Adjust Your Crown: 3 Beyonce Hits to Lift Your Mood and Confidence

Home » Blog » Adjust Your Crown: 3 Beyonce Hits to Lift Your Mood and Confidence

Adjust Your Crown: 3 Beyonce Hits to Lift Your Mood and Confidence

March 8, 2024 | Naweh Diggs, LMSW | 5 min. read

As women, we face numerous challenges while traversing through life.

Oftentimes, societal expectations can impact our self-perception significantly. We are expected to maintain a certain appearance, speak in a particular manner, dress in ways that please others, and so on. This pressure can often lead to losing our identity and feeling hollow. Luckily, there is a prominent figure in our culture who has openly discussed facing similar struggles. She is known as Queen B, the Queen, or simply Beyonce. Below are her songs that discuss this topic:

Song 1: “Diva”

I’ma a diva, I’ma Ima a diva! If you are facing challenges in the workplace or struggling with self esteem, this song is a perfect fit for you. It emphasizes the importance of affirming yourself with positive words, recognizing your abilities and reaching deep for your inner strength for achieving success. It serves as a reminder to acknowledge your past achievements and realize the potential within you.

3 Songs to Lift Your Mood and Confidence | OMHG Blog

Song 2: “Schooling Life”

This song is quite possibly one of Beyonce’s most overlooked tracks. It delves into the idea of embracing life wholeheartedly and discussing the various phases one may encounter in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. In this song, Beyonce urges women to seize opportunities without dwelling on regrets, while emphasizing the abundance of experiences waiting to be had. The song also empowers women by affirming that their dreams and aspirations will eventually come to fruition.

Song 3: “You Can’t Break My Soul”

At times, life might push you to the brink, and the judgments of others can exacerbate those feelings. This song emphasizes the importance of not letting anyone or anything shatter you. Beyonce shares how she rediscovered herself and rebuilt herself on a solid foundation. It’s all about living the life you’ve built for yourself free from others’ opinions and criticisms.

Conclusion

To conclude, always trust in the inner strength you possess. Acknowledge and cherish the treasures and beauty that lie within you. Additionally, recognize your humanity and accept that your emotions may fluctuate daily. In those moments, simply play one of these songs and regain that empowering feeling!

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Mindful Lyrics: Exploring Hip Hop’s Therapeutic Effects

Home » Blog » Mindful Lyrics: Exploring Hip Hop’s Therapeutic Effects

Mindful Lyrics: Exploring Hip Hop’s Therapeutic Effects

March 6, 2024 | Naweh Diggs, LMSW | 7 min. read

In the past 50 years, hip-hop has risen to become one of the most influential genres globally.

Originating in the Bronx, NYC, this genre has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Its impact on fashion, mindset, television, and politics is undeniable. However, beyond its cultural significance, hip-hop has also shown promising therapeutic effects for addressing depression and anxiety, particularly among Black youth.

Many young individuals today grapple with the challenges of depression and anxiety. The pressures of academic performance, parental expectations, peer influences, and personal aspirations can create a heavy burden on the shoulders of the youth.

Mindful Lyrics Exploring Hip Hop's Therapeutic Effects | OMHG Blog

In an era of unparalleled connectivity through the internet, social challenges are amplified, leading to unrealistic standards and expectations. In such a landscape, providing an outlet for expression that offers an avenue for young people to connect with others authentically and discover their true selves is crucial.

The Healing Power of Lyrics

Hip-hop, with its raw and honest lyricism, provides a unique avenue for individuals to express their innermost thoughts and emotions. The genre’s lyrical content often delves into personal struggles, societal issues, and the raw realities of life. Through identifying with these lyrics, listeners can feel understood and validated in their own experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance.

The act of listening to hip-hop music can be cathartic, allowing listeners to release pent-up emotions and find solace in the relatability of the lyrics. Moreover, many artists within the hip-hop community openly discuss mental health struggles, breaking the stigma surrounding these issues and encouraging open conversations about mental well-being.

