Common Misconceptions About Eating Disorders

Posted on February 5, 2021February 5, 2021 by Patrick Ryan

According to recent studies, nearly 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point in their life. Because of this high number of affected individuals, it’s important to fully understand the complexity of eating disorders and the anxiety disorders that commonly pair with them. If you or a loved one falls into this category and struggles with an eating disorder, it’s time to get the relief that you deserve. Here are a few things that everyone should know about eating disorders and some guidance on how to seek treatment.

Understand the various treatment plans.

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There are plenty of interventions to take that help someone if they’re struggling with an eating disorder. One of the best options to pursue as an eating disorder treatment is therapy. When in doubt, turn to therapy to receive one-on-one assistance from a knowledgeable and understanding mental health professional. This incredible team of treatment specialists works with patients who have anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive dieting and exercise behaviors, and body dysmorphia.

What’s great is that they offer online therapy so that you get the help you need from the comfort of your own home. When seeking eating disorder treatment, you’ll work with a therapist and psychiatrists who have the skills to provide you with the first step towards a life that is more balanced and healthy. This way, no matter the type of therapy that you choose, you’ll have the best support system to create a successful road to recovery.

Eating isn’t the only behavior involved.

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One of the most common misconceptions is that all eating disorders involve the action of eating. Though these eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder all involve food in some way, many disorders don’t. Many are rooted in an obsessive-compulsive manner, which is linked to OCD, a common anxiety disorder. When someone has OCD, they obsess over a particular sensation, unwanted thoughts, or ideas. This process is actually quite similar for those who struggle with eating disorders that revolve around your body image or body weight. To be specific, one of these disorders is body dysmorphia. Those who are diagnosed with body dysmorphia can’t stop thinking about a particular part of their body image. These overwhelming thoughts make it difficult for you to continue throughout your day without reassurance or constant obsession with the perceived flaw.

The goal is for you to feel comfortable in your skin and free from this overwhelming mental health issue. Once you’re into your treatment, buy clothing that you feel confident in. Add one of these full coverage bras, comfortable clothes that you love, and a new outfit that reminds you of how incredible you are, even as you navigate this process.

Eating disorders only affect females.

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It’s an ignorant stereotype to think that females are the only demographic that struggle with eating disorders. It’s actually reported that males make up 10 million of the recorded population that suffers from an eating disorder. With this fact in mind, it’s critical to recognize that everyone deserves effective treatment and professional help, regardless of gender. This area is particularly challenging to navigate for younger males because there are many stigmas when a male cares about body image.

However, this should never deter you from pursuing the levels of care that you or your loved one deserves. If you’re looking out for your child or sibling, remember these disorder symptoms so that you can make proper intervention when necessary. For adolescents, remember to reach out for mental health assistance and even possibly nutritional counseling. This way, you’re able to form a treatment plan that works for you.

Why It’s Important to Focus on Your Personal Well-Being

Posted on January 22, 2021January 22, 2021 by Jessica Bailey

You’ve heard it said so often it may be starting to lose all meaning, but we are living in unprecedented times. With that in mind, it is easy to focus on physical health, but mental health is just as important. Until we can conquer the COVID-19 pandemic and everything that comes with it, then you need to find ways to work on focusing on your personal well-being.

Whether that means working on your finances, finding a new hobby, or spending more time outside, there are many ways you can do that. Learn about some ways to focus on you and why it’s so important to do so.

Financial stress can have adverse effects on you.

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Many people across the United States lost their jobs or experienced a significant drop in income in 2020, meaning bills went unpaid and credit scores dropped. If you have a car loan, you could be stressing about paying that so that your car does not face repossession. The average auto loan interest rate is around 5.6 percent but could be much higher depending on the type of car you buy or your credit.

To alleviate some of your pandemic-related stress, consider speaking with your auto loan provider. They may be able to lower your monthly payment or get you a lower interest rate. In some cases, they may even be able to work with you to postpone a payment or two so that your credit report is not adversely affected, leaving you with bad credit.

