Familiarizing Yourself with the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

We often associate PTSD with flashbacks to traumatic events, but people often aren't aware of the different types of symptoms that may be present in people with PTSD. This article will give an overview of PTSD, including its symptoms, and explore the options for treatment to help people with PTSD heal and improve their lives.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs as the result of trauma, such as rape, war, terrorism, torture, a natural disaster, or the unexpected death of a loved one. PTSD is a normal response to an abnormal situation. When you experience a traumatic event, your body and brain react to protect you from danger. This natural biological reaction is known as the fight-or-flight response. 

Types of PTSD Symptoms

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most common signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include:

1. Avoidance Symptoms

During traumatic events, people have a natural tendency to try to escape or avoid anything that reminds them of the event. The fear or anxiety can be so overwhelming that they feel they have to avoid situations that could bring back memories of the traumatic event. 

Fear and anxiety are in the body and mind and can be extremely difficult to control. However, avoidance behaviors can make the symptoms worse. Avoidance prevents you from learning how to cope with PTSD symptoms, and it can lead to life changes that may cause a reduction in quality of life.

2. Re-Experiencing symptoms

A defining symptom of PTSD is experiencing memories of the traumatic event again, even though you are safe. This can happen in different ways. Nightmares are the most common. Flashbacks are also a common way that people with PTSD experience the traumatic event again. Flashbacks can be very vivid, leaving you feeling like you are back in a traumatic situation.

3. Hyper Arousal Symptoms

Anxiety, irritability, and sleep trouble are common symptoms of PTSD. Hyperarousal is when your body and mind remain in a state of heightened alertness. It can be exhausting to live with. Most people with PTSD frequently feel on edge. They may be jumpy, easily startled, and irritable. They may also have trouble concentrating, remembering details of the traumatic event, or relaxing. 

4. Cognitive Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms include thoughts or feelings that make it hard to function or cause intense guilt or shame. You may have thoughts about not having done anything to prevent the traumatic event. These "what ifs" can be very difficult to live with.

Negative thinking about yourself or your future can also negatively impact your ability to function. Feeling guilty about a traumatic event or feeling ashamed can also cause a person to withdraw from people or activities. 

Conclusion

PTSD can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. It can cause physical and mental health problems, social problems like becoming isolated, and difficulty holding down a job.

Traumatic experiences affect people in many ways. Fortunately, PTSD is treatable. When you are ready to heal, working with a professional can help you overcome PTSD and regain a sense of balance in your life.

Visit us for trauma counseling in Houston. Our organization exists to help individuals recover from their trauma and take control of their lives. Remember, help is just a phone call away.

Lifestyle Changes to Make That Can Help Through Depression

People experience depression differently from one another. Those struggling with the condition may feel helpless, frustrated, and even hopeless. Experiencing depression is not a sign of a personal shortcoming or weakness. Factors that can contribute to depression are loss, grief, illness, and pain. 

There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to help you through depression. Because these practices may seem counterintuitive, it is essential to remember that the purpose is to help you with your condition.

Move More

It is probably not a surprise that getting exercise can help alleviate feelings of depression. Getting up and moving your body can release endorphins, help you sleep better, and give you a sense of accomplishment that relieves stress. Exercise can also help you do things you may have put on hold because of your illness, such as taking a walk or swimming with your family.

Get Adequate Sleep

Inadequate sleep can be a trigger for depression and anxiety. Depression is often accompanied by a feeling of being tired and lethargic, so making sure that you get enough sleep each night can be helpful.

Eat Well

When you are depressed, you may feel unmotivated to eat well. As a result, you might turn to high-carbohydrate snacks that can leave you feeling sluggish and unable to complete your daily tasks. Additionally, sugar intake can cause mood swings and cravings that make it difficult to cut back on sugar. Not only can diet affect your mood, but it can also contribute to unhealthy weight gain. 

Get Enough Sunlight

Exposure to natural light is the single most effective way to boost the mood. This is especially true for people who live in northern climates where the winter can be long and dreary. Going outside for just 15 minutes each day can help keep you from developing depression.

Seek Support

Depression is a common symptom of many chronic illnesses. In fact, you are more likely to experience depression if you are dealing with these conditions. Your feelings of depression can also be exacerbated by the physical suffering and pain that you experience as a result of your illness. Having a support system of loved ones and friends who try to understand what you are going through can help you feel better.

Limit Caffeine and Alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol can cause mood swings, cause you to feel stressed and anxious, and lead to sleep problems. If you feel depressed, it may be a good idea to limit these substances to improve your mood and avoid additional pain and suffering.

Have Creative Time

Traditional medicine may not be enough to adequately address the needs of people who regularly experience pain and suffering. Creative, artistic activities have been found to have a positive impact on depression in patients who may not be as responsive to typical treatment.

Conclusion

While there are numerous lifestyle changes and therapies that can help you overcome depression, it can be difficult to know which actions to take. If you have been experiencing symptoms of depression, you may want to speak to a professional about your concerns. They can provide you with a diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment.

Do you need counseling in Houston? Get in touch with Hope Seed Support Center. We are an organization that provides the community with counseling, nutritional therapy, and many other services. Call today.

5 Healthy Ways of Managing Politically Induced Stress

You’re not alone in feeling politically stressed! In fact, the political climate has been high-stress for quite a while, and it will continue to do so. It's just part of the process. With so many issues at play, it's hard to know what's real and what's not. It's hard to know who to trust.

Uncertain political times can leave people confused, scared, angry, and feeling unsure about the future. However, don't let the ever-changing political climate get you down! You can take charge of your well-being, deal with your feelings, and give yourself the best chance to thrive in the midst of change. Here are five ways you successfully manage being politically stressed:

1. Find Out How Much Time You Spend Engaging with Political Content

The amount of time you spend on political content depends on your level of political stress. Naturally, people who are politically stressed will feel the need to spend more time engaging with political content. This can lead to a vicious cycle, where the more time you spend, the more stressed you get. The less time you spend, the less stressed you get.

Start by asking how much time you spend engaging with political content? You may feel like you're doing it all the time, but it’s helpful to capture this information. Don’t forget to include all of your online activity, as well as your time watching and listening to the news, talking about politics with friends and family, and attending political events. Don’t forget to include time spent reading an article that may have political content. If you read an article about a politician, it may contain political content.

2. Take a Digital Detox

How often do you check your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts? Many people can't go 10 minutes without stopping to check their social media or e-mail. We tend to over-consume media, which causes us to become stressed. When you are checking the news or social media, you are simply bringing more stress into your life. This is why it is so important to take a digital detox.

A digital detox means taking a break from all digital media. That means no reading or watching the news online and no checking your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. You can still go on the computer to read or do work, but don't do it for pleasure. Digital detoxes can be very refreshing.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Take a few moments to slow down, stop multitasking, and take a few mindful breaths. Mindfulness is the act of focusing your full attention on the present moment, while resisting the urge to multi-task. Mindfulness will help you stay present and focused, without living in or obsessing about the past or future. Mindfulness exercises can reduce stress and help you be more present and focused.

4. Engage in Healthy Communication

When communicating with others, be mindful of how you communicate. Make sure that you don't get caught up in a conversation with someone who is emotionally needy or is negative. If you are attacking someone, turn it into a conversation about how you feel. You can even detach yourself from your political stress by making a joke. Although the topic may not be a laughing matter, the stress relief will certainly make you feel better. Also, listening to others helps you feel more connected, and it can help you manage your stress.

