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Tag: Lifestyle

How To Have A Happy Retirement

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Retirement has come at last, but you might not be thinking that everything is plain sailing from here. Whilst there are things to sort out now that you’re out of work, the important thing is focusing on relaxing and enjoying life from here on out. The following points might help you with sorting out the boring side of things so that you can move on quickly towards enjoying the more exciting side of life.

Sort our your living situation.

This is the second thing you’ll need to think about now that you’re retired. Perhaps your children are now adults and they’ve moved out of home. You and your partner, if you have one, might be looking to downsize from your current home. It might be time to move somewhere else. Perhaps a small cottage or a bungalow is more your thing. Of course, you might not want to live alone anymore, depending on your age. You might want to check out RiddleVillage.com if you want to look into options for retired living. There’s more out there than the standard care home; you could be part of a village community which encourages independent living with your peers.

There would be the added benefit of care and help on hand, no matter which kind of retired living community you chose to explore. Of course, it all depends at which stage you’re at in your life. You might have just retired, but perhaps you’re still happy living at home with your partner or your family. This is more something you might have to plan for the future, but it doesn’t hurt to get these things in order. As mentioned in the last point, regarding finances, it’s better to have these things set way in advance. An article over at usatoday.com explains that staying social is the key to happiness in retirement, so if you’re not finding that in a living community then you might want to find it elsewhere. The final point discusses this further.

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Sort out your happiness.

It’s hard to be happy all the time as you get older, and you might find it difficult to deal with the lack of things to do once you retire. It’s important to find hobbies and ways of staying active. Join groups of likeminded people; that might mean volunteering, but it’s all to do with how you want to spend your time. Much like when you were young, being happy is a state of mind, and it’s something that has to be pursued.

One of our articles sums it up perfectly by stating that you need to still find the time to be active, whatever your age. That might just mean going on a leisurely walk around your local park with a family member, rather than heading off on a strenuous run. You need to keep your mind and body active because the mental effects of exercise, whatever your age, are huge. Of course, cardio is also great for your heart and it might help alleviate aches, pains, or stiffness which might be stemming from inactivity.

 

Not a Day Older: Taking Care of Your Body and Mind in Old Age

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Growing old takes a toll on your body. Although most of us will change as we age, and looking in the mirror is more of a surprise than anything else, you need to take care of yourself more than ever when you’re getting older. If you think the amount you exercised back in the days is what you’re living off now, you’re quite right – but that doesn’t mean you should stop caring about your body and mental health quite yet.

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The truth is, your mind as well as your physical health will be declining when you’ve reached a ripe age and to keep yourself healthy, it’s important to look at health holistically. Here is a handful of the best preventative measures you can take for your health in old age so that you can enjoy a functioning body and a healthy mind for as long as possible.

The best exercise to stay young

The mitochondria in our bodies are considered the cell’s power generator; it produces energy and converts it into forms that are usable by our cells. As we age, our cells stop to regenerate as easily as it did before, and are simultaneously affected by the mitochondria diminishing in both number and vigor.

We’d like to keep it as a generator for as long as we can, and certain types of exercise have actually proven to undo some of what aging has done to our cell’s power producer. The type of exercise that produced the biggest change in people’s genes in a study from this year was intense exercise – or interval training. There are a lot of different ways to incorporate this into your regular routine, although it’s usually associated with running or jogging. How well your aging family member is able to cope with running, you know better than any, but consider similar options such as cycling if this is difficult due to painful knees or other immobilities.

While there’s no decent alternative to growing old, by taking care of yourself and your older family members, you’ll be able to enjoy active years as a senior citizen and leap from one Pilates class to the next one. It will keep you independent and happy for as long as possible so that you can get much more out of your Medicare Supplement plans – and enjoy your golden years for a long time still.

Aging and stress

Stress is bad company when you’re trying to look after your health, and little is able to have such an impact on your health as this one. While we may experience hard times at any age, you’re more likely to have gone through a traumatic emotional loss when you’re older and it becomes even more important to know how to deal with this.

To get in touch with your spirituality can take you a step away from stress and depression; while there are a lot of ways to do this, the most popular way is to try meditation or holistic exercises such as yoga.

The combination of a loss of a loved one, loneliness, and even financial concern can make the stress factor a lot worse when you age – and seniors are at an increased risk for depression. Take care of your mental health as soon as possible and reach out to a professional or your family members for a chat, and practice expressing your emotions.

