WOMEN’S HEALTH JUNE 2019
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We’re calling it the new “retail therapy”—
donning your mental health diagnosis for all to
see (on a cute tote, hat, or necklace). Doing so
might sound kind of scary, but “it’s a way of fac-
ing your fears or challenges head-on and practic-
ing being vulnerable—something that typically
keeps us from sharing our struggles in the first
place,” explains Elizabeth Cohen, PhD, a clinical
psychologist in New York Cit y. Owning your men-
tal health can help others too, inviting conversa-
tions on the topic and reminding people they
are not alone. So pick your piece — each of these
contributes to a relevant awareness org.
Wear Your
Worries
INNER SPEECH
FOR INNER PEACE
Positive self-talk isn’t just a hippie-dippie thing to do. It
actually zaps stress—which boosts your long-term health
(chronic stress = chronic illness). How? Kind affirmations in
moments of panic deactivate the body’s fight-or-flight
response, lowering your heart rate so you can mentally and
physically relax, per a new study. Mantras to try: “I’m doing
my best; no one is perfect,” if your stress stems from oth-
ers’ criticism. Over whelmed? Recall what went well today
(“I crushed an a.m. workout ”). If you’re fra zzled by a health
scare or work challenge: “I can’t control the outcome, but
I’m strong enough to handle it.” Because trust, you are.
- Jen Gotch x
Iconery
Anxiety necklace,
$48 (100% to Bring
Change to Mind),
bando.com
2. #TherapyIsCool
tote, $20 (100% to
a different charity
each month),
hashtagtherapy
iscool.com
3. Mental Health
League
Foggy Dogs hat,
$35 (20% to Crisis
Tex t Lin e), m e ntal
healthleague.com
2
3
The number of extra minutes of sleep it’ll
feel like you logged—meaning fewer yawns
and more energy—when you dedicate
10 minutes each day to mindfulness. Give
meditation a shot, or be more
present during a lunchtime walk.
Sources: Journal of Business Venturing; Melissa Cardon, PhD,
professor of management at the University of Tennessee
Sources: Clinical Psychological Science (study); Mary Karapetian Alvord, PhD, psycholo-
gist and director at Alvord, Baker & Associates; Anke Karl, PhD, senior lecturer in clinical
psychology at the University of Exeter in England
As if you needed
another reason
to miss college
(sorry!): Watch-
ing your school’s
team win with a
group of friends
can raise your
self-esteem for
at least two days
after the big W, a
new study found.
That’s because
being with like-
minded fans
helps strengthen
confidence in
your identity
and decisions.
Join your local
alumni club—
many offer
game-viewing
parties. Or try a
fan group of
another stripe,
like a weekly
gathering for
The Bachelor.
Sources: Communication
& Sport (study); Andrew
C. Billings, PhD,
executive director of the
University of Alabama
Program in Sports
Communication
Team
Esteem
MIND