New analysis reveals that UK searches for ‘how to stop stress’ increased 920% just hours into Blue Monday, which is the name given to what is known as the most depressing day of the year, Monday 16^th January, following the Christmas and New Year celebrations that have just passed.  

The lingering stress of the cost-of-living crisis weighs heavily on the shoulders of many, and with temperatures dropping and food prices skyrocketing, it is bound to have an added impact on the stresses of everyday life. Therefore, people up and down the country are looking for tips and tricks to ease and eliminate as much stress as possible.  

CBD experts Simply CBD have revealed some tips that will help encourage stress relaxation and a stress-free routine that you can implement into your weekly routine.  

Searches in the UK for ‘reduce stress’ increased 216% over the past month, proving just how desperate Brits are to find solutions for feelings of overwhelming stress. In fact, searches for ‘is stress normal’ has seen a huge 635% increase over the past month in the UK, showing how concerned people are about stress levels and how they can impact their health. 

Self-care for Blue Monday

Being mindful of your own needs is essential, and focusing on self-care will help reduce stress and anxiety tremendously. Some forms of self-care include maintaining a balanced diet and sustaining a healthy sleep schedule but indulging in pampering is often overlooked.  

Pampering doesn’t have to break the bank. Forget spa days or trips away; you can easily indulge in pampering at home: 

• Take a hot bath or shower. 
• Pop on a face mask and read your favourite book – time away from blue light from your phone also helps relax the mind. 
• Light some candles and listen to a meditation podcast. 
• Treat yourself to your favourite home-cooked meal (or takeaway if you prefer!). 

Exercise 

Although the thought of exercise can sometimes be exhausting, with long workdays feeling tiring enough, finding the time to get a good workout in can often be the release from a lot of pent-up stress.  

Sometimes getting past the mental barrier of doing physical activity is the only thing holding you back from releasing tension and endorphins, aka the body’s natural painkillers. 

The exercise doesn’t necessarily need to be intense, and there are many options when it comes to fitting in an hour of increased heart rate to beat those blue monday blues: 

• Go on a walk – Whether with friends, family or just by yourself, getting out for fresh air and moving your body will work wonders. 

• Take part in a local exercise class – there are many options, such as low-intensity Yoga and Pilates, which are great options if you don’t want to do an intense workout. 
• Take part in an online exercise class! – if physically leaving the house to exercise fills you with dread, you will be pleased to know there are thousands of online classes and pre-recorded free videos of workouts that you can do in the comfort of your own home. 

Listen to music 

Listening to music gives the brain a total workout, and we all know how vital brain health is. By listening to music, you can: 

• Reduce blood pressure. 
• Improve memory. 
• Reduce anxiety. 

• Improve sleep quality. 

Not only can it reduce stress, but it can elevate moods and clear the way for emotional expression; this is why it is great that there are so many genres of music to choose from; just pick whatever gets you out of a funk and makes you feel good! 

Experiment with hobbies 

By experimenting with hobbies you might have put on the back burner, you are allowing your body to remind itself of something you enjoy and take pride in. Hobbies are a great distraction and can be the perfect way to relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life.  

If you’re struggling to think of a hobby, it’s never too late to find one! By making a list of all the hobbies you would love to try, you are already one step closer to expanding your knowledge, widening your range of skills, and keeping your brain working and mind off all things stressful. 

Turn the phone off and stay off social media. 

In a world dominated by technology, we have everything at the push of a button, making it hard to imagine life without it, but keeping so up-to-date and caught up on social media can sometimes be exhausting and lead to unhealthy comparisons. 

By turning off your phone or limiting the time spent on social media, you can shut off the constant updates and remain solely focused on other things that might bring you joy. Instead of getting distracted by technology, you could be reading your favourite books, spending time with family and friends, giving yourself a well-deserved pamper or just taking a nap, whatever relieves stress from your day! 

Do you suffer on Blue Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Ever felt the urge to open your laptop to check what is causing sudden, mild chest pain?

Ever googled what the symptoms of a serious medical condition are after discovering a small bump somewhere on your body?

With the continuous rise of the internet and with infinite, free information at our fingertips at all times, it is easy to fall into the temptation to start a quick online query.

Indeed, it has been found that 7% of Google’s daily searches are health-related.

Not only that, but when it comes to our online habits, UK residents are now 114% more likely to google health-related terms than they would three years ago.

Some searchers will look for basic information and take what they read with a pinch of salt.

Others, however, will jump from one website to the next, concerned about the list of daunting diagnoses they have stumbled upon.

