Fighting Stress as a Teacher.

Teachers are subject to an inordinate amount of stress.  The distraction and challenges of educating young minds should be a rewarding experience.  A certain amount of stress is unavoidable, but understand about 80% of all illnesses are related to stress.  As you go through your day and in preparation for your next day’s adventure there are ways to reduce stress.

1.  Think of the worst thing that can happen, then have a plan to make it better or avoid it.

2.  Step back and replace any negative thoughts with positive ones.

3.  Always make time to rest your brain…get plenty of sleep.

4.  Stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of cool, fresh water.

5.  Exercise.  Get up and move around every hour.

6.  Build healthy, positive relationships in and out of the classroom.

7.  Before bedtime relax without technology.  Put your phone to bed before you.

Simple things like this could go a long way, but additionally why not seek professional help?  Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a certified psychoanalyst in Houston, for teachers who need to discuss their stress with a trained professional.  Teachers are our national treasure.  Call her today (713-521-9087) and make an appointment at her office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330.

Suffering from Creative Block?

Many people are called on to produce creative work; some of them live in the Houston area.  Creative block may occur to anyone trying to finish a script, a song, a speech, a scientific paper, or a painting. Sometimes it is hard to get an idea, organize the project, or imagine that the audience will receive it well. You may think about it too much, or not at all.

One thing that may help is staying on schedule.  A routine helps remind you what needs to be done at that particular time of day.  Another, for some, is just letting your mind float and to think about nothing at all. It may trigger that creative side of your brain.  Another stimulus might be to visit a new location or an old friend.  This can refresh the mind and the spirit.

However, if the simple tricks do not work, perhaps the inhibition, or lack of flow, may be rooted in the Unconscious. Why not seek professional help?  Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a certified psychoanalyst in Houston, for people experiencing creative block or other manifestations of anxiety.  Visiting Dr. Hooks may be just the initiative you need to get those creative juices flowing again.  There is little to lose and much to gain. Call her today (713-521-9087) and make an appointment at her office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330.

Making Mental Health Care a Priority.

Let’s have a reality check.  If you have a comfortable sum of wealth you can afford better health care.  Perhaps you have enjoyed the finer things in life for years.  You bought a bigger home than you really needed.  Your car is a luxury model.  You took some vacations.  Why…because you can, that’s why!  Enjoying the good life also means staying grounded.

So many people in this country live with physical and emotional trauma and do nothing about it.  Many times the reason is they simply cannot afford good mental health care.  If you have feelings of desperation and do nothing about it then it is on you because you CAN afford it and you may need it.  This is not the time to just “buck up”.  Seek the counseling that you deserve from a professional.

Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a licensed professional adult counselor in Houston.  She will help you discover if psychoanalysis is right for you.  You would not deny yourself heart surgery or a knee replacement or some other medical procedure if you KNEW it would improve the quality of your life.  Do not deny yourself good mental health.  Contact Dr. Hooks today and make an appointment at (713) 521-9087.