Remember to laugh and surround yourself with positive people who enjoy life and have managed to stay active. They’ll keep us young for longer and make it easier to enjoy everything life has to offer.

 

Healthy and Happy Living for Your Elderly Loved Ones

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Our parents and grandparents have dedicated their lives to raising us and ensuring that we are healthy, happy and well. But a time will come when it’s your turn to start looking out for them. As people age, they can begin to find difficulty in everyday tasks such as bathing, cleaning and getting about. So it’s important that you look out for them in their time of need. Here are a few ways to ensure that they have a high standard of living.

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Staying Active

As we grow older, it’s often tempting to stop engaging in physical activity in favor of staying home and relaxing. But it’s absolutely essential that the elderly stay active and mobile. Not only does regular exercise help them to feel energetic, but it also keeps them at a healthy weight, helps them to maintain regular bowel movements, aids in managing high blood pressure and angina and can stimulate a poor appetite. Exercise regimes should focus on four main areas: stamina, strength, flexibility, and balance. Good activities to tick all of these health requirements are swimming and yoga. Swimming is a great overall workout and perfect for sufferers of arthritis, as the water’s buoyancy relieves pressure on the joints and helps to support their body weight. Yoga is a gentle exercise which will stretch out the limbs and improve overall balance.

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Assisted Living

Many OAPs prefer to maintain as much independence as possible, so many are adamant that they do not want to be moved into an old people’s home. However, many are unable to effectively maintain large homes and can find the experience of living alone lonely. Nowadays there are great alternative options in assisted living. An assisted living center is progressive and active, ensuring that all of their residents have everything that they need to live fulfilling lives. Services such as those provided by Christwood Retirement Community include companion services (ensuring that your elderly loved ones always have company), skilled nurses at hand and high-quality cognitive care. Never again will you have to worry whether your loved one has taken their medication, whether their living conditions are adequately hygienic or whether they are getting enough exercise.

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Visiting Regularly

No matter where the elderly in your life live, near or far, it is important that you take the time out to visit them regularly. Everyday life can become hectic, but ensure that you book a day and arrange to meet them. If you have children, take them along. This day doesn’t necessarily have to be anything extravagant. You can just pop by for a cup of tea. But it will make all of the difference to your loved one’s mood. Remember that many elderly individuals don’t have social media or mobiles, so won’t get to see as much of you as others might when scrolling through your photos or messaging you online.

While it is important that you don’t patronize the elderly, it is also essential that you show them the love that they have shown you for your entire life. So make the effort to ensure that they are content and well at all times.

 

 

 

ED ed – Dealing With Your Partner’s Erectile Dysfunction

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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It’s one of those topics of conversation that men shy away from, especially if they suffer from it themselves, but erectile dysfunction can have a significant impact on a relationship. From the perspective of a partner, you will need to support and encourage them wherever possible as he is finding ways to manage the condition, but it’s also important that you do your bit too.

Do Research

The more you are able to dig deep into the issue the more you’ll be able to help your partner when it comes to finding methods to manage the conditions, such as lifestyle changes or sourcing the appropriate medical treatments. If you look at the Comprehensive Urology services website, there is a detailed list of what can cause erectile dysfunction. From diabetes or high cholesterol all the way through to an enlarged prostate, as well as lifestyle choices such as drinking too much alcohol and smoking too much. The more you know about the condition and its causes the better you are able to help your partner out.

Emotional Support For Your Partner

A lot of men will blatantly ignore the fact that it’s having an impact on their lives not just their sex life, so you as his partner needs to support him and reassure him. The vast majority of men may view this problem as a major impact on their masculinity. The pressure of performing in an intimate environment such as the bedroom can have a fundamental impact on their mental well-being, which can go on for a long time if left to fester. The issue with masculinity and erectile dysfunction means that if it is left to, in effect, rot, it can be a problem that is a lot more difficult to get out of in the future.

Making Adjustments In Your Sex Life

The pressure of performing is something that can build up in a man’s mind, so you need to find ways to take the pressure off and find other ways to satisfy each other. A man can feel as self-conscious in this department as much as their partner can feel self-conscious about their body, so you need to both find ways to not build it up as a stressful situation. You can make sure to focus on each other rather than “the problem.” This is a big topic to cover, but the one big take away from it is if you are left to focus on your own problems it will build up in the mind, regardless of who you are. So with something like erectile dysfunction which has a major impact on a man’s life, sex shouldn’t be the goal but rather the enjoyment of each other’s company needs to be a priority.

