The health sector is now transitioning into digital services amid COVID-19 – whether it’s for mental health, primary care, or more. This setup is established to limit the possible contracting of the virus when visiting hospitals.

“All sorts of medical visits are happening virtually now, whether it’s dermatology, whether it’s a primary care visit, and yes, even with mental health. You can receive psychological services via technology. Some providers, some psychologists have been doing that for quite a while,” shares Lynn Bufka, Ph.D., an associate executive director for practice research and policy at the American Psychological Association.

However, it’s not only this field that is adjusting to the “new normal.” Even the entertainment sector is going digital as a way to compensate for the lockdowns left and right. One of the ongoing trends right now is the use of a virtual museum.

Several museums have maximized technology and have transitioned to this kind of service for the meantime. Their goal? To make museums more accessible to people and prevent culture from dying down. Here are the best virtual museums around the world should you like to take a tour of this innovation.

J Paul Getty Museum

J Paul Getty Museum is in Los Angeles, California, and they provide the best virtual tour for their creative treasures. With over 6,000 years worth of preserved culture, Getty has probably one of the most significant collections out there.

You’d most likely see clay figures from the neolithic times to Renoir’s La Promenade and Van Gogh’s Irises. These are just one of the many artworks that you’ll be able to view.

Google Arts and Culture have a “museum view” feature where you are entitled to take a look at the gallery spaces. You can even click on the displays and artworks to get a little bit of information about these pieces. Don’t end your trip without visiting Getty’s amazing garden terrace and sunny sculpture plaza.

British Museum

The British Museum in London is a tourist attraction. For starters, this is one of the must-go-to places of backpackers as it offers rich culture and Instagram-worthy areas. However, with the UK recording a high number of COVID-19 positive cases, this is probably not the case anymore.

With this in mind, the British Museum aggressively started promoting a virtual tour of its iconic museum. This digital visit will allow you to travel to various periods in history and explore the interesting facts about the past.

Always keep in mind that the main attraction of this place is its hundreds of artifacts. So, if you want to see a legitimate Egyptian mummy live, grab your chance now!

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The impressive architecture of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is a feast for the eyes. Its intricate and unique design makes you want to visit the Big Apple in person. You don’t have to worry about going out of your house to get an up-close view of its insides.

Through the help of its virtual tour, you’ll be able to take a good look at several priceless artworks of renowned artists. Some of them include Jeff Koons, Franz Marc, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondrian. These artists have their exhibit and collections spaces that you can visit online and satisfy the creative you.

Vatican Museum

With its intricate tapestries and murals and soaring vaulted ceilings, you don’t want to leave the Vatican Museum from your go-to list. But while you’re in your home quarantine, the best thing you can do is to visit this place through a digital tour.

This tour entails exploring the seven spaces of the museum. What’s unique about this service is you get to check the series of 360-degree images, including that of the Sistine Chapel. Inside the halls of the museum, always remember to look up and take in the beauty of the ceilings.

Take note that this tour is not limited to the Vatican Museum. With the You Visit package, you can even take a peek of the Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square. Add to this a virtual tour guide narrating the history and rich culture of these places.

Your First Virtual Tour

It’s probably challenging for art lovers in these trying times because they cannot satisfy their eyes with their love for art. However, with the emergence of virtual museums, you can now view thousands of sculptures, paintings, and installations in just a click of your fingers.

You can even enrich your knowledge through its voiceover descriptions, 360-degree videos, interactive slideshows, and walk-around tours.

So, what are you waiting for? Take a break from all of the negative news out there. Enter a full-screen mode for your first virtual tour.

The 2017 historian summit gave way to provide its attendees with an opportunity to explore the wonders of history. The event is filled with audiences from different types of fields such as journalism, academic, education, as well as arts. All individuals shared experiences that create an international understanding of culture and heritage.

