3 Ways Emotional Vampires Create Work Stress
Do you know someone who, after spending even a little time with them, you feel completely and utterly drained but don't know why? I bet you do -- ESPECIALLY if you work in a hostile workplace! That’s the definition of an emotional vampire and probably the primary cause of your work stress.
Here are three common tactics emotional vampires use to draw on your energy and also some tips on how to stay safe:
Here are three common tactics emotional vampires use to draw on your energy and also some tips on how to stay safe:
Psychology Around the Net: July 22, 2017
Happy Saturday, Psych Central readers!
Confession time: I've been struggling a lot lately with work-life balance. Hasn't everyone at some point? Probably. Trying to manage work responsibilities, exercise, some semblance of a social life, personal hobbies and passions--oh, and let's not forget a proper sleep schedule--whew. Failing--and failing for longer than you care to admit--can bring on the panic, anxiety, and depression in a major way.
Brain and Mental Health Benefits of Dreaming
I’ve always been fascinated by dreaming and the science of dreams. My dreams are so vivid and realistic it really feels like I enter another world when I sleep. The other night I had a dream that I was sitting on a boat in the middle of a lake, watching the sunrise. In that moment, I felt calm, relaxed and completely at peace. Such a therapeutic and healing experience, I woke up happy, and I took that feeling with me the rest of the day.
7 Positive Ways to Respond When Someone Steals Credit for Your Work
You’re sitting in a meeting and a co-worker takes credit for your idea. Or maybe you stay late to finish a project, but your name is left off of the final presentation. Your boss grabs the limelight and accepts all the praise.
Even if you work in a company that encourages collaboration, some people still go too far and inappropriately monopolize work as their own, never crediting others.
It’s infuriating when someone blatantly rips off your ideas. It feels wrong. Unfair. You want justice and may even feel a little victimized.
Even if you work in a company that encourages collaboration, some people still go too far and inappropriately monopolize work as their own, never crediting others.
It’s infuriating when someone blatantly rips off your ideas. It feels wrong. Unfair. You want justice and may even feel a little victimized.
Best of Our Blogs: July 21, 2017
You would be wrong if you believed your co-worker or neighbor who seems problem-free got life figured out more than you.
You suffer from anxiety or keep falling for a narcissist. You're the last person anyone would qualify as healthy right?
Surprisingly, it's the ones who are sensitive, empathetic and self-aware that exhibit signs of what others deem mental illness.
The next time you write yourself or someone else writes you off as a crazy person, remember you're doing the work. You're feeling your feelings. You're trying to work on your perfectionism, assertiveness and dysfunctional family. That person who looks healthy may be in denial. To shift focus away from their judging you, remember how far you've come and what you're doing to work on yourself.
You suffer from anxiety or keep falling for a narcissist. You're the last person anyone would qualify as healthy right?
Surprisingly, it's the ones who are sensitive, empathetic and self-aware that exhibit signs of what others deem mental illness.
The next time you write yourself or someone else writes you off as a crazy person, remember you're doing the work. You're feeling your feelings. You're trying to work on your perfectionism, assertiveness and dysfunctional family. That person who looks healthy may be in denial. To shift focus away from their judging you, remember how far you've come and what you're doing to work on yourself.
How to See the Truth in the Mirror — And It Doesn’t Hurt
When you look in the mirror, do you shy away from the image of the person you see? If so, you’re like the way I used to be. Fortunately, through therapy and meditation and much self-reflection, I learned how to increase my self-esteem, build my confidence and greet that mirror image with joy that spreads throughout the day.
These tips helped me and they may be useful to you.
1. Treat yourself like you would a good friend.
These tips helped me and they may be useful to you.
1. Treat yourself like you would a good friend.
Brain Inflammation and OCD
A very interesting study was recently published in JAMA Psychiatry stating that brain inflammation in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder is significantly elevated (by more than 30 percent) compared to those without the disorder.
Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, senior author of the study and Head of the Neuroimaging Program in Mood & Anxiety at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, says:1
Podcast: What Is a Daily Practice and Why Should I Have One?
In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome guest counselor and author Victoria Gigante. Victoria shares the story of how she grew dissatisfied with a life that others would consider to be “perfect,” how she made huge changes by essentially walking away from it all, and in the process developed her life-changing “daily practice” approach to self-care.
Victoria explains just what a daily practice is for, the different forms it can take, and how it can help each and every one of us. She gives advice on how to start one, and explores the many reasons why people think they are unable to do so.
Victoria explains just what a daily practice is for, the different forms it can take, and how it can help each and every one of us. She gives advice on how to start one, and explores the many reasons why people think they are unable to do so.
Do You Want to Change an Important Habit?
Do you want to make a significant change in your life? Or help someone else to make an important change?
Often, this means changing a habit (get more sleep, quit sugar, exercise regularly, spend more time in nature, put down devices). Habits are like the invisible architecture of daily life -- research suggests that about 40% of our existence is shaped by our habits.
Often, this means changing a habit (get more sleep, quit sugar, exercise regularly, spend more time in nature, put down devices). Habits are like the invisible architecture of daily life -- research suggests that about 40% of our existence is shaped by our habits.
No Matter Your Age, Never Say Goodbye to Play
In recent months, physical, playful activity has been the only way out of painful rumination for me, providing a temporary respite from debilitating depression. Its transformative power is surprising to me for its ability to help me manage my emotions.
Evolutionary biologist and animal behavioral specialist Marc Bekoff, PhD, once said that “play is training for the unexpected.”
And psychiatrist and play expert Stuart Brown, MD, said, “Those who play rarely become brittle in the face of stress or lose the healing capacity for humor.”
Evolutionary biologist and animal behavioral specialist Marc Bekoff, PhD, once said that “play is training for the unexpected.”
And psychiatrist and play expert Stuart Brown, MD, said, “Those who play rarely become brittle in the face of stress or lose the healing capacity for humor.”
When Internet Shopping Is an Impulse Control Disorder
For me, the danger zone is online book sellers. There have been evenings when I’ve gone looking for a particular book. With one click, it’s on its way to me. Fine. But then there are always pictures of book jackets strung across the bottom of the page: “People who bought this book also bought. . .”
“Oh”, think I. “That one looks interesting.” Click. “Oh, that one looks like it would be very helpful.” Click. “Hmm. I wonder how that writer approached the subject.” Click. “Ah. This one is used but in “like new” condition for half price. That’s a great deal!” Click.
“Oh”, think I. “That one looks interesting.” Click. “Oh, that one looks like it would be very helpful.” Click. “Hmm. I wonder how that writer approached the subject.” Click. “Ah. This one is used but in “like new” condition for half price. That’s a great deal!” Click.
Can Computer-Based Intervention Benefit Our Stress Levels?
Too much stress is a problem we all face, however stress isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, feeling stressed can lead to more motivation and greater focus. If we overdo it, however, it can have a bad impact on our mental health. This can range from having a short temper, to headaches, to having trouble sleeping, to even becoming unwell.
According to the APA, 75 percent of adults will go through some stress on any given month. In spite of how many people is affected by stress only a few of them will get any help. This may be due to lack of time, worrying about what others may think, thinking we should be able to get over it on our own or simply not being able to afford help. A way to make accessing help more convenient, more private and cheaper is through digital technology, but can web-based treatments really help?
According to the APA, 75 percent of adults will go through some stress on any given month. In spite of how many people is affected by stress only a few of them will get any help. This may be due to lack of time, worrying about what others may think, thinking we should be able to get over it on our own or simply not being able to afford help. A way to make accessing help more convenient, more private and cheaper is through digital technology, but can web-based treatments really help?
