Mental Health
The VOL 6 ISSUE 3
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THE COLLABORATIVE PUBLICATION Whatever you’re into, we’re into. That’s a fact. SET is entirely made up of content by us, our area’s fine youth. If you’re reading this, we want to know about your life, your hobbies and passions.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY
KALI DANIEL
@droptopkalibop
To say this issue is close to my heart is an understatement. It’s close to my brain.
I was lucky that I grew up in a home where we could sit down and ask the big questions like why my aunt’s strangely timed giggle fits happened or why my grandmother’s crying seemed to get out of control. It was never scary to me, it was just how things were. Again, I was lucky. Today, I know that half of my family has bipolar disorder and that I am one of them. Coming to terms with this fact wasn’t terribly difficult for me personally, but explaining the disorder, symptoms and overall treatment process to other people has always been a challenge. Part of starting the conversation about mental health, though, is realizing it’s not a negative. It just...exists. And there are ways to not only get help, but also embrace self-care and self-reflection in a positive way. In this special mental health issue, Taylor Simpson teaches us how to start with the basics — dining alone and love it, which is a lot easier than you might think. Rebekah
Samuelson guides us through finding the perfect happy place, somewhere you can close your eyes and escape to in times of stress. SET Intern Spencer Brooks gives us his opinion on whether money buys happiness and also shares the research behind the universe’s best medicine: laughter.
PART OF STARTING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IS REALIZING IT’S NOT A NEGATIVE. IT JUST...EXISTS. We hope you’ll find this issue informative, gain some clarity or simply have a few chuckles. And while I’d normally take this time to encourage you to follow us on social media or give writing for us a shot, today I want to leave you with parting words from Taylor Coston, one of the three students I interviewed about their experiences with mental health: “If you’re struggling, say something.” We care.
Does Money Buy Happiness?
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YES. YES, IT DOES.
Table for One, Please!
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THE BENEFITS OF DINING OUT ALONE
A Dose of Good Medicine GOOD LAUGHS, GOOD HEALTH
Apps for Meditation HAPPENINGS ABOUT TOWN!
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A Light in the Darkness COPING WITH MENTAL HEALTH FROM STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE
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Goodbye Stigmas, Hello Health UNA ORGANIZATION ACTIVE MINDS IS RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Calendar
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WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
The Restorative Power of Music
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BETTER HEALTH THRU HIP-HOP
Spotlight
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HAPPENINGS ABOUT TOWN!
Finding Your ‘Happy Place’ INDOORS, OUTDOORS, OR RIGHT AT HOME
The Mind-Body Connection
SALT & LIGHT FORGES LIGHT-MINDED COMMUNITY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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! T I E R A H S D N A ALLIE SOCKWELL Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
SPENCER BROOKS Athens, Alabama
REBEKAH SAMUELSON
REBEKAH MILWEE
Goodrich, Michigan
Gilroy, California
TAYLOR SIMPSON Birmingham, Alabama
Physical Address: 4790 East Second Street Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
ASHLEY GRAVES
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DOES MONEY BUY Yes. Yes it does. BY
@berserkxspence
SPENCER BROOKS
I started to see things for how they really are: really, REALLY expensive. Life seemed darker, not in a catastrophic way of course, but more of a “meh” way.
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Growing up, I remember watching videos in schools during slow class days, or that one, special episode every kids’ show seems to recreate, all centering around a storyline of good morals with the same philosophical phrase: “money doesn’t buy happiness.” Now, I’m 26 and want to give heads up to all our readers about this untruth; this deceptive ploy to either relieve mental stress or somehow encourage others to be less materialistic. I’m Spencer, the SET Intern, and I’m here to let all you fresh and brand new adults out there — reading this fantastic and edgy publication — in on one of the biggest lies you’ve been told your entire juvenile lives: Money does buy happiness and I’ve got the research to prove it!
Let me level with you. I, too, used to be a naive young adult, believing a dollar sign couldn’t be put on any happy memories I made. The nights would be young well past midnight almost every time, and my “fear of missing out” disorder (a.k.a. FOMO) would keep me from ever bailing or even considering the thought of going home and saving money. I was ignorant to
the costs of what those “happy” memories were; enjoying the moment, seizing the day. But then, I slowly realized I had a terrible fast-food job and to be quite honest, if it wasn’t the hassle of getting off certain days to enjoy time with myself or friends, it would be the scrawny, pathetic paychecks I would receive at the most minimum of wages that would put a damper on all the cool and fun activities I could have done. I would literally go to work for eight hours a day, working at least 40 a week with school in between. You wouldn’t think I had time for much and would be able to afford at least a day or two of fun, but no, after the treachery of “monthly bills” occurs, I was lucky if I could swing by McDonald’s for a binge on the dollar menu. With the lack of pay and lack of personal time, I started to see things for how they really are: really, REALLY expensive. Life seemed darker, not in a catastrophic way of course, but more of a “meh” way. Bills became dominant over video games, drinks with friends, road trips and everything precious in my world, taking the majority
If you take in that perspective, maybe consider extra expenses such as a pet, tuition or possibly a medical bill, you could live a decently comfortable life at $40,000 to $50,000 a year in this area. Bills would be covered, food would be in the fridge and surprisingly, unless you’re one of those crazy college students ready to own a home so early in life, you can have money in your savings. It’s like Minda Zetlin, co-author of “The Geek Gap” said, “it’s
Kahneman. Either way you look at it, the only person who seems upset is the one who lost money. They’ll probably be just fine, but readjusting could be a hassle, thus unhappiness will most likely occur.
it’s something you need to have money for, not only for the experience itself, but to help relax yourself mentally and physically from stress. Humans need to be able to relax and recharge, but other than lounging on the couch binging your favorite Netflix/ Hulu show or reading a book that’s been patiently waiting on your bookshelf for the majority of your off day, without money, your options are slim. Beach trips, midnight showings, music festivals — you name it, they all require money to enjoy and without it, that experience is just unattainable.
not so much that money buys happiness as that not having enough money for a comfortable life can cause unhappiness.”
at home watching paint dry and fantasizing about all the things you hope to do, you might want to think about a budget, a means of living or maybe even a job change. Regardless of what you do, according to the statistics, unless you’re meeting that $20,000 a year, you’re most likely not meeting the cost of all your bills and you definitely don’t have the money for fun on the side.
