HEALTH, ENLIGHENTENMENT, LOVE, PROSPERITY 

Health consists of maintaining appropriate exercise, eating, and rest patterns. Observing Circadian rhythms can provide indicators to your mental health. Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Often, when we are struggling with our mental health, we also struggle with maintaining appropriate sleep-wake cycles. The same can be said of our eating patterns. There has been research on the gut-brain connection. These researches have demonstrated that the gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion.  In return, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can cause anxiety, stress, or depression. The brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected. Exercise provides stress release and improvement of mood through the release of endorphins and muscle tension. Exercise can also be a good way to "let go of the day." We also need an appropriate amount of "good stress" in order to live fulfilling lives. 

Enlightenment refers to cognitive, occupational, and spiritual growth. Cognitive growth not only allows to gain skills, but also provides opportunities for "good stress." Yerkes-Dodson law provides an outline of the need to maintain an appropriate amount of stress in order maintain an optimal level of performance in life. We all have the need for mastery of skills and believe that we are useful in some way. Developing skills allows use to have a sense of purpose in life. Developing skills also allows us to provide protection for ourselves. In therapy we may develop coping skills or social skills that allow us to manage social situations more effectively. Spiritual growth allows us to develop an awareness outside of our own physical needs. It can provide a sense of guidance toward humanity, protection from suicidality, and ability to overcome struggles. A person's spirituality may come in the form of religion, volunteering, acts of altruism, scientific discovery, or internal dialogue work or meditation. 

Love refers to connecting with others. Our core fears stem around feelings of isolation and marginalization. Co-regulation is one of the best protectors we have as a species. Co-regulation is the act of self-soothing through the connection with another person. When we tell our partners about our day or want to "vent" to our friends, we are using the act of co-regulating. We are trying to connect with another person on an emotional level in order to be seen, heard, and a feel safe. We are built for connection. Touch is a basic need in life. Babies that are deprived of touch have a higher risk of developmental delays. Seniors who are deprived of touch have a higher mortality rate. 

Prosperity refers to making gains in life. This can be monetary gains, but don't necessarily have to be. Continuously making and achieving goals in life provides us with a sense of purpose. Therapy is an intentional act of improving psychological well-being.  Prosperity helps build a sense of security in our lives. We should continuously look to increase of prospects for prosperity. A belief that one has lost prosperity in their life can be a great stress of one's psychological well-being. 

 Two books that I recommended everyone read are Forward Facing Trauma: Healing the Moral Wound by Eric Gentry and Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel Siegal. Whether are parent or not, these two books will help you learn about the effects of trauma on relationships and how to begin rebuilding from the effects of trauma.