Mental health is a hot topic. Belgians struggle more with burnouts or eating disorders and waiting times in mental health care are extremely long. In this European mental health week we share 10 memorable insights that can get your mental household back in order. From the impact of social media or how to ‘heal’ from perfectionism to MDMA and truffles for a better mood.
1. Do you worry (too) much? A therapist shares the step-by-step plan for quitting
“Sometimes I fight my thoughts and say to myself, ‘Now I’m not going to think about it’, but then I start thinking about it even more.” Radio voice Maite Goossens and behavioral therapist Wilfried Van Craen made a podcast about worrying and share their ultimate tips to get rid of it in this piece. The first step? Think more like a dog or cat.
2. This is how you recognize a parental burnout, because as a parent you often do not notice the signals
The mental bucket of many Belgian parents is overflowing. They can no longer recharge and feel lethargic, irritable and exhausted. “And that has negative consequences for the whole family,” says family therapist Tim Verleyzen. In this piece he explains what you can do to prevent parental burnout.
3. Perfectionism is like a disease, but you can cure it
Are you a perfectionist? Nice of you to aim so high. “But perfectionism makes you more susceptible to anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders,” warns psychologist Liesbet Boone. In this piece, the expert explains how to free yourself from that stress. “There is a positive counterpart to perfectionism.”
(Read more below the photo.)
4. The most common eating disorder is not anorexia or bulimia
“They often function so well that they don’t even realize they have an eating disorder.” More and more Flemish people are struggling with ‘binge eating disorder’, a condition that causes extreme, uncontrolled binge eating. A dietician explains in this piece how you recognize it in yourself. “They spend a lot of money on it every month.”
5. The smallest changes in your lifestyle have a major effect on your risk of burnout
“We are living a lifestyle that is not meant for us and is making us sick.” The solution? For that we have to learn to follow our instinct and our body again. Three experts give the most concrete tips in this piece, from sitting more on the floor or walking barefoot to eating seasonally and not lighting any lights at night.
6. What if you are concerned about a loved one with dark thoughts?
Flanders is one of the regions with the highest suicide rates in Europe. It is even the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 19. Because doing nothing is never a good response, expert Kirsten Pauwels explains in this piece how to recognize the first signals, really listen and help. “Don’t say, ‘Come on, pick yourself up.’”
7. Prince Harry takes psychedelics to feel better. And that’s not a bad idea
In Australia, psychiatrists already prescribe the substances in drugs such as MDMA and truffles to their patients. Should we also take XTC and magic mushrooms if our mental health is slacking? Toxicologist Jan Tytgat is in favour, he says in this article, although the drugs do not always work as expected. “I hope you get your hands on a preparation that is as pure as possible.”
(Read more below the photo.)
8. Postpartum depression follows pregnancy? Two moms testify
Why is it that one mom quickly hops on a pink cloud behind the buggy, while the other waddles for weeks and hides maternity tears? In this piece, experts outline the how and why of postnatal complaints. “As a gynaecologist you do everything you can to not force anything down under, but sometimes you have no choice.”
9. Social media influences your rhythm of life. Even when you are offline
From Billie Eilish to Gloria Monserez and Selena Gomez, the list of people going offline is getting longer. In this piece, two experts talk about the impact of social media: how bad is it to start your day with it? Is our brain made for so many stimuli? And does a temporary detox work? “Not really. And you even have to be careful with it.”
10. Burnout is contagious
A colleague can infect you with his burnout. Even those who start a completely new job sometimes carry the ‘virus’ with them, a study proves. How do you strengthen your ‘immune system’ when colleagues are having a hard time? Career coach Ann Rens gives advice in this piece. “It’s not just their negativity that’s contagious.”
Read also:
Your weight, your heart rate to your hair growth: this one organ has an effect on it. “Eat more bread” (+)
“Muscle pain, headache, stomach ache: that can also indicate anxiety.” New online therapy will help you get rid of it for free
“Avoid tranquilizers.” Arts distinguishes 8 facts and fables about anxiety and panic attacks
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2023-05-25 10:54:00