In Alabama and Tennessee, our SET magazine distribution area, the estimated result for necessary income annually for a single adult, such as myself, is between $19,000 to $20,000, according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator. These results show that at minimum to live with yours bills paid and other expenses controlled, you would only need a job that pays 9.62 dollars an hour, something I could never achieve in the drive thru window on a Friday night. Maybe at Chick-Fil-A, where working fast food is their pleasure.
Now to be fair, although I feel totally in the right, some researchers believe there to be a “satiation point.” For example, someone making $120,000 a year may feel comfortable, but someone who used to make $150,000 and drops down to $120,000 could feel uncomfortable because of their previous standard of living. The person who made more has a higher “satiation point” than the person used to no better, according to nobel prize winners, economist Angus Deaton and psychologist Daniel
of my happiness with them. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t lose all of my pep, but it felt mostly confined to a couple days in a month where I was able to go out with friends and participate in happy memory making moments. Fortunately for me, my friends were also just as poor, and at least one old adage rings true: Misery does love company. If you look at it from my perspective, Fun is a bill just like Internet and Utilities,
It’s not all about perspective, it’s all about having money. As shallow as it may sound, to actually live comfortably and be happy, which is almost impossible with stress, you need money. Unless you enjoy sitting
Y HAPPINESS? Fun is a bill just like Internet and Utilities, it’s something you need to have money for.
You’re more than welcome to disagree with my argument. If anything, I would hope this article would lead you to possibly reviewing your finances, regulating your spending or maybe just pushing you in or out of that job you’ve been on the fence about. Although I truly believe money is a major factor in happiness, considering the modern world we live in, maybe getting a handle on the situation or even opening an account with Listerhill could lead you on the right track to being happy long-term. Please visit any of your local Listerhill branches or Listerhill.com for more information about opening an account and all the benefits and savings you can gain. WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
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According to David Clingingsmith of the Department of Economics at Case Western Reserve University in 2016 once you make around $200,000, having more money won’t make you any happier. While this isn’t exactly peanuts — it’s nearly four times the 2015 U.S. median household income of $55,775. 2
The average salary in Alabama is $39,180 and in Tennessee is $48,547. 3
Last year 48% of Americans said their annual expenses were greater than or equal to their annual income.
MONEY
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e v i s u l c x e r u O 15 20 SOMETHINGS
r o f t n u o acc OVERDRAFT FORGIVENESS FREE CHECKING PERSONAL LOANS MOBILE BANKING
“As opposed to having to worry about what I’m wearing, what I’m going to say or how much I should eat,” she said, “I can just go and enjoy myself, which is cleansing for me.”
To many young people, the idea of dining out at a restaurant alone might seem intimidating and unnecessary, but with the right mindset, it can be an irreplaceable asset to your self-care routine.
While solitude at home may lead to feelings of isolation, for some, dining out alone can strike a delicate balance between being alone and having human interaction. “When I eat out instead of eating at home, I can still enjoy the benefits of being alone without feeling isolated in my apartment,” said Kaitlyn Tew, a graduate student at the University of North Alabama. Tew said she tends to be introverted, so that alone time helps to re-energize her. She also uses that time to catch up on schoolwork without having
10%
“Taking homework to coffee shops and other restaurants can make doing schoolwork or studying much more enjoyable,” she said. One of Tew’s favorite places to go for a meal and study session is Rivertown Coffee Co. in downtown Florence, Alabama. “I feel like I can go and stay for hours without feeling like I am in the way,” she said. Coffee shops are a great option if you want to bring along homework, a book or even a laptop to accompany you while relaxing alone, but you may find that you prefer a more lively setting such as a bar or restaurant. “I like sitting at bars because I can have a nice conversation with the bartender, people watch and get some food without having to take up a whole table,” said Pariss Cruce, a lifelong Shoals resident.
of Americans eat out alone at least once per week
Lenz says she eats out alone as a break from the stresses of college life and as a treat to herself every once in a while. The emotional health benefits of dining out alone will vary for everyone, but for some the experience can build confidence, promote self-awareness or relieve stress. “Students often have a lot going on in their lives, including school work, extracurricular activities, jobs, relationships and decisions about the future,” Tew, who studies mental health counseling, said. “Undoubtedly, this leads to a lot of stress and anxiety. It is good to get time away alone once in a while to slow down and enjoy a meal alone.” The solitude of dining alone can be beneficial to college students who want to refresh after dealing with school stresses. While dining out alone may not be for everyone, if you give it a try, you just might find that you are the only company you need.
31.5k+
coffee shops in the United States
@taysimp
Marano said solitude, unlike loneliness, restores the body and mind.
Relaxation doesn’t always have to mean procrastination; homework and other activities that require lots of brainpower, like reading or creative thought, can be a useful way to stay busy without the company of others.
“If you know your friend is going to be there, it makes it easier to go out alone,” she said. “You can talk to them a little to make the experience more comfortable if you need to.”
TAYLOR SIMPSON
According to Hara Estroff Marano, writing for Psychology Today, “We all need periods of solitude, although temperamentally we probably differ in the amount of solitude we need. Some solitude is essential; It gives us time to explore and know ourselves.”
to stay secluded from others for long periods of time, she said.
UNA student Jessica Lenz said those just beginning to go out alone for meals may want to start at restaurants where they know some of the employees.
BY
The main benefit of dining out by oneself is quality alone time, without the seclusion that may cause loneliness. While loneliness can be detrimental to mental health, simple solitude is not.
Both coffee shops and bars can be inviting places for beginning single-diners to build their confidence, but restaurants may still seem off the menu even for those with experience.
THE BENEFITS OF DINING OUT ALONE
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Table for one, please!
She said eating alone alleviates pressures that dining with others might impose.
restaurants make it easy to dine out alone CREATE
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E S O D OOD A FG O E N I C I D ME BY
SPENCER BROOKS
@berserkxspence
Why would this interpretation of an ancient, biblical proverb recur so much without any truth to the saying? Are there legitimate benefits that can be gained from a simple chuckle to a full-bellied chortle? Can we take away the soreness from working out by sitting down and rewatching Parks and Recreation for an hour? Is it possible seeing your roommate slip and fall with a pie in their hands could be beneficial to your health? Possibly. Probably.
