ones who help in sustaining the good flow of the conversation in a very constructive domain.

In the beginning, just listening to patients relating their experienced or sharing with other anxiety victims may be painful and uncomfortable for you but the anxiety support groups are be able to connect them and you with to the reality of the disorder. These groups were actually created to help the sufferers top get through the condition and recover from it completely. These groups are proven and trusted for helping the ones who suffer from anxiety in order to attain a better life away from the condition.

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Do You Want To Know How To ELIMINATE WORRY AND ANXIETY from your life WITHOUT RISK? Discover more information about Anxiety Support Groups, visit http://www.controlpanicattacksnow.com .

Tips for High Scores on The Firefighters Entrance Exam

The main obstacle stopping you from becoming a firefighter is the firefighter's entrance exam. This examination can be difficult to pass; however, if you prepare properly you can pass and fulfill your dream of becoming a firefighter. Concentrate on the strategies that will make you a successful exam taker.

Jitters and Pressure?

Do you tend to get jitters and suffer panic attacks when you take examinations? If this sounds like you, then you need to get a grip and change your routine. This type of behavior will not help you pass the firefighters entrance exam. Firefighting jobs can be very stressful. If you aren't able to endure the pressure of taking the examination for this position, then you will never be suitable for the job.

Taking the Exam

In order to successfully pass the firefighters entrance exam, you must possess the qualities necessary to take tests. If you don't already have these qualities, then you must learn them.

1. Know how to follow directions. Applicants who fail usually don't follow directions well or not at all. Read them carefully and don't make assumptions.

2. Understand and be able to apply any information that you read. Try to guess the reasoning of the question. What purpose does it have on the exam? Knowing this can help you answer the question.

3. Problem Solving Skills. You must apply facts and information to everyday situations that may develop at a moment's notice. The examination tests your ability to think on your feet and react to any situation that develops.

4. Map Skills. Quite naturally, as a firefighter, you have to know your way around the city. How will you be able to locate a burning building if you are not able to read a map?

5. Basic Grammar and Math. This is a given. Brush up on your fractions, verbs, division, multiplication and sentence structure. Although basic, these things are necessary.

What Do You Know?

The firefighter's entrance exam will test you from all angles. Yes, in order to get one of the many firefighting jobs that are available, you have to be knowledgeable and able to think quickly on your feet. You must have a combination of book sense, street smarts and of course, common sense. Your superiors must be convinced that you are able to take facts, apply them and find an adequate solution.

It is understandable that you won't have the answers to all questions; however, you must have the skills required to find the answers? Do you know how to research and apply information to any situation that is thrown your way? In order to pass the firefighters entrance exam, you must have confidence and common sense to make an educated guess when you don't know the answer.

A firefighter's job is extremely stressful indeed. If you have the desire, street smarts, common sense and quick thinking skills that it takes to pass the firefighters entrance exam, then firefighting is a good fit for you.

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If you want to improve your Firefighter Exam Scores and your chances to become a Firefighter visit http://www.firefightersexam.com . You'll find proven firefighter exam strategies and practice tests.

Amateur Chefs Compete For Top Citrus Honors

For the 2005 Sunkist Citrus Challenge, hundreds of at-home chefs across the country proved that a splash of citrus can spice up any meal and inspire flavorful, fun and quick creations that any cook would be eager to share.

The national contest called for amateur chefs to enter their recipes in three categories: Entree, Quick & Easy and Citrus Celebre. Entrants from nearly 30 states submitted their signature, citrus-inspired recipes.

After much blending, sauteing, stirring and simmering, official Sunkist Citrus Challenge judges announced in March that they had discovered three excellent recipes bursting with citrus flavor. The winning chefs were Lisa Keys of Middlebury, Conn., Edwina Gadsby of Great Falls, Mt., and Nikki Norman of Milton, Tenn.

"It's a delight to see how the premium great taste and versatility of citrus inspired such creativity in the kitchen," said chef Nancy Swinney, one of the contest's head judges.

The winning recipes were evaluated by a panel of judges using the official criteria - taste, ease of preparation and accordance with a fun, wholesome and healthy lifestyle. Each winning chef was awarded $2,000 and a bounty of fresh Sunkist citrus fruit in order to continue treating friends and family to their flavorful recipes.

Keys submitted her Fire & Ice Citrus Steaks & Salsa recipe for the contest's Entree category, putting a distinctive spin on grilled steaks and typical salsa. This recipe calls for rib-eye steaks to be marinated in a delicate blend consisting of Moro orange juice and later grilled and smothered with a spicy and juicy salsa of navel oranges, jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro.