Eliminating this source of stress could help, as continuing to stress can lead to adverse health problems. Work through ways to minimize financial stress and figure out potential ways to generate extra income. Right now, every extra dollar helps.

Keep your personal relationships a top priority.

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We aren’t able to connect with friends and family as much right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work on strengthening personal relationships with important people in your life. Hopefully, you are staying safe at home with your family. Take the time to set up a date night with your significant other so that you can spend some meaningful time together.

Sure, you are home together more often now, but you still need to care for that relationship and keep yourself and them as happy as possible right now. All the stress of the pandemic may be affecting you or your partner in certain ways, but your doctor can prescribe medicine that you can pick up at the local pharmacy to help with that. Ask them about discount Sildenafil if you are concerned about the money.

Boost your personal appearance.

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Sure, we are working remotely and staying home as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean you should just live in sweatpants and never do anything with hair or makeup. In fact, right now may be a great time to experiment with a new look. Instead of your generic eyeliner, consider upgrading to a magnetic liner and magnetic lashes that follow your natural lash line much easier than traditional falsies or lash extensions. These false eyelashes can amplify the appearance of your eyes and really help them stand out—especially on those Zoom meetings you have for work or a virtual happy hour with friends.

Along with magnetic lashes, you can also clip coupons and shop the clearance rack for some new clothes that can help boost your self-esteem if you’re feeling down about the limitations of the pandemic. Try to do a little something different so that you are not stuck feeling depressed all the time. Focusing on you and your well-being may be just exactly what helps you get through these times until life is back to normal again.

How Human and Canine Ear Structures Differ

Posted on December 29, 2020January 7, 2021 by Patrick Ryan

As all dog lovers know, your canine companions have an incredible sense of hearing. Although all canines have these amazing sense abilities, it is actually the structure of a pup’s ears themselves that harness such sensitivity to sound. We, as humans, would require a powerful hearing aid to even come close to a dog’s audible abilities, whether it’s a small dog or big dog, yet we can learn much about their behavior by understanding their sensitivity to sound.

A dog’s ears are the window to their soul.

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Often, the shape of the canine’s ear will convey their emotional well-being. Structurally, it contains four main components: the ear flap, the external ear canal, the middle ear, and the internal, or inner, ear. Amazingly, a pup’s ears work independently of each other, and their emotions are visible by watching the ears’ movements. Every emotion is dictated by their hearing abilities, even in the youngest, small size puppy.

No matter the breed, a dog’s heightened auditory abilities comes from over a dozen muscles that control the ears’ movements, and the many blood vessels and nerves in the auditory area. While humans with hearing loss may require a pair of hearing aids for even a fraction of a dog’s ability of the highest hearing performance, a canine’s biological makeup provides all the hearing needs for a remarkable amount of situational awareness.

The Structure of Dog Ears vs. Humans’ Ears

As humans our ear structure is relatively basic: the outer ear functions to “collect” sound waves and lead them to tympanic membrane, while the middle ear is merely a narrow cavity in the temporal bone. In dogs, the pinna of their external ear is a funnel-like plate of cartilage that collects the vibrations of the air itself, sending that minuscule connection to the ear canal and eardrum. The dog’s ear canal is significantly longer than that of a human’s, and that length makes it possible for a canine to hear more sounds with a better sound quality. Within the middle ear, three small bones transmit the air vibrations from the eardrum, like that of a human, but in a much more nuanced and heightened way. In a noisy environment, a pooch’s hearing can pick up even the smallest natural sound.

A pooch’s supreme hearing is due to a higher frequency level. For example, the higher the frequency, the more sound waves per second, thus the higher-pitched the sound. The human ear peaks at its best ability around the 2,000 Hertz range, even with the assistance of something as advanced as a durable Signia hearing aid or the simplicity of the iPhone Signia app. Dogs, however, hear best at 8,000 Hz, which is why they can hear higher pitches than we can.

Dogs and the World Around Them

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Dog owners can merely take their pet in a dog harness and go for a walk somewhere with a high level of ambient noise to witness their great abilities. Strap a comfy “no-pull harness” around the dog’s chest for a snug fit, ensuring there’s no discomfort, and grab a leash. Then let them lead the way! Be sure you carefully pick the best harness with with the best fit and adjustable straps for better control. Then watch the dog’s head work like nature’s own directional microphone and watch their natural hearing experience prove that nothing can beat a pup’s ears.

