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What are the 7 stages of grief

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Grief is a set of emotions including a person’s or a situation’s perceived loss, as well as any incident that alters a person’s physical, emotional, or spiritual reaction to the world around them. Other than death, we can grieve for a variety of causes. When we lose a job, a relationship, an opportunity, our health, our safety or security, our independence, our hope for the future, and many other things, we can grieve. In this blog, I will discuss 7 stages of grief that normally people pass through.

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Shock

Shock (or emotional numbness) is the first stage of grief that follows a loss. The experience of shock can last from a few minutes to a few weeks or months. Shock is a defence mechanism that affects the mind and body, preventing you from processing all your feelings at once so you can recover. Shock acts as an emotional buffer to protect you from the reality of loss until you’re ready to deal with it.

Symptoms include:

Denial

Denial is the first stage of grief and it’s a type of protection for your mind. It allows you to escape from the painful reality of what has happened so that you can begin to cope. Even if it feels like denial can last forever, eventually it’s important to move on from this stage of grief.

Let yourself feel anything and everything, but know when you need help.

Denial

Bargaining

Bargaining is the attempt to make a deal with a higher power that would improve your situation. For example, if you were to lose a loved one, you may bargain with God or Allah by promising to attend church every week, if only he or she could be brought back from the dead.

Regardless of whom bargaining is made with, it’s an attempt to postpone grief and delay accepting the loss. Many people believe that “if only” they had done something different, such as providing better care for a loved one who died of cancer, then the person wouldn’t have died.

Although grief can be overwhelming at times and cause people to feel out of control or helpless at the moment, eventually they move past this stage and accept reality.

Guilt

Guilt is a normal response to any type of loss.

The guilt you are experiencing may or may not be healthy. People often feel guilty for things that are out of their control, such as the death of someone else. It can also be very easy to blame yourself for things that were completely out of your control. While this guilt can be upsetting in the short term, it generally resolves itself with time and distance from the situation.

If your guilt is more related to how you handled a situation, it will likely resolve itself as well if you have done everything in your power to help remedy it. For example, if you are experiencing guilt about something you did or didn’t say in an argument with a loved one before they died, make sure that you’ve apologized or tried to explain yourself first. You may not get the peace that comes with closure right away but over time these feelings will likely subside.

Anger

The next stage of grief is anger. This is another normal reaction to losing a loved one. Anger may be directed at yourself, the situation or the person who has died. It can also be directed at friends and family members, medical personnel or even those uninvolved. Perhaps anger is directed toward God. You may feel that you are asking “why me?”

It’s important not to rush this stage of grief and make decisions you will regret later (like quitting your job). You also shouldn’t avoid dealing with your feelings of anger as this can cause it to build up inside later on in life and manifest itself in other ways such as depression or anxiety disorders.

Anger

Depression

A person in this stage will, unfortunately, be very unhappy, and will often find it difficult to go about their day-to-day life. They might feel like they want to give up, or that there is no use in trying. Depression may appear to be an unavoidable outcome of any loss. However, if you feel stuck or unable to go past this stage of mourning, seek help from a mental health professional. A therapist can assist you in getting through this difficult time.

Depression

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Acceptance

Acceptance is the final stage of grief. A common misconception about acceptance is that it means that everything is okay and that you are happy with what has happened. This isn’t true. Acceptance does not mean happiness; it means an understanding of the situation and an ability to move forward, even if it’s only a little bit at a time. It’s not necessarily “feeling better” or have gone back to your old self; it’s simply coming to terms with what has happened, being able to talk about it without breaking down or needing support, and starting to live in the present again. You may begin looking toward your future instead of constantly focusing on your loss.

There are seven stages of grief and it is important to go through the stages to have a healthy grieving process.

We will not be linearly experiencing the stages of grief, nor will we experience all stages. Additionally, some stages may last longer than others. Ultimately, it is important to remember that the grieving process is unique to each individual and there is absolutely no specific timeline for us to follow. Although there are seven general stages of grief listed below, our progression through these steps may occur more quickly or take longer than expected. It’s important to be patient with ourselves during this painful process and avoid judging our progress in comparison to others. Most importantly, if it lasts longer a visit to a therapist can ease the process.

