HOW TO USE SELF-AWARENESS TO BECOME BETTER VERSIONS OF OURSELVES

And at the same time better relate to others.

Answering the simple question, “Who are you?” is often complicated. Depending on the context of the conversation, you might respond with a fact about yourself, an aspect of your worldview, some adjectives, a series of letters or a single number.

But who are you, really? Without the context.

The question is big, and the answers highly individualized, especially in Western culture.

The journey to knowing ourselves starts “the moment we start to have awareness of self,” said Nadine Hanchar, a Victoria, British Columbia-based counselor and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Trainer.

Early-on in development, we start gaining self-awareness through steps like recognizing our face in the mirror, which happens during the toddler years. As we grow and change, we also grow in our self-awareness. Hanchar has noticed individuals wanting to dive deeper in knowing themselves during the working years of life.

“I think there are more people age 25–65 that are ready to explore self-awareness,” Hanchar said, adding, anyone at any age can benefit from learning more about themselves through avenues like taking a personality test.

Why do we seek to know more about who we are? Experts say we’re wired for wanting a deeper understanding of ourselves, so we can work to become better versions of who we are and better relate to others.

“It’s kind of like our fascination with a mirror,” said Oklahoma City-based Clinical Psychotherapist Kevon Owen. “As people, we want to know how we look to others. [We] want to know if there’s an explanation for why we are the way we are. Strangely enough, we want to be unique individuals, but we want to know we can experience the connection that comes through being understood.”

Kevon Owen is a contributing author to this article. For the complete article please click this link.



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7 Tips for Worrying Less

But what exactly is worrying?

Worry is defined as distress caused by something that you might possibly experience in the future. The object of worry could be anything from a presentation you have to give in 30 minutes to developing a serious health condition 20 years from now.
While there’s no way to completely rid yourself of these thoughts, it is possible to significantly reduce their negative effects.
Here are seven tips to keep in your back pocket for keeping your worries under control.

1. Try mindfulness meditation

Practicing mindfulness meditation involves focusing your attention on the present moment. This can help tame racing thoughts. Clinical psychotherapist Kevon Owen explains that mindfulness meditation is “designed to take you out of your mind.”
The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, follow these steps:

1. Find a quiet place where you can relax comfortably.
2. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
3. Notice your thoughts without passing judgement on them.
4. Gently return to your usual pattern of breathing.
5. Continue letting your thoughts pass for 10 minutes while you sit comfortable with your eyes closed.

Kevon Owen is a contributing writer in this article. It is available to read at this link.



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Working while mourning: How to grieve when you're on the job

Grief is an unpredictable and unavoidable part of life. Mental health experts share coping strategies for mourning when curling up in bed isn't an option.

May 16, 2019, 12:02 PM CDT

By Nicole Spector

In early January, just days after we’d said our post-holiday goodbyes, my husband’s Aunt Alice passed away. We’d become very close and her sudden death brought me to me knees, and then right into a fetal position. Three weeks later, my Uncle Randy died out of nowhere of a heart attack. This loss too, doubled me over and rendered me completely unable to do much of anything.

As a freelancer I was able to take as much time off as I needed, but because I felt it could be potentially harmful to my career and finances to just go off the grid, I took just a couple days and then flung myself right back into the hustle.

I managed, but honestly I think I did OK because, although I was close to my loved ones who passed, our lives were not inextricably woven together. I hadn’t lost a child, a parent or a spouse.

What would I have done in the wake of a more severe loss? More pointedly: How would I have even been able to grieve and be productive at the same time?

There’s no strict answer to this, and it may be such that you just can’t work after a traumatic loss; but in talking with mental health experts and folks who have lost loved ones while working, I’ve learned that there are ways to manage grieving on the job.

Kevon Owen Christian Clinical Psychotherapist is a contributing writer in this article. To view the article please click this link. https://nbcnews.to/2X06jFW

How Depression And Anxiety Counseling Can Help

Therapist comforting her patient while in session

Most people will experience a tough stage of life at one time or another. Many people are in a constant state of struggle, while some deal with depression and anxiety due to a specific situation or circumstance. Fortunately, there is not the social stigma attached to depression and anxiety that there once was. Public campaigns and initiatives to spread awareness have brought the disease into the limelight, and it means that people aren’t as afraid to admit they need help and to seek it out. Depression and anxiety therapy is an effective means of treatment by attempting to get to its root cause. Christian clinical psychotherapist, Kevon Owen, has helped hundreds of individuals triumph over their depression and anxiety.