Source: needpix.com

The summit’s discussion focuses on imparting historical information. The event goes on with details of research as well. It is where historians get an opportunity to where and what information to gather to help in historical documentation. There is storytelling too. It strengthens communication to keep historical topics interesting. People also give credits to the event’s engagement process, where they allow the audience to partake in the discussion by having question and answer segments. Aside from personal engagements, the event also showcases different built courses. It managed to emphasize on inventory, archiving, and preservation of historical items. Therefore, any collections that an individual may have can be organized, stored, and protected safely. The event also emphasizes explaining a new set of rules and strategies that helps in building competent historians.

Everything about the event is impressive. However, the best part of it all is the incorporation of historical information through social media. Since it is an era of the enhanced technological world, sharing becomes a top priority. Therefore, aside from exploring history from books, museums, and displays, the internet takes historical sharing into a different level of access. Nowadays, different websites contain a lot of information about different kinds of historical details that are now open to the public.

Source: flickr.com

The event manages to secure a once in a lifetime experience. In case you miss out on all the fun, you can visit some of the websites that offer information as to where you can register to attend for the next summit. Register now and be part of the next generation of historians.

The Pew Research Center released a new analysis of 2011-2015 US Census Bureau data that suggests 17% of new marriages these days are between individuals of different races or ethnicities. — Theresa E DiDonato Ph.D.

If there is one thing that you need to learn about marriage, it is the fact that there will always be challenges that will come your way. The truth is that there is no perfect marriage in this world. No matter what you do, there will always be some issues that will arise in the marriage. One of the common problems that married couples handle is the difference in their cultures and traditions. If you believe that you also have the same issue with your spouse, then be sure to read the article from start to finish.

 

For today’s post, we are going to share the different strategies or techniques that you can use to handle cultural differences in a marriage. Our goal is to encourage all husbands and wives to make their partnership or union work. We want to show to everyone that cultural differences will never drive spouses apart from each other. Here are things to remember:

Communicate With Each Other

 

The first thing that you must never neglect is the significance of communication in a relationship. As much as possible, make an effort to reach out to your partner at all times. Learn to discuss your issues about cultural differences so that both of you can find a way to resolve it. Keep in mind that efficient communication is two-way stress. It means that you must not be the only one who is going to talk but also the other person.

If partners treat disagreements with respect and consideration, they may even reach new points of connection and understanding. And research reveals that when interracial partners take a loving hand toward each other when conflict arises, such as by working together on a problem or using those powerful words, “I’m sorry,” this forecasts greater contentment in the relationship. — Holly Parker, Ph.D.

Avoid Nagging

 

When your cultural beliefs or practices are different from your partner, there is a tendency that you will get upset easily. You will find it challenging to deal with your partner because you believe that he is doing this differently. For this reason, you may start to think that the way to vent up your issues is to nag. As early as now, you have to understand that no husband wants a nagging wife. If you keep on doing it, your relationship may go down the drain.

 

Be Culturally Sensitive

 

At this point in your marriage, you are probably aware of the various cultural differences existing in your union. You do not need to worry about these matters. All you must do is to show to the other person that you respect him and everything that he does. Avoid imposing your own values and beliefs on him. The best option is to accept the reality that cultural differences exist. Once you do this, it will be a lot easier on your part to survive the challenges of the marriage. Keep in mind that co-existence is possible, as long as you know how to respect one another.

Conclusion

Cultural proficiency requires therapists to do the deep work of unpacking their own unconscious biases, which is likely part of the reason behind the scarcity of culturally proficient providers. It takes significant effort, transparency, and willingness to be uncomfortable. — Lisa M. Vallejos, PhD

You must stop looking for mistakes or errors in the marriage. Instead, focus on the best traits of your husband. Remind yourself why you married him in the first place. If you believe that your issues regarding culture have become serious, feel free to contact a marriage counselor. Do not be afraid to make or schedule an appointment.