It’s widely accepted that a lot of men don’t talk about their feelings and will tend to avoid issues when it comes to intimacy. But, unfortunately, the best way to deal with it is to open up either to a medical professional to discuss suitable options to deal with it. And if it is a condition that will impact him for the rest of his life, this is the first step in approaching a way to live with the condition.

 

 

 

Which Smartphones Are Best Suited For Busy Women?

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

There are many different smartphone models available on the market today. The issue is that most of us can’t tell them apart, and so we never end up with the most suitable design. With that in mind, this post will offer some advice on the top three smartphones for busy women. Maybe a mother with lots of children just needs something to keep updated with her friends? Perhaps those who work in an office just want a product that will make their life easier? Well, at least one of the suggestions below is going to be perfect. So, read the information and make the right choice.

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iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 only reached the market recently, but it’s become an incredibly popular choice for business women and stay at home moms alike. It’s got a sleek and sophisticated design, but the product is also durable. Indeed, with a scratch-resistant screen, it’s no wonder people opt for this model. There is also advanced security that should combat incidences of hacking. The only real issue is the price. iPhone 7s cost around £540 in the UK at the moment, and that’s a bit too expensive for most people. However, there are some ways to get a better deal. With a Zaggor free gift, it’s possible to lower the price of a contract. That is because people get a PlayStation 4 or something similar, and that’s worth money.

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iPhone 6

The iPhone 6 is by far the best selling model listed on this page. It’s been available for quite a while, and most people will have used one in the past. The best thing about the iPhone 6 is that it’s built like a tank. Many people drop them on the floor all the time without any hassle. If they have the right type of case, it’s difficult to cause accidental damage to the screen. Alos, anyone can buy a brand new iPhone 6 for around £200 these days. So, it’s less than half the price of the newer model, and it performs in much the same way.

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Samsung Galaxy S8

Apple isn’t the only decent smartphone manufacturer out there today. It seems Samsung is making headway in the market at the moment with their S8 model. Some advantages of the S8 include:

 

  • Fantastic design
  • Excellent display
  • Top-notch hardware spec
  • 12 mp camera
  • Water resistant

 

However, many reviewers claim there are also some downsides to investing in the Samsung model. For instance, the battery life isn’t as impressive as it could be. That might become an issue for busy ladies who don’t have time to charge their phones three times every day. There are also some problems relating to the fingerprint reader. Still, overall, it’s an excellent piece of kit.

The three smartphones outlined on this page are by far the most popular devices around at the moment. Busy women should probably take a look at each of those models before looking elsewhere this summer. Invest in a brand like Apple or Samsung, and there’s a good chance the phone will remain in working order for many years. Enjoy!

 

 

Don’t Forget The Little Details That Will Make Your Wedding Special!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

There are a lot of things to think about when you’re planning a wedding. In fact, the sheer number of things that you have to think about can often be pretty overwhelming. Because of this, a lot of people, rather understandably, tend to focus on the big picture elements of their wedding. Things like the venue, the guest lists, the dress, and the rings take up huge amounts of space in their minds. However, as important as all of these things are, it’s crucial that you remember that there are more aspects to making your wedding really wonderful than just the big stuff. Here are a few smaller details that you really don’t want to forget about when planning your wedding. 

Photography

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Since your wedding is pretty likely to be one of the most important and special days of your life, it only makes sense that you’re going to want to immortalise it with some beautiful pictures. However, if you want your wedding memories to be as beautiful as the day itself, then you need to hire a really great photographer. Leaving it too late and hiring someone who isn’t very good, or simply relying on friends to take pictures for you, is just going to leave you with pictures that don’t do your perfect day the justice that it deserves.  

Seating arrangements

You’ve probably got a pretty good idea of who it is that you want to invite to your wedding. But one thing that many people forget about is where those people are actually going to sit. The seating arrangements might seem incredibly simple, but the reality is it can make a lot of difference. You don’t want to create a divide among the guests, with one side of the family separated from another, but you also need to be diplomatic about it. Not everyone is going to get along, and if you’ve got a lot of guests, there are going to be people who won’t agree with each other. The last thing you want is your big day getting disrupted by a shouting match on table five!