LAUGHTER CHILLS YOU OUT! Nothing seems less “chill” than hysterically laughing, whether it be at a stand-up comedy show or a ridiculous incident occurring at the perfect moment. Tears rolling down the eyes, tomato red face, stomach cramping from
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too much laughing; none of these sound relaxing but, surprisingly, they are. According to Mary Payne Bennett of the Indiana State University’s College of Nursing and Cecile A. Lengacher of the University of South Florida’s College of Nursing, laughing can be beneficial for balancing your blood pressure, easing digestion (even soothing stomach aches) and relaxing muscles throughout the body. “Busting a gut” seems a lot less painful than the average person would assume. When a person laughs, endorphins — a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system that activate the body’s opiate receptors causing a “painrelieving” effect — are released, stimulating the physiological functions listed before. Researchers agree it is not the most effective of “painkillers” but can be relieving to the common indigestion or sore muscles.
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On top of the endorphin release, laughing also reduces stress hormones, giving a sense of relief after laughing. So say you have an intense workout at the gym the night before or maybe you just woke up with an upset stomach or a disturbed mind, try watching a YouTube video, maybe an episode of your favorite comedy, whatever gets your “jollies” going, give it a try and see how you feel. It might just make the day a little better.
YOU CAN GET ABS FROM LAUGHING? WAIT...WHAT?!?! Okay, that was a little misleading, laughing doesn’t necessarily give you abs, but it does help. According to The Center of Nonverbal Studies, laughing uses over 43 muscles including different facial, jaw and throat muscles, abdominal muscles and the diaphragm.
When a person is laughing, their stomach expands and contracts the same way when a person is doing ab exercises, such as
gut” a g n i t “Bus t less o l a s seem than painful rage the ave would n o s r e p . assume
“Laughter is the best medicine” is a phrase heard often but never really explained.
crunches or situps. While not as intense as actually working out your abs, laughing does aid slightly in working out those muscles. The exercise your respiratory system gets while laughing is also incredibly beneficial for cardio exercise. As stated before, laughing lowers the blood
pressure which allows blood to flow easier throughout your body which helps build cardiovascular strength. And for all you heavy lifters out there, a study by Oxford in 2011, discovered that laughter actually increases the pain threshold of a person. It was discovered, using comedies and documentaries, two groups were subjected to one or the other and the group subjected to the comedies showed an increase in their thresholds while those subjected to documentaries showed no deviation. So an extra set of lounging on the couch watching a funny program might need to be added to the routine.
LAUGHTER…*SPOILER ALERT*... MAKES YOU HAPPY! This one shouldn’t be hard to grasp. Laughing makes you happier, unless you find yourself in a situation in which an evil individual is tickling you
without consent while you are chained to a contraption of sorts while the frivolous finger
endorphins are released when an individual laughs, giving that person a sense of well-being and calmness.
Along wit h relaxat ion, impr exercise a oved nd gener al happin laughing ess, is still be ing resea more pos rched for sible ben efits. invader continually tortures you using one of life’s precious gifts. That’s the exception. Other than those specific requirements, laughter usually leads to happiness, or the determined madness of the neverending void, but that’s a completely different article topic. Laughter has shown not only to give relief, but also provide comfort in stressful situations or with groups of people. As mentioned earlier,
The University of Turku held a study discovering that endorphin release, induced by social laughter, strengthened the bonds between humans. If you’re able to hold a conversation with people and laughing is involved, you naturally feel more relaxed and more social. Social laughter led to pleasurable feelings and significantly increased release of endorphins and other opioid peptides in the brain areas controlling arousal and emotions. The more opioid receptors the WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
participants had in their brain, the more they laughed during the experiment. This connection made by the University of Turku validated the term “laughter is contagious” as a literal concept. Along with relaxation, improved exercise and general happiness, laughing is still being researched for more possible benefits. While research continues, test out the findings yourself and incorporate more humor in your daily life. Why not? The benefits are non-consequential and the only outcome is a stress free, better performing happy day, maybe even life. Although laughing has many benefits for the human mind and body, this does not replace “serious” medical attention. If dealing with a severe injury, disease or mental illness, do seek out professional, medical help. Laughing may make dealing with an illness easier but seeking an actual doctor’s opinion will be beneficial for the long run, whether mental or physical.
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GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME SEVEN MINDFULNESS APPS
BY
ALLIE SOCKWELL
@sock319
As students, we’re used to relying on our smartphones to help us with everything. From paying bills to reminding us of deadlines to keeping tabs on our social life, smartphones have become a necessity of the busy student’s schedule, especially with apps. Over 500 apps are dedicated to mindfulness or meditation practices specifically. Mindfulness is a practice that involves concentration on the present moment in order to gain peace. Mindfulness or meditation can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, amidst other mental illnesses. It’s not fully clear if these same benefits can come from using a mindfulness-based app; however a scientific study from 2016 tracked users for 10 days of using mindfulness apps and showed that users experienced more positive effects and decreased depressive thoughts. While apps will not solve problems, they prove opportunities to help refocus your mind and encourage you to pause. Here are six free apps for iOS and Android users that can set you on the right track to a sound mind, body and soul.
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GEAR
HEADSPACE
CALM
AURA
This is geared towards the beginner, as highlighted through the app’s main page with the Basics pack, a free 10-day beginner’s course that explains mindfulness essentials. Think of it as a mindfulness coach in your pocket. According to the company’s website, even actress Emma Watson approves this app. If it’s good for Emma, it’s good for us!
With this app, you can choose from an assortment of three- to 25-minute guided meditation experiences. You can choose from sounds of rain, a fireplace, crickets or even white noise. With Calm’s 10-minute program, you can unwind before beginning your day or before bedtime. The app also includes sleep stories, breathing exercises, unguided meditations and soothing sounds to help ease you to sleep.
While many apps are more general in their sessions, with Aura, the user receives a new personalized, three-minute meditation. Meditations are not repeated, as new tracks are constantly being created. To make your experience more personalized, Aura asks your age, stress level, interest in mindfulness, etc., before making suggestions. Aura targets stress, anxiety and depression. You also have the choice to listen to relaxing sounds or try the Mindful Breather feature, where breathing is synchronized to an animated circle that gently expands and contracts. Aura brings more specialized attention to the table of mindfulness apps.
