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Looking after your mental health is important, as you probably already know, but for some reason, people seem to forget about this when it comes to putting it into practice. It’s easy to talk about staying healthy mentally, but the reality of it is a lot more complicated. However, there is a whole range of hobbies that are great for your mental health, and we’re going to be looking at some of them in this article. If you want to know more about what these hobbies are, then keep reading down below where you will find a few of them. Sports The first hobby that we’re going to look at is sports. One of the reasons that sport is so good for your mental health is because it’s good for your physical health. When your body is healthy, your mind is more likely to be healthy because you know that you are looking after yourself. Running around is excellent for keeping fit, and when you start to feel that burn in your legs, your body is going to release adrenaline and endorphins to help you deal with this and keep you going for longer. Endorphins are a natural mood enhancer, which automatically helps you to feel better. Another reason that sport is so great is that it keeps you mind off any problems you have in your life at that point, even if only for a little while. Sometimes all you need is that one thing that you can do, and it takes everything else away. In those moments, nothing else matters, and that is good for your mental health because it gives you a break from all the stresses that you face every day. Arts and Crafts  Another hobby that is great for your mental health is arts and crafts. Now, you don’t actually have to be good at either for it to be therapeutic. This gives you a way to express how you’re feeling, or just a way to let everything out that you have been bottling up. You don’t even have to create anything specific, just whatever you are feeling at the time. You have seen art, so you know that some pieces don’t actually look like anything, but they are expressions of what the artist felt when they painted them. It’s just something to get all your thoughts out that you can’t express words for, and it’s a great feeling when you’re done. Gardening You could also look at gardening if you’re looking for a new hobby. For some reason, gardening has a bit of a reputation for being for older people, but that’s simply because it is so calm and relaxing. It doesn’t take anything that is taxing physically unless you are going to be doing a whole renovation in a short time frame. Things like planting flowers, tending to weeds, maybe even having a vegetable patch are also simple gardening activities, but they can be a lot of fun. It’s nice to see something beautiful that you have created once you’re finished, and then you get to tend to it. There are a number of new things that you can add to the space to make it look as good as possible. For example, you could add garden rocks, a path, maybe a pond, flowers, and so on. So many opportunities and different ideas for you to take into consideration, so if it’s something mellow you’re looking for, this could certainly be it. Blogging  The next thing that we’re going to look at is blogging. This is another way that you can talk about how you’re feeling and nobody has to know it’s you. Your blog can be anonymous for readers, or you could even set it to private if you’re worried that someone is going to recognize something about your life. It’s entirely up to, but it’s like the online version of writing in a journal. It’s personal, you don’t have to tailor what you say, and it can feel really good to get all those thoughts and feelings out of your head. The good thing about this hobby is that it’s just something that you can do as and when you have time. It’s not as if you have to stick to a certain schedule, and you don’t even have to write something every day if you have nothing to say. It’s yours to do with as you please, and there are no restraints or limitations on it. Reading If you’re looking for an escape into a new world, then reading is an excellent way to do this. Pick up a book and get lost in the pages for hours as a way to calm down, or simply relax from the day that you have had. There are so many books available that you are never going to run out of things to read, which is one of the best parts of it. The different types of books that you can read, some funny, some romantic but there is always going to be something for you to discover in those pages. Reading is excellent for your mental health because it keeps your brain active, and it helps you slip somewhere else for a little while. Music  Finally, music might be just what you’re looking for. Whether you are listening or creating, it can be a great way to hear your feelings without having to say them out loud. Music is soothing, calming, but it’s also like a therapy to you. When you hear the words and know that you’re not alone in how you’re feeling, or you simply feel the music, and it boosts your mood, it’s like nothing else in the world. That’s why so many people turn to music when they feel like they can’t turn anywhere else. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know some of the hobbies that are great for your mental health. Try some out and see what’s good for you.
