Taking Time for Yourself

How can I learn to take time for myself without the guilt?

By not taking a little time out of each day for yourself, you might be less happy than possible. Start by focusing on yourself. Acknowledge that your own happiness is important and practice happiness-boosting routines.

 

You have multiple priorities on your mind at any given time. Food, kids, laundry, cleaning, friends, work, bills, relationships, home, car, shower, sex, exercise, hobbies, not to mention politics, economics, scientific breakthroughs, the environment, public education or healthcare.

You are in constant movement, getting things done, going places, talking to people.

Not only are you thinking about many things at the same time, recent Harvard research, indicates that you’re thinking about something other than what you are doing in the moment at least 47% of the time. You spend most of your life engaging with a wandering mind, thinking about everything you need to do, pondering world affairs and absentmindedly doing what needs to be done right now. You are giving life half of your attention because almost 50% of the time you’re thinking of something other than what you’re doing.

When your life is guided by thoughts about things you have to do or things you have done you will likely fail to focus on the present. And you might experience a downward spiral* into stress and unhappiness.

Your focus is on everything and everyone except yourself.

You are rarely on your own list!

You feel responsible for “getting everything done.”

This mentality incorporates the thinking “If I don’t do it, who will?”

When you focus on everything except yourself you might feel angry, irritable, frustrated, disappointed, stressed, depressed, lethargic and you might head right for the chocolate and potato chips.

Affordable Counseling Center provides solution focused counseling for couples, families, and individuals by licensed Therapists to the extended Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and Riverview areas. We can see you the day you call or whenever possible. We are available evening and weekends by appointment.

At Star Point Counseling Center, there are two convenient locations for you to choose from in Brandon and Tampa. So call or text us today, or anytime at (813) 244-1251 or visit us online at: 

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

Forgiveness: Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness.

When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.

Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance.  If you don’t practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Consider how forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

 What is forgiveness?

Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, more positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you deny the other person’s responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn’t minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

 Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for happiness, health and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Stronger immune system
• Improved heart health
• Higher self-esteem

What are the effects of holding a grudge?

• Bring anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience
• Become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can’t enjoy the present
• Become depressed or anxious
• Feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you’re at odds with your spiritual beliefs
• Lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others

Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. To begin, you might:

• Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time
• Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you’ve reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being
• Actively choose to forgive the person who’s offended you, when you’re ready
• Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life

As you let go of grudges, you’ll no longer define your life by how you’ve been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.

At Affordable Counseling Center, there are two convenient locations for you to choose from in Brandon and Tampa.  

We provide counseling services to individuals, couples, families, children, teens, and adults with any type of crises.  We help you build tools as well as help design and implement individualized goals and objectives, help you sort out beliefs, thoughts, and behavior patterns that may be hindering you in your relationship(s) whether at the work place or in other areas of your life.  

 

We have the tools you need for managing pain, anxiety, disappointment, frustration, hopelessness, or anger resulting from circumstances that interfere in achieving a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.  By working together, we will show you how to set and achieve goals and objectives therapeutically designed to meet your needs that will allow you to live the life you know that you deserve.

CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT: 813.244.1251

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

COUNSELING FOR ANXIETY:

The word Anxiety is used widely and covers a broad range of experience. People can feel anxious about all sorts of things: anxious to get to your vacation spot, anxious to meet someone new. Anxiety that is a mood disorder is an experience that makes it difficult to go about life with a sense of confidence and ease. Common signs of an anxiety disorder include:

1. Difficulty engaging in daily activities that others seem to do so easily
2. A significantly uncomfortable physical experience when approaching certain places, people or situations: racing heart, numbness or tingling in your fingers, suddenly sweating or feeling cold, difficulty breathing, fuzzy thinking, restlessness
3. A strong desire to avoid the situations or people that trigger that discomfort
4. A predominant feeling of worry about something specific or about a broad range of things that make it difficult for the person to function: can’t turn off the worry and go to sleep; inability to perform uncomfortable work tasks and therefore, unable to get promotions at work; never throws anything away for fear it might be useful some day
5. Fears are out of proportion to the perceived threat

WHEN TO SEEK COUNSELING

While anxiety and worry are common experiences they warrant treatment when:

1. Your world begins to get smaller and smaller: you stop or significantly limit your driving; the variety of places you are willing to go to are decreasing or you want to be home all the time
2. You are having limited experiences in life and are feeling like you’re missing out
3. Important people in your life are expressing worry about your number or degree of fear(s)
4. You are becoming increasingly reliant on medication, other substances or people to feel comfortable or in control

The number of fears, the degrees to which one feels them, the degree of avoidance, and the level of disruption in one’s life are each unique to every individual. Some people find they can cope with their life with anxiety and others find it so debilitating or exhausting to manage they seek therapy. Affordable Counseling Center has offices in Tampa and Brandon and schedule your appointments around your busy schedule. (813) 244-1251 We are also online at: www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

Also See: www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com &  www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

Bad Habits That Will Drain You Of Energy.

It’s hard to be our best when we feel drained of energy. Here are 6 habits that you may have that drains you of your energy and keeps you from being your best:

You don’t drink enough water. Dehydration takes a toll on our energy levels. Instead of drinking a can of soda, replace it with a refreshing glass of water.

You have too much on your plate. How often are you tired because you have so much to do and not enough time to do it? Most people take on more than they can handle. Learn to say no and create a gap of relaxation in your day.

You’re a clutter bug. It’s natural that when we get busy and tired we often become cluttered and disorganized, but this only creates more stress and exhaustion in our lives. Make the time to get rid of things you don’t need and simplify your life.

You never take a break. You might think that taking a break will cause you to get behind or miss important opportunities. But by not taking a break it actually hinders your creativity and efficiency. Make time for a few quick breaks throughout the day to unwind, or even better plan a vacation and take a big break!

You have toxic relationships. Be aware of the people you surround yourself with. There are those that help us stay upbeat and focused, and then there are those that are negative and drain us. Make it a point to keep those around who fill you up emotionally instead of drain you.

You don’t get enough sleep. Getting less sleep may mean more hours to get things done, but you won’t be very efficient when you’re sleep deprived. Focus on getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night.

Making small changes in your lifestyle will go a long way for your mental health!

“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.” – Anthony Robbins

www.starpointcounselintampa.com