STOP, BREATHE, AND THINK This app is helpful in providing you with an overview of what mindfulness is and educating users before they dive in. One section, entitled “Learn to Meditate,” defines mindfulness, its benefits and the neuroscience of mindfulness. The app features roughly 30 free sessions (about 11 minutes each) with different voices and themes such as Breathe, Connect with Your Body and Be Kind. You can also opt for strictly relaxing sounds instead of a theme.
INSIGHT TIMER Insight Timer is one of the most popular apps and features over 4,500 free, guided meditations from over 1,000 meditation practitioners. There are also 750 meditation music tracks. The app feels more like a community as from the beginning you log in, it informs you of how many other users are meditating at that time. You can even set your location and see meditators nearby, as well as what meditations they’re listening to. This makes the user feel less isolated and part of a team. Additionally, Insight Timer allows the user to customize their intervals and background sounds so that the meditation session fits exactly what they are looking for.
OMVANA The app has a popular feature called “6 Phase Meditation” that, according to the co-founder, Vishen Lakhiana, is used by over 50,000 people around the world. The app is specialized for people who prefer morning meditations, which is the recommended time for intermediate practitioners. The app’s library holds thousands of meditations, with 75 being free.
As you can see, each app offers its own pros and cons. Test them out and see which works best for you and your own routine. Happy meditating!
A light in the
darkness
Coping with mental health from students who have been there Taylor Coston BY
KALI DANIEL
@droptopkalibop
Taylor Coston settles into her seat at Rivertown Coffee Co., mimosa in hand. It’s a clear morning in Florence, the sun is shining, and there’s a breeze welcoming spring. Coston is smiling, welcoming and friendly. She is an average college student hanging out at the local coffee shop after class, enjoying the chatter and
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ambience. Without talking to her, you wouldn’t know she is part of the large community of young adults fighting the stigma of mental health through personal experience. Coston, a senior at the University of North Alabama, is one of the 16 million Americans living with depression, one of the 7 million Americans living with
an anxiety disorder and one of the 8 million Americans living with an eating disorder. “I came from a home that wasn’t very proactive when it came to mental health, so we had a lot of undiagnosed mental illness and things like that,” Coston said. “I first started struggling with mental illness around puberty, around middle school. Stemming
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“There’s mental illness, but that doesn’t mean you’re ill. It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, just like getting a cold doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.” Hayley Craig from my home environment, I started developing depression, anxiety and developed an eating disorder. I grappled with all three of those all through high school. It wasn’t until I got to UNA that I noticed there was a problem and I could do something to help — not to fix it, per se, but to get it under control.” Anxiety affects 25 percent of children and young adults age 13 to 18, yet many cases are undiagnosed. Cayman Gardner, a sophomore at UNA, noticed an onset of depressive symptoms in high school, the peak age for people with major depressive disorder. “I started going through all the things that everyone starts hitting as soon as they become a senior — who do I want to be, where do I want to go, how is my life going right now,” he said.
Gardner was hospitalized at UAB in February 2016, and then registered at UNA where he learned about a valuable, underutilized resource: Counseling. “Student counseling services really helped me get to where I am now,” he said. “They got me to a point where I didn’t think I wanted to be on [medication] anymore. Now I don’t even go to talk therapy.” Like Gardner, UNA senior Haley Craig began going to counseling in college, though her epiphany came in a different manner. “In psychology we have to take a course where you learn about all the different mental illnesses [and I read one and thought] ‘holy crap, that’s me,’” she said. “So then I was personally involved. “[As a psychology major,] every aspect of my life has mental illness or a mental health issue
Anxiety affects 25 percent of children and young adults age 13 to 18, yet many cases are undiagnosed.
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in it, so it’s unavoidable. The first step really is recognizing there’s an issue there, because then you can take steps to get help. Even if you don’t feel like you need help, just try going anyway. That’s how I started.” UNA students pay a standard health fee every semester, which goes toward the resources of a campus clinic and student counseling services. As such, there’s no payment required when making an appointment. But there are many other resources available to young adults who aren’t college students. “Obviously if you’re in crisis you can go to any hospital and they will see you and help you get out of your crisis, so that’s number one,” Coston said. “State-run facilities like Riverbend are really good resources. You can always call, too, your county
"Even if you don’t feel like you need help, just try going anyway. That’s how I started."
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health department and see who they refer to. I can imagine that if you were a person of faith, you could probably go to a church or a synagogue and the priests and pastors and rabbis — they do their job but they’re also counselors. That’s kind of their secondary job description. It’s understood.” Resources are even becoming more available in the digital world, where there is an option for every individual’s preference. “You can get apps that help if you don’t have another resource,” Craig said. “I use Headspace, which is for meditation. There’s also online counseling apps you can get, and you can also do online support groups. Sometimes just knowing that there’s someone who’s struggling the same way you’re struggling helps in a weird way.”
"There’s a number you can text when you’re in crisis or you just need someone to talk to, 741-741. It’s kind of like a crisis hotline but for texting."
"Sometimes just knowing that there’s someone who’s struggling the same way you’re struggling helps in a weird way.” “I have the Rise Up app which is for people who want to be mindful about their eating habits,” Coston said. “I also use the texting [services]. There’s a number you can text when you’re in crisis or you just need someone to talk to, 741-741. It’s kind of like a crisis hotline but for texting, which I think is really important.” Those in high school can reach out to their school counselors, who get the ball rolling in terms of getting help and validating feelings. “School counselors can at least help you get started in terms of processing whatever budding mental issues or home issues [you have],” Coston said. “They can help you start the process. I say ‘start’ because it’s a long process. They can at least get the ball rolling and helping [you] feel heard. If they don’t feel
validated, they probably think what does it matter whether or not I live or die? But someone is hearing and understands, it can make all of the difference.” And in times of doubt, there’s always the age-old information station: Books. “There are so many different books and so many different perspectives,” Coston said. “If you want to look at mental illness through a spiritual lens, there are books for that. If you want to look at a therapeutic or cognitive health-based or chemical-based, you can read and educate yourself.” Reading, too, fights stigmas perpetuated by friends, family and media. Those who don’t understand mental health may see illnesses as a lack of control or made up, however those who identify with illnesses are far from alone.
