Do kids grow up to have the same parenting style as their own parents?

I wanted to know if a child, for example, who was raised by an authoritarian parent, would they be more likely to also implement an authoritarian parenting style? I could not find any statistics on this type of question, however, some sources do reveal the effect certain parenting styles can have on children. This in turn will effect the child's personality and sense of what a parent should be.
Authoritarian parenting generally leads to children who are obedient. However, these children are often less happy, and have lower social skills. These traits could effect their parenting skills. They often have lower social skills, making it more difficult for them to be responsive to their own children.
Authoritative parenting most often results in happy and capable children. These children are more likely to be able to problem solve. They often have good social skills, making it natural to be responsive to the needs of their children.
Permissive parenting results in mostly unhappy children, with a problem with authority. These children are likely to be permissive parents themselves. However, since they are accustomed to being the authority in their lives and situations, they can also be authoritative parents.
Neglecting parenting result in children who are unhappy, have low self-esteem, and low social competency.

The Huffington Post sums it up by saying that most parenting styles are unconscious. They often are formed through how we were raised, what we've been taught, and what we've witnessed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peggy-drexler/when-parents-have-differe_b_1925090.html
http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/parenting-style.htm

How Do People Stop Mind-Reading?

This is a tough topic for me, on one hand I know that I struggle with mind-reading in the sense that I "know" what people are thinking about me and on the other hand I do not mind-read enough and end up making a situation worse. It has stopped me from pursuing new jobs, new relationships and even slowed me down in my class work because of the belief that a professor will not like my work as much and I tell me self, "what's the point?"

One of the biggest ways to over come this thinking is to work on your self consciousness and even work on you timidity. This makes sense to me, if we work on the thought that "You know what? Not everybody is going to like me, why do I need to worry about this?" I think myself is missing the point that my self confidence can be so low that it actually stops me from taking a risk or even being friendly to someone. It is not a healthy mind set to worry about the negative feelings that people can have towards you and it is important to work on getting your confidence levels up so you can perform at your best. http://www.anxietyguru.net/if-you-dont-stop-mind-reading-now-youll-hate-yourself-later/

Why was lobotomy used to treat mood and anxiety disorders, such as, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia? What did Dr. Freeman believe the lobotomy did to the brain that would cure these patients? Why did the popularity decline?

Dr. Freeman believed that an overload of emotions led to mental illness. He believed that cutting certain nerves in the brain could eliminate much emotion. This, in turn, would stabilize a personality. A lobotomy focused on the prefrontal cortex. It would alter the physical state of the cortex, or even sever nerve fibers. These nerve fibers that were cut were often the two bundles that connected the prefrontal cortex to the thalamus. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making, reasoning, understanding, and personality expression. The thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory information. Dr. Freeman believed that by altering these portions of the brain, the personality of the person could be changed or stabilized.

In many cases they were a “success”. By success, I am referring to reports stating that the patient felt less intense emotions, felt less anxious, and less paranoid. However, there were many cases in which lobotomies were performed unnecessarily. In addition, risks ran high with this procedure. A famous incident of this surgery gone wrong is when Dr. Freeman performed a lobotomy on President John F. Kennedy's sister, Rosemary. The operation left her incapacitated at the age of 23. She lived the remainder of her life in an institution. Other risks included infection, bleeding, seizures, a child-like mentality, and even death. These all contributed to the decline of the use of lobotomies. As well as the introduction of anti-psychotic drugs to treat patients with such disorders. These were often called “Chemical Lobotomies”.

Sources:

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/03/21/the-surprising-history-of-the-lobotomy/

http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2007/07/24/inventing-the-lobotomy/

http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/what-is-a-lobotomy

What is the modified form of lobotomy?

The bilateral cingulotomy is now the modified version of the lobotomy. Aside from treating mental illnesses, the surgery is now used to help relieve the pain of cancer patients.  Like the lobotomy, the surgery should only be used in extreme cases. Doctors still prefer that use of all non- surgical treatments should be attempted before trying this out. Luckily, the procedure isn't as aggressively blind as it used to be. The surgeons use stereotactic magnetic resonance imaging, which is a process used by computers. This technique allows the surgeons to see where they are guiding the electrode. The electrical currents burns in a small lesion. There is also an option where a mama knife sends beams of radiation towards the brain, and a lesion is formed.   Once again, the best option is trial and error of non-surgical treatments before opting to such an extensive and life threatening surgery. 


http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Trans-orbital+lobotomy

How Do You Keep College Students Engaged In the Classroom?