Decorations

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The venue is one of the most important parts of any wedding, and it is often one of the very first things that people pick out. However, you need to remember that the venue is only half the battle when it comes to creating the perfect wedding atmosphere. You need to think about the decor as well. The decor that you choose will depend heavily on what kind of theme you’re going for. Do you want something homemade? Something Traditional? These kinds of questions are not only important when deciding what style you prefer but also which styles work best with the venue that you’ve chosen.

It can often be pretty tricky to keep track of all of these things, so it’s worth making a very clear plan of everything that you need to deal with well in advance of the big day. Trying to wing it is almost certainly going to leave you feeling pretty stressed out!

Ethical Profitability From Your Fertility

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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A lot of people don’t like the idea of having kids. Some will be too caught up in their work or studies to have children in their lives. And others won’t want to have a child while they aren’t in a permanent relationship. Unfortunately, some people don’t have this choice, though, and are stuck without the chance of having kids on their own. Thankfully, there are some modern methods which can solve this problem. For those that don’t want children but have the ability to have them, some extra income can be generating if you take the right steps. There aren’t many ways that you can make money while also helping someone realise a lifelong dream.

Donation has long been one of the best ways to help in this sort of effort. Both eggs and sperm can be stored for long periods, nowadays, making it easy for donations like this to be possible. Men make a lot less from this sort of thing than women, though. If you have the ability to donate eggs, you could be compensated from $7,000 (US) each time you donate. Of course, prices will vary depending on where you are, but most will reward donations generously. Men, on the other hand, will rarely make more than $50 (US) for each donation. Though, males can donate much more often than females. Look for sperm and egg donations near me to find your closest clinic. Most cities and towns have a couple of options to choose from.

In some cases, egg or sperm donation isn’t enough, and a donor body is needed for the baby to develop. Surrogacy is becoming more and more common as it becomes easier for doctors to guarantee success. Being a surrogate mother, you can expect to be compensated for between $40,000 (US) and $52,000 (US) for your time. Along with this, all of the medical and legal fees would be covered, too. This sort of effort can be a lot harder than donating eggs, as you will form a bond with the child inside you. And, of course, this job can only be done by a female.

Like with most things, there are some definite pros and cons when it comes to these sorts of donations. To help you decide whether or not this sort of action is right for you, the section below will be going through some of these deciding factors.

Pros:

  • You get to help a family in need, providing them with the missing pieces they need to complete their lives.
  • For all of your work, you will be fairly compensated. In some places, these earnings may even be tax-free.
  • As a surrogate, you will get some valuable experience before dealing with your own pregnancy.

Cons:

  • A lot of surrogates feel attached to the child they help to develop, as is natural during pregnancy.
  • It will take a lot of your time to do something as grand as this, making it hard for some to justify.
  • You might have ethical conflicts when it comes to taking money for something like this. Of course, you deserve compensation, but this doesn’t make it easy for everyone.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start thinking about donating this personal part of your body. If you don’t plan to have children, you can use your fertility to help others without the choice. This is an incredible thing to do for someone. Of course, though, it’s worth thinking long and hard about the impact it could have on your life.

Boosting Your Health – What More Can You Do?

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

You’re working out more, you’re indulging less. Your health and wellbeing have become more of a priority, and you’re already seeing results. So what more can you do? It’s true that fitness and good health go hand-in-hand. But to really reap the benefits of all that exercise, you need to make sure your diet is working just as hard. There are plenty of tweaks you can make, and there are plenty of other tricks and tips to give your health a boost too.

Teas And Other Hot Drinks

There are plenty of herbal teas available on the market now. Many are available on your supermarket shelves or your regular grocery store. Why drink herbal or fruit teas? Not only will the extra fluids help you to maintain good hydration, but they can provide a range of other benefits too. Some can boost your immune system, and others can help you to relax. You can find teas with infusions of lemon or honey to help with a sore throat. Did you know that a hot lemon water can help your body start the day?

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Supplements

Most of us know to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to ensure our bodies receive all the nutrients they need. But many of us still fall short on portion sizes when it comes to vegetables. And it’s quite difficult to eat quite the variety necessary for everything a healthy body might need. This is where supplements come in. According to this blog, you can find supportive nutrition to help with a range of problems like low energy or weakened immune system. As this kind of supplement is naturally sourced, it can help your body without the nasty side effects of chemicals.

Breathe

The breathing techniques promoted in the different styles of Yoga can offer many health benefits. Some are described as cleansing breaths. These are thought to boost your immunity to colds and other common viruses. Other breathing techniques can boost your energy levels or provide deep relaxation. You don’t have to join a Yoga group to benefit. Many of these techniques can be found on YouTube or other websites so you can practice them at home.