“There’s mental illness, but that doesn’t mean you’re ill,” Craig said. “It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, just like getting a cold doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.” “Stigmas target your character as a person,” Coston said. “The reality of it is it’s a neurochemical imbalance. Would you shame someone for having diabetes? ‘My diabetes causes me to do this and feel this way, and I have to take medication because I don’t produce enough insulin.’ It’s the same exact thing with depression and anxiety.” But what’s the best way to replenish those neurotransmitters your body fails to produce? “There’s a certain point you can help yourself, but there’s a certain point where you just can’t,” Gardner said. “You need
help to get you back to the point that you can pick back up on your own. That’s what medication did for me. “I just had to have enough to get me to the point where I could get back on my own feet and take over my own recovery.” Generally, treatment for disorders is a combination of medication and therapy, with emphasis on the latter. Therapy and counseling encourages those with a mental illness to cope, learn from their body and take preventative measures. “It helps me so much just to talk to somebody and just to put it out into words and have them be my soundboard,” Coston said. “That helps me a lot. Believe it or not, with mental illness, a lot of it is counterintuitive. For example, I just want to be alone and I don’t want to talk to anybody. That’s what I feel
“There’s a certain point you can help yourself, but there’s a certain point where you just can’t. You need help to get you back to the point that you can pick back up on your own." Cayman Gardner WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
FEATURE
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“Part of [therapy] is accepting that [mental illness] is your reality,” Craig said. “But that it doesn’t have to be a bad reality.” like doing. But I know that it’s bad to isolate yourself when you feel a mood swing coming on. So I should probably go hang out with friends and be with people. “There’s this acronym called HALT. Whenever you have a negative emotion — sadness, anger, anxiety, fill in the blank — ask yourself ‘Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?’ Eat, talk to somebody, go be with friends. I can not tell you how many times I have felt so bad and like my world was coming to an end when really all I needed was a nap. A nap can fix everything. It’s a life reset button.”
Gardner, too, learned various ways to cope, primarily keeping busy and staying active. “In high school you just go to school in the morning and come home and have the rest of [the] day ahead of you,” he said. “Getting ready for college, you’re always busy doing something. I guess that’s what really kept me out of that mindset, keeping busy.” Like most young adults, Gardner enjoys the occasional Netflix binge and also playing tennis at his apartment complex, getting involved in campus organizations and focusing on advocacy with groups like Active Minds.
Most of all, Coston, Craig and Gardner offer a message of hope for those struggling as they once had. “Part of [therapy] is accepting that [mental illness] is your reality,” Craig said. “But that it doesn’t have to be a bad reality.” Realizing that life should be lived moment-to-moment can ease problematic days, Gardner said. “Everything is temporary,” he said. “[In the future] you’ll realize just how much that one problem back in high school that really hurt you and really messed with you just isn’t that important anymore. It feels
“If you’re struggling, just speak up. Don’t give up on yourself."
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important in the moment, but if you can just get past that, timewise, it really does help if you can just get out of the situation.” But most importantly, no one should ever be afraid to ask for help. “Just say something,” Coston said. “If you’re struggling, just speak up. Don’t give up on yourself. “If I were to talk to 15-year-old me, the first thing I would tell her is ‘what you are feeling and what you are going through is real. It’s serious. And you’re worth the attention. You’re worth the help.’”
TOWN
BY
UNA ORGANIZATION ACTIVE MINDS IS RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
GOODBYE STIGMAS, 20
HELLO HEALTH ALLIE SOCKWELL
@sock319
Did you know that one out of four college students suffers from a mental health disorder? Mental health is a topic not often discussed, especially in the context of college campuses. But one organization in particular is trying to change that. Active Minds, a national organization with a chapter at the University of North Alabama, is trying to shed light on mental health and help provide support for college students. Active Minds’ goal is to raise awareness through campuswide events and programs and to create a comfortable environment, both on- and offcampus, for conversation about mental health. The president of UNA Active Minds, Mazie Snider, is a sophomore majoring in psychology with a minor in women’s studies. Snider said Active Minds is passionate about communicating the message that college students are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence.
THE BEGINNING OF ACTIVE MINDS The process to establish UNA Active Minds began in the fall of 2015, but it wasn’t until January 2016 that Active Minds was officially recognized as a Registered Student Organization. Snider explained that the process was lengthy. “There was a lot of paperwork to be completed with the university and the national organization so it took some time,” she said. “This was all done by the first president Chloe Allen in her junior year here at UNA. ISSUE NO.3
Between Chloe and the original adviser, Lynne Martin, Active Minds got off to a great start.”
EVENTS Currently, Active Minds has fifteen active members. Students interested in joining can become a part of the Active Minds OrgSync page, attend meetings, or contact Mazie (ssnider@una.edu).
Active Minds is passionate about communicating the message that college students are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence. Currently, UNA Active Minds meets every second and fourth Monday at 5 p.m. in the lower level Stone Lodge on campus. Students can stay connected to UNA Active Minds and learn about meeting times and events through social media pages on Facebook (University of North Alabama Active Minds) and Instagram (una_activeminds). Any UNA student, no matter their major, can join Active Minds. “Active Minds often administers or volunteers at tabling events catered towards mental health awareness and stigma fighting purposes,” Snider said. “We have tables and events dedicated to suicide prevention, stigma fighting, sexual- and racial-fueled harassment, bullying and more.” Some events Active Minds is a part of include: Unity Day, Stomp Out Stigma, Active Minds Active Hearts, NEDA Week and
Active Minds is working to clear stigmas and promote awareness surrounding mental health, and it’s a good thing they are. Three out of four people with mental health issues exhibited signs before they were 24. If you’re struggling with hopelessness, self-medication, outof-control feelings or other potential signs, there are several resources available at your fingertips: Call 1-800-273-TALK, the National Suicide Prevention Line
Text “START” to 741-741, the Crisis Text Line
Call 1-800-931-2237, the National Eating Disorder Association
Text “LOVEIS” to 22522, or call 1-866-331-9474 to talk with a peer advocate at Love is Respect about abusive partners
Download Beacon 2.0 on your smartphone to learn about other resources filtered by mental health professionals
From left, Rosie McClendon, Haley Craig and Mazie Snider sit at a booth promoting anti-bullying in the Guillot University Center at the University of North Alabama.
