Exercise and Mental Health

It is no secret that physical exercise is so important for the health of your body. What may be more surprising are the benefits of exercise to your mental health and overall well-being. There are significant ways exercise supports mental health! You have likely heard of the "runner's high", the endorphins (the feel good chemicals) that get released during exercise and other physical activity. Beyond the endorphin release are multiple other reasons to lace up your sneakers and take a walk, or head to the gym. Some of these include:

-Taking the time out for yourself: When else do you make time just for YOU? 

-Making yourself a priority (body and mind).

-Physical activity allows you to focus on the task at hand, and practice being in the moment. A chance to put aside the to-do list/worries/concerns temporarily. 

-You get the opportunity to try new workouts and change it up if you get bored of the latest one. For example, if you are tired from running try a spinning class, yoga, interval training, or any other activity that keeps you moving, motivated and stimulated.

-Challenging yourself-ever thought about rock climbing, trapezeing, or signing up for a 5k run? There may be physical activities that sound intimidating if they are new, but it also allows you the chance to try out something different. By pushing yourself outside your comfort zone you may experience a confidence boost as well.

-Fun-if you prefer to walk with a friend, or join a club sports team it is a great chance to catch up and/or meet new friends and connect while doing your body and mind some good.

-Control-We certainly do not have control over some parts of life, but we can control what we decide to do with our bodies. By keeping a structured time to exercise your muscles allows you to have a little bit of what you can control while perhaps keeping some anxiety at ease.

-Chance to modify-Physical injuries, disabilities or limitations do not necessarily have to keep you from being active; you may need to modify what you had been doing for example, if you were running 3 times per week and developed a foot injury you may need to explore other options such as swimming or bike riding to alleviate pressure on a certain body part while continuing to achieve the benefits of regular exercise.

While it seems easy to come up with an excuse not to exercise, see if you can find a reason TO make that time for yourself.  If starting a new or different exercise routine it is encouraged to check with your physician first. If you are thinking about making some changes in your lifestyle and would like to explore this further with one of our therapists, contact us at Gaithersburg Counseling Center at admin@healingllc.com or 240-274-5680 or visit our website at www.healingllc.com.

*Free Depression/Anxiety Screenings in October*

I wanted to take a minute to let you know about a couple of our exciting Fall events. This includes a free anxiety and depression screening and low-cost therapy group that I thought might be of interest to you. Please feel free to pass the information along to anyone who might be interested.

As you may know, depression and anxiety affects many people and often goes untreated. Each year, depressive disorders affect around 18.8 million American adults, that’s 9.5% of the US population over 18. However, due to stigma and other factors, less than 1/2 of those suffering actually seek treatment.

To help fight the stigma around depression and help identify the problem, Another Look at Healing, LLC is conducting free National Depression Screening Days in October. As part of the program, participants will have the opportunity to complete brief, anonymous screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants will be able to learn about the symptoms of depression, and how to help a friend or family member who may be at risk. Participants will also have the option of talking to a health care professional about any concerns they may have and they will receive multiple referrals to local treatment services.

Screenings will be offered from 9am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday, by appointment during the month of October. For more information about the screenings or to set up an appointment, contact Amy Hooper at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com or call the main office at 240-274-5680.

In addition to the free screenings, we also offer individual, couples and family therapy. We have added on lost-cost therapy group for individuals who want support working through their interpersonal difficulties, including, but not limited to, depression and anxiety. I have included a flyer for our upcoming Personal Growth Therapy Group, as well as details about our practice for your review.
I look forward to collaborating with you in the future!

Take Good Care,

Amy L. Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP
Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC
www.HealingLLC.com
AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com
240-274-5680

More Suggestions for Creating the New You This Summer

Below are a few more suggestions about how to move forward with your life and become the you, you want to be!

Get Rid of Your Old/Unhelpful Habits
So many of us have habits that are not helping us move forward. Some examples of these are wanting to live a healthier life but smoking cigarettes. Or, wanting to be more positive and optimistic but continuing to put yourself down and down play your uniqueness and specialness. Think about what old habits you want to eliminate this season.

Spring Cleaning!
Cleaning of the house, cleaning of the car or cleaning out your closets is common this time of year. Getting rid of old stuff that you never use can free you from some heavy weights you could be carrying around. Give away the things you do not use to someone who could really benefit from them. Giving to others is a great way to make you feel better about yourself. Unload the old and in with the new.

