It is typically family members who motivate loved ones to enter treatment for health conditions. Unlike physical health conditions, motivating someone to accept help for a behavioral health condition like an eating disorder, addiction, and gambling among to others, can be a tough sell. Denial interferes with rational arguments to get help. Threatening and badgering are rarely successful and can make problems worse. Avoiding these behaviors is so important that it is worth getting counseling to…

Chances are good that you had an amazing idea in the past but didn't act on it. Where would you be now if you had? Awareness of the common reasons people don't act on great ideas may empower you the next time your inner genius strikes. New ideas often challenge the status quo and, when examined, feel as if they are outside your comfort zone. To act with determination, decide to overcome 1) fear of failure - what you imagine will happen if the idea flops; 2) fear of success - apprehension about…

If you love someone who has a gambling disorder, then you are no stranger to secrecy, lying, reckless borrowing, unpaid bills, and broken promises. It's time to get help. Start with a professional counselor and step one - support for yourself and the isolation you feel. Next steps: work on change, intervention, and taking actions that can motivate the gambler to enter proper treatment. Loved ones of problem gamblers experience anxiety in the same way that other people do who are in…

Chronic loneliness can have negative health effects, so CIGNA surveyed 20,000 Americans to gauge the prevalence of this emotion. One in five respondents reported no close relationships at all, and one in four reported having no one with whom they can have a meaningful conversation. Those aged 18-22 - despite their proficiency with social media - report being most lonely. Relationships are also a critical factor in building resilience and recovering from the impact of trauma. Loneliness is a…

Whether it's summer or any other time of year, the national Center for Pet Safety, which conducts safety testing research for pet restraint devices, wants to remind you that distracted driving can be caused by not only your cell phone but also the family pet. It's important to be safe together on the road, so the center recommends a pet safety harness in the backseat of your vehicle. Pet travel harnesses come in two forms: those that prevent distraction and those that provide actual crash…

Don't slug through a morning routine that barely gets you out of the door. Maximize your routine for improved work-life productivity. The payoff will be happier you. More excitement about goals, a better mood, improved health, and finding more meaning in your job can all flow from an optimized morning routine. Experiment with few tweaks, and keep notes about any positive impacts on yourself. Everyone is different, so don't simply copy an online "do this" formula. Whether it is drinking a glass…

The rate of teen suicide has increased over 70 percent in the past ten years. White males 14 to 21 years old are at highest risk for taking their own life, although African American teen suicide has also surged by the same amount. Knowing the warning signs can potentially help anyone play an intervening role in preventing a tragedy. Be aware, and never dismiss a team who expresses hopelessness about the future, appears to be coping with overwhelming distress, withdraws from friends and social…

"Alone time" is time engaged in a solitary, uninterrupted, and satisfying activity that provides you a psychological boost. The goal is feeling refreshed despite a schedule of tightly woven work and home responsibilities. Single parents, caregivers, or those with busy jobs and chain-linked to-dos can find it difficult to schedule regular alone time. It's easy to see alone time as only a "nice-to-have" activity or to avoid it altogether out of fear or guilt. However, alone time is a tool -- a…

If you love someone who has a drinking problem, you may slowly acquire problematic ways of managing communications, social interactions, behaviors, and uncertainties you experience. These are normal responses to addiction-affected relationships. As the disease advances and you find yourself having to manage these things more often and experiencing emotional stress, your health may be adversely affected. Physical symptoms like stomach problems, depression, and sleep problems are only a few…