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Sleep

Sleep may be more important to your overall health than you think. It is especially important for your mental health. All of the experiences of the day are carefully sorted and filed away when we sleep well. Without that quality sleep, you might find you become more confused and forgetful. Sleep is also thought to play a part in resetting hormonal cycles. No wonder we become emotional when we’re tired from a lack of sleep!

Socialise

It is thought that socialising is essential for good mental health. It is also considered to be essential for boosting your immune system. Frequent interactions (in person, not online) trigger different chemical reactions in the brain that in turn provide happy feelings, and better physical responses. So don’t stay in watching TV alone. Get out there and reap the health benefits of a fun night out with friends.

 

Perfect Party Planning Is Easier Than You Think

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Everyone loves the idea of throwing a big bash to celebrate that big birthday. But in reality, it can feel like too much work and hassle. Planning a perfect party to make someone feel special shouldn’t be this hard! Fortunately, we’ve come up with some of the best ways to plan the event of the year. It all starts with a list of ideas that you want to include. The rest will follow!

Ideas And Inspiration

It’s usually a good idea to ask the birthday boy or girl what they would like for their party. This will help you gauge just how far you can go with your ideas. Of course, if you’re keen for the whole event to be a surprise, then you’re going to need to do some detective work.

Start with their hobbies and interests. Are they passionate about music, or enjoy pets or books? Whatever it is they’re into, this could become the starting point for your whole theme. It might also give you some ideas for entertainment and activities at the party too.

If you’re still stuck for ideas, you can look at their FaceBook page to see what things they are most interested in sharing or posting about. Ask their friends if they’ve had any chats about the impending birthday. Don’t forget – you’re going to need some ideas for a great gift too! The more people you talk to, the better.

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Theme

Having a theme is ideal because it gives you pointers for the decorations, the music, the food, and even the costumes. Costume parties are a lot of fun for everyone, and they make the best photos too. If you’re going to throw a party-of-the-year, then you want it to be memorable.

 

What better way to remember this birthday forever than with photos? If you’re all dressing up, it might be a good idea to book something like a Booth Boy open photo booth. Then you can all fit in, and capture some incredibly fun (and funny) shots of the big event. Everyone loves sharing their event photos on social media so choose a service that offers online accessibility to the pics.

So what are your choices for a theme? Again, try to keep it within the birthday boy or girl’s interests. Movies, music, the 1960s, or football are just some of the most popular choices. Now it’s time to put the venue together and figure out the little details.

Venue

You can always hold the party at your home. However, not everybody is keen on opening up their family home to a lot of people. And if you have close neighbours, they might not be keen either! Of course, you don’t have to manage all the catering and clean up yourself. You can hire companies that can take care of all those details for you.

In some places, music can prove problematic. You might need a license to play music if you’re throwing a party. Most venues that you hire usually have this license in place. You might pick a community hall, a sports centre, or even a hotel function room. It’s best to pick a venue that can comfortably cope with the number of people you intend to entertain.

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Activities

Every party should be fun for every guest as well as the guest of honour. Pick activities that get people into the party spirit. You can choose inflatable assault courses (yes, for grown-ups), bubble factories (yes, for grown-ups), or even karaoke. Try to pick something that will engage your guests.

If space is limited, you might prefer to hire professional entertainers. Dancers, a band, or even a stand-up comedian could be ideal in this situation. You might prefer to look for something quirky or unique. Maybe your guest of honour has some ideas?

Food And Drink

If you like the idea of a themed party, then the food and drink could be easier to prepare than you think. Shapes and colours are the best way to theme food. You might have football shaped snacks and cakes. Perhaps you can decorate some of the dishes to look like a superhero emblem or a team crest? The options are endless. Food dye can achieve quite a lot here!

As for catering? Hire a professional company if you’re hosting a big bash. It takes the pressure off you, and you won’t have to worry about keeping food at the right temperature. If you’re planning a low-budget party, why not ask guests to bring a dish? You may need more room in the fridge and a hot plate, but these won’t break the bank. Also for clearing the mess later on, you can easily hire home cleaning services, which will not only save your time but also the hassle

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Invites

When you start to design your party invites, it’s important you already have your theme decided. Then you can choose invites that match the theme. It gives your guest a better idea of what to expect too. You can post your invites to social media, or have traditional invitations printed out.