Plant Your Garden
Decorating your home with plants and trees will freshen up the look of your home and help to create a spring atmosphere all around you. More plants in your house means more oxygen. The more oxygen you have, the more clearly you will be able to think, breathing will be easier and cleaner air means healthier lungs.

Health Check Ups: Preventative Care
Sometimes we get caught up in our work and our daily routine and we completely forget about or ignore taking care of our health. We tend to think, unless something is bothering us, we do not have to see the doctor. It’s crucial to acknowledge that many illnesses and health problems cannot be sensed or identified by us in the early stages. That is why it is so important to get checked annually. Make a list of doctors that you need to see: primary care doctors, dentists for teeth cleaning, eye doctors, dermatologist for preventative skin check, women to see their OB-GYN and get their mammogram. Men should also see their primary care doctors and be sure to discuss if there is a need for a prostate exam.
Don’t forget! Get your mental health check up! One screening session with a counselor or therapist can be very helpful in preventative care by helping you build resilience or by giving you the support you need if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or a difficult life transition.

Get Moving
Moving means living healthier and your energy flowing better through you body. Sign up for yoga classes, go dancing or visit your local gym. Cannot afford it? Try to use websites like livingsocial.com or groupon.com for amazing daily or monthly deals around your area. Various offers and deals can be provided not just for sport centers and dancing or yoga studios but also for good, healthy restaurants, salons, spas and other hot spots where you can treat yourself. Or if you are looking for free ways to get moving, go outside and enjoy the spring air with a nice walk alone or with a loved one or friend. You can also get out your bike, pump up the tires and go for a bike ride in a quiet neighborhood or park. Next time you have an errand to run close to home, try walking to the store and taking the time to enjoy the lovely spring weather, or walk on different streets in your neighborhood instead of jumping in the car to go a few blocks.

Eat Healthy
Try to figure our what types of foods your body needs and eat what makes your body feel good. You can really enjoy healthy eating and not consider it a burden if it gives you energy and boosts your mood. Experiment and try new recipes with different foods such as Quinoa (pronounced Ki-nwa), a plant bearing tasty seeds, because is not a grain, it has an added benefit of helping reduce inflammation, or try adding Bok Choy to your stir-fry, it is a popular Chinese vegetable.

Take Time for Yourself
Try to dedicate at least 20-30 minutes or even an hour each day to you. Relax, practice deep breathing, meditate, listen to your favorite music, take a few minutes to call or text your parents and friends and let them know how you are doing. Do not forget to remind yourself how great and unique you are and to be grateful for all the wonderful things in your life.

Moving Forward
Moving forward can be one of the most important parts of becoming who you want to be. It helps to forgive yourself and others so you can move along in your life and not be stuck in the past. Getting rid of old junk (includes past hurts, bad habits and so on) can be very rewarding and freeing. Forgiving and accepting yourself and forgiving the people who hurt you in the past is the best remedy for your emotional and mental health.

For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com for details.

12 Tips for Successful Sleep

Tips for better sleep - try out a few of these techniques and find out which ones work for you!

1. Turn off all electronics one hour before bedtime. This includes computer, TV’s and cell phones. The blue light from the LCD or laptop screen suppresses your body’s natural sleep chemical, Melatonin. Also, the action and engagement on the TV or computer makes your body’s daytime stress chemicals such as adrenaline spike making it difficult to sleep.
2. Establish a night time routine. The last 30-45 minutes before bed should be the same each night. Establishing a routine helps your body know what to expect when bedtime is approaching. This routine will cue your circadian, internal clock, to get ready for sleep.
3. Increase the amount of self-care and relaxation activities in your life. Make sure you are relaxing and taking care of yourself. That might be reading a good book, taking a warm bubble bath or doing some light stretching as you get ready for bed.
4. Exercise early in the day. Getting your heart rate up each day can help improve sleep at night. Try to avoid exercising a few hours before bed, and try to get your work out in the morning or early afternoon. Not only is exercise good for your mood because it boosts the feel good chemicals such as Seratonin, it also decreases stress. Exercising will help your body use its extra energy during the day so you don’t have to lie awake at night.
5. Avoid putting chemicals in your body, especially the chemicals that are stimulants or depressants. This includes alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other drugs. You might think alcohol will help you sleep because it is a depressant, but while you might fall asleep faster, the quality of sleep is decreased as the alcohol metabolizes.
6. Create the perfect environment. Make sure the bedroom is dark at night, and let light in when morning comes. You may have to turn your alarm clock around so the lights are not facing you or block blinking lights by covering them. Use soft, comfortable sheets and maintain a temperature that is comfortable for you. Creating the proper environment will help you sleep better.
7. Eat, Drink and be sleepy! Be sure to eat small meals throughout the day, the last one a few hours before bed. Also remember to drink water throughout the day and into the evening, just not too much right before bed or you will wake up to use the bathroom.
8. Try some Deep Breathing. Taking even 10 long, deep breaks helps decrease your heart rate and blood pressure, helping to prepare your body for sleep.
9. Practice a Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercise, which incorporates Deep Breathing and working each of the muscles of your body then releasing the tension. You can find step by step guides online or check out the following youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFwCKKa--18.
10. Stop pressuring yourself to go to sleep, focus on the process of relaxing and winding down, the sleep will come. If you push yourself too hard to sleep, for example saying to yourself, “I have to go to sleep in the next 10 minutes or I will be tired tomorrow” it is too much pressure and you will have more trouble sleeping. Try reframing your thought to “I am feeling good, relaxing and getting tired now, and I will fall asleep when it is time to sleep.”
11. If you still find yourself unable to sleep, talking to a counselor can help you alleviate the stressors and anxieties that contribute to your not sleeping. If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our therapists, call 240-274-5680 for more information.
12. Medication can help. If you have tried all these options and still can not sleep, medication can help. There are a range of medications, from more natural options such as Melatonin to prescription medications that can help you get the sleep you need to feel rested and awake during the day.

