EiR Blog

As exciting and rewarding as expecting a baby can be, it’s also completely normal and somewhat expected for women to feel a certain amount of anxiety about giving birth. For some women it’s manageable, but for others it can turn into paralyzing fear.  The good thing is that so many women have done this before you, which allows you to learn from their experiences and provides you with an opportunity to prepare your body and mind for what awaits. Here are some effective methods to reduce your anxiety about birth. Don’t ignore your fear If you’re truly scared about labor and you feel anxious increasingly more often and for longer periods of time, the worst thing you can do is to smile and pretend everything is just fine. Bear in mind that you’re not alone in your body any more and that you have to put your baby’s health first....

Most people don’t give massages enough credit. Beauty, pampering and relaxation are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to benefits of massages. They can also be great allies when it comes to improving your mental health. Furthermore, it’s important to know that not all massages are the same and that there are different massage treatments to address any health issues you may have, whether they’re physical or mental. So, if you’re looking for something to help you gain balance and maintain your mental health, here are some massage treatment suggestions you could try. Aromatherapy massage Essential oils are compounds which are extracted from various types of plants, often through distillation or cold pressing. On their own, these oils can affect the part of your brain called the limbic system, which has an important role in your behavior and emotions, but also long-term memory. By rubbing them on...

Clutter is one of the main reasons why some homes look unsightly. An old stack of magazines here, an empty bottle of perfume there, and before you know it, you’re settled in a messy living space. However, the moment you start being surrounded by a pile of unnecessary stuff, you’ll feel cramped and it’ll affect your way of life as well. Therefore, it’s time to turn your cluttered home into a neat and tidy place, where you’ll feel amazing. Stop producing clutter It’s always better to prevent the problem in the first place than to work on solving it. Therefore, if you wish to have a clutter-free home, stop creating clutter. Hoarding is a sneaky and horrible habit, but also it is often a sign of depression. Storing unnecessary magazine issues, old perfume bottles, or piling up on figurines will only turn your home into an unpleasant living space. So,...

According to a statistic by the ASPCA, Americans own a staggering total of 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats. Those numbers don't include other categories like birds, fish, and other reptiles. It's obvious that animals play an important role in our lives and even made them part of the family.   For people struggling with depression, pets can even play a more crucial role. They can become a source of companionship and comfort, leading to a positive outcome in our lives and improving our overall well-being. An Emotional Support Animal or ESA offers unwavering companionship to their owners helping them deal with mental and emotional difficulties.   Here are the top health benefits of emotional support animals for people suffering from depression:   Benefit #1 - Emotional Support When you're suffering the effects of depression, you may, from time to time, experience bouts of loneliness. You feel isolated from the...

People often try to make a distinction between the mind and the body. But even though some think of them as separate entities, they actually go hand in hand. Poor physical health can increase your risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, if you’re suffering from mental health problems, you’re more likely to experience issues with your physical health. The one thing that’s we know for sure about mental health is that it can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re from a long and supportive family with a lot of money and you have a job, you can still experience issues with your mental health. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose to ignore their mental health problems. However, if you do this, your condition will only get worse. That’s why it’s important to completely understand what you’re suffering from and know what to do to get better. The Most...

Cancer strikes to anyone regardless of the age, popularity, religion, ethnicity, and culture, lifestyle, or financial situation. It’s an illness that doesn’t discriminate. Even the wealthiest ones like Steve Jobs wasn’t spared from this sickness. It only shows that cancer doesn’t care if you’re a rich or poor. And this is the odd part, what’s more than being broke and then gets diagnosed with this disease. Yes, there are health insurances available but this may not be enough to pay for your treatment. Moreover, since health insurances are usually provided at work, you may not be in the position to take long absences from work to focus on fighting your disease. Your money may not be sufficient to try hospitals who specializes in cancer treatments especially on what stricken you. Even with an insurance, it's not 100% guaranteed that it won’t drain your bank account. A cancer diagnosis carries with...

After being chronically ill for 20 years, having been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) at the young age of 11, I have grown increasingly interested in psychology and particularly the traits required to survive an illness that robs sufferers of so much (what I would give to be able to just go for a run). My ill health has also included multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.), and adrenal fatigue, which are all terrible things to deal with in themselves and have forced me to draw on every last bit of inner strength I could muster to keep going despite a distinct lack of enjoyment in life. Rather than crushing my spirit however, these trials and tribulations that have shaped my life, have actually strengthened my resolve, given me greater confidence in myself and my abilities, and changed my outlook on life for the better. When one...

 Many people suffering from environmental illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and particularly multiple chemical sensitivity, lead very lonely existences. This blog entry will look at how pets can offer valuable company for some.  The symptoms of these disabling conditions such as fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties such as confusion, poor short term memory, and inability to focus, mean that sufferers are often unable to remain in their jobs or enageg in social activities. To make matters worse these symptoms and many others are aggravated by both physical and mental exertion, as well as environments that are noisy or have bright lighting - typical of work places and coffee shops, bars, and other places where people typically socialise. It is a sad fact that people unaffected by these types of illness find it very difficult to comprehend what sufferers are going through, or even that they are ill at...

If you suffer from respiratory allergies such as hayfever I'm sure you know that symptoms aren't limited to the obvious sneezing, itching, runny nose and watering eyes. Of course these are very annoying and often distressing but what those who don't have allergies don't realise is that mood disturbances such as depression, irritability and insomnia are also a common result of allergic reactions and can be equally or more distressing than the obvious allergy symptoms.