Stress Less Week. Additionally, Active Minds has collaborated with the Women’s Center and Student Counseling Services for some of these events as well, such as National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week and Stress Less Week. Mazie’s favorite event is Active Minds Active Hearts. The first president of Active Minds established this event for Valentine’s Day in order to remind students that they are not alone. “Valentine’s Day can be hard for a lot of students, even if they have a partner, which is why we hand out candy and compliments every February 14,” she said. “We also provide a place for our students to make a Valentine’s card for their loved ones, friends, and family. Active Minds Active Hearts was actually the first Active Minds event I attended. This event
“We want our students to know that Active Minds is here to change the conversation about mental health and fight the stigma that still surrounds it.” is really where I began to feel connected with other mental health advocates and discovered that Active Minds was the group for me.” Active Minds provides a space for students to enjoy community on campus that they might not otherwise have. Recently, Active Minds hosted Stress Less Week on April 23 in order to reduce stress among UNA students, promote self-care and spread positivity across campus. The event even featured a selfWWW.GETSETMAG.COM
care talk by psychology professor Larry Bates, free Stress Less giveaways, and a Stress Less coloring and board game night.
RAISING AWARENESS Active Minds connects and encourages students to attend Student Counseling Services (SCS) in order for them to get the help they need. One important fact that Active Minds seeks to inform students about is that the counseling services at the SCS are included in tuition and, thus, free for all UNA students. “Overall, we want our students to know that Active Minds is here to change the conversation about mental health and fight the stigma that still surrounds it,” Snider said. With the work of organizations like Active Minds, we can remove the stigma that surrounds mental health.
TOWN
21
MAY+JUNE
EVENTS
18-19
27
SHOALS FRONT PORCH STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
MAD MAD SCIENCE HORROR DOUBLE FEATURE
may
19
CALENDAR OF 10 WE’RE ALL IN WITH UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA CHARITY EVENT
First Presbyterian Church, 224 E. Mobile St., Florence, AL @ 7:30 AM
NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATION
Northwest Shoals Community College (Muscle Shoals) @ 7 PM
JAGUAR LAND ROVER BIRMINGHAM MAGIC CITY WINE FEST
Birmingham Zoo 2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL @ 5:30 PM
NMBR11 W/ ALL STAR FRIENDS
The Shoals Theatre 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7:30PM
UNA GRADUATION The University of North Alabama Flowers Hall
Wilson Park E. Tombigbee St., Florence, AL @ 8 PM
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BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATION
HELP CENTER 2018 DIAPER DRIVER
WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATION
Wallace State Community College (Hanceville)
RISING CRUST ACOUSTIC SHOW
The Rising Crust 4136 Florence Blvd, Florence, AL, @ 7:30 PM
12 GREAT SOUTHERN BEER FEST
Railroad Park 1600 S. 1st Ave., Birmingham, AL @ 1 PM.
22
CALENDAR
MOVIE IN THE PARK PRESENTS “COCO”
11 Bevill State Community College (Hamilton)
The University of North Alabama
Help Center Florence Alabama 621 S. Court St, Florence, AL @ 10 AM
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SPICEFEST 2018 HUNTSVILLE’S ALL LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Salty Nut Brewery 2406 W. Clinton Ave., Huntsville, AL @ 12 PM
THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: THE Z
Historic Zodiac Playhouse 416 N. Court St., Florence, AL @ 10 PM
19-20 ARTS ALIVE FESTIVAL Wilson Park E. Tombigbee St., Florence, AL
21 2018 BOATUS COLLEGIATE BASS FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS
Florence, AL @ 12 AM
THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: THE Z
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THE TENNESSEE VALLEY STRUMMERS
2018 BOATUS COLLEGIATE BASS FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP ENDS
Historic Zodiac Playhouse 416 N. Court St., Florence, AL @ 6 PM
FlorenceLauderdale Tourism & Vistor’s Center 200 Jim Spain Dr, Florence, AL @ 2 PM
SPICEFEST 2018 HUNTSVILLE’S ALL LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL @ 9 PM ISSUE NO.3
Florence, AL @ 7 PM
Rojo 2921 Highland Ave., Birmingham, AL @ 6 PM
31 NORTH ALABAMA SUMMIT FEATURING GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION
Florence Freshman Center 648 N. Cherry St., Florence, AL @ 8 AM
june EVERY TUESDAY
TAILWAGGER TUESDAY Singin’ River Brewing Company 526 B E. College St., Florence AL @ 4 PM
1 NORTH ALABAMA SUMMIT FEATURING GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION
Florence Freshman Center 648 N. Cherry St., Florence, AL @ 8 AM
2 HARPETH RIVER RIDE/ TOUR DE FRANKLIN 2018
Prohealth Franklin 1325 W. Main St, Franklin, TN @ 7 AM
26 LIVE AT SWAMPERS
Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa 10 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL @ 8 PM
ARTIST’S PRIDE
The Historic Lowry House 1205 NW Kildare St., Huntsville, AL @ 1 PM
NMBR11 with
ALL STAR FRIENDS
MAY 12 TH • 7:30PM The Shoals Theater 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL
MOVIE IN THE PARK PRESENTS “BEAUTY & THE BEAST”
Wilson Park E. Tombigbee St., Florence, AL @ 8 PM
4-5 FRESHMAN SOAR SESSION 1
The University of North Alabama All Day
7 NEW YORK TO LA ASDA RECITAL The
University of North Alabama Norton Auditorium @ 6:30 PM
9 BIRMINGHAM FIRE & RESCUE CRAWFISH BOIL 2018 Avondale Brewing Company 201 S. 41st St., Birmingham, AL @ 4 PM
11-12
18-19
22-24
FRESHMAN SOAR SESSION 2
FRESHMAN SOAR SESSION 3
GUNTERSVILLE LAKE HYDROFEST 2018
19-20
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2018 CHICKFILA DADDY DAUGHTER PRINCESS BALL
FLOCHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL
The University of North Alabama All Day
12 HOPS AND HYMNS
Singin’ River Brewing Company 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 6:30 PM
15 TEENTH FESTIVAL
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Campus Green S. 9th Ave., Birmingham, AL @ 7 AM
LIVE AT 306 BBQ
306 BBQ 322 N. Court St., Florence, AL @ 6 PM
The University of North Alabama All Day
The Barn at Sycamore Farms 4866 Murfreesboro Rd., Arrington, TN @ 5 PM
21 TRANSFER SOAR SESSION 1
The University of North Alabama All Day
21-24 40TH ANNUAL HELEN KELLER FESTIVAL
Spring Park, Tuscumbia, AL WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
Lake Guntersville 1500 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, AL @ 8 AM
