<![CDATA[Des Plaines Wellness - Blog]]>Tue, 14 May 2024 16:05:38 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Diet and Mental Health: Tips from a Clinical Professional Counselor]]>Sun, 04 Sep 2022 15:14:38 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/diet-and-mental-health-tips-from-a-clinical-professional-counselor
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Are you eating well-balanced meals and snacks? Since our brain controls and regulates our body's vital functions, it is essential that our brain receives adequate fuel and oxygen. You might want to pay more attention to how you feel when you eat, and what you eat. 

Mental illness is ranked as a large contributor to the global health crisis, including depression, so it is critical to evaluate dietary strategies to overcome these conditions. If you are feeling stressed, try to avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugary drinks, processed foods and foods that are high in trans fats and saturated fats. Moderation is key.

Food alone isn't necessarily the answer. Getting exercise and enough sleep are essential in treating underlying mental health issues.

Here are a few tips:
  • Stay well hydrated and drink water throughout the day. Try to stay away from soft drinks and be aware of drinks that contain too much sugar.
  • Eat healthy fats, these include olive oil, avocado and coconut oil. These fats help to support your brain function.
  • Eat breakfast! Why? It breaks the overnight fasting period and replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness.
  • When you get hungry try to have a healthy snack, these include fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts and seeds, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, lower fat yogurt, lower fat cheese, whole grain bread, crackers and cereals.
]]><![CDATA[Coping with Mass Shootings]]>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:55:35 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/coping-with-mass-shootings
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The Highland Park Illinois mass shooting is the latest in an ever-growing list of national tragedies, leaving families and friends of the victims gripped with grief, anguish and despair.  In addition to those who experience direct loss, such events also take a toll on others, including those who witnessed the shooting, first responders, people who were nearby and those who hear about it through the media.

The effects of such violence reach many others. While the immediate survivors are most affected, the rest of society suffers, too. If you are affected directly or indirectly, please seek out assistance from a licensed mental health counselor as these first line traumatic events can potentially trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leading to depression and other illnesses. 

]]><![CDATA[Emotional & Mental Coping During Covid-19 Delta Variant Outbreak]]>Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:00:18 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/emotional-mental-coping-during-covid-19-delta-variant-outbreak
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Overcoming these waves of the pandemic due to surges of new strains of the variant has caused an emotional and mental dilemma.
Each of us reacts differently under stress. Here are some of the tips to protect your mental health during the continued pandemic.
  • Assess your mental health. Focus on your thoughts or changes with your behavioral pattern. Have a short self-evaluation of your mind and body to make sure that you are still mentally fit.
  • Get in touch with your loved ones, even just through phone calls and social media. Do not completely isolate yourself from the people you love and the outside world.
  • Try to avoid “fake news” by reading only from reputable sources of information such as newspapers and official health websites.
  • Wake up and sleep at the same time every day, eat healthy foods, exercise, don’t watch too much TV and take breaks from your cell phone.
  • Have your own financial plan. Having a budget could help you stretch your savings for the rainy days.
]]><![CDATA[Popularity of Telehealth for Mental Health Counseling]]>Sun, 06 Sep 2020 15:33:25 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/popularity-of-telehealth-for-mental-health-counseling
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Through this COVID-19 pandemic, Telehealth has become a very practical way to engage with licensed professional mental health counselors and psychotherapists.  Telehealth can be delivered using video-conferencing using desktop computers, cell phones and tablets.

Privacy and Security

When Telehealth is provided through a specialized online service, data is encrypted, your sessions are anonymous, and none of your information is stored.  Check with your mental health provider to ensure the service used adheres to HIPAA data privacy requirements.




