Many people spend their days looking at a computer screen or looking down at a textbook or smartphone.

This results in a lot of neck pain.

Researchers suggest some exercises to alleviate the stress on the neck muscles.

1.  Try to "reverse the forward and down head positioning by pulling your chin back so that your head sits back between your shoulders."

2.  "Sit with good upright posture with your head situated directly over your torso.  Nod your head yes to feel for how much motion you have in the top most neck joint.  Hold the bottom of the nod which creates a small double chin."

3.  "Sit or stand with your hands clasped behind your head.  Open your elbows out to the side and squeeze your shoulder blades back."


4.  "Sit at the edge of your seat.  have your legs apart with your feet turned out at a 45 degree angle.  Next, hang you arms loosely at your sides with your palms facing forward.  Sit up straight in a neutral position. Bring your head back so it's directly over your shoulders. Take about 10 deep breaths in and out."

To read more about these exercises check out "4 exercises to combat 'text neck'" 

A safe place to heal.


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

One way to help overcome depression is to sing praises to God.  Singing somehow focuses your heart and mind on God, and gets your focus off yourself and your problems.  

Curiously, the book of Psalms was not only designed to be read but to be sung.

The fact that God gave us an entire book of the Bible to be sung should give us pause to think of the importance God places on singing.

Singing is not just for Sunday or mid-week services.  It's a gift from God for all believers all the time.

So today, offer up the sacrifice of praise!



A safe place to heal.


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

While on my way to work yesterday, I was filled with complaints.  I don't like to paint.  I'm in my thirteenth year.  I am thoroughly exhausted, bored out of my mind, easily distracted, utterly unfocused, and I make little money.  People make jokes about watching paint dry.  I literally do watch paint dry, and it's about as fascinating as it sounds.

I've raised endless complaints with God.  But my complaints have done little but to encourage more complaining and bitterness.

On the way to work, I asked God to show me things to be thankful for.  I have a sharp eye for all the things I dislike, and I am quick to point out the things that go wrong.  But I need to see clearly and plainly the things that I need to be thankful for.  I asked God to make it obvious.

During the work day, there were several small things that could have gone wrong that did not.  And God helped me to see these and to praise Him for it.

 If you struggle with complaining, ask God to show you all the things to be grateful for.  Ask Him to make it as obvious as hitting your head on a brick wall.  


By a contributing blogger, David Mueller 


  CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

Happy Spring! 






Recovering Hope

When we get disappointed in our life, we often feel like giving up on hope. 

Are you in need of having HOPE?

Are you recovering from something and need hope? 

Do you need to restore hope?

Maybe you have never had hope to begin with - ever in your life.

What ever the case, what ever your situation, there is ALWAYS HOPE! 

 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

Talk to someone-

Seek counseling-

Seek medical attention if needed-

Pray-

You are not alone. God loves you and will put people in your life to help and support you.


  CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

We are set to meet tomorrow on Tuesday, March 20th for our next miscarriage and infant loss support group. 

This group will start at 7pm and starting next month, they will start at 6pm.

Please text Diane at 615-556-8406 if you would like to attend. 

We will plan to meet every 3rd Tuesday.

Pre-registration is required for each meeting. 

A safe place to heal.



CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

It is almost Spring Time! 

It is a great time for New Beginnings! 

It is a perfect time to make positive changes in your life!

Remember............
If nothing changes, nothing changes!

What would you like to change in your life?

What changes would you like to make in your life that are positive?  

It is never too late to begin again and/ or to have a new dream!

 CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

Is Stress a Positive or Negative Force in Your Life?

Stress can be either a positive or negative force.  If it is occasional and manageable, then it can be healthy.  But stress that is prolonged and unmanageable could potentially cause a lot of harm.

Occasional stress can provide healthy benefits to accomplish important tasks and to meet life goals.  Hormones are released that strengthen neural connections in the brain.  Experiences that bring mild stress help a person develop coping skills for the inevitable future stressors.  Stress can be a motivator for meeting a deadline, too.

But what if a person has several stressors- a change in life circumstances, noise, clutter, isolation, interpersonal conflict, caring for relatives, financial concerns, physical illness and burnout from work? 

So many stressors can result in such things as sudden anger, feeling overwhelmed, constant worry, depression, exhaustion, constant colds, lack of concentration, mood swings, letting yourself go, and lack of time.  If such experiences keep adding up there could be real consequences for wellbeing.

Prolonged exposure to unmanageable levels of stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, frequent cold and flu infections, anxiety and depression. 

So what are some ways to cope with stress?  Here are some ideas to consider:

·         Set aside plenty of time for sleep each day or night.  A person with a sleeping disorder may need to seek professional help.  

·         Eat nourishing foods as these will make the immune system stronger and improve energy levels.  

·         Regularly engage in relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, and spirituality practices as these can dramatically reduce stress and increase resilience. 

·         Exercise regularly.  Even if it is only five minutes each day, aerobic activity such as brisk walking can relieve anxiety.  Aerobic exercise for twenty minutes three times per week can improve mood and make it easier to deal with psychological stressors.  Adding an additional ten minutes to these three times per week exercise sessions can boost the physiological response to stress and increase self-esteem.

·         Manage financial resources by practicing careful planning and budgeting and seeking financial counseling if needed.  If you owe money to someone or a company, try to set up a payment plan that you can live with and that satisfies all parties involved.  This may bring some peace of mind.

·         Reduce work hours or take some time off, if possible.  If you have a work supervisor, talk to him/her about your workload or work environment.

·         Get help.  Talking with a trusted person can be a step toward positive change when you are facing a tough situation.

·         Help others.  Helping others increases sense of worth and self-confidence, decreases the risk of depression, improves mental agility, and protects your body from the negative physiological effects of stress.


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

  

We are set to meet on Tuesday, March 20th for our next miscarriage and infant loss support group. 

This group will start at 7pm and starting next month, they will start at 6pm.

Please text Diane at 615-556-8406 if you would like to attend. 

We will plan to meet every 3rd Tuesday.

Pre-registration is required for each meeting. 

A safe place to heal.



CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

  

Creating your own smoothie from scratch can help you loose weight.

From scratch smoothies let you control the ingredients that go into it.

Adding high-fiber foods will help you to feel fuller for a longer period of time.

Adding protein will help you feel full and also help to increase muscle mass.

By making the smoothie yourself you have better control of the sweeteners that go into your drink.  Adding sugar or other sweeteners will increase your calorie intake.

Adding vegetable such as spinach or kale will add fiber but not as many calories.

And best of all, you'll enjoy a smoothie made 100% by you.  

 By a contributing blogger, David Mueller 


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Davidson 
                               Gammon M.S.
         Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
  Diane Davidson Gammon MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure.

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........