How to get out of a Depressive Episode?

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What is depressive episode?

A depressive episode is defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as a two-week time in one’s life during which one display the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). When a person has a depressive episode, they might try to adjust their ideas and behaviors to help them feel better. During a depressive episode, a person will encounter a low or sad mood and/or a loss of interest in most activities and a variety of other depression symptoms, including fatigue, lack of appetite, feelings of hopelessness, and repeated thoughts of death.

In this blog, I will discuss multiple ways that a person with depression can use to get out of a depressive episode or reduce it.

depressive

Accepting where you are

Depression is a serious illness that can be painful and overwhelming. It’s important to recognize that it takes time to get out of depression, to find the right help, and for treatments to work for you.

Recognize that depression is not just a passing stage or feeling. Depression is not just “feeling blue” or being sad. It can last a long time—weeks, months, even years—and can lead to emotional and physical problems if left untreated.

Reach out to your loved ones.

When you’re feeling down, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that there are people who can help you. Remember: depression is an illness, and just like with other illnesses, those around us can help us get better.

Reach out to your loved ones. It’s important to have a strong network of social support when you’re dealing with depression. Make sure the people you reach out to are trustworthy, empathetic individuals who will be there for you without question or judgment. Examples of people who fit this description may include a close friend or family member, a romantic partner, or even a pet if they provide comfort!

Talking to your doctor

Treatment plans are necessary.

A path should be laid out to help you understand how to get out of your depressive episode. A plan is essential because you’ll be able to identify the ways depression can impact your life and what steps you can take to control it. For example, a doctor may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment plan.

They may also recommend therapy sessions, whether one-on-one with a professional counselor or group sessions with peers who have also been diagnosed with depression. You’ll have an easier time planning on tackling their symptoms when you know the tools available for coping with depression.

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Individuals

Being in the moment

If you want to be in the moment, start by being aware of your thoughts. Your thoughts are usually focused on the past or future, and these will bring up feelings of regret and anxiety. You can recognize this happening when you notice that your feelings aren’t tied to the thing you’re doing at the moment. When this happens, try and refocus on what you’re doing right now. Try taking a few deep breaths and placing all your attention on your breath. Once you’ve done that, expand your attention to whatever you’re doing: walking down a path, eating lunch, watching TV—whatever it is!

This exercise helps because if we’re aware of our thoughts (as well as their effects), we have a chance to do something about them—like changing them from negative ones to happy ones!

Keeping a journal

Do what you’ve always done to get through depressive episodes: write down your thoughts and feelings. If you’re writing down your feelings, keep it simple. The more complicated and detailed these thoughts are, the harder they’ll be for you to sort out and put into perspective. Write down whatever comes up in your mind; don’t hold back emotions and details that might help you understand yourself better if they come up later.

For more details read our blog about “How to Journal for Mental Health”

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Learning how to meditate

Meditation is another great tool that can help you deal with depression. There are many forms of meditation, and the one I found most helpful is called Heart Rhythm Meditation (HRM). HRM helps you get into a meditative state by counting your heartbeats. A few minutes of this stillness allows your brain to rest from the constant chatter that it might otherwise be engaged in during stress or depression. A number of studies have shown that regular meditation can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and even lower blood pressure.

Exposing yourself to the sunlight

Not every day will be sunny, but when it is, do your best to use sunlight. You can get your dose of vitamin D sitting in the sun at a nearby park or going for a walk around your neighborhood on the weekends. It’s important to get sun exposure every day, even if it’s just opening up your curtains and letting some natural light into your home. If you live in an area with frequent cloudy days and limited sunlight, consider getting a light therapy box that mimics natural outdoor light.

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Take the first step and talk about it.

The first thing you should do when you feel like you are in a depressive episode is talk about it. It is important that whoever you talk to is someone who can understand and someone who will not judge.