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Everybody needs to think about their mental health to some degree. Even if you are mostly happy, you will still find there are challenges that arise that might indicate some ways in which you need to look at how you think about your own mind. Most of us will run into some crisis at some point or another, and it’s good if at that time you actually have the necessary tools to deal with it. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the simple ways to help improve your mental health, so that you can live a much happier and healthier life.  Take Care Of The Body The mind and body are really two sides of the same coin, and as long as you are looking after one you are probably also looking after the other. So if you want to take care of your mental health, one way to do so would be to take care of your physical health first. If you aren’t already, consider starting up a physical exercise regime which you can follow and get fit by, and make sure that you are eating a healthy diet. You will find that these things are really going to make a huge difference to your mental health in no time. Consider Alternative Treatments There are a range of treatments which you might want to try if you are going to make sure that you are keeping your mental health as strong as possible. Some of these are pretty straightforward and unlikely to cause you any harm, and those are the ones to go for. Taking CBD oil under the tongue thrice daily is one that a lot of people are doing at the moment, and it looks as though a lot of people are reporting lower anxiety and eased depression as a result of it. You might want to look into something like that - but be sure to look up the differences between hemp oil vs CBD oil, as they are not the same thing!  Be More Mindful No matter what it is that goes through your mind all day, you are going to be in a better position to deal with it if you are first completely clear and honest about what it is. Only by being aware of what your mind does all day can you really get to the bottom of your own mental health, so this is something to be aware of too. This essentially just means that you need to be more mindful as you go about your daily life, a practice which many people follow and which can make a huge difference to your life in no time, especially your mental health. Manage Stress If you allow stress to linger, it has an unwanted effect on your body and mind, so make sure that you are managing stress as best as you can if you want to look after your mind properly. It is always better to process stress rather than leave it to fester.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), suicide rates increased by 50% among girls and women between 2000 and 2016 and 21% among boys and men. A recent article from Time Magazine points out 'depression among teens in the U.S., particularly with girls, has jumped 37% in the last decade'. In the article, mental health professionals mention the overuse of technology and social media as a possible culprit. Knowing this, where do we go from there?The stigma around mental health has been shifting. Stars like Glen Close with BC2M (Bring Change to Mind) and Jameela Jamil with I Weigh are among those shining light on the issue. Voices are getting louder and more people across various disciplines are joining the conversation. Mary Albertoli, a clinical social worker who has worked with children and adolescents for 11 years, in both individual and group settings with depression, PTSD, and suicidal and homicidal ideation is working against the stigma by facilitating the conversations we need to have in an open platform. Albertoli, who has a Master's degree in social work from Columbia University, understands that it "is only through effective conversations about ourselves and with each other that real growth and change takes place." "There's so much stigma around mental health, but the truth is not one of us is alone in struggling with something"
"Our goal is to provide a relatable and even fun format for young people to engage in discussions they might otherwise avoid, often because of not knowing how to begin," says Isern. Maureen Isern is a social impact strategist, brand manager, and seasoned digital content producer with a 20-year track record working across new categories and start-up environments.
Q & A with Mary Albertoli
If you are in emotional distress or experiencing thoughts of harm to yourself or others, help is available 24/7.
Life isn’t always easy. While there are times when it feels like we’re on top of the world, at others, it can feel as if we're at the bottom of a ditch. And the thing about these low moments is that they can come from nowhere; even if everything seems to be well in our lives, it’s not always possible to be in a cheery mood. The first thing is to recognize that it’s normal to feel this way, and that there are many other people in the same position. The one upside of the prevalence of mental health conditions is that researchers have learned a lot about the things we can do to get ourselves in a mentally healthy state of mind. We take a look at a few of these solutions below.
 Into Nature Nature is amazing; it’s just that most of us live in cities, where nature is limited or non-existent. It really is worthwhile looking at taking regular trips into the outdoors, since studies have shown that just fifteen minutes of nature is enough to give our brain a boost. And if you spend two hours in nature each week, you’ll significantly boost happiness and reduce your anxiety levels, too. Do Something For Others Finally, remember that sometimes, we have to avoid digging ourselves into a negative state of mind. One of the best ways to do this is to do something for others. Studies have shown that volunteering and random acts of kindness can have a tremendous effect on our confidence, self-worth, and happiness levels, so look at making it part of your schedule.
Think of the butterfly whose name is Painted Lady. She lives a short and colorful life. Listen to our poem, Live. Remember, life will be filled of ups and downs. While some lows are harder than others, one thing is for sure, you can and you will make it through. We see you. We hear you. We get you. You are not alone. by IC Mag Editors
Mysteries of Liz DiazINTRODUCTION
Listen to Mysteries of Liz Diaz: Introduction
It wasn't real Your smiles and conversations I was the giver You were the taker That strength, courage, decisions unquestioned I followed you with admiration Desire Qualities I’d been searching to acquire You had the answer I invited you in I chose you The surface I created, alluring Beneath was undeniable Gauze peeled off: Insecurities, envy, competition Product of my own delusion To live in a world ignorant of egoism Fiction of my creation All in my mind How foolish was I Flipped over Disenchanted Dark, dry, and sour I see your true colors. Excerpt From: Jessica G. Ferrer. “Words, Compilated.” Jessica Gonzalez Ferrer, 2019. Apple Books. Download the free iBook here: https://books.apple.com/us/book/words-compilated/id1458905696 By IC Editors
From the iBook, 'Words, Complilated'Undefeated
Excerpt From: Jessica G. Ferrer. “Words, Compilated.” Jessica Gonzalez Ferrer, 2019. Apple Books. Dowload your free copy: https://books.apple.com/us/book/words-compilated/id1458905696
IN A WORLD WHERE THERE IS HATE, THERE IS ALSO LOVE. SO LOVE. LOVE MORE. Image by: Abimael Linares
Today Jenna has some really great friends who love her dearly and don't take her for granted.
Share if you believe. Thank you for your support. We wish you kindness, love, and joy. #IconicChicaMag by Liz Diaz
Sometimes we need a break from the constant noise of being a person - so we seek more noise from other places instead. To be relaxed, happy and moderately successful, is all about finding the right balance between work and play, and who better to find this balance with than your best gal pals?  Mix it up a bit and do something else this weekend than hitting the usual bar; here is a handful of fun ideas to give you energy for the week ahead.
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