Try out a few of these techniques and find out which ones work for you!

If you are looking to connect with one of the therapists at our center, we have three wonderful counselors at our practice who specialize in different areas. If you want help individually or as a couple, if you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed and want support managing all of those feelings, and getting help figuring out what to do, call us today for a free consultation. You can call Amy directly at 240-274-5680 or by email at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com and we can get you set up with a therapist who will be the best fit for you. Visit www.HealingLLC.com for details.

Trouble Sleeping?

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Do you often lie awake at night, thinking about and worrying about everything you have to do? If so, you are one of many people who has sleep troubles. Because sleep is so important to living a healthy life, we decided to devote the Winter edition of Healing Times to helping you get more sleep! Rest assured, there are many remedies to sleeplessness. The key is finding out which ones work for you.

In this blog, we will get down to basics and discuss the topic of sleep and in the next blog 12 solutions to your sleep problems. If you have a friend or family member who you think could benefit from learning about getting better sleep, please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.

We hope the information in this blog will help empower you to have the courage to change what is not working for you and embrace what is. This will, in turn help you live your life in a more fulfilling and meaningful way.

Remember: "May sleep envelop you as a bed sheet floating gently down, tickling your skin and removing every worry. Reminding you to consider only this moment." -Jeb Dickerson

While sleeping, the body is able to reenergize and recuperate. In addition, sleep helps your immune system stay strong. When you are asleep, your brain can process the events and stressors of the day, leaving you less overwhelmed with life if you get the proper amount of sleep. On the other hand, getting too little sleep can cause irritability, and/or a diminished capacity to handle stress, which can in turn lead to both physical and emotional issues.

Stayed tuned for 12 Tips for Improved Sleep, posted in February! If you have any comments or suggestions for what you want to see in our next blog, please send them to AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com. Visit www.HealingLLC.com/cso for details.

Take Good Care,
Amy L. Hooper
Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC

Quiz: How much do you know about sleep?

Quiz published by: NIH Medline Plus Summer 2007 Issue: Volume 2 Number 3 Pages 18 - 19. http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Use this brief, time-saving questionnaire to help determine how much you know about sleep and to learn a few new facts.

TRUE OR FALSE ?

_____1. Sleep is a time when your body and brain shut down for rest and relaxation.

_____2. If you regularly doze off unintentionally during the day, you may need more than just a good night's sleep.

_____3. If you snore loudly and persistently at night and are sleepy during the day, you may have a sleep disorder.

_____4. Opening the car window or turning the radio up will keep the drowsy driver awake.

_____5. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder marked by "sleep attacks."

_____6. The primary cause of insomnia is worry.

_____7. One cause of not getting enough sleep is restless legs syndrome.

_____8. The body has a natural ability to adjust to different sleep schedules such as working different shifts or traveling through multiple time zones quickly.

_____9. People need less sleep as they grow older.

_____10. More people doze off at the wheel of a car in the early morning or midafternoon than in the evening.

Snooze You Can Use—
Sleep Quiz Answers

1. False is correct. Although it is a time when your body rests and restores its energy levels, sleep is an active state that affects both your physical and mental well being.