The people closest to us are the best candidates, but there are times when we cannot talk to them because we don’t want them to worry or because they might not understand how we feel. Or maybe, there is just nobody around. In this case, it is best if we go out there and seek help from competent individuals such as professionals and medical practitioners.

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How to Deal with PTSD Triggers?

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Triggers can be anything that causes you to have a nervous system response, and this is different from person to person.

PTSD triggers can be anything that causes you to have a nervous system response. It doesn’t matter if the event happened 1 minute ago or 20 years ago, it can be re-experienced through a trigger. A trigger can include certain sounds, smells, sights, tastes, etc. For some people, trauma is stored within each of these senses. Triggers can also be different for each person – what triggers one person could not affect another at all. A trigger may also be a memory, song, smell, or even person. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that affects certain people after they have been through a traumatic, frightening, or hazardous incident.

In this blog, I will guide you on what normally triggers PTSD, how to understand your reaction to the triggers, and various ways in which you can control or minimize your PTSD triggers.

PTSD

Know your triggers.

A good first step to figuring out how to react to triggers is figuring out what they are. Many people with PTSD experience emotional and physical reactions when they encounter a trigger, like getting startled or feeling intense anger or sadness. A trigger might be anything that reminds you of the trauma, including:

  • Sights
  • Sounds
  • Smells
  • Tastes
  • Memories or thoughts

Triggers can change over time. Some people may have triggers that bother them for years without any change, but others may find that their triggers gradually become more manageable. This can happen with treatment and exposure therapy, where a person is exposed to their triggers in controlled settings to learn healthy ways of responding to them.

Understand your reactions to triggers.

In this guide, we’ll talk about how to avoid triggers when you’re feeling them. It’s important to know what your reactions are to better understand why they happen and how to control them. The most common ones we encounter in our work with anxiety sufferers are the fight-or-flight response, the freeze response, and the fawn response. When feeling a trigger, your body immediately goes into fight or flight mode. Your heart pounds, blood pressure rises, muscles tense up (especially if someone yells at you), and your whole body feels on alert and ready for action.

One of the many things that people with PTSD struggle with is being unable to escape or pull themselves out of it before they experience a full-blown panic attack…

Make a plan for how to cope with each of your triggers.

  • Make a list of your triggers. These can be anything that makes you feel anxious, reminds you of the trauma, or causes you to have flashbacks. They might include things like loud noises, crowds, certain smells or tastes, and so on.

  • Make a list of coping strategies for each trigger. There are many ways to cope with PTSD symptoms when they come up. The important thing is to make sure that the coping strategies are healthy and safe. Some examples might include meditation, distraction strategies (counting backward from 100 or playing a game on your phone), talking with a friend or family member about it, and grounding techniques such as deep breathing and touching five things in the room around you and describing them aloud.
PTSD Cope

Have self-care, relaxation, and distraction techniques handy.

Have self-care, relaxation, and distraction techniques handy. It’s important to have some activities on hand that you can turn to when you need to help yourself cope with the intensity of a trigger and whatever feelings it is bringing up for you. This is called grounding and can help you return your attention from the flashback or upsetting memories to your current environment.

Try to taking a warm bath, listening to calming music – perhaps ones without words so that your mind can stay more focused in the present moment than it would be if catching song lyrics, journaling about anything other than what happened in the past, calling someone caring and supportive who can help take your mind off things for a little bit, doing something creative like drawing or painting, going for a walk or moving around in some way (exercise releases helpful neurotransmitters), doing something else that helps you relax but is not harmful to yourself or others.

Practice mindfulness meditation.

  • Practice mindfulness meditation. Engaging in this type of meditation provides a way to distance yourself from your experiences. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment and accepting whatever is happening without judgment.

  • Focus on your breath. This type of breathing can be helpful during a mindfulness meditation practice or when you are having a difficult time but don’t want to meditate. Try to breathe slowly, inhaling deeply through your nose and then exhaling slowly through your mouth. If you’re feeling comfortable with this, try a more advanced breathing technique called square breathing:

    • Inhale through your nose for four seconds
    • Hold that breath in for four seconds
    • Exhale through your mouth for four seconds
    • Hold for another four seconds before beginning again
PTSD Meditation

Have emergency contact information available at all times.

Have emergency contact information available at all times. You never know when a trigger might arrive, and you need help at the moment to calm down and soothe yourself. Make it a point to always have your phone on hand, or easily accessible. If you do not have a cell phone, consider having an extra prepaid phone that you can keep with you in case of emergencies.

After reading this blog, I hope you will be able to identify your PTSD triggers and find a coping mechanism against them. Do consult a doctor to discuss your condition and get expert advice to manage your triggers.

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How to Overcome Low Self-Esteem

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The Problem

Before we get into overcoming low self-esteem, it’s worth talking about the problem itself. What is self-esteem? It refers to how you value and respect yourself as a person. When you have low self-esteem, you judge yourself negatively and think little of your worth as a human being. Low self-esteem can lead to people feeling like they’re not good enough for others or their surroundings, constantly questioning themselves and doubting their capabilities, blaming themselves when things go wrong, comparing themselves to others in a negative light, feeling guilty or ashamed for no reason, avoiding socializing with other people, isolating themselves from the world around them (sometimes resorting to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain), and even delaying treatment for illnesses because they feel like they don’t deserve it.

self-esteem

The first step toward treating low self-esteem is recognizing that any kind of personal issue needs to be addressed if it’s going to improve—in this case, recognizing that you should seek help if there’s anything in your life that makes you feel worthless or unimportant. In this blog, I will be discussing the cause of low self esteem and solutions to counter it.

The Cause

Self-esteem is the way a person feels about themselves, and how much they feel they’re worth. It’s made up of personal qualities that are either positive or negative.

The Solution

No matter what the cause of your low self-esteem is, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. You’re not a bad person for feeling this way; in fact, you’re probably not thinking about yourself or situations correctly. If you change the way you think about yourself and situations, then there’s nothing stopping you from overcoming your self-esteem issues and being a happier person.

Need Help? ask from a professional Psychotherist

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self-esteem

How to do it?

The first step to overcoming low self-esteem is changing the way you think. If you’ve grown up with an overly negative perspective on yourself, it could take time before that change. It’s important to give yourself time to adjust and not be impatient with your progress. Try seeing things from a different perspective: be more accepting of who you are and where you’re at, try learning to listen to yourself instead of the opinions others have of you, or try learning to trust yourself more when making decisions.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to begin this process is by looking for examples in your own life where you have succeeded and can look back confidently on a job well done. Write down some things that have happened throughout your day/week/month/life that make you feel good about yourself as a person, even if it’s just something like “I woke up today” or “I made my bed.”

Look at the facts

Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves and the value we put on our worth. It’s not just about having a high opinion of our abilities or talents but also feeling good about who we are as people. Low self-esteem can affect different areas of your life, such as your relationships, work or studies. You may find it hard to make decisions or believe in yourself and your ability to get things done. You might also experience physical symptoms, like headaches or a clenched jaw.

Know yourself

To get to know yourself, you have to understand your strengths and weaknesses. You need to understand what you like and dislike. What are your values? Find out the answers to these questions, because once you understand them, it will be easier for you to accept your flaws and focus on improving the things about yourself that bother you.

Why it is Important?

Self-esteem is important because it greatly affects your life. People with high self-esteem are happier, more confident, and more likely to pursue their goals than those with low self-esteem. Additionally, people with high self-esteem make better decisions, set higher standards for themselves, feel more capable of handling challenges, and are less affected by the opinions of others.

Low self-esteem can prevent you from reaching your full potential. It can hold you back from pursuing your goals and dreams and keep you from making good decisions about yourself and your life. Additionally, it can cause you to rely on other people’s opinions about yourself too much instead of being confident in who you are. If these points are important to you then developing good self-esteem can be a great way to live a happier and healthier life.

self-esteem

It's the first step in helping you become your own true friend.

You are the most important person in your life. If you don’t show love and care toward yourself, how can you expect others to?