This is known as cyberchondria, a ‘modern’ condition that can cause a great deal of stress for those suffering from it.

Tobias Alpsten, CEO and founder of my GP, comments: “Although the concept of cyberchondria (self-diagnoses from the internet) is a relatively young term, there is some evidence to support it is a growing concern across the nation.

It is crucial that patients remember to seek advice from their GP if they are concerned in any way, whether this is via a face-to-face appointment or convenient video consultation to allay any concerns caused by online searching.”

Here, we explore the ins and outs of cyberchondria, while also providing tips on how to both manage and prevent it.

What is cyberchondria?

In a nutshell, cyberchondria is a disorder where a person excessively searches for health-related information online.

But rather than finding comfort and relief from the answers they find on the internet, they self-diagnose with a concerning condition and end up worrying even more.

In fact, cyberchondriacs will read a list of potential explanations for their discomfort and only believe the worst-case scenarios.

It is in some ways similar to hypochondria, and, as mentioned, it can arouse strong feelings of anxiety.   

Journals first started talking about cyberchondria at the beginning of the 21^st century, as an increasing number of patients were taking print-outs of intimidating diagnoses to GP clinics.

With the advancement of technology, this condition has gradually begun to escalate.

As of 2016, 68% of British adults consulted “Dr Google” to diagnose themselves, whether every few months or on a regular basis.

By causing unnecessary health fears in cyberchondriac patients, this condition is costing the British healthcare system roughly £56m each year in avoidable appointments and exams.

This is because, while cyberchondriacs may have a genuine physical ailment, the disorder leads them to believe that their condition is far more serious than it perhaps is.

Behind the scenes: what causes cyberchondria?

There are many reasons why people may experience serious anxiety when looking up medical information online. In this respect, there is no exact science to determine what spurs cyberchondria, but here are a few risk factors:

• Recent experience of severe illness – If you have a medical history of developing serious conditions, even if you have recovered from them, you may be more inclined to overly worry when new symptoms emerge. Other unhappy experiences, such as the passing of a family member or knowing someone who has been diagnosed with a life-changing illness, can spark more concerns about your own health too.
• Free misinformation and sad stories on social media – When browsing and scrolling through social media, you may happen to read a sad story about someone dealing with a serious condition. Alternatively, you may visit unreliable websites with sensationalistic headlines about worrying symptoms that aim to scare you and lure you into clicking on their page. Often these websites are not fact-checked. Unfortunately, you are likely to retain this information, which may later have an impact on your health concerns. In fact, due to evolutionary survival purposes, our brain tends to notice and remember the negatives more than the positives.
• Low self-esteem – Low self-esteem is also identified as one of the most prominent causes of cyberchondria. This is because low self-esteem is a ‘vulnerability’ in itself and is often viewed as a risk factor for internet-related problems, including excessive online time and addiction.
• Inclined to worry – Are you a natural worrier? Googling medical information could cause you extra stress. People suffering from anxiety and depression are more likely to worry as well, which suggests that cyberchondria is more likely to appear in people with a tendency to ruminate.

Overcoming needless health concerns

Pinpointing what spurs cyberchondria is no easy task.

But if your heart races when googling your symptoms or you spend hours scrolling through several online portals, there are some useful remedies to give you much-needed peace of mind.

• Stay offline – One of the most obvious steps you can take to keep your cyberchondria under control is to limit your Google searches. Staying offline will protect you against misleading information that will do you more harm than good. Otherwise, make sure to visit credible websites and consult valid sources which you know have been fact-checked. This way, you will avoid stumbling upon menacing, daunting, and unfounded diagnoses.
• Book regular GP appointments – This is one of the best ways to minimise your worries. By scheduling regular appointments with your doctor, you will be able to benefit from general check-ups, receive a trusted GP prescription, and direct to a professional whatever concerns you may have. This will spare you from needless preoccupations and nip the problem in the bud whenever you are experiencing discomfort.
• Enjoy a balanced lifestyle – Embracing a healthy, balanced lifestyle is a great solution to manage your cyberchondria. By getting plenty of rest, eating healthy, and exercising on a regular basis, you can actively tackle sentiments of stress and anxiety. Having a balanced routine and eating nutritious food can make you feel assured that you are doing all you can to prevent unwanted illnesses.
• Meditation – If you are overly concerned about your symptoms, take some time to breathe, relax, and meditate. This will help you recollect your thoughts and find some lucidity to better assess the situation. Ultimately, meditation can quieten your anxiety and calm you down if you are feeling overwhelmed.

With a smartphone or laptop always within reach, the temptation to ask them personal health questions is difficult to escape.