Life Challenges Abound

Kevon Owen is tuned in to the many challenges that young people face throughout their lives. From the pressures of entering adulthood and school to challenges in love and the workplace, Owen has helped people deal with a myriad of issues that cause them emotional stress. 
While all ages and stages of life are marked by challenges, from 18 to 30 carries a significant number of life changes. Adulthood, first loves, entering the workforce and starting a family can bring people’s feelings of anxiety and depression to the forefront. For those in need of depression and anxiety therapy Edmond Oklahoma, Kevon Owen can help empower them through self awareness and guidance.

Faith

Owen puts a lot of emphasis on faith and its power to provide guidance through times of tribulation. What Owen sees a lot of are people who are lost and struggling due to a loss of faith. Whether that loss has occurred slowly over time or is the result of suffering a tragedy and questioning God’s place in their life, Owen helps people find their way back to their lost faith when they need it the most. 

Emotional Triggers

Through counseling, people can delve into the root of why they are feeling the way they do, as well as figuring out what types of events, situations, feelings and people bring about those feelings of depression and anxiety the most. Once those triggers are determined, it can help people regulate their responses and emotions better. Depression and anxiety counseling Jones Oklahoma can help those suffering from anxiety and depression. Not only can these struggles impact a person’s emotional and physical health, if left untreated, it can start to affect a person’s relationships and can result in the loss of crucial support systems.

Kevon Owen, depression and anxiety therapy oklahoma city oklahoma, has built up a solid reputation as a psychotherapist with the potential to heal. Through depression and anxiety therapy, Owen works with his patients to regain control of their emotions and their lives. Through empowerment, Owen tries to help people who have lost their faith, who are dealing with the stresses of life such as becoming an adult or navigating relationships, by getting to the root of their problems and analyzing what their emotional triggers are and why.



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How To Not Suck At Dating

No matter how much you think you suck at dating, there’s always room for improvement. It’s like anything in life — the more you work at it, the better you get.

And the more efficient you are at dating, the more you’ll enjoy it, regardless of whether you class your dates themselves as successful. (But really, all dates are successful when you make the right choices, because saying no to a second date with the wrong person frees you up to find the right one!)

We spoke to eight relationship experts to get the best dating advice, and here's what they have to say about revolutionizing your dating approach.

The article referred to above features Kevon Owen Christian Clinical Psychotherapist as a contributor. The entire article is available at this link. http://bit.ly/2Q2vntD

How Much Screen Time Should You Let Your Kids Have on Vacation?

Screen time on vacation is a hot topic amongst parents. As much as I love the idea of no screen time, I also know my two-high energy boys are prone to fighting—especially after a long day—and sometimes the only way I can actually get to relax (it’s my vacation, too), is by giving each child their iPad (with headphones). Plus, it’s a good way for them to unwind after a long day of snorkeling, skiing, hiking, biking or whatever that day’s activity was. We talked to a few experts and other parents to see how to best handle screen time on vacation.

Kevon Owen is a contributor in this article which can be found at this link. https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/how-much-screen-time-should-you-let-your-kids-have-on-vacation/art/

The post How Much Screen Time Should You Let Your Kids Have on Vacation? appeared first on Kevon Owen, Christian Counseling Clinical Psychotherapist.

How Much Screen Time Should You Let Your Kids Have on Vacation?

Screen time on vacation is a hot topic amongst parents. As much as I love the idea of no screen time, I also know my two-high energy boys are prone to fighting—especially after a long day—and sometimes the only way I can actually get to relax (it’s my vacation, too), is by giving each child their iPad (with headphones). Plus, it’s a good way for them to unwind after a long day of snorkeling, skiing, hiking, biking or whatever that day’s activity was. We talked to a few experts and other parents to see how to best handle screen time on vacation. Kevon Owen is a contributor in this article which can be found at this link. https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/how-much-screen-time-should-you-let-your-kids-have-on-vacation/art/