2. True is correct. Many people doze off unintentionally during the day despite getting their usual night of sleep. This could be a sign of a sleep disorder.

3. True is correct. Persistent loud snoring at night and daytime sleepiness are the main symptoms of a common and serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea. Another symptom is frequent long pauses in breathing during sleep, followed by choking and gasping for breath.

4. False is correct. Opening the car window or turning the radio up may arouse a drowsy driver briefly, but this won't keep that person alert behind the wheel. Even mild drowsiness is enough to reduce concentration and reaction time. The sleep-deprived driver may nod off for a couple of seconds at a time without even knowing it—enough time to kill himself or someone else.

5. True is correct. People with narcolepsy fall asleep uncontrollably—at any time of the day, in all types of situations—regardless of the amount or quality of sleep they've had the night before. Narcolepsy is characterized by these 'sleep attacks,' as well as by daytime sleepiness, episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis, and disrupted nighttime sleep.

6. False is correct. Insomnia has many different causes, including physical and mental conditions and stress. Insomnia is the perception that you don't get enough sleep because you can't fall asleep or stay asleep or get back to sleep once you've awakened during the night. It affects people of all ages, usually for just an occasional night or two, but sometimes for weeks, months, or even years.

7. True is correct. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a medical condition distinguished by tingling sensations in the legs—and sometimes the arms—while sitting or lying still, especially at bedtime. The person with RLS needs to constantly stretch or move the legs to try to relieve these uncomfortable or painful symptoms. As a result, he or she has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and usually feels extremely sleepy and unable to function fully during the day. Good sleep habits and medication can help the person with RLS.

8. False is correct. The human body's biological clock programs each person to feel sleepy during the nighttime hours and to be active during the daylight hours. So people who work the night shift and try to sleep during the day are constantly fighting their biological clocks. This puts them at risk of error and accident at work and of disturbed sleep. Sleeping during the day in a dark, quiet bedroom and getting exposure to sufficient bright light at the right time can help improve daytime alertness.

9. False is correct. As we get older, we don't need less sleep, but we often get less sleep. That's because our ability to sleep for long periods of time and to get into the deep restful stages of sleep decreases with age. Older people have more fragile sleep and are more easily disturbed by light, noise, and pain. They also may have medical conditions that contribute to sleep problems. Going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning, getting exposure to natural outdoor light during the day, and sleeping in a cool, dark, quiet place at night may help.

10. True is the correct answer. Our bodies are programmed by our biological clock to experience two natural periods of sleepiness during the 24-hour day, regardless of the amount of sleep we've had in the previous 24 hours. The primary period is between about midnight and 7:00 a.m. A second period of less intense sleepiness is in the midafternoon, between about 1:00 and 3:00. This means that we are more at risk of falling asleep at the wheel at these times than in the evening--especially if we haven't been getting enough sleep.

If you are looking to get some help with your sleeping or other issues but are not sure where to start, call us today for a free consultation. You can call Amy directly at 240-274-5680 or by email at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com and we can get you set up with a therapist that will be the best fit for you. Visit www.HealingLLC.com for details.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Spring Cleaning for Your Life.

As spring has arrived and the world outside is changing, what is changing for you on the inside? As the flowers bloom with their new beginnings, now is a perfect opportunity for you to consider how you want to grow. A few ideas of where to start…

Organizing Yourself
Write down a list of goals you would love to achieve, or things you would want to change in your life. Perhaps you want work on your spirituality, or your personality, improving your physical or mental health or the quality of your interpersonal interactions. Making a list of ideas you would love to change will give you a good starting point to create the life you want.
The next step is to write down what it will take to achieve these goals, we call these Objectives. What steps are involved in creating that life you want? Writing things down is more important that we think it is. Martha L. Chase, Ph. D., Executive and Career Coach, strongly recommends writing goals down, it forces us to clearly define what our goals are and specifically how to get there. Many therapists also recommend drawing or creating a picture of your goal to keep with the written goals. Since often our mental pictures of our goals are vague, drawing them can help you create a visual image and make the goals crystal clear and therefore easier to achieve

Remember, while it may seem that some goals are hard to achieve, you can do it. In order to make it easier and make it happen, remember to...
- Write down your plan.
- Set a due date for each event.
- Start working on it! It will become easier once you start.
- Make sure your goals are realistic. Making changes is difficult but with a good plan and some follow up, you can reach your goals.
- You can ask a co-worker, family member or friend to check in with you. Let your best friend call you weekly and ask about your weekly progress. That way you will feel accountable for your goals.
- And last but not least, it is important to stay optimistic on your way to becoming a new you.

