THERAPEUTIC LIVING

Nothing would make me happier than to run out of psychotherapy patients.  Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoy doing therapy; that’s why I got into this field.  But I’d be happy if all my potential clients figured it all out so that they didn’t need my services.  I would have to make some changes to my practice (or get a second job selling mandolin picks, perhaps, and here and there a harmonica), but it would be worth it.

As it is, I’m afraid there is no immediate danger of me running out of therapy business.  There are, however, things people can be doing to improve their mental health before they set foot in my office.  I typically ask questions about lifestyle factors that can make a big difference in our quality of life.  These include exercise, diet, time spent in nature, relationships, recreation, relaxation and spirituality.   

Research supports the idea that these things can help us to be healthy and feel well.  Some of them are no surprise.  Pick up any magazine off the newsstand and you are likely to find an article on the benefits of eating well and exercising.  Some of them are a little unexpected.  Who knew, for example, that people who go to church weekly tend to live about seven years longer than people who don’t?  Or that being in nature can enhance our performance on cognitive tasks?

The unfortunate thing is that most therapists don’t ask their clients about such things.  I am always encouraged when the people I see have incorporated some of these factors into their daily lives.  It lets me know that they have resources to help them deal with the struggles that brought them to me in the first place.  I emphasize this in our first session, so they realize that they are already doing some things that will help them get where they want to be.

How about you?  How many of these factors are a regular part of your lifestyle?  What benefits do you enjoy?  What are the obstacles to incorporating more of them into your life?  Share with us.

Welcome to Summer!

Children around the country are rejoicing the end of school and the beginning of their summer vacation.  When I was young, it meant little treats like being allowed out after supper (not ok during the school year), playing baseball all day long, or bigger treats like trips to the Bronx Zoo or Palisades Amusement Park.  The beginning of summer was a big deal!

Many children and adults see summer as a time for kids to break free from the structure of the school year; to a certain extent that’s fine.  No school means fewer demands means more time for fun.  I’m all for that.  But too much of a good thing can be, well, too much.  Perhaps there is still a place for limits when school’s out.

I know that some parents allow their children to sleep as late as they want during the summer.  I see a few problems with this practice.  We know that we sleep better when our sleep and wake times are regular.  Waking up much later than we do the rest of the year tampers with that balance.  Also, waking later means staying up later; in some cases parents go to bed long before their children do.  What are the children doing during that time?  With no adult supervision, it could be almost anything.  And at the end of the summer there is the struggle to get them back on schedule.  I was allowed to stay up 30 minutes later during the summer than during the school year.  The extra half-hour felt like a treat.

For some kids, summer means unlimited time to play their favorite video games or catch up on TV reruns.  The experts tell us we should limit children’s screen time, for a variety of reasons: overexposure to commercials for unhealthy foods, the lack of exercise and fresh air, and social isolation are a few.  Although it may seem cruel not to let them do what they want with their newfound leisure time, they’ll be better off with a time limit.  Two to three hours of screen time per day during the summer is probably enough.

Parents, make time to be with your kids.  This does not have to be the expensive trip to Disneyland that breaks the family bank.  There are many things you can do with your children at or close to home.  Trips to the local pool, fishing, riding bikes, playing board games – all of these and many other activities are easily accessible, inexpensive, and FUN!!  Bigger family trips can also be enjoyable, but don’t underestimate the value of the little things you can do every day.  Your children will remember them fondly when they are older.

So, this is my plug for not letting your children go hog-wild during the dog days.  With a little thought and some well-placed limits, summer can be fun for the whole family.  Enjoy!