Gadsby's Asian Citrus Salmon Rolls, winner in the Quick & Easy category, is perfect for cooks who are running short on time. The salmon is marinated in a blend of juices, including orange and grapefruit, and hoisin sauce, Asian garlic chili sauce and Oriental sesame oil. The salmon is served inside fresh red-leaf lettuce and can be dipped in the citrus marinade sauce.

Norman's Warm Lemon-Basil "Martini" Cake with Toasted-Spice Citrus Tartar, submitted in the Citrus Celebre category, features enough citrus to dazzle the taste buds. It's topped with a combination of cinnamon, Minneola tangelos and Moro oranges. The outcome is a citrus-infused dessert served in a martini glass and topped with a turbinado sugar-coated rim.

A Hymn to Baked Potatoes

What better on a cold winter’s night, than to come home to a supper of crisp-skinned baked potato, piping hot, a knob of butter soaking into the fluffy centre. Perfect for days when you get home in good time but have a million things to do and cooking supper is last on the list. All you have to do is get the oven hot (200C), fling them in, (with a cross scored on the top, so they don’t burst and coat your oven with an irremovable patina of flaked potato) and leave them there for at least an hour, better an hour and a half. You can get on with everything else, secure in the knowledge that supper is cooking without you and then put together a few fillings at the last minute.

One of my favourite toppings is tuna. Just open the tin, drain, season with salt and pepper and some lemon juice (feel free to add mayonnaise if you like it but we don’t). Other hassle-free accompaniments are baked beans, grated cheese, left-over juices from last night’s stew. Any of these makes a tasty, nutritious meal with no fuss and best of all, one that most kids will eat...an enormous plus point for mothers everywhere.

A microwave hastens the process but leaves you with thin skinned potatoes that might do as an accompaniment to something else but lose the crisp appeal of the true oven baked article. If you are in a hurry, cook pasta instead and save your jacket or baked potatoes for a day when you remember to switch the oven on in time.

A variation to try with smaller potatoes: after washing, drying and scoring the potatoes, rub the skins with a little butter, then season with salt and pepper before baking to give you extra crispy, tasty skins that everyone will eat.

Another thing to try if you want to get fancy: once the potatoes are cooked, halve them, scoop out the insides, mix with a beaten egg, grated cheese, salt and pepper, heap the mixture back into the skins and return to the oven for another 15 minutes until the tops are golden brown. A meal in itself!

Cheap, filling, nutritious with the right toppings and needing the minimum investment of labour, the baked potato is every busy mother’s ideal supper!

Beauty Benefits of Hair Straighteners, Flat Irons, Curling Irons, Hair Dryers, and Hair Relaxers

From turning frizzy hair into a sleek and natural-looking style, millions of women around the world invest in quality hair straighteners, hair dryers, curling irons, and hair relaxers. Premium brands and companies are also investing in creating new products; the line of Sedu flat irons, Sedu hair straighteners, and ceramic hair straighteners are a popular choice for women interested in a basic style that stays in line with today's hairstyling trends. When the Solia flat iron was introduced, many women found this to be a better option than other flat irons on the market.

The process of drying hair, then curling, relaxing, or straightening it is one that takes time and the use of quality tools and products. If you are using the wrong hairstyling products, hair can easily become frizzy, damaged, and even break. This can lead to poor moisture and "dead" hair that is difficult or impossible to style. Finding the right hair dryer for the task at hand is just as important as finding the best styling tools, such as hair straighteners and curling irons. Hair relaxers are most commonly used for women with excessively curly, thick, or African American hair.

Americans spend approximately 7 billion dollars per year on hair styling equipment, salon visits, and general hair maintenance. Although there are many beauty benefits of staying ahead of the season's trends, changing the condition of the hair on a regular basis can cause hair damage.

Hair straighteners are one of the most popular ways to achieve a sleek and chic look, and many different methods have been tried. Still, one of the best ways to achieve this look is by using Sedu hair straighteners. These are combination of ceramic hair straighteners and ionic tourmalilne technology that make use of infra red heat. When a woman decides to use one of these tools, their hair becomes flat and free of curls without damage, because the heat they output is much less damaging than steam and standard flat iron hair straighteners in general.

Ceramic hair straighteners are becoming a popular choice because they are lightweight, can heat up quickly, and leave little damage to the particles of the hair. Women who do decide to straighten their hair at home need to find the best hair straighteners for their hair type, along with the best hair dryers for a complete routine. Many choose Sedu flat irons, simply for their ease of use and even heat distribution. The Solia flat iron is another popular choice and is constructed in a similar fashion as the Sedu flat iron.