 

Traveling to new places can be relaxing and exciting for any person. Because of this, it is best if you will find time to treat yourself to a vacation that you will love. Do not be afraid or hesitant to travel solo because it is an excellent opportunity to expose yourself to a new environment and learn about new cultures. At first, it can be awkward to go to a beautiful place without someone beside you. However, once you get used to this activity, everything is going to turn out fine.

 

In today’s article, we are going to share the essential guidelines that every solo traveler must remember.

 

Make Travel Arrangements Earlier

 

Since you are going to travel solo, the first step that you must do is to prepare your travel itinerary. Once you have this, the next thing to do is to make travel arrangements as soon as possible. Keep in mind that the more you book your tickets, accommodations, and reservations at an earlier time, the more savings you can enjoy.

 

Tell Someone About Your Trip

 

The nice thing about going on a solo trip is that it can be a wonderful time to enjoy some alone time. While you may think that it is cool to keep everything a secret, you must make an exception for your upcoming trip. The reason behind this is for your safety. If someone knows about your whereabouts, then it would be easy for him to trace you.

Read About The Place

 

As much as possible, never go to a foreign country without reading more about it. Research about the location and see how safe it is for a solo traveler. The best part about researching these days is that you can already get essential information from the Internet. You can read blogs or watch video blogs about the country. However, it is best if you will verify the source first before believing what you have read.

 

Pack All The Essentials

 

When it comes to preparing or packing for a trip, it is ideal if you will do it early. Avoid doing it on the last minute because it can e frustrating on your part to wait. Make sure that you do not forget anything. Keep in mind that you are the only one who is going to travel. As such, you cannot rely to someone to take good care of you other than yourself. In your essentials, be sure to bring in a pepper spray so that you can be prepared for any issues.

Be Excited About It

 

Another thing that you must keep in mind is the importance of keeping your excitement about the upcoming trip. Summon all the positive energy and good vibes to come into your life. Find a way to enjoy the days leading to your trip. Do not let anyone put you in a bad mood. Otherwise, you may expose yourself to the possibility that you will hate your solo trip. Instead, try to remain calm and happy as you look forward to your first trip.

 

Meeting people for the first time can be scary, especially if you are a shy person. Most of the time, you will have no idea on how to strike a conversation with the other individual. At the same time, you may also get too conscious about your actions or words. When this happens, you tend to make mistakes or errors. As such, it is imperative to learn smart ways on how you can deal with the new people that you meet or encounter daily.

As America becomes increasingly diverse and moves ever closer to being the world’s first majority-minority nation, the need for cultural competence in all areas of health care becomes ever more acute. — Fabiana Franco, PhD

Before anything else, you need to train your mind that connecting with other people is an important step for your own personal and career development. For this reason, you must start to make an effort to foster good relationships or connections with strangers. Here are the top things to instill in your mind:

Never Make Unnecessary Comments

The first step to consider is to avoid giving negative comments or unnecessary remarks to the other person. Do not forget that you are only meeting for the first time. As such, it is essential to be careful with what you are going to say. Otherwise, you may end up annoying or offending the person that you are talking. If you want to say something to the other person, it is recommended that you think about it first.

A moment’s reflection reveals that language is a repository of cultural knowledge, one that captures and provides effective cues to a complex body of shared values, experiences and even a common past. — Vyv Evans Ph.D.

Get To Know Him First

Another thing that you have to do is to make an effort to reach out to the other person and get to know him. Do not be afraid to ask questions, as long as your inquiries are reasonable. The other person will appreciate it if you will try to strike a conversation with him and sustain it. As much as possible, refrain from asking personal questions. Take note that it is essential to respect boundaries when it comes to this matter.

Relax And Keep Your Cool

Do not have a flight or fly attitude when it comes to dealing with the new people you meet. It is only normal if you feel nervous or anxious about your first time interaction with them. Nonetheless, it is not an excuse to keep yourself stressed during the first encounter. All you must do is to train yourself to relax and keep your cool. Remember that when you start to panic, there is a higher chance that you will not be able to converse well with the other individual.

Not everyone shares the same norms as you. Try to imagine their perspective. — Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D.

