May is mental health month and a time for all people to recognize the effect that mental illness can have. We at Bel Marra think it is important to educate people about the various conditions that may lead to an impacted mental well-being. We have taken the time to provide all who are interested with several articles on mental exhaustion, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. These topics are known for causing severe issues of mental unrest and can be a cause for confusion to those not well informed.
Mental exhaustion (fatigue): Symptoms, causes, and recovery tips
Mental exhaustion is a common occurrence and is a result of brain over-activity. Feelings of being overwhelmed by tasks at work or responsibilities to children and family members can leave you with feelings of frustration and mental unrest. You may also find yourself becoming envious of others you perceive as being more relaxed or laid back, as your level of mental stress can make you detest those who seem to have it easier.
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When you spend a lot of mental effort on a task, you become mentally exhausted. Though manageable at first, over time, your ability to maintain focus becomes hampered. This may leave you with an inability to concentrate, performing more mistakes than normal. Feelings of being stressed, irritated, and even depressed can lead you into a downward spiral, potentially affecting your health and the people around you. Continue reading…
Bird watching linked with better mental health: Study
Academics from the University of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the University of Queensland have found that those who live in areas with more birds and greenery have a reduced risk of suffering from mental ailments like depression, anxiety, and stress. The study found that there were mental health benefits linked to being able to see birds, shrubs, and trees near their homes. Those who spent more time outdoors also saw these benefits.
To conduct the study, researchers surveyed the mental health of more than 270 participants from a variety of age groups, income levels, and ethnicities, and compared their reported mental health to surveys of the number of birds found in their neighborhoods.
The team discovered that lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were linked to the number of birds that participants were able to see in the afternoon. Previous research conducted by the University of Exeter has shown that bird watching relaxes people and allows them to feel connected to nature, helping to lower stress and anxiety levels. Continue reading…
History of mental health not a risk factor for Alzheimer’s: Study
Being forgetful is something we have all experienced from time to time, and it can be frustrating when we finally remember what we forgot. Forgetting to pick something up from the store or forgetting your phone at home: these are all minor nuisances, but when we realize we forgot something, we always tell ourselves it won’t happen again.
Now imagine that you experience one of these aforementioned scenarios, but instead of trying to remedy it, you are completely oblivious to the fact that you forgot something in the first place. This is often the first sign of dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers used to think that a previous history of mental health issues played a role in Alzheimer’s development, but according to a new study, this may not be the case.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys the memory and other important mental functions. Initially, it may present as mild confusion and difficulty remembering things, but eventually, those with the disease can forget vital details they once knew, such as people in their lives, in addition to the loss of intellectual and social skills. Continue reading…
Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome: How are they linked?
Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, although different, may actually be linked. In both conditions, the patient will feel extremely fatigued, regardless of the sleep quality the night before. It is possible that a patient may have depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) simultaneously, or mistake one condition for the other. It’s important to recognize the key difference between depression and CFS in order to receive a proper diagnosis.
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Depression is the feeling of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness experienced for extended periods of time. Depressed individuals often have difficulty sleeping or may not sleep at all.
In CFS, the patient feels extremely fatigued even when well rested, and there is no explainable cause of this fatigue. CFS is often misdiagnosed and taken for depression, according to research findings. Continue reading…
Simple ways to boost your mental well-being
Americans are living longer lives, and while physical fitness is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle into our later years, mental health and well-being are just as important. Research suggests that by 2050, 20 percent of the U.S. population will be made up of seniors 65 and older, so it’s important that this group—as well as the rest of us—learn to take care of our minds and our bodies to ensure our longer lives are not only healthier but happier too. Below are some simple tips to help boost your mental well-being that you can use at any age. Continue reading…
