Allen Christian Counseling, Author at Allen Christian Counseling

About Allen Christian Counseling

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Allen Christian Counseling has created 29 blog entries.

Coping Mechanisms for Stress

Coping Mechanisms for Stress

By Allen Christian Counseling|2023-09-16T07:01:22+00:00November 29th, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Stress affects us all sometime during our lives. A stressful event like a natural disaster, sudden loss of a loved one, or a constant state of chronic stress can lead to physical ailments and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. However, you can implement coping mechanisms for stress to manage your reactions and reduce the adverse effects. Why is stress harmful? Why are coping mechanisms for stress important? Our bodies produce an influx of hormones when confronted with a threat. Cortisol and adrenaline rise, and we can either take flight (escape) or fight (stand our ground). This stress helps us get away from predators. In today’s advanced society, we are not confronted by predators wanting to eat us. However, we still experience the same stress response when faced with what our brains conclude as threats: deadlines, bills, relationship problems, illness, work issues, trauma, and losing a loved one. Whether the stress is from sudden trauma or chronic from an ongoing situation, it takes a toll on the body. It affects your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Chronic stress can cause: High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Digestive issues Headaches Weight gain Sleep disturbances Appetite changes Lower immunity Aches and pains Anxiety Depression Mood swings Irritability It can help if you speak to your primary care physician if you believe your physical symptoms are due to stress. The doctor will perform tests to determine that your symptoms are not due to a medical condition. Once physical illness is ruled out, you may want to seek the help of a therapist to manage symptoms and adopt coping mechanisms for stress. Adding stress management activities to your daily routine will also decrease the effects of stress. Five coping mechanisms Coping mechanisms help us to adapt and manage stress. Depending on the circumstances, [...]

Comments Off

How a Mindful Skin Care Routine Can Improve Mental Well-being

How a Mindful Skin Care Routine Can Improve Mental Well-being

By Allen Christian Counseling|2023-10-19T17:50:51+00:00November 24th, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Women’s Issues|

A mindful skin care routine is something you do daily, preferably in the morning and evening, that helps reduce stress, encourages self-care, builds self-worth, improves social bonding, and is a lot of fun. Not only will it keep your skin healthy and protected, but it will also do wonders for your mental and emotional well-being. Your sense of worth is strengthened by a mindful skin care routine. Your self-worth may be low if you have a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression, and you might not practice self-care because you don’t believe you deserve it. If this is you, you need to know that you are valued and loved. Self-care doesn’t have to involve doing something crazy like visiting a spa resort on the beach. While those things are luxurious, realistic self-care should be small things that are part of your regular life. Even little things like washing and moisturizing your face can be incredibly calming and give your day structure. Doing these little things will help you feel productive and secure even on days when you wake up wanting to do nothing. Don’t undervalue the power of skincare to boost your sense of worth. It may seem insignificant in comparison to other facets of life but it can make a big difference. Don’t take for granted the little victories you score every day; instead, celebrate them. A conscious skin care routine can strengthen social bonds. You will feel more at ease in social situations if you love and take care of your skin. People will notice your glowing smile and skin because they will be drawn to it. When your partner notices how well you’re taking care of your skin, you might even experience a change in your relationship. Your friends will enjoy spending time with you because [...]

Comments Off

Visualizing and Meditating on Scripture to Cope with Difficult Emotions

Visualizing and Meditating on Scripture to Cope with Difficult Emotions

By Allen Christian Counseling|2024-04-05T06:28:59+00:00September 29th, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Counselors have a variety of tools to help you on your mental health journey. As you spend time with your counselor you may try different tools to see what suits your situation and personality. One of those may be meditating on Scripture. Your counselor may employ “safe place” practice, a simple visualization technique to help you calm your mind and body. Sitting quietly, by yourself, you close your eyes and picture a person, place, or time when you felt safe, comfortable, or confident. It may be clear and specific. It may be an amalgamation of different experiences and sensations. Hold on to this image when you are in a stressful environment or difficult season of life. Tips for Meditating on Scripture The Bible is full of vivid imagery as a way of illustrating God’s care for people and creation. Take the “safe place” practice from your counseling session and sit with a passage of Scripture. Visualize yourself safe in the hands of God, and let him help you with your emotions. When you are angry. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:12-14, NIV As you learn emotional regulation it is important to acknowledge that it is a journey, not a destination. You will make mistakes, and you will react in a moment of hunger, exhaustion, and frustration. God forgives you even when you do not know you need to be forgiven. Taking the time to acknowledge your failure and then ask God’s forgiveness helps you become more [...]

