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Tag: wellness

Better App Co-Founder John Halker on Emotional Wellness and Psych Education

How much do you value your physical health? Alright. Now, how much do you value your mental health? Take a moment to truly reflect on that – perhaps you prioritize one over the other.

And it’s not your fault. For decades, “mental health” simply wasn’t a facet of our vocabulary.

“When I was a kid, nobody ever mentioned mental health,” said psychotherapist and ‘Better App’ co-founder John Halker. “It was just not on the agenda.”

Attitudes towards mental health have shifted in recent years, with a 2019 American Psychological Association survey reporting 87 percent of American adults said: “a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of.”

However, mental health is more than just a buzz word – it’s intertwined with your overall health. An emotional wound demands your attention, just as a physical wound does.

Recently, we spoke to Halker via video call for a very insightful discussion about the “Better App” and “Better Stop Suicide App,” groundbreaking mental health apps designed to guide you in fostering a proactive approach to your emotional wellbeing.

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Meet the Artist Who Paints Portraits Using Only His Mouth: Henry Salas

Henry Salas, “@themouthartist” on Instagram, is an artist and illustrator who draws inspiration from traditional realism while inspiring others with his story.

Using nothing but his mouth, Salas has been digitally painting hyper-realistic portraits for the better half of a decade.

Recently, we spoke with Salas via email to learn more about his story and his techniques as an artist.

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Muralist and Art Therapist Jessie Novik Takes on the World One Wall at a Time

Impassioned by her innate artistry and love for teaching, Jessie Novik has explored multiple avenues for utilizing art as a healing medium, from one-on-one art therapy sessions with her clients to leading public community art projects throughout New York.

Recently, we spoke to the Brooklyn-based creative via telephone to learn more about her lifelong love for art, her experiences in martial arts, and to learn more about how she’s staying connected with her clients virtually during the coronavirus pandemic.

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#EarthDayAtHome – Celebrating Our Home Without Leaving the House

Earth is about 4.54 billion years old (give or take 50 years or so), and yet it took until 1970 for humans to dedicate an official holiday honoring this big, blue marble that we call home.

And now, for Earth Day’s big 5-0, the entire world has found itself on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

So, how is one to celebrate the environment while stuck at home? Don’t fret, there’s plenty you can do to subtly say, “I love you” to this breathtaking, selfless space rock.

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Why Take an At-Home DNA Test? Most Say ‘Curiosity’

Whether you’ve heard of them through an ad on TV, or a loved one gushing about how they didn’t know they have a sliver of DNA from another part of the world, more than 26 million individuals have taken an at-home DNA test as of last year.

At-home DNA tests can reveal information about your lineage, potential health risks, and serve as an interesting gift for a family member, but there have been recent concerns over the privacy and accuracy of these tests.

Notwithstanding these caveats, a recent Your DNA study reveals most individuals had positive experiences taking an at-home DNA test, and many of them went on to make beneficial lifestyle changes because of their results.

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How Psychedelics Impact Personality and Creativity

It only takes a few milligrams of a naturally occurring compound – or even a just few micrograms on a sliver of paper – to open your mind to a vibrant swirl of creativity and long-lasting personality changes.

While psychedelics have shown efficacy in treating various mental health conditions including anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, they also carry the potential to help researchers further understand the interplay between various brain networks, says a 2018 Medical Hypothesis study.

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