Helpguide Newsletter

Helpguide Newsletter

October '09

Learn How to Control Your Anger—So It Doesn’t Control You

Anger is a normal, healthy emotion. The feeling isn’t the problem—it’s how you choose to express it. Out-of-control anger is bad for your health, your relationships, your career, and your state of mind. The good news is that even the most hot-tempered person can learn to get anger under control. Mastering the art of anger management takes work, but the more you practice, the easier it will get. And the payoff is huge. Learning to control your anger and express it appropriately will help you get along better with others, achieve your goals, and lead a healthier, more satisfying life.

To learn more, read Anger Management: Tips and Techniques for Getting Anger Under Control.

Tips for Bonding with Your Baby

The attachment bond is the deep, lasting relationship that develops between a mother (or primary caregiver) and a baby in the first few years of life. A secure attachment bond provides the baby with an optimal foundation for life: eagerness to learn, healthy self-awareness, trust, and consideration for others. Mothers and babies instinctively want to bond, but, unfortunately, just loving a baby doesn’t automatically result in secure attachment. This article walks mothers through the process of creating secure attachment bonds with their infants.

To learn more, read Bonding with Your Baby: Parenting Advice for a Secure Attachment Bond.

Are You or a Loved One Using Alcohol or Drugs to Self-Medicate?

Many people who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction also suffer from one or more mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Together, they create a vicious cycle—with the substance abuse and the mental illness each fueling the other and making the symptoms worse.

Because they are so closely linked, recovery depends on treating both the addiction and the mental health problem. This article provides a clear picture of the relationship between substance abuse and mental health, the types of treatment that work best, and what you can do to support recovery.

To learn more, read Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Overcoming Alcohol and Drug Addiction While Coping with Depression or Anxiety.

Nutrition for Women: Healthy Eating Tips for Every Stage of Life

Women’s nutritional needs vary significantly at different times in their lives. Whether or not they adequately meet those needs can make a big difference in how they look and feel—which is why one of the best ways a woman can take care of herself is by eating well. A healthy, age-appropriate diet can make a big difference in appearance, energy level, and emotional well-being. What a woman eats can also be a huge support as she goes through different stages such as pregnancy and menopause. Committing to a healthy diet can help women of all ages look and feel great, stay on top of their commitments, and enjoy life.

For a nutritional roadmap for each stage of a woman’s life, read Nutrition for Women: Eating Right to Look and Feel Your Best.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Do You Know What Abuse Really Looks Like?

Just because someone isn’t violent doesn’t mean they are not abusive. Many abusers never raise a hand against their victims. Instead, they abuse their partners in other ways, such as put-downs and humiliation, isolating them from friends and family, using threats and intimidation, restricting their finances, and controlling where they go and what they do.

Emotionally abusive and controlling behavior is designed to trap the victim in the abusive relationship by stripping away his or her confidence and self-worth. Getting out of the trap starts with recognizing all types of abuse and learning to spot the warning signs.

To learn more, read Domestic Violence and Abuse: Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships.

Escaping an Abusive Relationship

Ending an important relationship is never easy, and it’s even harder when abuse is part of the equation. Victims of abuse often feel trapped by fear, shame, and a sense of helplessness. But there is help available.

Read on for advice on making the decision to leave, protecting yourself, staying safe after you’ve escaped, and taking steps to heal:

Help for Abused and Battered Women: Domestic Violence Shelters, Support, and Protection.