5. Learn to Step Away from Conversations

Now, try as you may, it is sometimes difficult to stop talking about politics. Even if you are successful in keeping the conversation on a light note, it may not always be possible to avoid talking politics. When you feel yourself getting stressed out, it is best to say something like, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to run. Have a nice day!"

The political climate can be stressful, especially when it feels like you are part of the problem. However, the more you learn to manage your stress, the more positive you will feel. By learning to manage your stress, you will give yourself the best chance to thrive in the midst of change.

Conclusion

If you’re stressed from politics, it’s not your fault, and it’s not in your head. It’s real. It’s a real source of stress in our daily lives. Though politics may seem like it is getting worse, and it’s hard to know how we got here, it’s never been easier to learn how to manage your stress.

If you're experiencing politically induced stress or other forms of stress, take a moment to assess your situation and ask for help. Hope Seed Support Center is here to provide counseling for addiction, depression, stress, and anxiety. No matter what your need or circumstance is, you can trust us to provide hope-centered counseling so you can live a healthier and stress-free life. Give us a call today to begin your journey to a better you.

How Stress Counseling Can Help Dealing with Work Stressors

Stress is everywhere. It can manifest at home, in relationships, and at work. If you're experiencing stress in the workplace, it can be due to job pressures, harassment, bullying, and other unhealthy working conditions. The stress could build up until it becomes overwhelming, which could lead to other health problems.

However, counseling can help you manage and make sense of your feelings. By putting stress in context and emphasizing healthy ways to cope with it, counseling can support you in switching off work stress and getting back to work with a positive outlook.

What is Stress Counseling?

Stress accumulation in the workplace is so common. It's a natural phenomenon that we all go through. When stress is not dealt with appropriately, it could lead to burnout, which is when you feel completely exhausted and are in danger of being unproductive at work.

There are various kinds of counseling that can help you manage your stress better. Family therapy, for instance, is a form of counseling that focuses on improving communication in a family setting. This can be useful if you feel that your family situation is affecting your mental health.

If you are an employee in a competitive workplace, you can also benefit from stress counseling. This is because counseling can help you switch off work stress. It can also help you improve your relationships at work, including the relationship with your boss.

What are the Goals of Stress Counseling?

Counseling works best when you are open to change. If you are interested in the process of counseling, you are more likely to benefit from it. The goals of counseling may include:

• Understanding work stressors and how they affect your mental health and well-being

• Learning how to recognize signs of burnout and how to manage them

• Improving work relationships

• Developing assertiveness and communication skills

• Identifying and eliminating unhealthy coping mechanisms

• Changing your lifestyle to improve your health and well-being

• Challenging negative thoughts

• Challenging a negative self-image

How Does It Work?

Just like any other kind of counseling, stress counseling focuses on the relationship between you and your therapist. It aims to help you learn more about your stress and how you can cope with it. Because stress affects your relationships, counseling can help you keep your relationships in good condition.

During stress counseling, you and your therapist can identify the sources of stress in your life and how you can deal with them. You will also be encouraged to think about ways to manage your stress better.

A stress-coping program is usually part of the treatment in stress counseling. This will help you identify strategies for coping with work stress and getting back to work.

How Do I Choose a Counselor to Help Me Manage Stress?

Whether you are dealing with work stress or other kinds of stress, you should consider looking for a non-judgmental and empathetic counselor to talk to. A good therapist can provide you with a safe space to talk about any and all of your problems. They can also provide you with the skills you need to help you deal with work stress better.

A good therapist will also be able to assess your situation and offer solutions. They can also tailor a counseling program to your specific needs.

Conclusion

When dealing with stress in the workplace, it's vital to find a healthy way to manage it. This is where counseling can help you learn to cope with work stress and find peace within yourself. Stress counseling is designed to help you find solutions and improve your life while also helping you avoid various kinds of health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Dealing with stress isn't something you should deal with all by yourself. Having your friends and family by your side helps a lot, not to mention seeking help from a professional. Hope Seed Support Center is here to provide counseling and therapy sessions to help you cope with whatever's troubling you. Our counseling center in Houston is always open to welcome you. Schedule an appointment with us today!

These Unusual Signs of Depression Will Surprise You

What you see on the surface is not always what it seems. Emotions and mental problems can manifest in a lot of things. When you have a tough week at work or school, the term depression is often used informally to describe how you feel. 

However, major depressive disorder is a far more sophisticated kind of depression. There are unique signs that distinguish depression from the sadness you experience from time to time. 

Determining whether persistent, unwavering gloomy feelings are caused by depression is the first step toward healing and recovery. 

Check out these warning signals to discover whether you should get help from a mental health expert.

You’ve Developed a Shopping Addiction

Care to assess if your buying habit is out of hand or if you tend to conceal your spending. Whether in stores or online, compulsive shopping can serve as a distraction or a self-esteem booster for certain depressed people. 

However, because retail therapy does not address underlying sadness, it is only a temporary high. Also, shopping binges can sometimes be a sign of mania in people with bipolar illness.

You’re Heavy Drinking

Alcohol is abused by nearly a third of those who suffer from serious depression. You could be one of them if you feel the urge to drink to cope with worry and despair. 

Although a drink may seem like a good way to cheer yourself up when you’re sad, alcohol is a depressive, so drinking too much of it can make depression episodes worse and more frequent.

You’ve Become Forgetful

Feeling fuzzy or forgetful could be due to depression. Long-term depression or stress has been shown in studies to increase cortisol levels in the body. This can cause memory and learning areas of the brain to shrink or deteriorate. 

Memory loss connected to depression appears to be worse in older persons. Fortunately, treating depression may also help with memory issues.

You’re Always Online

It can be a red flag if you prefer virtual over real-life social interactions. If you’re wasting a lot of time online, it could be a symptom of depression. 

Excessive internet use has been linked to high levels of depression. Also, people who are online all the time are more likely to get hooked on pornographic websites, online communities, and gaming websites.

You’re Always Binge Eating

Studies show that young individuals who reported being depressed gained extra weight around their waist, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Depression has been associated with binge eating in other research, particularly in middle-aged persons. 

Depression treatment can aid in the relief of these issues.

You’ve Developed a Gambling Addiction

Gambling might make you feel pumped up and energized. However, if you bet for reasons other than fun, you may develop a gambling addiction illness. 

Many people claim to have been nervous and depressed before they began gambling. This is a reason why problem gamblers are far more likely to be depressive and abuse alcohol than the general population.

Unfortunately, gambling will not deliver the major prize — alleviation from depression — no matter how much of a high it provides.

You’ve Taken Up Smoking

When you’re depressed, you’re twice as likely to start smoking. According to the CDC, heavy smoking is a prevalent habit among smokers who are depressed. 

They are less likely to quit, but they can if they put their mind to it. Quit-smoking programs are most likely effective if they employ strategies comparable to those used to treat depression, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or antidepressant medicines.

Conclusion

Depression is a serious mental health problem. In worst cases, you may even end up neglecting yourself. The indicators can range from not brushing your teeth to skipping physical tests or failing to treat chronic problems. If you get therapy for your depression, you’ll be able to start taking care of yourself again.

If you need a depression helpline, Hope Seed Support Center is prepared to conduct counseling sessions in-person and online. We provide services to the community through counseling, nutritional therapy, and many more. Schedule an appointment with our counselors today. 