Florence, AL @ 12 PM
28 MADAGASCAR, JR.
Shoals Community Theatre 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM
30 THE GREAT SLIDER SHOWDOWN
The Factory 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN @ 4 PM CALENDAR
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THE
RESTORATIVE BY
REBEKAH MILWEE @rmilwee
“WE WOULD SING RIGHT OUT LOUD THE THINGS WE COULD NOT SAY.” THE EAGLES, “SAD CAFE”
There is a greater emphasis on the significance of mental health than ever before.
“MUSIC PROVIDES A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO EXAMINE THEIR OWN LIVES. BY GIVING THEM MUSIC THAT THEY CAN RELATE TO AND IDENTIFY WITH THEY ARE ABLE TO PROCESS THEIR EMOTIONS, LEARN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND EVEN WRITE LYRICS OF THEIR OWN.”
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Traditional counseling, physical activity and antidepressants are often prescribed rather liberally, while music therapy falls to the wayside in favor of more traditional therapeutic methods. Only now is music therapy finally beginning to receive the momentum it deserves, as it becomes more widely recognized by experts to be a highly effective and versatile form of therapy. Andrea Hunt has a PhD in sociology from North Carolina State University and now resides in Florence, Alabama, instructing several sociology courses at the University of North Alabama. In addition to her job at UNA, Hunt works with local teens in a program called SPAN (Special Program for Achieving Network), a juvenile diversion program designed to keep at-risk teens out of juvenile detention through counseling and intervention. ISSUE NO.3
Hunt has been working with at-risk youth for fourteen years, but it was just two years ago when she began offering a course through UNA’s sociology department, called The Sociology of Hip Hop, that Hunt realized the strategies she was teaching her college students in this course could also benefit the teens she worked with outside of class.
“Music provides a way for people to examine their own lives. By giving them music that they can relate to and identify with they are able to process their emotions, learn conflict resolution and even write lyrics of their own.”
While Hunt does not come from a musical background, she has always been passionate about music, and, more specifically, hip hop music. Hunt recognized and fell in love with the connection between poetry and hip hop because of her background in sociology, and she began a sort of music therapy program within the juvenile detention center focused around reading, analyzing and writing hip hop lyrics.
Peace-Macher resides in Birmingham, Alabama, and works in both the Shelby County and Tuscaloosa County school systems as a regularly contracted music therapist for seventeen different special needs classes. In these classes, Macher uses music as a tool to teach non-music skills in order to help these children reach developmental, behavioral, and academic IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals.
“Most of these kids are coming from really unstable home environments,” Hunt said.
Emily Peace-Macher, a boardcertified music therapist, uses similar tactics working in school systems.
Some examples of IEP goals are speech, following directions, attending to tasks, focus and identifying
Andrea Hunt, professor of sociology at the University of North Alabama, describes the relationship between mental health and music in her Sociology of Hip Hop course.
letters of the alphabet. Music is scientifically proven to strengthen memorization as it affects several different areas of the brain simultaneously. By using musical methods, Macher and other trained music therapists have seen significant improvement in students who would otherwise struggle with these seemingly menial assignments and skills. “My professors always emphasized the importance of studying the demographic of the groups you will be working with,” Peace-Macher said. Hunt said mental health is an issue that is statistically proven to be heavily unaddressed in African American culture. By incorporating hip hop lyrics into group discussions, Hunt quickly found a way to connect and build a rapport with teens — a rapport that otherwise may not exist. Hunt noted that hip hop is not only often emotional, but also frequently addresses political and social issues, thus
Students in Hunt’s class learn the impact of words and music on mental health, but also as an outlet for mental health issues.
opening even more opportunity for conversation among young adults who may otherwise feel apprehensive about discussing these topics with their peers in a group setting. “I’ve seen males in juvenile detention stand up and say they’ve been hurt through lyric,” she said. “That is a very vulnerable thing to say to a group of male peers in that sort of environment. To them, there’s something safe about putting it in a song.” Music therapy is utilized in juvenile and adult detention centers for behavioral and emotional therapy, in hospice care for emotional therapy and relaxation, and in neonatal ICU units for healing, relaxation and strength. Stroke patients are able to relearn to walk by being given a rhythm to match their stride to. Even unborn infants benefit from music therapy in order to better improve their chances of survival and literacy after birth.
One of the most common misconceptions about music therapy is that simply playing calming or motivational music for a patient can alter their mood. In actuality, more often than not music therapy is actually used as a means to achieve non-musical goals. These include, but are certainly not limited to, relaxation and motivation. “One of the major things they emphasized in school was using patient-preferred music,” PeaceMacher said. “For someone struggling with an eating disorder who isn’t interested in classical music, you don’t want to be exposing them to Bach when you could be playing them Ingrid Michaelson if you know that’s what they’re into. Use a song that the client can connect to and see what that can pull out of them.” To learn more about what music therapists such as Emily and Andrea do, and to seek music therapy for yourself, visit musictherapy.org.
BY INCORPORATING HIP HOP LYRICS INTO GROUP DISCUSSIONS, HUNT QUICKLY FOUND A WAY TO CONNECT AND BUILD A RAPPORT WITH TEENS — A RAPPORT THAT OTHERWISE MAY NOT EXIST. WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
SPECIAL FEATURE
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SPOTLIGHT
SAY CHEESE!
HEIDI FEEK
SHONNA TUCKER
FIREKID DOC DAILEY DILLON HODGES
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SPOTLIGHT
ISSUE NO.3
SINGIN’ RIVER BREWERY MAR. 17
!