Comments Off

Examples of Depression in the Bible

Examples of Depression in the Bible

By Allen Christian Counseling|2024-04-05T06:32:33+00:00September 27th, 2022|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

The Bible is full of wisdom. It contains numerous examples of people chosen by God with the same weaknesses and sins that we experience today. Lust, anger, and depression in the Bible are shown to help us realize that God is with us just like He was with those people long ago. When we study God’s word, we learn how to apply its principles to our lives. Most people experience depression at some level in life. Call for assistance immediately if you are in a season of depression and need help or have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Causes of Depression Depression can occur for various reasons: A chemical imbalance A hormonal imbalance Trauma Grief or loss Coexisting with another mental disorder Other people’s actions Bad decisions and consequences Depression can also seem to come out of nowhere and last for weeks or months. You will see that the people who experienced depression in the Bible had it for numerous reasons, many a matter of life and death. Examples of Depression in the Bible The examples of people struggling with depression in the Bible experience different forms of the condition. Some experience mild symptoms of feeling downcast and burdened, while others show a severe form. Elijah Elijah was known as a great prophet for God and once stood up against 450 prophets of Baal, as God gave a spectacular display of His power. But after such a massive victory for God, Elijah began to suffer burnout and exhaustion. On top of this, Queen Jezebel wanted him dead, forcing him into hiding. While he squirreled away from his enemies, he was left alone with his thoughts. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went [...]

Comments Off

Low Self-esteem and Marriage

Low Self-esteem and Marriage

By Allen Christian Counseling|2023-10-19T17:59:28+00:00September 3rd, 2022|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Addressing low self-esteem is thought to be an essential part of taking care of ourselves. If we do not understand ourselves and who we are before God, we are less likely to know how to love others. It is particularly important to learn to fully love our spouse. We are to base our sense of beauty on the heart and not the outward appearance. This is a fundamental principle of the Bible, yet we find it hard to achieve. No one is perfect The reality is that no one is perfect. We all have flaws that we feel make us less desirable and confident. God says that we are created in His image. To overcome low self-esteem, we must first understand that no one is perfect. Even though we may think that we have it all together, we all have many weaknesses and sins that prevent us from being our best selves. Recognizing this means that we can overlook shortcomings in others. For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You When I was made in secret, And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; Psalm 139:13-15, NASB Knowing who you are in Christ We so often get lost in who the world tells us we should be and forget what we know is true according to God’s word. The world wants us to believe that unless we are successful and beautiful by its standards then we are unworthy. Christ went to the cross to redeem us. He went to the cross willingly so that we would know that we could become new creations. [...]

Comments Off

Dealing with Stress by Using its Strength to Take Control

Dealing with Stress by Using its Strength to Take Control

By Allen Christian Counseling|2024-04-05T06:34:39+00:00August 18th, 2022|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development|

Persistent and powerful feelings of stress come from our minds. If you or someone you know is dealing with stress and anxiety, then this will ring true for you. We all react to stress in our own way, for some the contrast between choices and outcomes becomes stark, yet for others, moments of high stress bring confusion and indecision. Those dealing with stress will know that working through stress systematically and logically is sometimes like coming face-to-face with a faster, more vigilant, and more powerful side of yourself. It outwits your rationalizations, outpaces your attempts to calm down, and has the potential to make you feel helpless. How can the power of your hyper-aware mind benefit you instead of opposing you? You could have a powerful ally when things got tough. Stress and anxiety are experienced by everyone and exist in a wide range of states. Dealing with stress is part of being human and is the usual response from a healthy, capable brain that expects trouble. Our brain can flip a switch and bring out a faster, more vigilant, and more powerful side to each of us. This is good when you need its help, but it can sometimes press the “panic” button and all you can hear and think about is the siren. Having our brain make us aware of when we should feel stress is very useful, it tells us about danger and helps us out of harm’s way in a very loud and overriding manner. When our brain tells us to stress out it is an instinctual reaction, which means that it feels like it is doing its job. The more we push back against feeling stressed, the more our brain can turn up the volume to tell us there is danger and we need [...]