Why Millennials Are More Anxious and What They Can Do

Some people would say that mental illnesses are a new fad or phase that millennials are going through. However, it is not a trend. Rather, it has become more talked about due to more resources and knowledge on it.

One noticeable thing about mental illness is that more millennials are becoming anxious. For millennials, anxiety has become the norm.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health disorder that is a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, which affects millions of people every day. It is a mental state of unease and worry. The neurotransmitters that send off signals to the brain are out of whack.

Anxiety can relate to a feeling of dread, uncertainty, worry, or unease. This is why people with anxiety are often obsessive, worrying, and overthinking. It is normal to feel nervous or anxious before an important event or situation, but anxiety goes beyond that. It feels like someone is drilling into your head, and it is terribly uncontrollable.

What Are the Causes of Anxiety in Millennials?

The cause of anxiety varies from person to person. Some of the causes of anxiety in millennials include the following:

1. Fear of Death

Many millennials today feel that everything is temporary, and they are scared to death that they will die without leaving a mark on the world. As a result of this fear, they live their lives as if they will die tomorrow.

Millennials have become a generation of people who seem to have everything, but they have no idea where they will be in the future. Because of this, millennials have become more focused on the present than the future.

2. Lack of Purpose

Another reason for this is the lack of purpose in their lives. Millennials know what they don't want to be when they grow up, but they don't know what they want to be when they grow up. This lack of direction results in anxiety.

Millennials are a generation that is obsessed with the idea of success. Success is defined differently to different people, so it is hard for millennials to know what success means to them.

3. World of Technology

The world has become a more stressful place to live in for millennials. They have to face the challenges of more modern technology. They have to deal with the pressure of social media, work, relationships, and aging all at the same time.

As previously mentioned, millennials are becoming anxious because of these challenges. It is difficult to adjust to a new place and face new challenges.

4. Lack of Financial Stability

Millennials want to pursue their dreams and goals, but most of them can't because they don't have the financial stability to do so.

Millennials are poor because they have the emotional and financial pressure of the world. They need money to survive, and to do so, they must work long hours because they want to make more money. These factors are making millennials into a generation that is working harder for less.

Seeking Help From a Professional

It is important that you seek professional help if you are a millennial suffering from anxiety. Do not ignore it as it can be a dangerous mental disorder.

There are also more resources available for millennials to help them deal with their anxiety. There are support groups, counseling centers, and therapists who can help you change your perception about life.

There is a tendency to belittle the severity of mental illness and mental illness in general. However, it is not something that you should dismiss. The most important thing that you can do to combat anxiety is to seek help from someone who can help you.

Conclusion

Anxiety is normal, and it is genetically hardwired into all of us. It is normal to feel anxious. It becomes an issue when it becomes an all-consuming feeling. It is when you feel you are suffering from anxiety that you should seek help from a professional.

If you need a counseling center in Houston, you can visit Hope Seed Support Center. We offer counseling, therapy, and other mental health support services. Never neglect your mental health and contact us for guidance.

Why Millennials Stress Levels are Highest in the Pandemic

Due to the overwhelming uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans are suddenly plunged into stressful situations on a daily basis. Whether it's job loss, the idea of social isolation, or the anxiety brought upon by the growing rates of infection, it's not an easy time for everyone. However, recent studies suggest that younger people are experiencing mental distress even more than older adults. Let's look at how Gen Z and millennials are feeling the stresses of the pandemic more than any other age group.

Young People and the Coronavirus

It can be difficult to understand the effect that COVID-19 has on the younger generation. While we're used to being scolded by our elders, the younger generation is barely even aware of the pandemic. Others argue that young people are actually more aware of the pandemic due to the influence of social media. Due to that increased awareness, they are exposed to more sources of stress than ever before.

One of the most dangerous aspects of the coronavirus is the stress it brings to social life. Most experts agree that social isolation is a huge part of the COVID-19 pandemic, and those who are most vulnerable to social isolation are the young people.

Why are Younger People More Susceptible to Mental Distress?

A new study in May 2020 revealed that more cases of mental distress were reported from younger people compared to the same time period in 2018. However, there are several theories as to why younger people are suffering more from the influx of stress.

1. Young people are more easily influenced by social media.

While it is true that social media is a tremendous outlet for stress relief and general communication, it is also a major source of anxiety. The real-time mirror that social media presents to people is a significant contributor to anxiety, especially as it attracts a huge audience of younger people.

2. Younger people are more likely to have lost a loved one.

The early deaths from the coronavirus have affected everyone. However, it is still more likely that younger people have lost someone due to the pandemic. This is due to the fact that a huge majority of deaths in the pandemic have occurred to individuals above the age of 60. As a result, most families have already suffered tremendous losses, and the stress of losing someone is much more likely to have affected younger people.

3. Young people are more likely to lose their job.

After losing a loved one, the next stages of grief can be some of the most stressful for people. If a person loses a job due to the coronavirus, that creates a tremendous amount of pressure and stress for the family unit. As a result, many families have already begun to go through a period of emotional distress due to the loss of a loved one.

4. Younger people have less financial security.

While it is true that many older adults are dealing with the stress of COVID-19 and financial uncertainty, it is more likely that younger people are in a state of constant stress since they aren't as financially secure as older adults. The inability to buy necessities such as food, shelter, and medicine can create a tremendous amount of stress.

Conclusion

While we might not understand the specific causes of mental distress among young people, we can still help. The best way to help a younger person who is experiencing mental distress is to talk to them. Tell them that you understand and offer them a listening ear. Even if they don't want to talk, there's no need to force them. Simply be there to listen when they are ready.

If you're feeling a little stressed about your current situation or know someone who does, it helps to have someone there to talk to and process your feelings. That's what Hope Seed Support Center is all about. Our hope-centered counseling and therapy sessions for children, teens, and adults are designed to address your needs and help you live a happier and healthier life. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

How Depression Affects Your Physical Health

Depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses in the world. In the US alone, an estimated 21 million adults have experienced depression in their lives. While it is considered a mental disorder, depression can also significantly affect your physical health and well-being. Learning more about what depression is, the symptoms of depression, and how depression can affect your entire body can help you know whether or not you should seek treatment.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression can have a negative impact on any person’s life. Depression is not a normal part of life and should be treated as soon as possible. There are many symptoms of depression, and it is essential to know what they are so that you can get the treatment you need.

Symptoms of depression include:

Persistent Feelings of Sadness

Persistent Feelings of Guilt

Irritability

Feelings of Hopelessness and Despair

Loss of Interest in Work or Hobbies Once Enjoyed

Feelings of Worthlessness

Thoughts of Suicide

Depression can also cause physical symptoms besides these. For example, you may notice a change in your sleep quality or appetite. People diagnosed with depression will also have trouble falling asleep or that you wake up several times during the night.

What Causes Depression?

Depression is caused by a combination of factors, including genetic and environmental factors. However, stress is one of the most common causes of depression. Stress can be caused by any number of factors, including grief, financial woes, or grief. In addition, depression may be caused by problems with a loved one or other stress factors. Some of the most common causes of depression include:

Genetic Factors

Traumatic Life Events

Poor Nutrition

Substance Abuse

Negative Thinking Patterns

The combination of factors listed above can greatly increase a person’s risk of developing depression, and these factors may vary from person to person. In addition, being diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease may increase your risk of developing depression. This is because chronic illness can have a very negative impact on a person’s life and self-esteem.