As college turns more to a "serve us" mentality, rather than the service mentality, the questions keep coming up "How do you keep college students engaged in class?" After sitting through some pretty bad lecture classes and some times even worse lab classes, the realty of the situation is students are becoming bored in class and quickly losing interest in the material presented in class. More and more students are bringing laptops to class to surf the web or skipping class altogether. As the culture of what is acceptable in class it is always a battle between bored students and the professor. How do professors help keep students engaged throughout a class? Here are some helpful tips that I found that can help keep the classroom fun and interactive:

• Jigsaw group problems/questions/puzzles
• Class worksheets, individual or group
• Given a table of data/observations
  - interpret and analyze
  - find trends, generalize, make rules
• Students predict, instructor demonstrates, students observe and explain
• Students experiment and explain
• Multimedia/simulations: do and explain, predict and test, use or construct an animation or simulation
• Write a one-minute paper
• Discuss questions in a small group, report back to class
• Teach someone else what you have learned
• Group problem solving: work a difficult problem together

As you can see, I chose ones that had a group mentality and had a high amount of student interaction. I firmly believe that the more you have students interact the more learning that takes place inside the classroom and the more engaged your students become. If you are interested in knowing more check out the link below. https://apps.carleton.edu/campus/ltc/services/faculty_services/resources/tips/engaged/

What is a way to motivate college students to perform classroom activities?

Many college students become overwhelmed with college soon after school starts. Even the best students experience high levels of stress.  The best way to succeed in college is to motivate yourself through simple tasks, which will help to encourage others around you as well as increase classroom performance.  Being motivated and committed are two of the main concepts which help students to excel in a classroom setting and throughout college.  The strategies in which the Huffington Post explains are in four steps.  The first is to visualize the short-term and long-term benefits of achieving that goal/dream. The second is to create a healthy competition with yourself.  The third is to build in rewards for yourself along the way. Finally, have a theme song or a collection of theme songs to get you psyched about the opportunity and the process towards the goal. I tried over a weekend to use these strategies to complete two separate classroom assignments.  I began by using my short term goal as saying I did not want to busy myself with work  all week or at the last minute. The goal was to finish all of the work over the weekend. My healthy was competition was being able to take a nap after a finished a portion of my work.  My reward was some type of snack that I had been craving.  Lastly, I did not use a theme song I just watched a tv show and when the show went off it was time to start my work. With these strategies, I was able to keep myself encouraged and finish all of my work. You can do it too!!!

www.huffingtonpost.com/sarina-tomel/how-to-motivate-yourself_b_3608373.html

How can a student get more motivated to learn in a class that isn't interesting to the individule?

By James Coulter
  Sometimes students take classes to fulfill their course requirements, and some people select certain classes because they are interested in learning more about a certain subject. But what happens when a student is enrolled in a course that they think is boring? My answer is that a student must learn to (adapt) to any class that they might have to take. All classes are not the same, but each class is unique in there own way. According to the source Big Future, "To succeed in high school and college, you have to do your best at all times; but sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated, even when you really care about the work you’re doing ." So as college students we need to be respectful to the professors at all times because they have a stressful job as well, and if a professor has a disrespecting student that acts out in a (childish) way; this type of attitude puts more stress on the teacher. I like my course KHP 509, I think the professor is very intelligent, and the class is filled with good information. I know college isn't easy but in the end it will all (pay) off.







                       https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get...classroom/tips-for-staying-motiva...

How do college students learn best? What are the best methods of teaching?

Engaged learning is the best way for students to learn regardless of their age.  Engaged learning involves group activites, projects, participation and as little isolated activity as possible.  Through research it is suggested that faculty members take the following steps when coming up with lessons:

Identify course objectives up front.
Emphasize concept relevance. Build in plenty of examples to explain each concept and relate new ideas to previously covered ones
Quiz students frequently. Give them regular assignments and tests so they can tell how well they're learning material.
Tie feedback to key concepts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQra4baNwP8&feature=player_embedded

Source: http://researchguides.dartmouth.edu/studentEngagement

Is fasting beneficial?