HOPS & HYMNS
SINGIN’ RIVER BREWERY APR. 10
CHAD AND ALLISON MACKEY
MAJED ALMAJED WITH KILBY STUDENTS
MONSE TERRAZAS (IN BACK) WITH KILBY AND UNA STUDENTS
PASSPORT TO THE WORLD
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA APR. 11
MAJED ALMAJED AND SON
KIMBERLY STANRIDGE WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
SPOTLIGHT
27
Good for Cord. Good for the Community.
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After a long day at school or work, unwinding can be difficult amidst daily stresses. Many therapists and counselors encourage patients to engage their happy place — a place to relax and unwind if we close our eyes and breathe deeply. Some people may choose their happy place to be based on a public spot like a coffee shop or favorite store, whereas others choose a quiet place like nature trails or local parks. But how does someone determine what their happy place is?
FINDING YOUR ‘HAPPY PLACE’
First, think about what you prefer. Everyone has a general idea of what kind of place they prefer most, populated or not, indoors or out. If your first thought at the phrase “happy place” was of some place that’s not in your home, then it’s time for the best part: travel.
BY
REBEKAH SAMUELSON
@the_littlest_cymbal
AND
KALI DANIEL
@droptopkalibop
TVA’s Rockpile offers scenic waterfalls, trails and a front row seat to the Tennessee River. It’s the perfect spot for a natural happy place.
OUTDOOR HAPPY PLACES If outdoors or public settings are more your style, consider checking out your local nature trails and parks. These locations usually have benches and pavilions where you can sit and do homework or think about life. National parks can also offer many natural, beautiful scenes such as waterfalls and different species of animals. Sportsman Lake Park in Cullman, Alabama, offers many
peaceful settings including opportunities for fishing, hiking, putt putt golf, paddle boating and stationary fitness equipment in several different areas of the park, all centered around the lake. Spending a day exploring the park can lead to the perfect getaway in your head on a stressful day. Florence, Alabama, also offers many parks, including McFarland Park where people can hang hammocks in between
the conveniently placed trees and relax in the shade. Across the river, closer to Wilson Dam, TVA trails and the Rockpile offer waterfall views, the sound of water crashing against the riverbank and an abundance of birds chirping. If you like the outdoors and being around nature, chances are you can easily find your happy place at your local park or outdoor nature area.
INDOOR HAPPY PLACES If indoor spots are a more soothing spot for you, the possibilities are endless. In Cullman, stop by Karma’s Coffee House and get a sandwich and cup of joe. Local Matt Mansour recommends the Yin Mocha or Yang Mocha, and the shop is perfect for relaxing and doing homework.
In the Florence, stop by Turbo Coffee or Rivertown Coffee Co. and chill out for a bit. These places have a comfy vibe with music and the low chatter of customers is just enough to feel comfortable. Blank Coffee • Comics • Records, nestled into Seven Points, also has relaxing
seating areas in the lobby, coffee area and outdoor patio. “It’s more than just a place to stop and get coffee,” said local Hollie Carr. “It’s like walking into an old friend’s home. You’ll want to sit down, check out some records and comics, and talk with the owner.”
HOME: HAPPY PLACE EXTRAORDINAIRE Of course, there’s nothing wrong with your happy place just being your home. Maybe there’s a certain room in your house that has a calming effect, or maybe for college kids your best place to relax is in your dorm room; it’s where you can go each night to
unwind and do what makes you happy. Sometimes at the end of the day, the best way to achieve your happy state of mind is to curl up with a good book or Netflix and escape life for a bit. Other times it can even help to unplug and
WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
disconnect from social media and phones for a bit to fully achieve a relaxed state of mind. Happy places differ from person to person, but everyone can find that certain spot that beats all others and allows them to reach a peaceful, happy state of mind.
TRAVEL
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THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION SALT & LIGHT FORGES LIGHT-MINDED COMMUNITY BY
Joshua Gwin and Callie Fields are the masterminds behind Salt & Light, a wellness studio opening in Florence. Who knows, you may even see one of their sons enjoying the mindfulness.
It’s a typical day in north Florence. Traffic is zipping up and down Wood Avenue in Seven Points as people are scurrying to and from work and other extracurricular activities. But inside one business that runs adjacent to Pocket Park the hustle and bustle of the outside world turns to white noise, as it’s home to a near-nature environment. Welcome to Salt & Light, a wellness studio that offers yoga classes, massage therapy and health nutrition. “Our mission is to provide space where people can come and feel accepted and welcome; where self-awareness and healing can occur,” said Joshua Ryan Gwin who co-owns the business with his wife, Callie Ann Fields. “We want people to know they can come here and experience genuine interaction with a health practitioner, a massage therapist and to get that authentic feel and feel warm and accepted inside — a lightminded community.”
“I remember sitting by the water talking to a friend right after Josh and I got married,” she said on a promotional video. “I told her I saw so much in store for us, from starting our own homestead and having babies to starting a wellness center so that I could practice alongside my husband.” With each of their backgrounds, it was only fitting to collaborate. “We wanted a place that people could trust and connect with, and a place that people could come and build upon themselves and establish relationships with people who may be on the same journey or a similar one,” she said. Callie handles the massage therapy part of the business, while Josh serves as the health practitioner. Part of Josh’s role is helping people cope with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, as well as proper diet and lifestyle.
The idea for the business began as a dream for Callie shortly after the two got married, though it didn’t come to fruition until the last four months.
“Basically, I teach people how the brain works and educate them on how it stores information,” he said. “The brain has all of these different highways and has the
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TOWN
ability to change and adapt on actions throughout the day. It’s kind of like driving a car. Over time, your actions of driving with you hands at two and 10 become automatic. The same thing happens with depression and anxiety.” As part of the therapy process, Josh teaches clients how to retrain their brain by doing visualizations, breathing exercises and spending 15 minutes on a focal point, or what some may refer to as meditation. In addition, he said taking dietary supplements such as fish oil and probiotics, along with drinking plenty of water, play a role in brain health. He also encouraged getting out and enjoying nature, as well as eating whole foods such as nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. “Exercise, stay active and be around people who will uplift you every day,” Josh said. “Be grateful for what’s going good in life.” In the near future, Josh and Callie hope to expand their current operation by opening a retreat center in the Lexington area.
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