The Impact on Physical Health

There is a clear link between depression and physical health, with the most common link being the development of obesity or obesity-related diseases. Depression can cause a person to skip meals, leading to weight loss or unhealthy weight. In addition, many people who have depression also tend to abuse alcohol or drugs, which also can lead to weight gain.

In addition to the above, being diagnosed with depression can also increase the risk of suicide or self-harm. While it is easy to see how depression may increase your risk of these factors, it can often be difficult to understand what causes depression to lead to these factors.

Why Does Depression Cause Physical Health Problems?

If you are already dealing with a chronic disease, symptoms of depression will not only have a negative effect on your emotions and mental health, but it may also have a negative impact on your physical health. Depression has been shown to have a negative effect on your immune system. This is because your immune system uses the same chemicals that are used to produce emotions. Therefore, when you are depressed, your immune system may be weakened, which may make it more difficult to fight infections and diseases.

There is also some evidence that depression may increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers. This is due to the fact that depression can affect the hormones in your body, which can lead to problems with your metabolism.

Conclusion

Depression is a serious but common mental health condition that can greatly affect your life. When you are diagnosed with depression, you may feel as though your life is over, but you do have options. With the right treatment, you can overcome depression and the symptoms associated with it.
If you're experiencing symptoms of depression or you know someone who might feel the same, Hope Seed Support Center is here to help.

We provide counseling for addiction, depression, grief, and behavioral therapy counseling in Houston, TX. No matter what your need or circumstance is, Hope Seed Support Center ensures the highest level of care possible so you can live a healthier life. Give us a call today to begin your journey to a better you.

Stress: Does It Help or Hurt You?

Stress is a part of life that cannot be avoided. Many factors can contribute to or cause stress, including the weather, traffic, issues with your finances, work, deadlines, and more. Even the way we think and self-talk can add to our stress level. 

That said, not all stress is bad for you. In truth, stress is necessary to improve one’s performance. But while some amount of stress can enhance your drive and help you perform your task well, too much of it can be a burden to your brain and your body. 

Dealing with too much stress for far too long can lead to exhaustion, depression, migraines, asthma, high blood pressure, cancers, stomach issues, and misuse of alcohol or drugs. 

But how can you maintain your stress at a level that helps you? The best therapist in Houston shares some helpful information: 

Do Daily Check-Ins

It is vital that you find the right balance in your life to avoid overloading yourself with stress. It is not wrong to take a pause several times a day if you think you’re getting overwhelmed.

Intentional Self-Care Matters

Make a plan on what you can do for yourself to reduce stress. This is especially important if you know that the days ahead will be very stressful. 

Here are some effective ways to reduce stress: 

Exercise

This doesn’t have to be an intense session at the gym. A long walk outside to feel the sun on your skin or feel the wind can help you. You can also do yoga or dance your stress away. 

Practice Mindfulness

Set aside at least 10 minutes per day to meditate and listen to soothing music. This is the best time to listen to affirmations or simply clear your thoughts, too. 

Pamper Yourself Regularly

You work hard, take care of your family, or study hard for your future. You deserve a day at the spa regularly. You can get a mani-pedi, a haircut, or a massage if you wish, as all these can help you relax and feel pampered. 

Have Enough Sleep

It’s true. Many people feel like 24 hours is not enough to fulfill all their tasks and responsibilities. However, it’s actually going to be counterproductive if you try to overextend your work hours that you’re already sacrificing your sleep. Making sure that you have enough sleep every night can help reduce stress. 

Eat Healthily

Yes, even the food that you eat can affect your stress levels. Certain food items are quite inflammatory and may cause pains that can contribute to your stress levels. 

Conclusion

If your stress levels are no longer helping you get motivated or makes you more productive and instead are getting in the way of you performing your tasks, then it’s already harming you. 

If you are feeling physical effects of stress like constant headaches, muscle pains, and more, it’s time to take a step back, assess your stress levels and daily activities, and follow the tips above to manage your stress.

It is also a good idea to try in-person or online counseling and allow a professional to help you. This will also help you if you believe you are already dealing with anxiety or depression that is worsening because of stress. 

Hope Seed Support Center offers you the services of the best therapist in Houston who can help you deal with life's daily stresses and mental health concerns. Contact us today to set an appointment and take a step towards less stressful days!

How Can You Help Your Children With The Grieving Process?

Grief is a complex emotional response that anyone can experience at any stage of life. It’s difficult to know how to help yourself; it’s harder to figure out what to say to a child coping with grief. Where do you even start?

1) Let Them Have a Creative Outlet

Children may or may not want to talk about their feelings, but they will want to express themselves in their own way. This can mean art, music, writing, or any other medium they feel comfortable using. 

If they’re able to express their feelings through art, music, or drama, it can be one of the most cathartic experiences. Art is a great way for children to communicate their emotions, and it also gives them a sense of control over the situation.

2) Help Them Build New Relationships

They may feel like they’ve lost the relationship with their deceased loved one, but they’ll feel more connected to them if they can spend time with friends and family that they loved too.

Encourage them to talk about the person they’ve lost and the things they loved to do with that person.

It can also help them to express their feelings to the people around them.

3) Tell Them the Truth

Kids are often very intuitive when it comes to hidden truths, so they may pick up on an adult’s feelings of guilt. If they know what’s happened and the reasons why, it may help them to deal with the situation without feeling guilty themselves.

If a family member has died, it’s important to tell the children what happened. It’s crucial that they know how the person died and how they can appreciate the fact that they lived a full life.

You might not be able to answer all of their questions, but try to do the best you can.

4) Find Ways to Celebrate Their Lives

You might want to focus on their life and the good memories, but children don’t always want to talk about their sadness. You can still help them remember their loved ones while also celebrating their life.

This can mean setting up photo collages or scrapbooks that contain pictures and written memories from others.

It can also mean finding ways to keep the person’s memory alive, such as throwing a party or creating a memorial fund.

5) Be Honest About Your Own Feelings

It’s important to be honest with your children in all aspects of your life. They should always know how you feel about them and you should always talk about how you feel about their deceased loved one.

If you pretend like everything is okay, you’re only preventing your children from coping with the situation.

You may not know what to say to them, but you can constantly reassure them that you’re there for them.

Conclusion

Even though your children may not be able to process the loss of a loved one, they’ll learn more about the situation if you’re honest with them.  When children are able to focus on the person they’ve lost and the things they loved to do with them, they’ll be able to cope with their grief and move on. 

Hope Seed Support is one of the best therapy support centers in Houston that will help your child have a better understanding of how they feel. Consult with us today to see how we can help.

Behavior Problems in Children: When to Get Professional Help

In children, impulsive and immature behavior can sometimes be normal. They may act o9ut one time or another. However, it's important to recognize when negative behaviors may be due to an underlying condition or disorder. By getting help with your child's treatment, you'll be in a better position to help them succeed in life.

Behavior Problems in Children: When to Get Professional Help

Behaviors that are extremely disruptive, such as threats of violence or destructive behaviors, are often the easiest to spot. However, less dramatic behavior problems may be harder signs to pinpoint and are sometimes missed. When considering which behaviors to monitor, think about the behaviors that bother you, your family members, or your child's caregivers.