Empowerment Through Music

Beyond serving as a form of emotional release, hip-hop empowers individuals by instilling a sense of resilience and perseverance. Many hip-hop songs carry messages of self-empowerment, encouraging listeners to overcome obstacles, embrace their uniqueness, and strive for personal growth. Such positive affirmations can be particularly uplifting for young individuals navigating the complexities of adolescence.

Moreover, the rhythmic beats and infectious energy of hip-hop music have a transformative effect on mood and mindset. The genre’s dynamic soundscapes can uplift spirits, boost confidence, and ignite a sense of motivation. Whether through introspective ballads or high-energy anthems, hip-hop has the power to uplift, inspire, and energize its listeners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hip-hop’s therapeutic effects on depression and anxiety among youth are a testament to the genre’s profound impact. Overall, Hip Hop remains a foundational element in American culture and shows no signs of disappearing any time soon. With a diverse range of artists like J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Rod Wave, Chika, and Juice World discussing social injustices and mental health issues, hip-hop serves as a medium through which many young individuals relate and connect. Additionally, it provides a platform for complete creative expression, personal development, and empathy. Encouraging young people to use hip-hop as an outlet for releasing emotions like anxiety and depression could have a transformative impact on our society at large.

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Social Media Misdiagnosis

Home » Blog » Social Media Misdiagnosis

Social Media Misdiagnosis

February 7, 2024 | Vanessa Buonopane, Psy.D. | 7 min. read

TikTok. Instagram. YouTube. What do all of these social media platforms have in common? They are wonderful for getting mass amounts of information out to people. One type of information provided is information related to mental health.

Although this is a great way to educate people on mental health disorders, it can also lead to self-diagnosis and, often, misdiagnosis.

Social Media Misdiagnosis OMHG Blog

So, what’s the problem?

While mental health clinicians want people to learn about their diagnoses and connect with others who share similar experiences, we also want you to take in accurate information about mental health diagnoses. One study examined the reach and accuracy of information on autism on TikTok, finding that “videos associated with the #Autism hashtag accrued 11.5 billion views collectively. An examination of the top 133 videos providing informational content on autism…showed that 27% of the videos were classified as accurate, while 41% were classified as inaccurate and 32% as overgeneralized. Videos created by healthcare professionals were more likely to include accurate information” (Aragon-Guevara, Castle, Sheridan, and Vivanti, 2023).

For instance, numerous individuals come into our office for psychological evaluations to determine if they have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) after stating they are having problems with attention and concentration in school, at work, at home, and/or in public settings. While there is a portion of people who legitimately meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, many individuals’ difficulties with attention and concentration might be linked to other concerns, such as depression and anxiety (Note: Check out this article for more information on ADHD).

If you or someone you know believes that they identify with a diagnosis on social media but are not formally diagnosed, it can be helpful to encourage the individual to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine if they meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis.

It is important to note that not all symptoms are clinical, meaning we all experience normal ups and downs in life that do not constitute a mental health diagnosis. You can have normal anxiety when giving a presentation and not be diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder. Similarly, you can have a bad day and not meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. When it comes to diagnosing, individuals must meet a certain number of the clinical criteria and, in some cases, those symptoms must be present for specific time periods. They must also cause significant distress in a variety of areas, such as at home, work/school, and in social settings.

Ultimately, social media is not all bad, as it has provided platforms for discussing mental health and has made great strides for “visibility, reducing stigma, and helping people gain the insight they may have no other way to access.” For some people, social media has helped them feel less alone. When attempting to understand yourself or your child, the best thing to do is seek professional help and do your research on more than social media (e.g., research articles, academic/educational websites, and government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health).

References:

Aragon-Guevara, D., Castle, G., Sheridan, E. et al. The Reach and Accuracy of Information on Autism on TikTok. J Autism Dev Disord (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06084-6 

https://www.verywellmind.com/people-are-using-social-media-to-self-diagnose-5217072 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/20/tech/tiktok-self-diagnosis-mental-health-wellness/index.html 

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