Tag: mental health

Can Magnets Support Mental Health?

Published on by Nikken

Overall well-being includes mental health, not just physical health. When it comes to physical health, much of the science is black and white; whereas with mental health, there are more gray areas. While medication and psychotherapy are often seen as the end-all-be-all treatments for depression and other mental health conditions, magnets can serve as alternative ways to regulate neural activity: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an advanced method of relieving erratic brain activity that can cause poor mental health.1

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), TMS usually is used only when other depression treatments haven’t been effective. The FDA also approved TMS for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines and to help people stop smoking when standard treatments haven’t worked well. Research continues into other potential uses for TMS, including epilepsy.2

When used for depression, OCD and to stop smoking, this treatment involves delivering repeated magnetic pulses, so it’s called repetitive TMS or rTMS. During an rTMS session for depression, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp of the head. This coil delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in mood control and depression. It’s thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity during depression.3

The difference between rTMS and deep TMS has to do with the type of coil used. The deep TMS coil stimulates deeper and wider areas of the brain, compared with rTMS. Deep TMS coils have been FDA-approved for OCD and to stop smoking. Although the biology of why TMS works isn’t completely understood, the stimulation appears to affect how the brain is working. It seems to ease depression symptoms and improve mood.4

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the recipient of TMS is fully aware of what’s happening during the entire treatment and can talk, read or nap. The coil delivers stimulation for approximately four seconds, then stops for 15 seconds and then resumes. This is repeated about 75 times per session. During the stimulation, the patient may hear a tapping sound as well as feel the sensation of being tapped on the scalp. Phase one can be time-consuming, with 30 treatments being recommended over a six-week period of time. During the second or maintenance phase, the frequency decreases according to each case, varying from once every other week to once a month or every two months.5

Magnets and magnetic fields are part of nature, and nature continues to be a primary source of solutions for overall well-being. The more we learn, the more we can practice empowered living.

1 https://www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/the-truth-about-magnet-therapy-aka-tms-therapy/

2, 3, 4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625 5 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-conquer-depression-how-magnets-can-help

Daily Habits Can Influence Overall Mental Well-Being

Published on by Nikken

Many factors play a part in mental health, some of which we can’t control, such as genetics, life experiences, and family history. Nonetheless, there are many things we can consciously do every day to create overall well-being.

What we think about and how we we approach our thoughts can impact everything in our lives. Our ability to handle the twists and turns of life affect our mental health, and building good habits can make a difference. Common sense dictates many of these positive behaviors, but staying consistent is both the key and the challenge to making them work.

Sleep is necessary to maintain good physical health, but it also is crucial for mental health. One study from 2021 included 273,695 adults in the United States. The researchers found that people who averaged six hours of sleep or less per night were about 2.5 times more likely to report frequent mental distress than those who averaged more than six hours of sleep.1 The researchers also found that the quality of sleep matters, as disrupted sleep can add to mental health issues. So, maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time daily and reap the benefits.

Another area that impacts mental health is “keeping up with the Joneses.” No matter how well you are doing, there will always be others doing better. This constant comparison with others can produce feelings of inadequacy. The advent of social media has multiplied these comparisons a hundred-fold, and psychologists report that feelings of low self-worth are an inevitable byproduct of constantly consuming information about other people’s lives. The solution is to cut back on social media. Stop scrolling on the phone, day and night, keep your phone out of reach during sleep hours, turn off notifications and only keep social apps that are absolutely necessary.2 Hit delete, delete, delete.

Staying out of the business of people we don’t know can be a relief, but staying in touch with people we do know, can be truly transformative. In other words, friends and family deserve attention and even when the effort to strengthen these relationships can be taxing, they’re worth it. These are the people who ultimately lend meaning to our lives. Instead of keeping up with the latest gossip about so-and-so, why not take the time to call mom, son, cousin, old friend, new friend, etc.? Better yet, make it a point to catch up by actually meeting for walks, tea, or a laugh-together session!

Exercise isn’t a magic bullet for physical and mental health, but it comes close. Next time you’re feeling down, go outside and move around. Walk, jog, stretch, do some head rolls—it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it regularly. For mental well-being, it doesn’t have to be vigorous or strenuous. In fact, it should be whatever you are comfortable with, even if it’s chair exercises. Again, be consistent—start slowly and build up stamina.

What we eat and drink also affects our state of mind. Certain foods are known as “mood-boosters.” These include berries, bananas, salmon, beans, salmon and whole grains. Staying hydrated by drinking water throughout the day can be beneficial. According to nutritionists, dehydration denies the brain and body the nutrients required to operate at optimal levels. Certain foods and drinks, including alcohol, caffeinated beverages, refined carbs and foods with added sugars, may actually increase anxiety. A nutrient-dense diet is something to stay on for a lifetime, so developing good eating habits is essential for healthy longevity.

Good habits take time to create, so start gradually and empower yourself. May is mental health awareness month, the perfect time to start or add to your daily regimen of empowered living! Develop one good habit at a time, and build on it. You may be surprised how much better you feel both mentally and physically!

1, 2 https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/habits-to-improve-mental-health