Fasting can be very beneficial to your health. However, it is important to keep in within context. I will refer to "fasting" as fasting two days a week. Less than this may not produce such high effects, and more than this may be detrimental to your body. One should always talk to a doctor before beginning to fast.
However, when done correctly, fasting offers a wide array of benefits. In the short term, one can get better sleep, gain clearer skin, lose weight, give digestive organs a break, and give the body a chance to detoxify.
In the longer term, there are even more benefits. Studies suggest that fasting can help people with cancer, as well as, reduce one's risk of developing cancer. It can also reduce the risk of diabetes. It can guard against heart disease and dementia. Fasting can help control Parkinson's diesase. And even help control asthma. The cardiovascular system greatly benefits from fasting.
In addition to physical benefits, someone who fasts may also feel betterr emotionally. They can feel calmer, clearer, happier, and refreshed.

http://www.allaboutfasting.com/benefits-of-fasting.html
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-16/lifestyle/sns-201301151500--tms--premhnstr--k-i20130116-20130116_1_mark-mattson-calorie-restriction-calorie-intake/3

Is art used as a part of treatment for mood and personality disorders?

Vincent Van Gough struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life. He was able to deal with his disorder and express himself through his art. How does art help one cope with such disorders? Is it used as a part of treatment today?
Art is used as a  treatment for bipolar disorder; these treatments are popular with children who struggle with the disorder, as it does not negatively impact the body. These treatments are favored because there are no hormones or chemicals involved.
Art can help a patient visualize their symptoms and express their feelings. This is ecspeically helpful because it is nonverbal. Many people  who sruggle with bipolar disorder also struggle to verbalize how they are feeling and what they are going through. This technique can be self-calming. It can also help raise their self-esteem and  feeling of self-worth. This is very important during their "low" periods.
Music is another form of art; rather auditory than visual. This treatment can also allow the patient to vent and release their energy and feelings. The music they make can stimulate good feelings such as pleasure, comfort, and self-esteem.

What affect does a parent suffering from bi-polar have on their children?

Parents suffering from bi-polar has a big affect on a child.  A child needs their parent there mentally and physically.  A parent may not be present enough for the child because they are having an episode.  A parent may push the child away.  Leaving the child without mental stability.  The child need their parent there for moral support.  When the parent suffering bi-polar is depressed, they may not be worried about if their child eats, drinks, has clean clothes to wear, if their homework is completed, etc.  The child may feel abandoned at this point.  There is no guidance.  If the parent commits suicide, the child could be traumatized.  The child may turn to drugs and alcohol.  Their behavior may be disturbing in school and with friends.  I think it can always help a child if there is another parent or adult figure in their lives to help them understand that what there other parent is going through is not their fault.

www.bipolardisorderscenters.com

How can one deny the supernatural associated with religions other than their own?

Imagine the following story:

• I was in my room one night.
• Suddenly, my room became exceedingly bright.
• Next thing I know there is an angel in my room.
• He tells me an amazing story.
• He says that there is a set of ancient golden plates buried in the side of a hill in New York.
• On them are the books of a lost race of Jewish people who inhabited North America.
• These plates bear inscriptions in the foreign language of these people.
• Eventually the angel leads me to the plates and lets me take them home.
• Even though the plates are in a foreign language, the angel helps me to decipher and translate them.
• Then the plates are taken up into heaven, never to be seen again.
• I have the book that I translated from the plates. It tells of amazing things -- an entire civilization of Jewish people living here in the United States 2,000 years ago.
• And the resurrected Jesus came and visited these people!
• I also showed the golden plates to a number of real people who are my eye witnesses, and I have their signed attestations that they did, in fact, see and touch the plates before the plates were taken up into heaven.

This is the story told by Joseph Smith, the creator of The Book of Mormon. Many people would read this story as a fairy tale as that is what it most aptly resembles, but Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions on the planet. No one outside of little kids believes in Santa. No one outside the Mormon church believes Joseph Smith's story. No one outside the Christian faith believes in Jesus' divinity, miracles, resurrection, etc. Your rational mind knows with certainty, yet 4 billion others believe in something different with that same certainty. 
http://www.talkorigins.org/origins/faqs-evolution.html  

how does the depression level of a mother affect the depression level of their child?

For many single mothers in the world, they may experience depression to some extent due to the substantial living situation that many single parent endure.  What many people don't know is that the same depression they endure can be environmentally picked up by their children and picked by the actions of the mother. Many people also don't realize that this does not only occur in single parents. The depression level of a married mother can also affect the depression level of their child. The depression that the mother is going through is called postpartum depression (PPD).  There are many symptoms such as:

• sadness
• hopelessness
• low self-esteem
• guilt
• exhaustion
• emptiness
• decreased sex drive
• low or no energy
• a feeling of being overwhelmed
• inability to be comforted

If any of these symptoms are notices or recognizable, they should be treated to immediately.   When a child is born, this is the most important time for the mother to spend and bond with their child as much as possible.  They are able to give the child a feeling of security an warmth.  If the mother is depressed, the connection between the mother and child are unstable and this could negatively affect the child's early development. PPD can lead to mothers being inconsistent with childcare and they often only focus on the negative parts of childcare and this results poorly for their relationship.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_depression

http://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/postpartum-care/postpartum-depression-affect-infants1.htm

how can vulnerability positively affect the mental health of a person?