According to any dog trainer, daily walks are also a great idea for all dog breeds, not just for exercise, but to develop your dog’s comfort level outdoors. Be sure to buckle and adjust the vest or harness properly to the dog’s body and be sure the leash attaches to the dog’s back (although a front-clip harness or no pull dog harness would be ideal), then keep a careful eye on the ear movements as the pooch comes to full attention. Anything as a simple as a phone call dozens of feet away, TV audio from a nearby home, or chatter from a busy restaurant may captivate a dog’s audible sensitivity. If you suffer from hearing loss, each small motion from your dog’s superior sound quality, behavior, and clearer level of hearing can provide better safety and awareness, especially on a crowded street.

Humans may need the exceptional sound quality of good hearing aids with manual adjustments, bluetooth, directional microphones, and various accessories to mirror a canine’s natural ability. But with a frequency range that broad, a dog’s high level of hearing and superior sound is based on the pure simplicity of their natural listening experience.

Natural Pet Products That Your Pooch Will Love

Posted on October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 by Lily Miller

Living a green, eco-friendly life has become easier than ever over the last decade. There are so many natural products on today’s market for people that it makes total sense for it to spill into other aspects of life, such as our pets. After all, if you’re trying to lessen your carbon footprint, or eat a healthier diet, you should expand those goals to your pooch as well! You can pamper your pup with natural pet products they’ll love, and you’ll rest easy knowing exactly what your dog is consuming.

Here are some natural products that your furry friend will enjoy.

CBD Oil

It may sound weird, but CBD products really are great for pets! CBD is all the craze right now, boasting things like anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory relief. There’s still plenty of research to be done on the hemp plant, cannabinoids, and how all of it can benefit us. That being said, CBD oil has shown promise in helping ease anxiety, inflammation, arthritis, and even seizures in humans, and research has shown it may help canines too.

It’s best to know where the CBD oil came from, so be sure to get the best organic CBD oil for dogs. SeraLabs makes CBD oil specifically for dog owners, and the oil is tested by a third-party lab. Before you give any to your dog, consult your vet. They’ll be able to recommend the correct dosage. Remember that a 50lb dog will have a different experience than a 25lb dog, so checking in with your vet about dosage is very important.

Eco-friendly Dog Beds

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Which dog out there doesn’t love their own space and bed? Treat your four-legged companion to a comfy, sustainable, and natural dog bed. Skip the regular synthetic blend bed, and get a bed made from recycled materials. There are lots of companies out there that are making eco-friendly dog beds. While dog beds can take up a lot of space, it’s beneficial to a dog to have a safe space they can go to. If you need some extra space storage in San Diego, consider a storage unit. You can keep your belongings safe, and give your pooch their own extra space.

Natural dog treats

If you care about what foods you eat, then you should definitely care about the foods your dog eats. Common dog treats that can be found at department stores can often contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs. So back away from the bleached rawhide treats, and pick something a little more natural like a chew. Chews are a natural way to reduce tartar and plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth.

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Shampoo

Without sounding too dramatic, the shampoo you use on your dog can seriously impact their life. Many common shampoos on the market contain chemicals that can dry out your pup’s skin which can lead to scratching and itching. You can avoid the problem altogether by finding a shampoo that hydrates and protects the skin instead. Read the label with care and avoid any products that may contain alcohol.

Flea Medicines

Fleas are nasty little bugs that can be hard to get rid of once they’ve infested. Most people are set in their ways because of a bad experience with fleas. If you want to avoid harmful pesticides, there are more natural ways to exterminate these pests. There are flea remedies that can be sprinkled on carpets, couches, and pet beds that are safe for your dogs to be around. You can also find natural topical treatments that contain natural ingredients and are safer for your pets.

There are many benefits to providing your pooch with natural products, but the best one of all is peace of mind knowing that you’re giving your pet the healthiest life.