Wilson Counseling: The Armchair Chronicles

This article is a funny and insightful reminder about ways you can start to feel better about your body and yourself. Check the list to see if you find yourself on it.  Chances are, you are doing at least one if not all of these things at some point. Most of them seem innocuous, but are pretty much guaranteed to erode your confidence over time. http://www.buzzfeed.com/sallytamarkin/unhealthy-body-image-habits-and-how-to-break-them-right-n?bffb&utm_term=4ldqpgp#4ldqpgp If you are struggling with pain or feeling stuck  in your life , professional counseling can help. You can contact our Houston therapists by phone at  713 - 591 -3612 , via email at nancy @ wilsoncounsleing. org or visit the Wilson Counseling website at  www.wilsoncounseling.org   to find out more. Help is just a phone call away!

Science is cool. It teaches us many things including how to live more joyful, healthier lives. Being a therapist, I get really excited when I learn about the science behind what makes people happy. This sounds like flaky stuff, but to me, it is some of the most worthwhile stuff of life. Scientists are confirming something that we inherently know on an intuitive level. Hugs are good for you! Okay, this is not exactly breaking news, but what is interesting is how healing hugs can be and how many benefits you get from this simple, beautiful gesture. According to the National Institutes of Health , when you hug someone, it triggers the brain to release a pleasurable chemical called oxytocin. "Oxytocin does more than make us feel good.  It lowers the levels of stress hormones in the body, reducing blood pressure, improving mood, increasing tolerance for pain and perhaps even speeding how fast wounds heal.  It also seems to play an important role in our relationships.  It’