Be Still and Know

 

NAPAS: TEAMS provides housing, education, entertainment, rituals (libation, meditation, prayer, marriage, baptism, communion, funeral) and counseling in urban and rural counties in Tennessee and Georgia for individuals, couples, and families.

Hypertension + African Americans

All We Need Is Love

As we celebrate the month of love, if everyone in your house is healthy, consider sharing hugs with each other this month.

A warm embrace reduces stress, pain, depression, anxiety, dementia, blood pressure, anger. A touch increases confidence, security, mood, sleep, attention span. A caress calms the brain. A squeeze slows the heart beat. Keep spreading love.

Just Apologize

Did the stress of 2020 strain some relationships with friends, family or colleagues?  Consider a god 'ole fashion apology to remedy the situation. Relationships can be great sources of stress relief, but conflict can cause considerable stress, which really takes a toll.  Learn the art of apologizing effectively and you may find a significant reduction in the negative effects of conflict and relationship stress because apologies help us put the conflict behind us and move on more easily.            

Source: very well mind

Hip Hop Psych

The psychology of hip hop presents another perspective of understanding life. Hip hop psychology utilizes music, lyrics, movement and positive imagery from hip hop culture to help those affected by mental stress from living in toxic environments.  People that identify with hip hop believe in peace, unity, love, community and fun as tools to restore the mind, family and neighborhood.                                              

A neuroscientist and psychologist have collaborated to create Hip Hop Psyche.  Hip hop music is rich with mental health reference related to addiction, psychosis, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and so on, as well as multiple environmental risk factors (e.g., urbanicity, poor nutrition, destructive parental influences resulting in childhood maltreatment  in the absence of positive role models) and predisposing genetic and epigenetic risk factors.  

Hip hop artists use their skills and talents not only to describe the world they see, but also as a means of breaking free.  There is often a message of hope in amongst the lyrics, describing the place where they want to be. 

Recharging Energetic Power

Do you feel hopeless and tired?  Do you feel drained, joyless or anxious?  Your body and soul maybe exhausted this season. Experts call this emotional or spiritual fatigue.  Stillness is a simple way to replenish your emotional and spiritual energy. What does stillness look like?

1.      Rest. Just sit still or recline in your favorite chair.

2.      Laugh with friends. Pick up the phone and call a funny friend or watch a comedy show.

3.      Reconnect with nature.  Visit your back yard or a neighborhood park for a walk.

4.      Use touch.  A handshake, hug, massage or pat on the back will help.

Source: Psychology Today, Romans 8:14-28

Joy to the World

When was the last time you smiled our laughed?  Research tells us that smiling and laughing release feel good chemicals that reduce our pain, protect our heart and relax our muscles. I dare you - laugh out loud and feel better.