Cognitive-behavioural therapy (a form of psychotherapy or talk therapy) can be quite effective for improving our mental health and, indirectly, our physical and spiritual health as well. It has proven helpful for lowering stress, decreasing anxiety (heightened fear), quitting smoking, losing weight, lifting depression, managing diabetes and many other challenges we face in life. Mainstream Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has two main components. The cognitive component helps people examine and change negative thinking patterns or what I like to call “Stink’n Think’n”. Through a process of positive reframing we can gradually shift negative thought patterns into increasingly more positive ones. The underlying premise of the theory is that our cognitions or thoughts strongly influence our affective or emotional state which, in turn, directly drives our behaviours or actions.

Interesting Facts

Eight in ten Canadians (81%) strongly agree that taking steps to ensure good mental health is just as important as taking steps to be physically fit.
- Ipsos-Reid, May 2005
The average length of time it takes someone on a mental health leave to return to full-time work is 40 days, but for many it can take years.
- Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addictions and Mental Health, 2004
46.9% of Canadians say they are overweight or obese.
- Healthy Canadians - A Federal Report on Comparable Health Indicators, 2004

52 Proven Stress Reducers

-Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning.  The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.
-Prepare for the morning the evening before.   Set the breakfast table, make lunches, put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc.
-Don't rely on your memory.  Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc.