March 29, 2018
by Tracey Block
Have you ever taken time off from work because of a cold, flu or other physical ailment that needed attention? If so, you may have felt comfortable chatting about it when you returned to work—healthy and ready to get back at it. But the situation is often daunting for employees who need to take time off work for mental health illnesses—and then transition back into the workplace. How can you comfortably navigate information sharing about your mental health challenges at work?
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March 24, 2018
by Tracey Block
Having a strong work ethic has long been considered a positive characteristic. Yet in recent years, much more is being published about the negative impacts to one’s health--specifically to one's mental health--as a result of too much work.
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March 20, 2018
by Tracey Block
The end of flu season has not quite arrived. But for those who have already unfortunately experienced it this year, the effects of the annual illness may still be lingering—in the brain. Surprising new research shows the flu may actually pose a danger to your mental health.
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March 13, 2018
by Tracey Block
Setting the clock ahead an hour in the spring, or back an hour in the fall, is known to make people feel sleepy and cranky while they adjust to the time change. The body's natural circadian rhythm can be briefly--and negatively--impacted by these time changes. And now, researchers are recognizing that jet lag from long distance travel can cause negative effects not only to one's physical--but to one's long-term psychological health.
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March 12, 2018
by Tracey Block
Social conversations sometimes turn to discussions and comparisons of the common phobias humans share--fear of heights; fear of spiders; fear of tight spaces. The list is endless. But some phobias are less common--and also less understood by researchers and professionals in psychology. One of these is Trypophobia.
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March 5, 2018
by Tracey Block
Over any period of time, one's physical health may range from excellent to poor, depending on illness--chronic or temporary. Recognizing this, Canada's military mental health professionals have created a mental health spectrum--identifying and respecting the ever-changing fluidity of its workers' mental health challenges and wellbeing. Can the same scale now be applied to the civilian workplace?
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March 2, 2018
by Tracey Block
In the past, the line between agoraphobia and panic attacks was blurred. But ongoing research has resulted in psychotherapy professionals recognizing the phobia as completely separate from the panic attacks that may result from it. Agoraphobia is not a panic disorder. It is, instead, being recognized as a fear of being afraid and losing control.
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February 27, 2018
by Tracey Block
The importance of a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is well known, but researchers have recently studied the effect of healthy eating on one's mental health--with the possibility that foods that are good for the body may also be good for the mind.
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February 24, 2018
by Tracey Block
Virtual reality is most recognizable these days as the next great tool for games and simulated travel. But for professionals and researchers in the field of mental health, virtual reality may just be the right tool for people with social anxiety, and other mental health disorders, to gain access to near-real environments with real solutions.
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February 20, 2018
by Tracey Block
Improvements in technology continue to provide more options in treating patients with mental health challenges. But professionals--and patients--are recognizing that some "old-fashioned methods" may actually bring revolutionary results, even in the 21st century.
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