However, some findings can raise a few eyebrows, and may even trouble people prone to stress and anxiety with unfounded medical suggestions.    

From bad medical experiences to low self-esteem, there are several different reasons for which one may develop cyberchondria.

But through meditation, a healthy lifestyle, booking regular check-ups and staying offline, there are many effective ways to tackle the condition and alleviate your worries.

Sleep expert Nathan Amni from Each Night reveals sleeping positions that are good and bad for your health. Which sleeping position is the healthiest option?  For an average person, sleeping on your side is generally considered the healthiest sleeping position.  It provides adequate alignment and support for your spine, while also minimizing acid reflux.   The ideal way to sleep on your side is with a medium to the soft mattress that provides plenty of pressure relief and cushion for your hips and shoulders.   Is there a sleeping position that can help with neurological health?  Yes, sleeping on your side has been found to be the most beneficial position for your brain, with the position helping your brain to clear out interstitial waste faster than other positions. This leads to multiple benefits including potentially reducing the risk of developing neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.     Which sleeping position reduces back pain the most?  Again, side sleeping is the best option for those suffering from back pain, more specifically, the fetal position. For those that suffer from lower back pain, it is best to avoid sleeping on your back as it can lead to more stress on your lumbar spine and lower back muscles. A simple solution is to place a pillow under the knees as this will better align your spine, resulting in less pressure on the spine and lower back muscles.   Which sleeping position offers the best night’s sleep and health benefits to pregnant women?  Pregnant women can often experience discomfort during the night, and it is better to lay on the left side. This is to prevent discomfort and pressure against the liver. Sleeping on the left side and in a fetal position are often the most useful positions for pregnant women. All other individuals would be better served sleeping on their right side though.  Is there a sleeping position that provides the least health benefits?  Stomach sleeping is the worst sleeping position. The position can lead to multiple issues such as strained muscles and joints, stiffness, back and neck pain. Whilst it can often be difficult to transition away from a sleeping position, you can prevent pain and protect your back by placing a pillow under your hips.

With an increase in anti-depressants being prescribed we ask a legal professional what needs to change with mental health and crime.

Covid-19 and lockdown is dictating the ways in which we live so there’s never been a better time for the legal profession to ask itself if it properly serving clients with mental health issues.

In regards to mental health and crime, there’s been a definite failure by the legal profession, over the years, in obtaining proper and full assessments of clients suffering from one or more mental health issues.

This means the profession is letting down its clients and acting without the highest standards in mind. 

Having specialised in the field of Criminal Defence for 14 years, the last eight years operating as a licensed paralegal preparing cases for my own clients both within solicitor firms and more recently on a privately funded client basis.

I have been involved in the preparation of defense cases for a considerable number of clients with mental health issues.

In the last two years with awareness of mental health issues even being raised by members of the Royal Family, the onus must surely be on the authorities and legal professionals throughout the UK to thoroughly consider a client’s potential mental health state from the outset.

This should start at the police station interview stage.

Adverse behaviour as a child or teenager growing up in care, for example, or within a dysfunctional or disadvantaged family is currently deemed to be not enough of a concern for many legal representatives to consider further investigation or expert reports.  

Such incidents have led to miscarriages of justice in the past, yet still, today not enough consideration is given to those with mental health issues who get caught up within the criminal justice system.

As a police station accredited representative, I have attended at police stations, and other venues, to advise and assist clients who are being interviewed by police.  

At the police station when a client has been arrested and is being booked in to the custody suite they are asked if they suffer from mental health issues as part of the welfare check.  

Many will not divulge that information due to a perceived stigma associated with mental health.  

I remember a client where their mental health issues were known to exist and a mental health nurse was on hand to determine whether the client was fit to be detained and fit to be interviewed.

When it comes to mental health and crime one of the biggest mistakes made here is that the nurse determined that the client was fit.

I arrived, and in consultation with my client it was clear that they were unfit – they were talking about angels and the devil, and clearly did not understand the reason for their arrest or where they were.

Having made representations to the mental health nurse and the custody sergeant I was advised that despite my concerns and representations the interview would proceed!  

Within a minute of that interview commencing the police officer agreed that the client was not fit to be interviewed nor detained.

The client was subsequently released into the care of their carer.  

Clearly there had been a significant error on the part of the police force and mental health nurse.  

Thus, it is imperative that police station accredited representatives and solicitors take the time to assess a client and perhaps, more importantly, make suitable representations to the police and mental health professionals if there are concerns.

Another incident involving a client with mental health issues involved one who was already serving a significantly long sentence.

