 Even mental health counselors need to manage our mental health, and one of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day is to snuggle my pets and watch some relaxing videos.
That being said, here are five of my favorite channels and what I love about them. I hope you like them, too! Midwest Magic Cleaning - YouTube What I love about this channel: The content creator has so much compassion for people with mental health issues, health conditions, or disabilities that have contributed to their homes becoming extremely messy, especially those homes where the occupants have been hoarding. He discloses in his videos that he’s been diagnosed with autism, and enjoys cleaning and organizing - for FREE for these people who need his services. Sometimes there are curse words, so this may not be suitable for children. Tasting History with Max Miller - YouTube What I love about this channel: Max Miller started his videos while laid off from his job during the pandemic. He combined his love of history with his love of cooking, and voila! He now has a huge following across several social media platforms. He does an excellent job on research and never delves into politics. He makes me want to cook more! (And yes, I bought his cookbook!) Nerdforge - YouTube What I love about this channel: These creators have amazing talent! The first video I ever watched was the one where they made the book cover for The Lord of the Rings, and I’ve been hooked since. They are not afraid to try anything, and show how they do it. Not all videos may be suitable for children. Mountain Rug Cleaning - YouTube What I love about this channel: There’s just something so satisfying about seeing those dirty carpets come so clean. I know, it sounds boring, right? For some of us, though, the white noise of the rhythmic machines and water spraying combined with the slow, repetitive motion of the cleaning is just so soothing. Ze Frank - YouTube What I love about this channel: When I just want to laugh at inappropriate jokes while learning something new, Ze Frank is the go-to guy. His True Facts and Creepy Dave videos get me giggling at the adolescent humor. DEFINITELY not for kids, as these videos are peppered with innuendo. If you have kids and want to share the educational content, though, he does have a playlist for younger audiences. Here’s hoping one or more of the above channels will help you relax, destress, and/or lower your anxiety, too. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite video channels are, and I may use them in an upcoming post. Heidi Jameson, LMHC is the founder of The Mangroves Seeds of Change, LLC. You can read more about her here.
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 Through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), clients are taught “distress tolerance skills”, which are designed, with practice, to help a client lower their overall stress response to upsetting events or reminders. One small part of the distress tolerance puzzle is the category “Activities”. Activities for distress tolerance can be anything that requires the client to think about what they’re doing, or to focus on the task. These activities can be work- or school-oriented, like preparing a presentation or doing homework; chore-related, such as cleaning tasks in the house; or recreational.
In my work with teens and young adults, I’ve discovered that many seem to be missing one of the five basic human needs (according to Glasser): FUN. With that in mind, I’ve developed ways to incorporate fun activities not only into client sessions, but also into client “homework”. When the DBT skill of doing an activity is combined with meeting the Choice Theory/Reality Therapy’s basic need for fun, clients seem to be more actively engaged in sessions. They have something to look at and something to do with their hands, which can put them more at ease, especially in the first few meetings when we’re just getting to know each other. Of course, not every session can be fun. We are sometimes discussing serious and highly personal issues that must be handled appropriately, and in these sessions, I work carefully with clients to help them describe and process their experiences and emotions. We then work together, at the client’s pace, to learn and use the appropriate coping skills for their individual situation. The activities my clients and I do will vary based on the client’s interests, their treatment goals, and on whether we are meeting in person or by video. Below is a list of activities some of my clients have enjoyed both during and after sessions. Please let me know in the comments what you would add to this list, and as always, if you live in Florida and would like to make an appointment, please call or text 863-268-5802 for a free 15 minute consultation. Fun & Functional Activities:
Heidi Jameson, LMHC is the founder of The Mangroves Seeds of Change, LLC. You can read more about her here. |
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