And remember, turn obstacles into opportunities and celebrate your successes.

If you are feeling overstressed or overwhelmed with your life and want to start making some changes, call us today for a free consultation. You can call Amy directly at 240-274-5680 or by email at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com. For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com for details.

More Ideas about Resolutions and Goals

How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? Are you finding it difficult to change, despite resolving to make it finally happen this year?

When reading Psychology Today, this month, I came across a very interesting article about training your brain to help you reach your goals without having to use sheer willpower.

The crux of this article was social psychologist and author, Heidi Grant Halvorson, Ph.D. remarks that using the ‘if-then’ technique can be incredibly useful (and 2-3 times more powerful) for “resisting temptation and building good habits”. The technique basically entails making a specific if-then statement about your goal. So, if your goal is to stop eating after 8pm, the revised goal would be: IF it is after 8pm, THEN I will not eat any more food. Or, if your goal is to stop leaving dishes in the sink, your revised goal would be: If I see dishes in the sink, THEN I will wash them immediately before leaving the kitchen.

The reason this technique is so useful is because your brain is biologically programmed to determine behavior from your surroundings. Your brain is always automatically scanning your surroundings for “if” situations, in order to help you know what to do next. So, using an if-then statement creates a link or a bond between the cue (seeing dishes) and the behavior (washing the dishes). This link can become automatic, so you will unconsciously have already told your body what to do in the given situation, which means you will use less conscious will power to go ahead and do the activity. In other words, the dishes will get done and you will decrease your eating after 8pm.

As I mentioned last month, it is important to be gentle with yourself and know that it takes time to get used to any new habit. No one is perfect and making changes often happens incrementally. There will be ups and downs. If you make your goals into if-then statements, your brain can do some of the hard work for you.

This is one more trick in your tool bag of living the life you want. In turn, you will find you can make the changes you want to make for 2011 and for many years to come.

For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com/cso for details. 

Why are the holidays so stressful?

The Holiday Season can be a joyful time for many. For other's, this time of year can be extremely difficult. If you are interested in enjoying this holiday season and learning some tecniques to help you do so, read on...
We are now in the middle of the Holiday Season. How are you feeling? For many, this time of year is filled with love and joy, and at times some stress; for others, this can be one of the most difficult and lonely times of the year. Why is this time of year so wonderful for many people while it is such a challenge for others? Let’s take a look at the top three reasons…

Holiday Difficulties:

1. Family Time: Spending time with family can be stressful or not having family to spend time with can be lonely.
2. High cost of gifts, traveling and time off of work.
3. The emphasis on food. What you eat, when you eat, why you eat.

Holiday Delights:

1. Family Time: Many loved ones including family and friends have gatherings and spend time together.
2. Giving to others, Going on Adventures around the country (or world) to see family and friends and a break from work, time off to rejuvenate and refresh.
3. The delicious food and the traditions associated with it.

Let’s take a look at each of these issues, both pros and cons in detail in the next blog post with some specific steps to help relieve holiday difficulties.
We are excited to let you know about a couple of events coming up including a Stress & Anxiety Relief Workshop on January 22nd and a new psychotherapy group we are starting for people who want to work on their interpersonal and assertiveness skills. If you are interested in either of these events, or would like to set up a free phone consultation, call us today at 240-274-5680. For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com/aboutus for details.

Overworked, Under Appreciated and Stressed Out at Work?

Managing work-related stress can be particularly challenging – especially during tough economic times…

With so much downsizing and “reorganizing”, the workplace is changing and becoming more stressful than ever before. Whether you were laid off, or still working, but doing the work for the people who were laid off – managing work stressors are particularly difficult. This article will examine what work related stress looks like and what can be done to help alleviate the stress.

Work related stress affects both your professional and personal life. Work stress can spill over and affect your family at home just the same as family stress can spill over and affect your actions at work. Have you ever come home from a stressful day on the job and raised your voice at a spouse, your client or a friend when they haven’t done anything wrong? This can happen when we don’t recognize how work stress affects us and learn what we can do about it.

The following are examples of how work stress can affect you as an employee:
1. Decreased Productivity
2. Increased Absences due to illness, anxiety or fatigue
3. Decreased Attention Span/Focus
4. Increased Interpersonal Issues (fighting with boss/coworkers)
5. Tardiness

Here are examples of how work stress can affect your family and home life:
1. Increased negativity and pessimism
2. Decreased Positive Communication
3. Moodiness
4. Decreased Patience
5. Increased Fighting

So, what can we do about it? Following are some steps to take control of your work stress and get your life back in balance.