Learning to love yourself is hard, especially if your self-esteem has been low for a long time. You start thinking that you need to change who you are or what you have accomplished so far to be happy with yourself.

In reality, it is more important to learn that there is nothing wrong with being you and accepting who you are and where you stand today. It’s the first step in helping you become your own true friend. If you think it is getting problematic for you to develop your self-esteem visit a therapist to discuss your condition.

Should I go to therapy? A complete guide

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Getting a mental therapy or counselling is not a taboo anymore.

If you are thinking about going to therapy and are unsure if it’s right for you, I recommend getting a few different opinions. It’s always a good idea to talk with people you trust who have been through the process. Your friends and family may have heard of a great therapist (or even been to one themselves) who could help you decide on whether or not therapy is right for you.

It’s also smart to look at different therapists and compare them before making your decision. The more information that we have available when making choices in our lives, the better equipped we are as consumers! But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that there is only one “right answer” when it comes down to choosing which therapist gets hired—it just means being prepared for everything that might come along with starting on this journey together. In this blog, I will take you to a complete guide that will help you decide whether you should go for therapy or not?

Therapy Blog 1

Getting help from a professional psychiatrist is a smart move

It often leads to reduced stress and anxiety, improved coping skills, and a better understanding of why you react to life challenges in the way you do. And you don’t need to be severely depressed, anxious, or traumatized to benefit.

Psychotherapy can lead to positive changes that can enhance your relationships, work performance, and overall well-being. If any of these apply:

  • You are unhappy with your life’s direction or want more out of it.
  • You feel like there’s something wrong but don’t know what it is (depression).
  • You have troubling thoughts or feelings (anxiety).

Therapy can be helpful for many issues, including depression, anxiety and phobias, relationship challenges, trauma, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Therapy can help you understand what triggers your reactions to life challenges. Therapy can help you develop coping skills. Therapy can help you understand why you react to life challenges the way you do.

Want to know how to journal for mental health? Click Here

A therapist can help you identify the root cause of distress.

Therapists are trained professionals who provides a safe place to explore those issues that cause distress and help you adopt healthy behavior.

During therapy or counselling sessions, you may learn how to develop new coping skills, such as self-care or assertiveness training. A therapist can also help you develop a plan for overcoming your issues. For example, if your problem is an inability to make decisions on your own, your therapist may work with you to create a plan for how long it will take before making decisions on your own becomes easier for you.

A therapist can also help identify some of the factors that contribute to the problems causing distress (e.g., triggers). This can be helpful because many people are unaware of what their triggers are until they talk about them with someone else who knows about them well enough not only recognize but also name them appropriately (this is called “labeling” in psychology).

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Therapy Blog

Therapy sessions may not necessarily transform your life.

The goal of therapy isn’t always to solve a problem; sometimes it’s simply to feel understood and supported as you navigate through difficult times.

If you are struggling with any of the issues above or have other concerns related to your mental health and well-being, it can be helpful to talk with a therapist. Your therapist won’t be able to magically make all of your problems disappear overnight—but they may help you learn how to cope with them better in the long run.

Finding a therapist isn’t always easy. It’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist and confident in their experience. There are no specific guidelines for choosing a therapist, but if you are looking for expert help for certain problems — such as eating disorders or addiction — make sure the therapist has training in that area and ask about their personal experience treating related issues.

Therapy Blog 3

Here are some things you should keep in mind when finding a good fit:

  • How long has the therapist been practicing?
  • What kind of experience does he or she have treating your particular problem?
  • Is this someone who will work well with you? Do they seem like someone you’ll be able to talk to comfortably and open up to? Does he/she seem approachable and understanding? Will they be patient while listening to everything that comes out of you? What kind of personality do they have (is it compatible with yours)? Is he/she someone who can listen well without judging what comes out of your mouth once said words hit his/her ears (because sometimes we just need somebody else’s opinion without any judgment).

Therapist can help you in numerous ways such as overcoming depression, PTSD, anxiety, or mental health issues etc. They can make you feel better. Therefore, seeking help is a smart move and one should surely try it in difficult times.