When a person is vulnerable, they open themselves up to mental illnesses that most people don't even realize could occur.  At the same time, vulnerability can allow people to strengthen psychosocial skills and self-determination.  This can allow people to have a clear mind and a realization of reality giving them a decreased chance of ever inheriting a mental disorder.  Now for people who are already experiencing a mental disorder, they have their own set of vulnerabilities and risk.  These vulnerabilities can increase the likelihood of experiencing disability and premature mortality, social stigma and discrimination, social exclusion and impoverishment.





http://www.who.int/mental_health/mhgap/risks_to_mental_health_EN_27_08_12.pdf

What is the differenance between a vivid dream and a hallucinations?

There is a constant conversation and debate on defining the line between a hallucination and what is reality. Who are we (those outside the experience) to say the individual experiencing the hallucination is not experiencing some sort of reality. We do not know what is exactly going through that persons mind. How can we say they are suffering from a mental illness. Which then brought me to my question, if hallucination is not clearly define as a sense of reality, depending on who is experiencing such, then what is the difference between a vivid dream and a hallucination? As far as experiencing both, only the individual can really tell. But as far as a technical definition a dream is defined as which the dreamer knows he or she is sleeping and a hallucination is a false sensory perception occurring in the absence of any relative  external simulation of the sensory morality. So once again, the difference of the two is determinate upon the individual who is experiencing such. So will there ever be a clear defining line of mental health. I really think not.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinations_in_the_sane#Dreams_and_lucid_dreams

Is it healthy to exercise while fasting?

Exercise is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While fasting, it depends on how long you are fasting and what type of exercise you are attempting. It is more reasonable to consult a doctor or dietitian before beginning a fast. If the fast is less than 72 hours for a healthy adult should not hinder high intensity exercises at short bouts. As long as you are able to drink water, you should be fine. If the intensity is moderate exercise can be done longer, which may be more productive. As an athlete, consulting a coach or athletic trainer would be the best situation. Fasting helps maintain weight and keeps routine while exercising. Unfortunately, if you plan to have a long period of fasting, high intensity exercise is not recommended. Your body may not be able to handle the high intensity of moderate intensity for that matter. In all, it would be very helpful to take into account what type of fasting and exercise you want to do before beginning.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/500051-should-i-exercise-while-fasting/

What Can Fasting Do For Our Mental Health?

Fasting can be a strange, mysterious and for most people a new experience. When people usually think of fasting they think of strongly religious people sitting around in a quiet setting, sometimes doing chants and trying to become closer to a spiritual being.  Fasting can actually have a good effect on our mental health and when life gets busy, can give us a slight break to focus on certain aspects that may be dragging us down. I found it interesting that many people actually fast for many different reasons than being a religious person. People can fast to work on big projects or even writing papers. Fasting can also help us understand different emotional aspects of our lives that can become easily clouded. Fasting many times is used to clarify situations that may be hard to work through because it frees up the mind and allows for our thoughts to become more clear.
http://www.allaboutfasting.com/benefits-of-fasting.html

How specifically can hallucinations and delisons affect your mental and physical health?

Hallucinations and delusions are extremely detrimental to the mental and physical health for all individuals.  Because people with certain psych disorders typically have an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, there can be a variety of physical implications.  Some of these include:

- A blank, vacant facial expression. An inability to smile or express emotion through the face is so characteristic of the disease that it was given the name of affective flattening or a blunt affect.
- Overly acute senses- lights are too bright, sounds are too loud.
- Staring, while in deep thought, with infrequent blinking.
- Clumsy, inexact motor skills
- Sleep disturbances- insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Involuntary movements of the tongue or mouth (facial dyskinesias).
- Grimacing at the corners of the mouth with the facial muscles, or odd movements with the tongue.
- Parkinsonian type symptoms- rigidity, tremor, jerking arm movements, or involuntary movements of the limbs
- An awkward gait (how you walk)
- Eye movements- difficulty focusing on slow moving objects
- Unusual gestures or postures
- Movement is speeded up- i.e. constant pacing
- Movement is slowed down- staying in bed (in extreme cases, catatonia)

There are also various mental and emotional affects including:

- The inability to experience joy or pleasure from activities (called anhedonia)
- Sometimes feeling nothing at all
- Appearing desireless- seeking nothing, wanting nothing
- Feeling indifferent to important events
- Feeling detached from your own body (depersonalization)
- Hypersensitivity to criticism, insults, or hurt feelings

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_symptom.htm

How can someone open themselves up to be vulnerable in a relationship?