1. Separate your work and home life by setting up a boundary between them.
a. For example, you can change your cloths when you get home, or listen to calming music, or even journal about your day. Then, after your activity, recognize that work is over and family time has started. Having a specific behavior or activity can help you to put the workday behind you so you can focus on your life.
b. Turn off your work phone and email when you get home. Do not check your work phone or email until you get to work the next day. This way, you are not inviting work into your home.

2. Take care of yourself.
a. Find a hobby or activity you like to do. Playing soccer or joining a women’s group can help fill your life with meaningful, fun activities. This way, you are more than your job.
b. Talk to others when you are feeling particularly stressed. Be open about your feelings and do not bottle them up inside – or they will explode at a time when you do not want them to.

3. Use Humor – carefully.
a. Using humor can increase moral and a feeling of cohesion both at work and at home. It can also increase positive communication.
b. Smiling and laughing actually releases “feel good” chemicals in your brain that will help lift your mood if you are having a tough day.
*note* Humor can exclude and alienate if not used with caution.

4. Improve Your Time Management
a. Get Organized! If you need help, ask a friend or coworker to help you organize your workspace and your priorities. You will find yourself becoming more time efficient the more organized you are.
b. Take short breaks throughout the day – that way you are refreshed when you are working and use your time productively.
c. Set a goal and a plan for working towards them. This way you are working smarter, not harder.
d. Practice deep breathing or another relaxation technique if you find yourself overwhelmed with stress and anxiety.

5. Get Help
a. If you need help at work – talk to your boss, find a mentor, or confide in a coworker who understands and can help you to work through them.
b. If you are having difficulties at home – talk about them with your family. Opening up lines of communication will promote understanding and can lead to positive change and acceptance.
c. If you are feeling overstressed with work and cannot find a way to manage the stress, or if you begin to feel anxiety or depression that interferes with your life, call a counselor, therapist or coach in your area for help.

Women's Wellness Workshop

Are you overworked, under appreciated, exhausted and ready for a change?
Are you a woman who puts the needs and wants of others before your own?
As a woman, do you know what your needs are and how to get them met?
Do you know how to feel good about yourself, your body and your life?

Women’s Wellness Workshop:
Strong Bodies, Strong Minds
Where are you on your to do list?

The focus of this workshop is on identifying women’s needs and meeting those needs using your inner strengths.

Topics to be Discussed:

Relaxation & Self Care
Priorities and Life Balance
Knowing Your Inner Strengths

June 20th, 2009 at 2:00pm in Bethesda, MD

Please pass the information along to any other ladies who you think might enjoy this type of workshop. And you can bring a friend or coworker for a discount!

Please register early to reserve your spot by calling or emailing:

Call: 240-274-5680
E-mail: AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com
Or For More Information On-line: www.HealingLLC.com

Sponsored by: Amy L. Hooper, Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC

Stress, what is it? Finally an explanation!

Everyone has stress, but what is it really? Stress is the body’s normal, natural reaction to a perceived threat. Thousands of years ago, the perceived threat was a saber tooth tiger who was headed towards your cave to attack you. In that situation, your body releases certain chemicals such as adrenaline, which makes your heart pump blood faster, your muscles tense and your breathing become rapid and shallow. All of your senses become more alert so you can make the quick decision whether to fight or to flee.

Today, your body’s chemical stress reaction is the same as it was years ago, only the threats have change. Now, instead of a life threatening saber tooth tiger, the stressors are the car that cuts you off in traffic, or your boss calling you in for a meeting. As a result the tension has no release and your stress response builds. Each time you get “stressed out,” those chemicals are released and for many people, these chemicals are almost constantly streaming through your body. This constant stress can lead to physical, emotional and behavioral problems.

Examples of Physical Problems:
- Headaches/Backaches
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Stomach Pain

Examples of Emotional Problems:
- Depressed
- Anxious
- Fearful
- Irritated Often

Examples of Behavioral Problems:
- Overeating
- Feeling unmotivated to work
- Isolating from friends and loved ones
- Increased irritability and feeling overwhelmed

All of these symptoms can strongly impact your functioning in your daily life. If you are suffering from any of these issues, and want the symptoms to go away so you can get some relief, there is a way to feel better. Contact Another Look at Healing, LLC – A Counseling and Wellness Center today for more information at www.HealingLLC.com. Call our office at 240-274-5680 or email us at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com.