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IV Therapy for Weight Loss

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Although vitamin IV therapy is a safe and effective way to lose weight, it should not be used as a short-cut weight loss plan.

Vitamin IV Therapy treatment is only meant to supplement your current diet and exercise habits, not replace them. If you are considering using vitamin IVs as part of your plan to drop pounds without making any changes in your lifestyle or eating habits, you may want to reconsider. I will tell you the benefits of IV Therapy for weight loss in this blog.

IV Therapy

Vitamin IV Therapy can help you lose weight in a number of ways: it helps boost metabolism, increase energy levels and reduce cravings for unhealthy foods. However, there are certain things we must consider when discussing the use of this form of treatment for weight loss purposes. For example:

•  Vitamin IV Therapy should never be used as a substitute for healthy eating habits or regular exercise; although these treatments have been proven effective at helping people achieve their goal weight faster than those who do not use them (by about 30%), they will only work if combined with proper nutrition and physical activity. Rather than relying solely on vitamin injections alone when attempting to shed unwanted pounds quickly (which isn’t recommended anyway), try incorporating some basic lifestyle changes into your routine such as eating more fresh fruits & vegetables; drinking lots more water throughout each day; getting plenty restful sleep each night so that you feel rested when waking up every morning ready to start off strong!

Vitamin IV Therapy can help you lose weight in a number of ways, it helps boost metabolism, increase energy levels and reduce cravings for unhealthy foods. However, there are certain things we must consider when discussing the use of this form of treatment for weight loss purposes. For example:

Vitamin IV therapy is also known as Myers cocktail, which was invented by Dr. John Myers in 1933.

Dr. John Myers is considered to be the father of modern-day IV Therapy, so it makes sense that he would have created a much-needed treatment for the flu (which was rampant during the 1930s). Soon after his initial creation, other doctors began to test out different versions of this vitamin cocktail and found that it could also help with tuberculosis and acne.

IV Therapy
The treatment is offered in different forms and dosages for a variety of your health and wellness needs.

There are different ways to administer vitamin IV therapy, including:

• Intramuscular (IM) injections. IM is the most common route of administration of vitamin IV therapy. It is administered by a health care professional in your doctor’s office or at a hospital. The process involves injecting the vitamins into your muscle tissue with a needle, usually in your arm or leg.

• Subcutaneous injections (SC). This type of injection uses smaller needles to deliver vitamins under the skin. You can get SC injections at home or while you’re receiving other types of IV therapies like drips and infusions.

This form of treatment allows your body to detoxify itself and promote weight loss allowing you to achieve your goals faster than doing it through traditional methods alone.

There are a lot of different methods out there that claim to help you lose weight. Some people choose to go the traditional route, exercising and eating right. Others try detox diets, which can be very effective but also quite stressful on the body. Still others turn to supplements or vitamin IV therapy in order to shed pounds and feel healthier overall.

It is important that you understand how these different methods work before deciding which one is best for you and your lifestyle. Let's take a look at each option individually so that we can get a better idea of whether or not it's right for us.

One of the main benefits associated with vitamin IV therapy is its ability to help patients lose weight by improving their metabolism and digestive system.
IV Therapy

By enhancing the body's fat-burning processes, it effectively helps patients shed unwanted pounds without resorting to dangerous diet pills or surgical options.

In addition to helping people lose weight, this type of treatment also promotes a healthier lifestyle in other ways as well. For example, it can reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality—two things that are essential for maintaining a balanced diet plan while losing weight. In addition, many patients report that they experience clearer skin after receiving an IV drip treatment at a clinic like ours or elsewhere!

When you receive a vitamin IV therapy session, the nutrients go directly into your bloodstream where they are immediately absorbed by your body. The process of intravenous nutrient delivery is completely painless and can be very relaxing.

Vitamin IV therapy has been shown to help with weight loss for a number of reasons:

• It boosts metabolism and energy levels

• It improves sleep quality

• It provides vitamins and minerals that support healthy digestion and elimination

If you are planning to start your weight loss journey do opt for IV therapy and avail the spectacular benefits with Prestige Health and Wellness