Comments Off

Keys to Better Communication

Keys to Better Communication

By Allen Christian Counseling|2023-09-16T10:01:14+00:00August 8th, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Better communication is the very essence of every relationship in your life. There are times that you need the benefit of getting things off your chest and there are times that you are the one someone will choose to come to for advice. Either way, learning how to communicate better is worth the time and effort. From the beginning, communication has been an integral part of who we are as people. Throughout God’s Word, we find how communication is such an important part of the Christian life. Spoken words have the ability to encourage or discourage. Once we speak the words, we can no longer take them back so choose what you say wisely. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. – Luke 6:45, ESV Tips for Better Communication Learning to communicate better with those around you will reduce misunderstanding and increase the closeness of the relationship. How do you communicate better with those around you? Think about the words you use It is not always wise to speak out of emotion. The last thing you want to do is cause more harm than good during a discussion. Take time to reflect on what is being discussed. By doing this you will find that you can speak in a way that is encouraging and positive. Thinking before you speak allows you to be mindful of the situation and the other person. This is a huge factor in ensuring the other person that you are not just flippantly trying to discuss the situation. Everyone wants to feel respected in a conversation. By being mindful in this manner you [...]

Comments Off

Am I Losing My Mind? Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

Am I Losing My Mind? Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

By Allen Christian Counseling|2023-07-06T12:58:37+00:00July 13th, 2022|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

The world seems to run on stress and anxiety. We think we are being productive when we burn both ends of the candle and hustle to make more, be more, and have more. But stress and anxiety can lead to mental and physical symptoms, resulting in mental health conditions, illness, and a shorter life span. However, with a few lifestyle changes, you can decrease stress, alleviate anxiety symptoms, and live a more peaceful life. Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety Stress affects every system within the body, yet it can be challenging to pinpoint precisely what stress is, unlike something tangible such as a tumor. Stress hormones are released when we are confronted with danger (think about a tiger chasing you!). Unfortunately, these same chemicals are released when we are presented with less dangerous (and fatal) things like overdue bills, toxic relationships, and financial problems. The following are several symptoms of stress and anxiety: Feeling out of sorts (anxious or nervous) Short of breath or rapid breathing Rapid heart rate Shaking or trembling Fatigue Excessive sweating Unable to focus Feelings of dread or panic Sleep disturbances Headaches and digestive issues Unexplained aches and pains High blood pressure Tension in the back and neck muscles Low sex drive Each bodily system is represented in the above symptoms: reproductive, nervous, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and endocrine. This list does not include the psychological effects anxiety brings about or combines with other mental health conditions. How to Increase Your Sense of Wellbeing and Peace Nothing is more frustrating than to have someone say, “Just stress less, and your anxiety will stop!” Chronic stress can happen subconsciously, yet it can affect you physically and psychologically. The following are several tips that you can use to increase your sense of well-being and [...]

Comments Off

Two Types of Anger in the Bible

Two Types of Anger in the Bible

By Allen Christian Counseling|2023-09-19T10:46:07+00:00June 6th, 2022|Anger Issues, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

To feel angry is part of being human, but uncontrolled anger can harm both the person who harbors it as well as those around him/her. There are many passages about anger in the Bible, including stories of Bible characters who lost their tempers, and what it tells us is that anger in and of itself is not necessarily sinful, but often what we do with it can lead us to sin or not. Two Types of Anger in the Bible Righteous anger Righteous anger is a reaction to sin or injustice. It’s being angry about things that are evil, and that God opposes. It attacks the sin, not the sinner. An example of righteous anger in the Bible is Jesus’ anger toward the people in the temple courts who were misusing the house of the Lord. Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you are making it “a den of robbers.” – Matthew 21:12-13, NIV Sinful anger Sinful anger is anger directed toward someone who has hurt you or offended you in some way, with an intent to retaliate or seek revenge. Letting it consume your thoughts and actions will end up leading you down a sinful path with sometimes dire consequences. Read on to learn about some examples of sinful anger in the Bible. Lessons about Anger from People in the Bible Cain (Genesis 4:1-16) Cain was a farmer. His younger brother, Abel, was a shepherd. Both of them bought offerings to God, but God favored Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. This made Cain very angry with God and jealous [...]

Comments Off

Previous 23

orangecc

About Allen Christian Counseling

CONTACT INFO

Allen Christian Counseling

ABOUT US