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Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Depression CBTDenver Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Depression CBTDenver

Stretching Distress Tolerance

It is natural to want to avoid unpleasant or uncomfortable feelings and physical sensations, to think of them negatively, or to try to make them go away. For example, if I feel embarrassed, I might think, “I hate feeling this way.” Or, if I feel anxious or am in physical pain, I might think, “This feels awful. I need it to go away.”

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Chronic Pain, Depression, Anxiety CBTDenver Chronic Pain, Depression, Anxiety CBTDenver

Decrease Reactivity: Pause and Tune Into Internal Experience

Emotional reactivity refers to the frequency and intensity of emotional arousal. It includes the threshold and ease with which someone becomes emotionally aroused and the intensity of emotional experiences. For example, someone who becomes irritable very quickly and easily and experiences high irritability may be emotionally reactive.

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Depression CBTDenver Depression CBTDenver

The Health Benefits of Having a Pet

Ask any animal lover, and they will likely tell you that having a pet benefits their health and well-being. Nonetheless, the benefits of pets are more than just anecdotal. Pets positively impact health including decreasing cortisol, lowering blood pressure, reducing loneliness, and improving mood.

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Depression CBTDenver Depression CBTDenver

The Power of Relationships

Social connections can lower anxiety and depression, boost immunity, and may even lengthen lifespan. The reverse is also true. Loneliness can decrease a sense of contentment, disrupt sleep, increase cortisol (a stress hormone), and elevate blood pressure. Positive relationships are a primary contributor to health, happiness, and longevity.

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Depression CBTDenver Depression CBTDenver

CBT for Joy

Exercise not only reduces depression and improves physical health but it can also increase joy! Certain physical movements that mimic "joyful movements" can generate those same positive emotions even in the absence of those events.

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