That client advised me that they became involved in bad behaviour as they believed that they would be killed if they were not segregated.  

That client had received no mental health care in the, approximately, 10 years they had been incarcerated.  

Due to my concerns, a full psychiatric and psychological assessment and expert report was obtained. 

 It transpired that one of the experts believed that the client’s original case was unfair due to the client’s mental health issues and that the client should consider appointing a legal professional to look at their original case with a view to submitting a fresh application to appeal.  

That client, with the diagnosis, evidence and advice submitted in the expert reports, was finally given mental health care and treatment in the prison.

These are just two examples of many I have dealt with, some in relation to submitting applications for leave to appeal, where I firmly believe a miscarriage of justice has taken place.

What needs to be done to address mental health and crime?

Here is what I believe needs to happen in order for the legal profession to better serve people with mental health challenges: Education.

Education of legal professionals – defence and prosecution – to help them understand mental health issues and the treatment options. 

Further educating legal professionals to note and consider these issues if they have concerns when dealing with a client.

Encouraging them to obtain those vital expert reports, from psychiatrists and psychologists, as to their client’s mental health.

More often than not those assessments prove vital to the outcome for the client.  

• Start at the police station. Full and proper consideration/assessment by Mental Health Nurses at the police station stage.

• The aim is to determine, where a client suffers from mental health issues, their real ability to understand and give instructions and/or an interview. 

• All too often clients are deemed fit for interview at the police station, when clearly, they are not.

• Assessment. An in-depth assessment by the Crown instructed expert psychiatrists and psychologists.

• Often these people are only given the defence expert report and prosecution evidence.

• The Crown’s experts should be given sight of the medical records of those they are assessing, and they should provide a full assessment and report on the person’s ability to understand the trial process and take part in it.

• They should not be asked simply to provide a report aimed solely at a continuation of prosecuting a defendant.  Often the full mental health issues are not covered in these Crown instructed reports.

• Rehabilitation. Prisons should revert to proper rehabilitation techniques. These appear to have waned over the past 10 years or so. 

• This should include suitable assessment of those with suspected mental health issues particularly within the Autism range, ADHD, and PTSD; all of which can be complex.

• Appropriate treatment should be given to those serving custodial sentences. 

• Those with significant learning difficulties and/or low IQ should be provided with approved courses and treatment to help with coping and progression, as well as obtaining employment once released. 

• The government should put in place a service for those released from prison who suffer from mental health issues so that they may continue to be provided with assistance and treatment, in order to reduce reoffending behaviours.

• Utilising help. Deeper consideration and use of Hospital Orders. Utilising the help available from the Probation Services and ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected by the courts.   

• Intermediaries.  The use of intermediaries in court proceedings appears to be a rarity. 

• In a world where there is a significant trend towards those with mental health issues facing proceedings before the Courts, intermediaries should be instructed to assist the client during trials and other hearings/conferences where necessary. 
• This intermediary service is currently heavily overlooked.

Full expert reports should be obtained by defence solicitors/firms on their client’s behalf where and when possible.

Legal aid funding is available for these expert reports where clients are legally aided. 

For those clients who are privately funding their defence case, their defence team should advise them about the importance of obtaining expert reports on a client’s mental health issues as this can be at a significant cost to the privately funded client.

Mental Health is a wide-ranging condition which is all too often either not fully considered by legal professionals and related authorities or considered at all.  

This attitude and lack of proper consideration must change for future generations.

What areyour thoughts on mental health and crime?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caroline Spencer-Boulton is a NALP Licenced Paralegal from 24:7 Criminal Defence. 

The National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP) is a non-profit Membership Body and the only Paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England). http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk

Twitter: @NALP_UK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalAssocationsofLicensedParalegals/

Just like in the UK Millions of Americans suffer from neurotoxicity, costing the US health system billions of dollars each year.

In fact, these disorders are the top causes of disability in the country.

These include Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Mold neurotoxicity is probably the stealthiest cause of neuropsychiatric disorders.

This is because such toxicity is not inflicted deliberately and could be acquired within the comfort of your own home.

Sadly, the connection between black mold and mental illness in relation to neurological problems is not often accounted for during diagnosis.

What is Neurotoxicity?
Neurotoxicity is a type of toxicity that affects the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system.

It occurs when a biological entity is exposed to a natural or artificial substance that disrupts its regular activity, causing damage to the nerve tissues.

When these tissues are damaged, the affected organism could experience a variety of symptoms.

These include erratic behaviour, headaches, loss of motor and sensory function, short-term memory loss, and restlessness. Symptoms may be immediate or delayed.

What Causes Neurotoxicity?
Neurotoxicity can be caused by drug therapies, drug abuse, radiation treatment, organ transplant, exposure to heavy metals, and industrial solvents. Molds, surprisingly, can also intoxicate the nervous system.

How Neurotoxicity Occurs in the Brain
Different substances may affect the brain in different ways.

Among these substances, mold toxins are probably the most difficult to avoid.

This is because toxic black molds can reside in concealed spaces. All they need are humidity, moisture, and cellulose.

Toxic black mold may appear harmless but once dried up and disturbed, they can release potent toxins.

These toxins are dispersed in the air, and you could be one of the unfortunate individuals to inhale them.

From there, they could travel to your nervous system and cause the following:

Destruction of the Myelin Sheath
The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that wraps the nerve axons, allowing quick signal transmission and regulating electric charges.

This and the cell membrane of each cell in the body are made of a lipophilic layer.

Therefore, mold toxins (which are also lipophilic) can move throughout the body without inhibition.

Such traits also allow them to cross the blood-brain barrier with ease.

When mold toxins saturate the brain, they dislodge healthy fatty acids (e.g. Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic acid) within the chains of fatty acids.

As a consequence, the fatty acid chains are oxidized, causing lipid degradation.

Since the myelin sheath also consists of lipid, its structure is also destroyed.

This can result in neuropathic pain and loss of sensory and motor functions because the electrical impulses are not transmitted efficiently.

Destruction of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
When the electrical activity is reduced, the prefrontal cortex is down-regulated.

This region of the brain is responsible for short-term memories and memory processing.

And because it is also the most sensitive region, one of the most common symptoms of mold toxicity is “brain fog”.

Destruction of Norepinephrine Factories
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical produced by neurons) that plays a significant role in motivation, reward, reinforcement, arousal, and motor control.

Dopamine is converted to norepinephrine by the enzyme “dopamine hydroxylase”.

This is a natural occurrence in the brain, which heightens when norepinephrine levels are low.

The Problem: Mold toxins destroy norepinephrine factories through lipid oxidation.

As a result, more dopamine turns to norepinephrine. This deprives other pathways of their dopamine needs.

Increase in Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Glutamate and PEA are neurotransmitters that can powerfully cause “excitement” in the brain.

Damage to nerve tissues can elevate glutamate and PEA levels in the brain.

This causes an excessive electrical impulse that triggers anxiety and bipolar disorder symptoms.

A Mold Specialist Doctor Can Help You
If conventional treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders are in vain, you are advised to seek a mold specialist doctor.

How Neurotoxicity Causes Mental Illness
Can mold cause mental illness?
This is the question that was answered by Dr. Sponaugle’s research.

He correlated 6,000 mold toxin levels with alterations perceived in neurotransmitter patterns and discovered that mold toxins could potentially damage brain tissues and change neurotransmitter activity.

As mentioned earlier, mold neurotoxicity can damage norepinephrine factories.

When these factories are damaged, the body compensates by converting available dopamine to norepinephrine.

Dopamine is involved in feeling motivation, reward, euphoria, and arousal.

When dopamine is converted to norepinephrine, the brain is robbed of the chemical that should help a person feel appreciated, motivated, and valued. This causes depression.

Neurotoxicity also elevates the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters (e.g. Glutamate and PEA).

When the brain is flooded with these transmitters, it triggers constant excessive alertness.

This causes sleep problems, lack of focus, irritability, and persistent feeling that there is something wrong.

These symptoms are often seen in patients with anxiety, paranoia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenic tendencies.

Loss of sensory and/motor function and pain can also put a strain on one’s mental health.

This is mainly because of the inability to perform everyday activities.

Mold neurotoxicity symptoms will persist as long as mold toxins are not significantly reduced or eliminated from the body.

Conclusion
Neurotoxicity can be fatal. And even if the affected person is still physically able, they can still be denied of quality life.

Treatment for neurotoxicity involves procedures that reduce or eliminate the toxic substances from the body.

Symptoms may also be addressed at the same time.
Black mold and mental illness have been linked for years now.

So if your mental health is troubled and there are black molds in your house or office, consult a mold specialist doctor immediately.

The Sponaugle Wellness Institute is one of the most trusted centres for mold toxicity treatment in the country.

Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation are all offered under one roof.

Their state-of-the-art facility is located in a charming part of Florida, only a drive away from the beautiful Clearwater Beach.

Please feel free to comment or visit our social media pages.

This is a guest post submitted by Ann Gapasin