Chi hair straighteners are another option for women looking to remove frizz and create a flat and sleek look. Chi hair straighteners first became popular with the Chi ceramic hairstyling iron. These hair straighteners and flat irons offer removable plates that also help protect the hair cuticle. Chi hair straighteners are designed in such a way that they help seal in color and moisture. Farouk Systems, Inc. is the only authorized manufacturer of the Chi hair products; finding an authentic model is an important part of the shopping process. Chi flat irons offer an adjustable temperature dial in addition to a flat heating option that provides intermittent heat for specific parts of the hair. Chi hair straighteners heat up very quickly, offering convenience and ease of use. The line of Chi hair straighteners is also available in three different sizes: Mini, Chi Turbo, and Big Chi Turbo.

When purchasing ceramic hair straighteners, especially Sedu hair straighteners or Sedu flat irons, it's important to set a budget. Most of the highlighted hair straighteners range in price from $100 to $150, and occasionally will be more expensive.

In order to make sure that the hair follicles and strands do not become damaged, the best hair straighteners are made with high quality ceramic plates. These units are designed to maintain steady temperatures and will prevent excessive heat damage from occurring. Hair straighteners made exclusively with metal plates, for example, will have uneven distribution and may lead to overheating of the hair. Sedu hair straighteners, as another example, have become famous for their steady heat regulation. This is why the ceramic hair straighteners are becoming the standard of choice for hair salons all over the civilized world.

The width of the ceramic hair straightener is important, since coarse hair types require the additional width. The size of the ceramic plates is also an important consideration when dealing with long hair, because once again, the larger plates can help provide a more even and consistent straightening of the hair. Many top quality hair straighteners and flat irons come with attachments for different sized plates. For women who are trying to be more creative with their hair, the different attachments can help with successfully creating these different hairstyles.

We recommend that you spend the extra time to discover which hairstyling equipment will best suit your everyday needs and your desires to be creative. Once you have purchased your hairstyling equipment, be sure to read the documentation that is shipped with it, so that you will have a full measure of the capabilities of your new hairstyling tools. Once you have received your new hairstyling tools, you will find that all of your "bad hair days" are a thing of the past.

Mobility Electric Scooters - Freedom for the Elderly

There would not be much excitement in life if you had to spend it sitting in a chair or lying in a bed every day. Relying on somebody else to perform simple tasks for you, such as getting a drink of water, can make you feel like you are nothing but a burden to others. If you or someone you love needs a boost maybe electric scooters are what you should be investigating.

It wasn't too long ago that the elderly and handicapped relied exclusively on others for their care and entertainment. But with the recent advancements in scooters many seniors or disabled people can now grab hold of some of their freedom again. Cheap electric scooters can allow the formerly bed-ridden or chair-ridden to travel as if they actually had legs that worked again. No more depression due to lack of independence. Returned is the ability not only to get yourself a glass of water, but to go out and get the morning newspaper or even take the dog for a walk. Getting out in the fresh air is something that may not have been possible for many without the assistance of electric scooters. Some people think of scooters as belonging in a sports category, but it's all recreation and assistance.

In my neighborhood there is an elderly gentleman that cruises down the sidewalk with his control lever in one hand and his dog leash in the other. Without his electric scooter there would be no fresh air for him. There would be no walking the dog or talking with the friendly neighbors he runs into (figuratively, not literally). He's free once again to roam the streets with his best friend Fido. What a great feeling that must be, to get out of the house for a short time each day when it used to be impossible. There's practically nowhere a person can't go these days with the help of these magnificent little vehicles.

There are a wide variety of scooters available to the public these days. Besides electric types there are gas, utility and foldable models. They all have their advantages under certain conditions. Kids love the compact and easy-to-handle foldable or Razor scooters. They are very cheap, often under $100, and make getting places a snap. They are also very inexpensive to operate once you own one. Kids use their scooters as motorcycles, but a scooter is so much more than a miniature motorcycle, they are a means of obtaining freedom for the elderly.

Gas powered scooters are more powerful, allowing the driver to travel further distances away from home. There are even larger touring models manufactured for the sole purpose of long distance travel. The touring types are bigger and heavier, and they consume a little more fuel, but they allow for long distance travel unlike the foldable, utility or mobility models.

Utility scooters are becoming very popular with different types of institutions such as school campuses, professional sports stadiums, golfers and big businesses. Have you ever seen a person driving a cart in a school parking lot, going from car to car looking for parking violations? In all probability they were driving utility scooters. And golf carts are just a modified version of this type. It's hard going to any large institution these days without running into a utility scooter of some type or another.