Being vulnerable is a very good concept, however, it can be hard. How can someone open themselves up to be vulnerable in a relationship?
In this case, I defined "relationship" as a romantic relationship. Dr. Ellen Wachtel gives several tips about opening up and being vulnerable with your partner.
First, and most importantly, you must accept who you are and your faults. Once you accept yourself, it becomes possible for others to accept you as well.
Do not "idealize" your partner. Accept that they are human, they have faults, and they make mistakes. This will allow you to gain a sense of togetherness. You will be more willing to open up, and have less fear of making mistakes. Once you realize that no one is perfect (even the people you love), you will be more willing to be vulnerable.
In addition, trust yourself and your decision to be with this person. Trust that they will accept you and love you for who you are. You must be confident in your decision to be with this person. Once you know that you care for this person, and they care for you, you can be sure that opening up will not cause them to run away. If you trust yourself, and trust your partner, you will be willing and able to open up about fear, feelings, stories, quirky facts, expectations, and open with all other things. You will be vulnerable.

"We Love Each Other But...". Dr. Ellen Wachtel. Golden Books. 1999.

Why is vulnerability considered to be such a weakness?

The most common way most of us hear the word vulnerable used is, "That country is vulnerable to attack" or "that defense is vulnerable to the pass". This is the way most people view vulnerability and explains why they choose to build walls around themselves as a defense mechanism. If an individual has no areas of vulnerability, they have no areas of weakness and cannot be hurt. Vulnerability involves having the courage to be your true self. However, many people are not happy with their true self, and that is a problem with self-esteem. Many people believe it easier to battle the risks of vulnerability than to overcome their problems with insecurities. The fear of being rejected while displaying your true self always hurts more because you know that person is rejecting you for you. Which scares most people.
http://stronginsideout.com/2013/01/28/vulnerability/

What other qualities can be connected to people who are ruled to be vulnerable?

Being vulnerable can be scary to most of us, but it is said to be a secret to intimacy. An expert in social connection stated, "Vulnerability here does not mean being weak or submissive. To the contrary, it implies the courage to be yourself. It involves uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Vulnerability is something we encounter frequently: calling someone who has just lost a child, asking a friend for help, taking responsibility for something that went wrong at work, confronting a family member about their behavior, or sitting by the bedside of a friend with a terminal illness. Opportunities for vulnerability present themselves to us every day, the question is whether we will take them." We fear vulnerability because we fear that if people can actually get exposed to the person we really are, that they will befriend us. She also stated that, "When people stick to the truth, not only does their well-being increase but their relationships improve also. Allowing ourselves to be completely open and vulnerable, we benefit, our relationships improve, and we may even become more attractive."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/feeling-it/201209/vulnerability-the-secret-intimacy

What else can reduce stress besides sleep & exercise?

People that are stressed try to find ways to help ease their troubles and sometimes those ways aren't helpful enough. When someone tries to just sleep it away sometimes this isn't helpful. There are also people who try to exercise and get more stressed out because that technique isn't used by them often. Other ways to cope with stress that can be easier than exercising is by trying guided imagery.  "Practicing guided imagery is a fun and simple way to take a break from stress, clarify what you want, and build optimism. It's a relatively quick pathway to mental peace." Another practice that is close to the same as imagery is trying self-hypnosis. "Self-hypnosis provides a simple and relaxing route to changing habits, relaxing your body, altering your thought patterns, and more. Because all of these can be stress relievers, self-hypnosis is well worth the effort."

http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/a/stressrelievers.htm

How effective is Tai Chi with stress reduction?

How Effective is Tai Chi with stress reduction?

   Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art.  The results of Tai Chi help with releasing energy, physical movement, meditation and breathing.  Tai Chi works on relaxing your nervous system, physical relaxation with releasing energy (breathing), emotional relaxation and mental relaxation.  All these items tie into stress/stress reducers.  After having a taste of Tai Chi, I can see where it can help with stress.  I was a little more relaxed after the short lesson.  My shoulders were not as tense as they usually are.  So for myself, I believe that Tai Chi is an effective stress reducer. 


www.hindawi.com/journals/com.2012

How Do I Know If I Am In Control of My Stress?