Common warning signs in children include:

1 - Aggressive and violent behaviors such as hitting, biting, pushing, kicking, throwing things, and destroying things.

2 - Behaviors that put others or themselves in danger or that put others or themselves at risk. Examples of these are withdrawal or isolation, self-harm, suicidal or homicidal behaviors.

3 - Impulsive, disruptive, or disruptive behaviors, such as running into the street, running into the street, talking inappropriately (swearing, using racial slurs), not following instructions, not paying attention, not listening, and difficulty following directions.

4 - Refusing to follow directions or instructions for everyday tasks (such as brushing your teeth or picking up after yourself).

5 - Not being able to sit still or focus.

Red Flags to Look Out for

Behavior problems may be related to a developmental disorder, disruptive behavior disorder, mood disorder, or a medical condition. One key to spotting emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues early involves recognizing when your child's behavior, emotional, or mental health changes. For example, many parents are familiar with the temper tantrums that can occur in normal children. However, temper tantrums occurring more often, lasting longer, or occurring at an earlier age may be signs of emotional or behavioral issues.

If the cause of a child's behavior problems is a medical condition, the behavior will generally improve when the underlying medical condition is treated. If the cause is an emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder, the child's behavior will generally not improve until the correct treatment is provided. Differences between your child's behavior before and after treatment can also be a sign that the treatment is working.

When to See a Doctor

Your child's behavior may be a sign of an emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder, or a symptom of other underlying conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or an underlying health condition. If you notice a behavior change in your child, check with a doctor:

1. If your child's behavior is concerning you or making you feel worried or anxious.

2. If a behavior occurs or is getting worse over time.

3. If a behavior occurs more frequently, lasts longer, or occurs at earlier ages.

4. If a behavior is new or unusual.

5. If a behavior causes harm to your child, yourself, your family, or others.

6. If a behavior is dangerous or risky.

Conclusion

Behavior problems are common in children and can be difficult to understand. By recognizing the warning signs of a behavior problem, you'll be able to help your child in a timely fashion and prevent long-lasting developmental problems. This is particularly important for children with a mental health disorder because early diagnosis and treatment are critical.

Should you be in search of therapy support for your children, come to Hope Seed Support Center. We are an organization that provides service to the community through behavioral health and therapies for kids, individual and family counseling, nutritional therapies, and many more resources. Contact us today!

Social Anxiety and Other Mental Conditions in Teens

Social anxiety is often a reaction to early childhood experiences; it can become more prominent during the teenage years and may even be carried over to adulthood. Unfortunately, anything that evokes embarrassment, rejection, or shame can cause kids to feel self-conscious and uncomfortable in social settings. These experiences may persist into adulthood and cause significant distress and negative effects on daily functioning.

It’s important to understand that it’s not just shyness—it’s very different from that. Shyness is feeling nervous and awkward in social situations, but not to the point of being crippled in making decisions, performing in public, or even going to school. 

Early life experiences can contribute to social anxiety in adolescence. Kids teased, rejected, or bullied by their peers are more likely to develop social anxiety disorder, especially because those experiences have a lasting impact on them. 

Common Mental Health Conditions That Come with Social Anxiety Disorder

Depression

Adolescents who suffer from depression are often afraid to talk about their problems with friends and family. They may feel too ashamed of what they are thinking and feeling to speak up.

If the depression is severe enough, kids can become afraid to face their peers, leading to withdrawal from school and other peer activities.

Some teens might also suffer from dysthymia, a chronic but less severe form of depression that tends to last longer than normal moodiness.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Adolescents with ADHD are those who have trouble sitting still, paying attention, or controlling their impulses. They may also struggle with sticking to one activity for an extended time or remembering their responsibilities.

These teens often become self-conscious about their poor attention, unstable mood, and lack of self-control. Fear of embarrassment or rejection can lead them to withdraw from social activities, including school.

Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to depression, so teens need to receive treatment for both conditions.

Substance Abuse Disorders

Teens with substance abuse problems risk developing social anxiety disorders when they start missing out on social activities to get high. If a teen’s addiction becomes severe enough, they may stop going to school and avoid other social situations because of the fear of being caught.

Teens who drink or do drugs may also suffer from depression, and some teens with depression abuse substances to cope with their low mood.

Eating Disorders

Teenage girls are at risk of developing eating disorders, which can lead to social anxiety disorders in various ways.

Eating disorders, including bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder, are characterized by an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This fear can cause them to withdraw from social activities and limit the amount of food they eat. 

Eating disorders can also impair memory and decision-making skills, making it difficult for a teen to participate in school or even go out in public.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity and can sometimes be confused with normal teenage moodiness. Bipolar disorder in teens can lead to social anxiety disorders when symptoms like excessive irritability or moodiness keep them from enjoying social events.

What Parents Can Do

Parents can encourage their children to get help for anxiety by explaining the symptoms and reassuring them that seeking treatment is not shameful. They should encourage their children to talk about their fears and worries, which will help them develop coping strategies. Also, it’s always best to get professional help as early as possible.

Conclusion

When a teen develops an anxiety disorder due to social pressures, it’s crucial to get help before the problem becomes too severe. An adolescent psychiatrist can help a teen build coping strategies, teach self-care skills, and address the underlying issues causing social anxiety. These treatments can help teens become self-sufficient, happy adults.

If you are a parent looking for online mental health counseling, over-the-phone therapy, or a helpline for depression, you are on the right page. Hope Seed Support Center is an organization that provides service to the community through counseling, nutritional therapy, behavioral therapy, and many other services. Contact us to learn how we can help.

Simple Tips on How to Deal with Anxiety While at Work

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear that you're unable to control. These feelings can range from nervousness, uneasiness, and apprehension to panic, terror, and a sense of impending doom. It's one thing to deal with this alone or at home in your free time. But of the time, we don't have a say about where or when anxiety hits us. 

Anxiety at work can be stressful. It can negatively impact your work performance and make you feel like you're unable to concentrate on tasks. It can also make you feel like you're not as confident as you should be and like your performance isn't good enough.

Today, we're going to explore a few simple ways to deal with anxiety whenever it happens at work.

Here's what you can do:

Step Away and Take a Breath

When you're feeling anxious, it can be easy to get swept up in your feelings and let them overwhelm you. But try to remind yourself to pause and take a breath. You can also try to distract yourself for a moment by doing a simple task, such as making a cup of tea or coffee.

If you get to work early, you can always spend some time in the kitchen and make yourself a cup of tea or coffee. This is the best way to get yourself into the mindset you need to start your day.

Call Someone You Love

Knowing that you're not alone can help you feel better. If you feel safe and comfortable, you can call a friend or family member and talk to them about your feelings. This could be a great way to talk about your feelings and get the reassurance that you need. If you don't feel safe or comfortable calling someone at work, you can also contact a support line.

Take a Walk

If you're feeling anxious and the only thing you can think about doing is getting away from your desk, you can try to take a short walk.

You don't have to go all the way across the office. You can go to the bathroom or the cafeteria and take a few minutes to yourself.

If you're walking there and back, it's also a good idea to listen to some light music on your iPod or phone. You don't have to listen to it during work hours, but it can be an excellent way to get yourself into the mood for work.

Ground Yourself with an Item

A simple trick like this can help you relax. When you start feeling anxious, reach for an item you can't leave the office without. Keep a pen or pencil on you at all times, and if you ever feel anxiety, hold it in your hand. 

