SOVA Blog

by Firefly ★

Judgement

September 27, 2017 in Educate Yourself

JUDGEMENT 

It’s a big word, and something no one wants to experience, especially from their health care provider. It might be even worse when it comes from your mental health care provider (e.g., therapist, counselor, psychiatrist). However, we want to assure you that your therapist or psychiatrist are not in their field to judge you. They are not there to make you feel shameful about what you’re going through. 

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They are there and available for you so that you can have a JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE to honestly and openly express your thoughts, emotions, fears, concerns, and wishes. 

Your therapist is there to help you process, to listen to you, to offer advice, to help you practice what you want to say, and to learn new coping skills.  However, it can still be an extremely fearful and anxiety-producing situation.  Therefore, we want to know …

  1. What scares you about seeing a therapist?
  2. Does anything help you feel better about talking with a mental health professional?  
  3. What good experiences have you had with being able to talk to someone who is objective (neutral) and wants to help you problem solve something?

Share with us in the comments section below!

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by Firefly ★

Communication Tips

September 20, 2017 in Educate Yourself

We found a great article about how to have more effective communication, not just with your parents, but with everyone (e.g., friends, peers, colleagues, partners).

Why this resource is helpful: It gives advice on good communication, not only between parents and teenagers, but between people in general. It stresses being a good listener. It also stresses paying attention to non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is difficult, and takes time to learn how to do.

Family

Effective communication is a learned skill, and it takes time and effort to develop this skill.  It often can be an everyday practice.
  • Listening is important; focus entirely on the speaker, without distractions, and avoid appearing judgmental.
  • Pay attention to nonverbal communication, such as clenched fists or someone not maintaining eye contact.
  • Manage your own stress when talking with other people. Too much stress might result in you saying something you regret.
  • It is also important to be aware of your emotions when arguing with someone. Understanding your own emotions will help you communicating your feelings with other people. It is also important to understand others’ emotions, so that you can better understand them.
  • Here is an article to help develop nonverbal communication!

What do you want to work on when it comes to communication? What type of communicator are you?

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by Firefly ★

Self-Care Cards

September 15, 2017 in LINKS

We came across an article about creating Self-Care Cards for yourself that you can print off, design and slip into your book bag, purse or pocket. These little cards have really good tools on them that can help you through a rough moment.

One of the things I really liked in these cards was the grounding techniques listed.

When having rough moment, it can be hard to come back into the present and your body. Using grounding exercises can help you come back to yourself so that you can calm down mindfully.

Tell us if you decide to download the cards and make the booklet for yourself! Do you think this is a useful tool? How and where would you use it? 

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by Firefly ★

What is depression?

September 13, 2017 in Educate Yourself

This TED talk about ‘What is Depression?’ is a great way to share what is happening to someone when they are experiencing depression.

After watching, is this something you think you might share with friends or family to explain what is going on?  Do you think it might help reduce the stigma surrounding depression?   

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by Firefly ★

Journaling to reducing stress

September 12, 2017 in Educate Yourself

letter

Do you keep a journal?  This article writes about how journaling, even for just a few minutes a day, can help you with your mental and physical health!

Here are some interesting facts from the article:

The article also gives a few ideas for how to start journaling. You don’t need anything fancy! A pen and paper works, or maybe you start a document on your computer. The important part is to set aside a little time each day to connect with yourself and your feelings. Then just let your hands do the work. Get anything you are thinking or feeling out. This really helps you to process what is happening within yourself. Even if it doesn’t make sense, writing it out helps to clear your system!

Are you interested in sharing some of your journaling with others?  Check out this opportunity to become a SOVA Blogging Ambassador!

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by Firefly ★

How Mindfulness Empowers Us

September 1, 2017 in LINKS

Being mindful can have huge effects on you life! One way to help increase your mindfulness is to use a mindfulness app on your phone. One we recommend is Calm (iOS or Android) or your can visit the Calm.com website.  We also think that using technology to our benefit is a great way to help us connect to ourself.

What do you think of the wolves example in the video? How does being mindful of your emotions and where you emotions start help you manage your symptoms? Tell us about it in the comments. 

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by Firefly ★

Habit of Happiness

August 28, 2017 in Be Positive

What is happiness, and how can we all get some? Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard says we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment.

What are your thoughts? If you were to add one habit Matthieu Ricard mentioned what would be it? Do you have other habits that would be useful?

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by Firefly ★

Give A Little Love

August 25, 2017 in LINKS

But if you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own

Don’t break his heart
Yeah if you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own
Don’t break his heart

Do you listen to music when you’re feeling depressed or anxious?  What do you listen to? Share with us!

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by Firefly ★

Talking to Parents

August 22, 2017 in Educate Yourself

Communicating with your parents is good for your health!

We found this research study about teens’ relationships with their parents and we thought it was very interesting.

This is why we think this resource is helpful: The study found that adolescents who have better communication with their family are more satisfied and tend to have less disagreements. Also, better communication was related to higher self-esteem in the teen.

Basically, communicating with your parents is good for your health! Or, to put it another way: discussing disagreements and coming to agreements might be good for further improving communication.

Creating strong connections can help you start and maintain a healthy relationship with your parents.

If you you are interested in reading the full article you have to click in the upper left hand corner of the linked article to get the PDF.

Check out this post on communication for ideas about how to talk with your parent. Also check out this link for more information.

Do you use any other tips when trying to communicate better with your parents or other supportive adults in your life?

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by Firefly ★

The focusing power of music

August 18, 2017 in LINKS

With the Fall semester quickly approaching, we know that sometimes it can be hard to concentrate on the task at hand.  And it has been shown that music can be calming, relaxing, and useful to help tune out the world and focus. However, not all music is created the same for each listener, and the type of music matters.  According to an article published by The Guardian “music you like increases focus, while music you don’t impedes (or disrupts) it.”  Read more from this article and other articles on the benefits of music by visiting the following links:

For me, I enjoy listening to classical music in the background during my day.

Also, there are other ways to improve your concentration, including wiggling your toes!  Find out more by visiting HuffPost Ways to Increase your Concentration.

If you listen to music to help you focus, what type of music do you prefer?  Do you do anything else to help you concentrate?  Let us know in the comment section below!

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