Stress can occur at many levels. Whether at work, school, home or even while you're out enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. When people become stressed they can respond in many different way, one can either fly off the handles from the most little stressor or can keep themselves cool and collected while the stress piles on them. Stress is always bound to happen, it can been seen coming a mile away or can sneak up quickly. Knowing if you are in control of your stress is an important thing to know and understand. here are some simple steps to help you understand if you are in control of your stress.

- A support network
- A sense of control
- An attitude and outlook
- Your ability to deal with emotions.
- Your knowledge and preparation

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm

Does being courageous increase mental well-being?

The idea of being courageous uses the phrase of being mentally and emotionally prepared.  According to essential life skills, courage is not something you are born with, but something that can be taught  to someone.  In this case, if people are taught to be courageous then their mental well-being will follow.  Courage is the ability to confront so if people are taught to be courageous, they will be able to handle certain issues.  Issues may be danger, fear, pain, or uncertainty.  Courage develops empowerment of self, and is a "psychological muscle."  In conclusion, being courageous does increase mental well-being. 

http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/courage.html

What is the best scale/source to test your stress level?

After much research, there is not necessarily a "best" option to test your stress level, however there are a variety of types of tests/scales to choose from.  Depending on your type of stress, each scale can vary from individual to individual.  Listed below are the links to some of the different types of stress tests, which can help you in assessing your needs regarding stress management.

Holmes-Rahe Scale: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_82.htm

Depression/Anxiety Stress Scales: http://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/groups/dass/

Percieved Stress Scale:
http://www.mindgarden.com/products/pss.htm

MacArthur SES:
http://www.macses.ucsf.edu/research/psychosocial/stress.php

Life Change Index Scale:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~eap/library/lifechangestresstest.pdf

Life Event Stress Scale:
http://www.pluk.org/training/Stress_Management.pdf

How to make stress your friend?

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal believes stress is only a bad thing if we perceive it to be. She states that if people do not view their stress in a negative way then it will not have a negative affect. She states that when people are introduced to a stressful situation your heart pounds, your breathing quickens and your forehead may sweat but this is just the way your body prepares you to face the problem you are facing.
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html

Stress seems to be a reoccuring issue in our class. How can this affect our overall health?

Stress can have a huge impact on your health. The stress response of the body can have negative impacts on the body, including but not limited to, headaches, muscle pain, chest pain, fatigue, upset stomach, and sleep problems. The body also releases hormones as a fight-or-flight response, these chemicals, such as cortisol, can raise blood sugar, and blood pressure. Stress can also lead to long-term health problems. These include heart disease, obesity, digestive problems, skin problems, and autoimmune diseases.
Stress can also effect your mood. These include restlessness, lack of motivation. lack of focus, depression, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. These effects on your mood can cause problems with inter-personal relationships.
Stress can also effect your behavior by causing over or under-eating, drug or alcohol abuse, angry outbursts, tobacco use, and social withdrawal. These behaviors affect emotional, mental, and social health.
Stress is a common problem in today's society, however, when untreated or ignored, can cause serious physical, emotional, social, and mental health consequences.


http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-symptoms/SR00008_D
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/28/7-surprising-ways-stress-affects-your-health/

Even when your own life is facing multiple obstacles, is is possible to uplift your own joy purely by helping others?

This question was arose during the presentation of one of my classmates during class. It did so in the manor of the professor asking the class if helping others in this manor can truly lead to and benefits of health roles in your self. It was answered by the statement of "Well the whole point in doing the Personal Growth Project was to change something in your life and do it for the betterment your happiness. And if helping others truly made yourself happy then it was a good project to pursue." This then leads to the golden question of "Does mental health and improvement lead to improvements in physically health?" And to find any evidence of such one must dive into specifics and in the perspective of volunteering. I know for myself as I volunteered for community service through my fraternity on one early Saturday morning, I was energized and felt great through out the day, and even week after. Knowing that I had sacrificed my Saturday morning sleep to help children of autism is one of the best things I've done. It nearly eliminated my physical tiredness and I felt great physically. So yes I do believe that helping others out of the kindness of your heart can lead to physical health improvements.


http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/FeatureArticles/Contributors/Improve-Your-Health-by-Volunteering.html