This will help remind you that you're safe and grounded in the present. It can also remind you of the other small things that you can't leave home without, like your keys, wallet, or even your smartphone.

The Bottom Line

Anxiety is real, and it happens to many of us. A lot of different factors can cause it, but it's not something that you should ignore. If you're feeling anxious at work, it's essential to reach out and talk to someone. 

You can even talk to your boss or a colleague who you trust to get some advice. Most people are hesitant to talk about how they feel, but it's okay to feel anxious. Talking about it can help you release all of it and feel better.

Along with your love and effort, therapy has been known to help children process their thoughts following a traumatic experience. If you need a therapist in the Houston area, we are here to help you. Contact Hope Seed Support Center. We provide counseling services both in-person and online for those that need them. 

7 Practical Tips for Parents in the Modern Era—What to Know

If you're a parent, you know too well that children nowadays are growing digital more and more each day. As a parent, you must also have a good understanding of this digital world and the best ways to guide your children in the right direction.

1. Set Digital Boundaries

It's best to set some digital boundaries for your children. For instance, you can limit their time spent playing video games, or you can decide to limit their screen time or tablet usage. You can set a specific amount of time that they can play on their tablets or spend watching TV or videos to help them learn.

Have a schedule to use the tablet and keep track of it so that you can rest assured they don't overuse it.

2. Remind Them to Stay Away from Online Predators

Online predators are dangerous, and there are many out there. They could be lurking in a chat room, a forum, a social media site, or even an online game. 

Your children must know what to do if they find themselves in a dangerous situation online. Teach them how to recognize online predators and how to avoid them.

3. Lead Them in the Right Direction with Their Online Gaming

If your child plays online games, you must also keep track of what game they're playing and what kind of game it is. It's best to check out the game before they start to play it. 

Make sure that it doesn't have any inappropriate content and that it's family-friendly.

4. Serve as Their Inspiration

If you're a parent, you also have a responsibility to lead by example. As your children are growing up and becoming digital, you're growing digital, too. It's important to serve as their inspiration and be a good role model for your children.

This means that you should be responsible for your digital technology and use it in a way that will benefit you and your family, not harm you. Today, many parents spend too much time on social media or surfing the web, which is not good for their children, especially if they're getting older.

5. Be Involved In Your Child's Life Online

As a parent, you must monitor your child online. You should be involved in their internet activities and make sure that they don’t get in trouble. 

This will allow you to help your child if they're in a tough situation. It will also ensure that they're safe and will not be at risk of being taken advantage of or hurt.

6. Allow the Family to Take Breaks from Technology

All parents need a break sometimes to take some time off, relax, and unwind. Everyone in the family should be allowed to have some technological time off once in a while.

Instead, it’s best to use your free time to spend moments together without being plugged in with digital technology. This can help increase the family's connection and bonding, which is always a good thing.

7. Have a Family Meeting

The whole family can be involved in a meeting to discuss the best way to use technology as a whole and to set out some rules for your digital use. 

This is a great way for everyone to come together and discuss how much time you spend on specific digital technology, what is the most effective solution for the family, and how to use technology within your family's life.

Conclusion 

All families are different, and how they handle their digital technology will also be unique. There is no right or wrong way to use digital technology in your family. You just need to find a way that works best for you as a unit and make sure that it benefits all the members and avoids hurting anyone.

Hope Seed Support Center provides Christian counseling support in Houston, family and behavioral therapies, and other services for your mental health and well-being. Let us assist and guide your children through the proper and safe use of technology. Contact us today to get started!

Tips to Influence Your Kids through Positive Behavior

Your children and teens take in everything you do. They watch how you handle stress, treat other people, and deal with your own emotions. They observe for hours, weeks, and eventually, years. If a person were a sponge, your children and teens would be the size of an entire ocean, soaking up all the information and wisdom they can gather.

This is why the famous Bobo doll experiment revealed how kids imitate adult behavior. If you’re aggressive and tend to take things out physically, they will grow up thinking aggression is normal and acceptable. In contrast, they would imitate your kindness if you were to be kind. Compared to the latter, the former would increase the risk of your child needing help from a counseling center in the future.

Be more mindful of your actions to influence your kids through positive behavior and prevent the need for a therapist down the line. Here are some tips to help you raise your kids to be holistically healthy:

Teach Life Skills

You have opportunities to be a role model every day. Think about what you want your kids to learn from you, and try to model that in your life.

Naturally, there will be times when you slip up and don't always do things exactly as you planned. When that happens, take the opportunity to:

• Talk to your kids about where you slipped up and how you hope to do better next time. 

• Put yourself in their shoes and ask what they would have done in the same situation. 

• Teach them to learn from their mistakes, but don't beat themselves up over them. It is essential to help your kids be kind to themselves when they make a mistake.

Live Healthily

A fit lifestyle helps you set an excellent example for your kids, as it teaches them to value their health. Plus, you're also helping them avoid childhood obesity. When you eat healthily and exercise regularly, your kids will be more likely to do the same. 

Limiting fast food and preparing healthy meals teaches kids to make good choices, including limiting their fast food intake. However, being overbearing or restrictive about food and body image can lead to body image issues and eating disorders, which could land them in therapy at a counseling center. Find the right balance and teach them to value moderation.

Model Respect and Empathy

As a parent, aim to raise kind kids by modeling respect and empathy in your life. Eventually, your kids will follow. In everyday situations, you can teach your child to be empathetic by discussing feelings with them. This prevents bullying.

Deal With Technology

Before you can talk to your kids about how much time they are spending in front of a screen, take a look at yourself first. Even if you're working, answering emails, and doing things you consider productive, you are still setting an example for your kids. Address your technology use first and then set some standards for the kids.

Walk the Talk

You probably won't always be a perfect role model, but strive to be one nonetheless. For example, if you don't want your kids to pick up a Juul, don't use e-cigs. Don't tell white lies if you want your kids to be truthful. 

Every time you follow a household rule, model it for your kids. For example, if a friend bakes you a cake and you think it tastes horrible, you'd still tell them it tasted delicious to spare their feelings. Explain why you did this to prevent a trip to the counseling center later on.

In Conclusion

To be a good parent, you have to set a good example for your children. The model you place will stay with your kids throughout their lives, enabling them to be successful individuals in society. Remember these tips to influence your children with your positive behavior.

For more parenting and growth resources, visit Hope Seed Support Center today! We are a counseling center in Houston, Texas, providing intervention, nutritional therapy, and many other programs. Our dedication to excellence and benevolence is what drives us to provide comprehensive, client-centered care. Set an appointment with us now.

6 Ways You Can Discipline Your Child with Love & Care

We want what’s best for our children, so we try to raise them through love and discipline. But how do we reconcile the two when faced with less than desirable behavior from our child?

1. Explain the Reason Behind Attitude Corrections

Children do not always understand the reason behind the consequences they have to face. They might have a hard time appreciating why they have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

Parents do not usually explain the need for discipline because they simply want to bring down the child’s bad attitude or behavior. But it is crucial to teach the child that unacceptable actions lead to bad consequences.

The parent should always explain why the child has to face the consequences, and this explanation should be in terms that the child can easily comprehend. Make sure always to tell the truth and explain the reasons calmly.

2. Speak Firmly, But Kindly

It is important to maintain a firm attitude when correcting a child's attitude. It is important to keep the child in check but without causing fear or intimidation.