]]><![CDATA[Telehealth in Illinois - Behavioral Health Therapy]]>Sun, 29 Mar 2020 13:47:27 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/telehealth-in-illinois-behavioral-health-therapyBlue Cross Blue Shield plan participants in BCBSIL's PPO and Blue Choice PPO plans are now eligible to participate in telehealth delivery methods for health care services including mental health care.

https://provider.bcbsil.com/provider/education/2020/2020_03_16.html
]]><![CDATA[Personal Growth Resolutions]]>Sat, 16 Feb 2019 13:55:35 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/personal-growth-resolutions
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Personal growth work helps improve all areas of life: financial, relationships, career, you name it.
Get started on your journey today.
Personal Growth Resolution #1 – Each day take a few minutes to set a specific spiritual intention
for the day—begin by expressing love, compassion, acceptance, and gratitude.
Personal Growth Resolution #2 – Simplify your life. Each day get rid of one object you
don’t need. Focus on what gives you joy. Get rid of everything else. 
Personal Growth Resolution #3 – Be of service to others. Make at least one person’s life
better every day.
Personal Growth Resolution #4 – Have an attitude of gratitude. Be grateful for what you
have and share.
Personal Growth Resolution #5 – Embrace change. Be courageous. Sweep away the past.
Get out there.
Personal Growth Resolution #6 – See the world as a place filled with abundance. Don’t be afraid.
The Universe provides.
Personal Growth Resolution #7 – Forgive yourself and others. Embrace your mistakes
(and theirs) as lessons. Don’t judge. Learn and move on.
Personal Growth Resolution #8 – Make decisions based on love and not fear. Fear breeds
anger and faulty decision making; love breeds compassion and better decision making.
Personal Growth Resolution #9 – Use your life-power to honor, love, and care for yourself.
Share that love to everyone around you.
Personal Growth Resolution #10 – Be open-minded, open-hearted, and filled with
forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love.
]]><![CDATA[Holiday Blues]]>Fri, 30 Nov 2018 17:43:26 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/holiday-blues
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Many people feel lonely, sad, anxious and depressed during the winter holiday season. There are many reasons why people feel down at holiday time.
  • Pressure to feel merry
  • Remembrances of holidays past
  • Reminders of loved ones lost
  • Loneliness
  • Financial hardship
  • In search of sunlight
Here are some ways to cope:

  • Seek sun and endorphins
  • Help someone else
  • Create your own traditions
  • Stay busy and avoid unstructured time
With a little bit of planning and forethought, the holidays can be wonderful.
]]><![CDATA[Curb Anxiety]]>Sat, 18 Nov 2017 00:31:22 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/curb-anxietyDo you know what to do in the moment when anxiety starts to take hold?  Here are some ideas.
  • ​Stay in the current.  Instead of worrying about what's going to happen, stay in the present.
  • ​Relabel what's happening. Remind yourself that you are having a panic attack, it's harmless and temporary.
  • Rethink your fears.  Do not fixate on worst case scenarios, think about how realistic they are.
  • Breathe in and out.  Deep and slow breathing helps you calm down.
  • Bring your mind back to the present.  Name 3 sounds you hear, move 3 parts of your body.
  • Just do something. Stand up, take a walk, throw garbage away.  Any action helps you regain a sense of control.
  • Stay away from sugar.  This can exacerbate anxious feelings.  Drink a glass of water or eat protein.
  • Share your feelings with a friend.  
  • Watch a funny show.  Laughing is a good prescription as humor could help lower anxiety as much as exercise.


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]]><![CDATA[What is Music Therapy?]]>Wed, 26 Apr 2017 21:15:20 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/what-is-music-therapyMusic Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship.  Music is used to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.

Music therapy interventions can be designed to:
  • Promote Wellness
  • Manage Stress & Anxiety
  • Alleviate Pain
  • Express Feelings
  • Enhance Memory
  • Improve Communication
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]]><![CDATA[Beat the Autumn Blues]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2016 13:27:13 GMThttp://desplaineswellness.com/blog/beat-the-autumn-blues
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Have you ever noticed your mood going down drastically just before the winter?  The autumn blues (dreadfulness) can be effectively bypassed by introducing just tiny changes in our daily lives.  It’s quite natural to feel a lack of energy when winter approaches. Nature is preparing for rest and probably has the same intentions as us.

If you are sick and tired of being in a bad mood and worn down, try some these methods for bypassing the autumn blues.

1) When you can, catch some sun
2) Make a list of your most popular songs and record them on a disc
3) Every night, before you go to sleep, write down on a piece of paper three things you can be      grateful for that day
4) Have a meal that is not on your weekly menu
5) Surround yourself with cheerful and energetic people
6) Regularly upgrade you knowledge
7) Go to the movies, listen to an exciting audio book, or go to the spa
8) Volunteer or do a good deed
9) When thinking “What if...?” focus on positive outcomes


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