MEET OUR CERTIFIED COUNSELOR Dwight Bain, LMHC, NCC, CLC
		Dwight Bain has guided thousands of people through challenging times as an Author, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Leadership Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and former Family Law Mediator in clinical practice since 1984. You can solve the stress with a skilled guide who can map out your next step through major change. With over 54,000 hours of face-to-face counseling and coaching experience, Dwight is equipped to create a growth plan to guide you past the pressure toward greater purpose and fulfillment. He has spoken to thousands of groups and teaches thousands of counselors the principles of creating positive change as a speaker equipping professionals through organizations like the American Counseling Association, Liberty University and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. He is one of the leading national trainers in the field of community crisis management through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and has worked to help rebuild stability after national disasters like the Columbine and Sandy Hook School Shootings, Hurricane Katrina, the Orlando Pulse Terrorist Attack and the devastation in New York City after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 where he worked with a team helping first responders.  Learn more about Dwight.

How Mental Wellness creates the Mental Toughness you need to grow beyond post-pandemic stress

COVID-19 will end and two groups will emerge. The mentally focused and resilient, and those who are mentally exhausted and depleted. One group will thrive and move forward in strength, while the other group struggle to manage basic life issues and just survive. Which group will you be in?

The pandemic has been exhausting for everyone, but some don't seem as impacted because they understand the connection between the physical/ mental/ social/ spiritual/ relational spheres of life. Resiliency and mental toughness require disciplined habits in each of these areas, yet one of the most ignored and overlooked during this prolonged crisis is mental health. Just as you would not ignore a broken bone, wisdom says one should not ignore a wounded soul which sadly is common among first responders. Neuroscientists now understand how continual exposure to trauma impacts our overall health, which is why many crisis management teams follow a holistic model of care connecting the body and soul and spirit for continual energy and strength.

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”- World Health Organization, 2006

Special forces teams who face continual stress understand the goal is to achieve total health in all categories. Skipping the mental health impact of trauma can lead to chronic physical health problems which are more likely to ripple into other types of health problems. One study done in England revealed how long-term physical conditions like chronic pain could increase the likelihood of developing a mental health problem by seven times.

This sadly leads to early death because two-thirds of people with serious mental health problems will die prematurely from a treatable physical health condition. It’s a vicious cycle. Untreated mental health leads shorten life for many and the quality of life for more. That’s why more and more people are talking about the need for mental health instead of mental illness, which is the most important first step toward total wellness.

Consider athletes like Olympic champion Michael Phelps or NBA legend Metta World Peace (the former Ron Artest) speaking openly about how they used counseling to gain mental strength for competition. Add that to a growing number of respected film, television, radio and media professionals talking about how they value their own mental health, and why they go to counseling to keep their life, relationships and career healthy. Listen to the common sense advice from actor Kerry Washington in an interview with Glamour magazine, “I think it's really important to take the stigma away from mental health. My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don't know why I wouldn't seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth. I go to the dentist. So why wouldn't I go to a shrink?"

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Want to learn more? Check out sleep research from: Stanford University Sleep Disorders Clinic, www.Docparsley.com, www.WebMd.com, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, www.SleepEducation.org and www. thesleepdoctor.com

Strategies from Dwight Bain, founder of The LifeWorks Group in Orlando, FL. Follow him on social @DwightBain

Psychological benefits of Pet Ownership

Loneliness may be one of the hardest parts of social distancing during COVID-19 since people have limited access to co-workers, friends, or family. How can you feel connected when absent from your support system? One way is to enjoy the companionship of pets to avoid feelings of isolation which can elevate stress and weaken immunity.

Research shows that pets, particularly cats and dogs can reduce emotional pressure, anxiety, and depression. A four-legged friend can benefit you in other ways. For instance, walking a dog encourage exercise, boosts cardiovascular health, stimulates muscles, gets you out into sunshine for a dose of vitamin D, gives you a chance to wave at the neighbors, all while encouraging owners to exercise which is another proven way to remove negative emotions.  

Studies have shown pet owners gain physically as well as emotionally. One experiment by the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction found people who walked their dogs five days per week lost almost 15 pounds per year with no changes to diet. 

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Dwight Bain is a Nationally Certified Counselor who writes on managing crisis to create positive change. He lives in Orlando with his wife, two kids and four cats. Follow him @DwightBain or visit www.DwightBain.com