Children get scared of parents who use harsh tones. If you are angry and using a harsh tone to communicate with your child, then you are just causing the child to feel more scared.

So always speak firmly but kindly when correcting a child’s behavior. Speak calmly, and make sure that the child understands why you are doing it.

3. Tell Them What They Should Do, Instead of What They Shouldn't

One of the best ways to teach a child to choose the right behavior is by telling them what they should do instead of what they shouldn’t do.

This type of correction will encourage the child to think about the consequence of their actions, and give them a greater perspective about what is acceptable and what is not.

4. Acknowledge Your Child's Feelings

You should never ignore a child’s feelings if they are getting frustrated or angry.

The best way to deal with their anger is by showing them empathy and acknowledging the feeling behind their actions.

By doing this, you are helping the child realize that there are better ways to deal with anger and frustration.

5. Find Alternatives to Physical Punishment

Parents should avoid punishing children physically because it does not help build their self-esteem and does not teach them to use more effective ways to deal with anger and frustration.

Physical punishment, however, will make the child a victim of hatred and anger and does not help in the actual behavioral correction.

So rather than inflicting pain on your child for disobedience, use alternative methods to emphasize the importance of the consequences of their actions.

6. Forgive Yourself

When correcting your child's behavior, you might sometimes feel sad or angry about it. You might even feel sad about your child’s attitude.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling like this, but you should always remind yourself that you are trying to teach your child a very important behavior.

Remember also that your child is far from perfect and has a lot of flaws that need to be worked out. Forgive yourself for the mistakes that you make in the process of correcting and reprimanding your child.

Discipline Right

It is not impossible to discipline your child with love and by showing affection. It is only a matter of finding the right way to do it and using a tone that is not threatening or intimidating.

Hope Seed Support Center offers counseling services in Houston. We also provide our service through nutritional therapy and a lot more. Contact us!

The Three Most Common Behavioral Disorders in Children

Children are dynamic beings, much like their adult counterparts. They experience joy and sadness, exhibit tantrums, and express themselves in manners they understand at their age. 

With that said, kids act up every once in a while. They may become defiant or impulsive. It's natural and expected. 

However, if their behavior is a bit extreme, it may be a sign that they have behavioral disorders.

What Are Behavioral Disorders Children Commonly Display?

Several disorders are common in children. Some are mild, and some are severe. No matter the case, you should take all of them seriously.

Here are some that you may need to note.

1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly found in children who show signs of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. 

This disorder begins in childhood and may peak when the child reaches their teens. It may also extend into adulthood.

Symptoms include difficulty getting organized, using quiet voices, and waiting their turn. They may also find it challenging to focus on one task at a time and may require constant supervision.

2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder that causes children to exhibit extreme opposition and defiant behavior towards authority figures.

Children with ODD will show disobedience, defiance, and anger when a parent or a teacher gives them a command or tells them something they disagree with.

When a child with ODD is reprimanded for their actions, they may respond with extreme anger, sadness, defiance, and even violence.

3. Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a behavioral problem that affects children's social behavior. Those who have this disorder are usually aggressive and tend to violate the rights of others.

They may exhibit severe aggression, fighting, recklessness, deceitfulness, and even criminal activities like stealing and vandalism.

In addition, children with conduct disorder may have a tough time forming loving and caring relationships with their peers. They may even be inclined to bully their classmates and teachers.

What Can Help Manage These Disorders?

The good news is that these disorders are not the end of the world. Your child may eventually learn to manage their condition and become responsible and productive adults with proper management.

Before that, though, you may need to consider different management plans, including the following:

1. Individual Counseling

Counseling is one of the best ways to manage your child's behavioral problems.

It involves a mental health professional like a psychologist who will listen to your child's problem and help them manage their emotions, behavior, and intellect.

In addition, you should also consider joining a support group. Support groups give you the avenue to get advice and support from people who also deal with child behavioral problems.

2. Family Therapy 

Family therapy counseling is also a great option to consider if your child's behavioral disorder is causing a problem in the family.

It involves a mental health professional who will sit down with you and your child to discuss what’s wrong.

Family therapy counseling will help you identify the underlying cause of the problem and then develop a plan of action to address it.

3. Medication

If your child's behavioral disorders are severe, you may need to consider medication.

Certain medications may help your child manage their symptoms and prevent problematic behaviors.

However, you should always consult with a specialist before administering any medications to your child. Remember: Never try to self-medicate your child.

Final Thoughts

Behavioral problems are quite common in children. While milder cases may not be a big deal, severe cases could pose significant problems for your child and the family.

It's important to address these problems early on so that you can help your child manage and control their emotions, behavior, and intellect.

You may need to consider counseling, family therapy counseling, and medication. Hope Seed Support Center makes an excellent choice if you're looking for counseling in Houston. We offer various mental health services to the local community. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings. 

4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effect on Kids

Your parenting style can affect everything from your child's weight to how she feels about herself. It's vital to ensure your parenting skills support positive growth and development because how you interact with your child and how you discipline her will influence her for the rest of her life.

Researchers identified four types of parenting styles: 

• Authoritarian

• Authoritative

• Permissive 

• Uninvolved

What Is Authoritarian Parenting?

Authoritarian parenting is when parents insist on complete obedience and often use negative consequences, such as physical punishment, to control their children. When children are punished, they usually get the message that they've done something wrong but are not encouraged to consider what they could do differently in the future.

Signs of Authoritarian Parenting Style:

• Asking children to do things they don't want to do

• Not allowing children to express their own desires

• Rejecting children's personal choices

• Being unrealistic, overprotective, and intrusive

• Believing that a parent will always know what is suitable for their child

• Having a lack of warmth, affection, or closeness with children

• Setting strict, rigid rules that are often unfair

• Expecting children to have the same interests and abilities as parents

• Using criticism, humiliation, shame, guilt, intimidation, and threats

• Using physical punishment and coercion

What Is Authoritative Parenting?

Authoritative parenting is when parents are both warm and firm. Parents are aware of their children's needs, making strong emotional bonds. They also encourage their children to develop their own thoughts and opinions and explore their world as long as they're safe.

Signs of Authoritative Parenting Style:

• Asking children to do things they want to do

• Allowing children to express their own desires

• Being non-judgmental, realistic, and responsive

• Giving children the freedom to make decisions

• Setting firm, consistent limits, but allowing children to make decisions within those limits

• Offering warmth, affection, and closeness

• Having a healthy respect for children's growing independence

• Listening to children's ideas, feelings, and concerns

• Modeling self-control and fairness

• Giving children opportunities to solve their own problems

What Is Permissive Parenting?

On the other hand, permissive parenting is when parents are too soft on their children and don't set clear rules or expectations. They often give in to their children's demands, and they don't put any limits. This can lead to kids who are disrespectful of their parents.

Signs of Permissive Parenting Style:

• Allowing children to do whatever they want to do

• Ignoring children's needs for closeness, trust, and respect

• Allowing children to ignore rules and limits

• Not allowing children to express their own desires

• Not listening to children's concerns, ideas, and worries

• Giving children privileges without expecting them to earn them

• Using bribery and rewards to get children to do what adults want

• Trying to prevent children from making mistakes

• Failing to set and enforce limits

• Not insisting on respect

What Is Uninvolved Parenting?

Uninvolved parenting is when parents only pay attention to their children when they need to. This means that parents are sometimes physically present but emotionally absent and don't engage with their children.

Signs of Uninvolved Parenting Style:

• Allowing children to do whatever they want to do

• Ignoring children's needs for closeness, trust, and respect

• Allowing children to ignore rules and limits

• Expecting children to be more adult than they are

• Not setting firm limits or consistent expectations

• Not spending much time with children

• Being unwilling to set or enforce limits with children

• Not using any physical punishment

• Not having any interest in children's activities

• Not giving children opportunities for decision making

Conclusion

Research about the authoritarian parenting style shows that children raised in this way tend to have minor success later in life. It appears that this is because they lack the confidence and resilience they need to navigate life independently.

Hope Seed's Behavioral Therapy Program and Family Dynamic is dedicated to helping families find peace, connection, happiness, and hope. We use an integrative mind, body, and spirit approach to wellness. Hope Seed works closely with each child and family to help them understand their weaknesses or challenges and acknowledge and utilize their strengths to learn new skills and achieve more remarkable outcomes.

Hope Seed believes that therapy isn’t just for those who are hurting. Anyone can benefit from an ongoing relationship with a therapist, counselor, or life coach. Many of our client families know that successful kids and families thrive and grow—through Hope and Help. Call Hope Seed Today or Visit our website. We would love to help with your family's needs.

Here’s Why You Need to Go to Counseling or Therapy Today

Regardless of our status in life, we will always face difficulties. Even if you believe that you are at your happiest point in life, there will come a time when you may have some trouble. Whether it is something small or a more significant issue, you will always need support and an outlet.

The Power of Counseling and Therapy

Whenever you have issues you are facing, you may want to keep them to yourself. However, doing so will just increase your burden until it eventually explodes. It is always better to have an outlet, and while you may have your friends that you can talk to about it, they are not trained professionals.

It is always better to work with professionals. Below are only some of the many reasons you should undergo counseling or therapy.

1. A Listening Ear

Sometimes, all we need is someone to listen. We may already know how to deal with certain things or even have already dealt with them. However, there are times when we would still like to talk or even rant about these things.

Having a counselor or therapist can give you that person who can listen without any form of judgment. They are trained to be empathetic to situations while also remaining unbiased. While these professionals are present to give you advice, you may just ask them to listen instead and occasionally give their input.

2. Helps with Making a Decision

Have a big dilemma, and you need an unbiased opinion? Talk to a counselor or therapist. While they may not directly give you the decision to make, they can lead you to the right one for you.

Talking to someone who is almost a stranger could help enlighten you. This will allow you to make the right decision based on your needs and wants without being entirely influenced by anyone directly involved in your life.

3. Assists in Mental Illness Treatment

Mental illness is more common than people think, especially with the global crisis. Having a therapist or counselor will be helpful for those who have mental illnesses. Therapists and counselors are licensed to help develop strategies and intervention plans for your treatment.

Dealing with mental illnesses is not to be taken lightly. It is crucial to always work with trained professionals to do so.

4. A Great Form of Support

Counseling and therapy are excellent forms of support that you may need. Sometimes, we may have people around us acting as our support system. However, there may be moments when they are busy and cannot help us out quickly.

Therapists and counselors work to support you, which means they will never be too busy. While it is good to have your friends and family, it is also unhealthy to rely on them and have them accommodate your schedule.

5. It Can Be Done Online

One thing that many people fear nowadays is going outside. Luckily, if you have a private room or space, you can get your counseling and therapy done from your own home. All you need to do is be honest with your feelings and pay attention to your therapist or counselor.

Conclusion

Dealing with difficulties is not something to be ashamed about. As humans, we all have our limits and what we may feel is valid. However, although it is normal, this does not mean we cannot do anything about it. Take that step towards bettering yourself today; talk to a counselor or therapist today.

Hope Seed Support Center is a counseling center in Houston. We offer counseling services and therapy for anger management, grief and loss, and more as a service to the community. Schedule an appointment with us today.

The Pros and Cons of Skipping Breakfast Every Morning

It's no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While some take this saying to heart, some people lead hectic schedules and skip it altogether. The implications of this to body weight are divided, with experts saying that skipping breakfast leads to weight loss, while others suggest weight gain because skipping breakfast gets you more cravings.

Since it's all very confusing, we'll weigh the pros and cons of skipping breakfast in this article. Read on below to get started.

The Pros of Skipping Breakfast

The positive effects of skipping breakfast are as follows:

#1 - It’s a Form of Intermittent Fasting

If you’re trying to lose weight, you’re probably familiar with the term intermittent fasting (IF). The general idea of IF is keeping a regular period of time each day where you don’t eat or consume anything, for that matter. It proves to be effective because it works to control your insulin levels, which gives you more energy by lowering blood sugar levels.

#2 - Lesser Caloric Intake

The amount of calories you consume in a single day is affected by two things; how many calories are contained in your breakfast and how many meals you eat. When you eat fewer meals, you also consume fewer calories. If you take time to eat breakfast, you can expect to consume a lot more calories than if you didn’t.

#3 - Curbs Your Cravings

To lose weight and stay healthy, you must avoid eating a lot. Skipping breakfast works to curb your cravings. How does it do so? Skipping breakfast ‘teaches’ your body that it’s not going to get anything to eat; it’s going to have to rely on the stored energy in its body.

#4 - Helps with Portion Control

If you don’t eat a lot at one sitting, it means you’re accepting that you’re not going to be eating for a few hours. This allows you to work on portion control better than you could during meals.

The Cons of Skipping Breakfast

The adverse effects of skipping breakfast are as follows:

#1 - Results in Nutrient Deficiencies

If you’re skipping breakfast because you’re trying to lose weight, you’re doing your body an injustice. The body needs the right amount of nutrients to keep up its optimal performance. If you’re not giving it the right amount of nutrients by skipping breakfast, it’s going to affect your body negatively.

#2 - Causes You to Eat More

If your body doesn’t get the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients during mealtime, it tries to restore it. Hence, it makes you hungry, leading to unnecessary weight gain. This directly contradicts the idea that skipping breakfast leads to weight loss. If you don’t feed your body the right amount of nutrients, it will keep begging for more food.

#3 - Affects Your Energy Levels

If you’re skipping meals because you’re short on time, it’s understandable. However, when you have less energy because there’s no food in your stomach, it immediately affects your work. If you’re skipping breakfast and are trying to be productive, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

#4 - Can Lead to Medical Conditions

If you’re skipping meals, you’re not just depriving your body of vital nutrients, but you’re also exposing it to a slew of medical conditions. Skipping meals can lead to CVD, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

What Should You Do?

Instead of skipping breakfast, you should eat right. Eat the right amount of calories, and eat nutritious meals. When trying to lose weight, you need to be very careful about what you eat. Eat the right amount of calories and delicious meals so that you'll get your fill without depriving yourself.

Conclusion

When you’re having trouble losing weight, the answer is simple: you need to eat and live healthily. You can do that with proper diet and exercise. While skipping meals might be a good option, it's not wise to do so in the long term.

The Grove at Hope Seed is dedicated to promoting healing, preventing illness, and maximizing your health potentials. We believe that nutritional balance has countless benefits that can help your brain and body work to their fullest potential. Hope Seed also helps the community through mental health counseling, crisis center, and many resources. Call us today to set up a consultation. Your whole health is our priority.