Make sure you give the full address of the venue. If you’re hiring a place with a closing time, be sure to put an end time as well as a start time on the invite. Don’t forget to clarify any theme details and what you expect of guests regarding costume.

On The Night

It’s usually a good idea to plan out the event so you can fit everything in. If guests are likely to bring gifts, what do you want to do with them? You might have an official ‘opening’, or perhaps you prefer to put them aside until after the party? Are you going to hand out party favours or other goodies at the end of the party?

Guests will undoubtedly expect some speeches on the night as well. The guest of honour will need to stand up and say a few words of thanks. Will you need a microphone for that? Who will officially wish them a happy birthday? Speeches tend to take place later in the evening rather than right at the beginning. Will you all eat before or after this?

Planning your event in detail gives you the chance to deliver the perfect party. Enjoy.

 

 

 

Fighting Phobias: How To Conquer The Unconquerable

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Most people have an aversion to creepy crawlies, heights or enclosed spaces but fewer no the crippling fear and panic that go hand in hand with a phobia. Around 19.2 million adult Americans live with a phobia or extreme fear of some sort. For those people, it can be an isolating experience that they struggle to communicate to friends, family and loved ones. A phobia can also be extremely damaging to the psyche and impede people in their day-to-day life. The sheer range of subjects about which one can be phobic, coupled by the almost unbearable sense of dread and anxiety that manifests in people with phobias make it a very real and serious psychological condition.

Understanding phobias

Living with a phobia can be at best inconvenient and at worst debilitating. It can prevent you from taking a family vacation, allowing your child to take in a pet, or going to the dentist. Nobody who lives with a phobia wants to continue to suffer, but it can be difficult to determine the best way to fight your phobias. WHile there are a variety of coping strategies, among the most potent is understanding.

It’s not always clear how or why phobias occur but they tend to be linked to (sometimes forgotten) traumatic experiences in childhood, adolescence or the early years of adulthood. They can also be learned by observing the behavior of others as we grow up. If your Mom got freaked out by spiders when you were little, chances are you’ll grow up to be scared of spiders too. More complex phobias like agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) or social phobia are thought to be caused by a perfect storm of genetic and neurochemical factors.

Symptoms of phobias

Many people living with phobias don’t understand the distinction between a fear and a phobia. While in many ways they are the same, the symptoms of a phobia are often much more pronounced. When brought into contact with a ‘stressor’, be it a rat, a spider, an airplane or a crowded shopping mall, the body produces a surge of adrenaline initiating a ‘fight or flight’ response in the reptilian brain and causing a state of panic, which may also include:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trembling
  • Sweating

If you experience these symptoms, then there’s a good chance you’re experiencing a phobia rather than a fear.

Coping strategies

Having identified the causes and symptoms of phobias, let’s have a look at some strategies to stop them from taking control of your life. As with any form of cognitive therapy, these strategies require effort and persistence but if you stick with them can make a real difference.

The most important thing is to remember that anxiety is a perfectly natural survival mechanism. These strategies are designed to help manage anxiety, not eliminate it.

‘Realistic Thinking’– This is a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It requires you to explore your phobia with some searching questions. What is it that you’re really afraid of? Most of us know that a crowd, a rat or a spider pose little physical threat to us, so why do they cause us anxiety? These can be difficult questions to ask ourselves and we’re often unable to answer them which leads us to…

Research– There’s nothing as terrifying as the unknown, and our imaginations have a tendency to warp and exaggerate unknown commodities. Research the animal you’re afraid of, or the technical specifications of planes if you’re afraid of flying.You may find that the more you know and understand, the less you fear.

Controlled exposure– This is the most effective coping strategy but it’s extremely important not to rush it. How you carry out a controlled exposure will depend on your phobia. If, for example, you’re afraid of the dentist’s then a very gradual exposure to the practice is the way to go. Begin with walking in and out of the practice with a partner or friend. After a while, see if you can walk into the building on your own. The next day, try sitting in the waiting area (accompanied for around 10-15 minutes). After you’ve done this, as your partner to leave you there alone for ten minutes but ensure they’re on standby if it does get too much. Then, make an appointment with your dentist just to talk and get to know them. If you need to bring someone else in with you then that’s absolutely fine too. When you’re ready allow them to look inside your mouth then graduate to a clean and polish and eventually to whatever work you may need done.

 

 

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