The electric models are very versatile and are used to perform many functions. They are used in the foldable and utility types most often. But perhaps where they perform their greatest task is in assisting the elderly or disabled. It wasn't too long ago that these mobility vehicles had a very limited distance, but with the advancement of batteries and their capacities they can now be used for an entire day before needing to be recharged. They can be driven all day and then plugged in at night for recharging while everyone is fast asleep. Then in the morning they are ready to perform their duties again for another day. What a wonderful gift to those that no longer have the ability to get around on their own.

Mobility electric scooters are different than the gas powered models. For one thing they will have at least 3, but usually 4 wheels. The reason for the extra wheels is stability. It's not too hard to lose your balance on a 2-wheel variety, but it's almost impossible with 4-wheels. With the extra stability that 4 wheels adds it makes the mobility electric scooters very safe for travel in and around the home. These handicapped models are bigger and heavier than other types which allows for better control and more storage. Electric scooters are here to stay. If chosen carefully it can become one of the best purchases ever made for the handicapped, disabled or elderly.

Managing Caregiver Guilt: 5 Tips To Manage Guilt So Guilt Serves You, Not Imprisons You

Guilt is a common feeling in the landscape of care giving. Guilt can propel you to be the best you can be …or it can immobilize you.

For caregivers, painful feelings -- such as guilt, sadness and anger -- are like any other pain. It’s your body’s way of saying, 'Pay attention.' Just as the pain of a burned finger pulls your hand from the stove, so, too, guilt guides your actions and optimizes your health.

You have a picture of the "Ideal You" with values you hold and how you relate to yourself and others. Guilt often arises when there’s a mismatch between your day-to-day choices and the choices the "Ideal You" would have made. The "Ideal You" may be a parent who attends all of the kids’ soccer games. Miss a game to take your dad to the doctor, and you think you’re falling short.

You may have needs out of line with this "Ideal You." You may believe that your own needs are insignificant, compared to the needs of your sick loved one. You then feel guilty when you even recognize your needs, much less act upon them. A mother may ask herself, “How can I go out for a walk with my kids when my mother is at home in pain?” (A hint for this mother: she can give more to her mother with an open heart when she takes good care of herself.)

You may have feelings misaligned with the "Ideal You." Feeling angry about the injustice of your loved one’s illness? You might even feel angry at your loved one for getting sick! Recognizing those feelings can produce a healthy dose of guilt. Yes, you may even feel guilty about feeling guilty.

“Why did my loved one get sick?” you may ask. Perhaps, if the "Ideal You" acted more often, your loved one would be healthy. What if you served more healthful meals? What if you called 911, instead of believing your husband when he said his chest pain was just “a little heartburn”?

If you’re the kind of person prone to guilt, learn to manage guilt so that guilt serves you rather than imprisons you. Here are 5 tips for managing your caregiver guilt:

Recognize the feeling of guilt: Unrecognized guilt eats at your soul. Name it; look at the monster under the bed

Identify other feelings: Often, there are feelings under the feeling of guilt. Name those, too. For example, say to yourself: “I hate to admit this to myself, but I’m resentful that dad’s illness changed all of our lives.” Once you put it into words, you will have a new perspective. You will also be reminding yourself of how fortunate you are to have what it takes to take care of loved one.”

Be compassionate with yourself: Cloudy moods, like cloudy days, come and go. There’s no one way a caregiver should feel. When you give yourself permission to have any feeling, and recognized that your feelings don’t control your actions, your guilt will subside.

Look for the cause of the guilt: What is the mismatch between this "Ideal You" and the real you? Do you have an unmet need? Do you need to change your actions so that they align with your values?

Take action: Meet your needs. Needs are not bad or good; they just are. If you need some time alone, find someone to be with your loved one.

Change your behavior to fit your values: For example, Clara felt guilty because her friend was in the hospital and she didn’t send a card. Her guilt propelled her to buy some beautiful blank cards to make it easier for her to drop a note the next time.

Ask for help: Call a friend and say, “I’m going through a hard time. Do you have a few minutes just to listen?” Have a family meeting and say, “Our lives have been a lot different since grandma got sick. I’m spending more time with her. Let’s figure out together how we’ll get everything done.”

Revisit and reinvent the "Ideal You": You made the best choices based on your resources and knowledge at the time. As you look to the future, you can create a refined vision of the "Ideal You." What legacy do you want to leave? What values do you hold dear? Then, when you wake up in the morning and put on your clothes, imagine dressing the "Ideal You." Let this reinvented "Ideal You" make those moment-to-moment choices that create your legacy.

Understand that you will be a more effective caregiver when you care for the caregiver first. Loved ones neither want nor expect selfless servants. As a caregiver, when you care for yourself, you increase and improve your own caring. Yes, guilt is part of caregiving, but this guilt can help you become the caregiver you and your loved one want you to be.