Enjoy The Company

Let the other person know that you are enjoying your first meeting or introduction. You can do this by listening to his words seriously. As much as possible, respond to all his statements so that you can sustain the conversation. The other person will surely appreciate it if he can see that you are keen on talking to him. As such, refrain from using your phone while talking or doing other stuff while he is around. Give all your attention and focus on him so that he will feel better about you.

There are several things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to becoming culturally sensitive to everyone around you. It is an important trait, especially if you are the kind of person who travels a lot or who meets various people for work. Keep in mind that your beliefs, practices, and culture may be different from those that you encounter. Because of this, there is a necessity on your part to become culturally sensitive wherever you go.

As much as the sea matters to the fish that call it home; as much as the earth matters to the roots that it nurtures. Our cultures—diverse and magnificent—color the way we experience the world and shed light on the wonder that is to be human. — Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D.

In this article, we are going to share some of the tips and tricks that you must remember if you want to avoid offending other people, particularly when it comes to their culture. Make sure to read the article from start to finish so that you can master the art of becoming culturally sensitive. Here are the top things to remember:

Educate Yourself

As much as possible, keep yourself updated with the latest information about the different cultures around you. Do not just rely on your personal knowledge or facts that you hear from other people. It is crucial to read and research on your own so that you can absorb the information easily. For example, if you are traveling to a new country soon, it is best if you will educate yourself about the practices and cultures of the people residing there. In so doing, you will not have a hard time connecting with them.

In mental health, as in other areas, interventions to promote cultural competency have often been focused on providing education about specific groups in an effort to avoid potential pitfalls. — Fabiana Franco, PhD

Avoid Being Too Proud

It can be exciting to share how proud you are of your own culture with everyone you meet. Such an act is a good thing since you are giving the other person an opportunity to get to know you. However, this becomes problematic if you will try to insist or impose your own set of beliefs on others. Keep in mind that you can still make friends with someone without being too proud of what you do or where you came from. Be respectful by thinking twice before you will open your mouth.

…there is evidence that the collectivist nature of East Asian cultures versus individualistic Western cultures affects both brain and behavior. East Asians tend to process information in a global manner whereas Westerners tend to focus on individual objects. — Rick Nauert PhD

Ask Questions

Is there something that is bothering you about the culture of the other person? Do you want to learn or find out more about the basis for his current beliefs and traditions? If yes, all you must do is to strike a conversation with the said person and ask questions. Do not hesitate to seek clarification about certain matters. Keep in mind that it is better to get direct information or explanation from him, instead of making unnecessary assumptions.

Conclusions

Being culturally sensitive means having the right attitude when it comes to dealing with people who have a different set of traditions, beliefs and values from you. Always remind yourself that you can still co-exist with the other person, as long as you know how to do the right things. Avoid making any prejudices against the other person, especially if you have recently met. It is best to get to know him first before you make any conclusions. Otherwise, you may commit a mistake or error.

Mental health issues are real, and people from all walks of life are suffering from it. Unlike in the past, this issue is now being taken seriously, and there are now laws that protect people disorder. Therapists are also around to assist those who need mental health support. We all thought that mental health problems are based on an individual, but other factors affect a person’s mental health like genetics, their psychology, and the society that they are in at the moment. It becomes more complicated because society dramatically affects mental health, and people are ignoring it up to now.

Continue reading “How Cultural Influences Affect Mental Health”

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Americans and people from Western cultures are particularly challenged in their ability to understand someone else’s point of view because they are part of a culture that encourages individualism. — Rick Nauert PhD

There becomes an identity problem when people address and talk to you. You try to ask yourself some questions. Who am I? How do you perceive me, setting aside my physical appearance? Am I the same person that I think I am and what others think of me? Can I live alone? Perhaps, but we never will. According to Psychology, as humans thrive with other humans in a society that has distinct practices, beliefs, and way of life, they are identified by the group of humans that they are living with. Thus, it is assumed that people who share the same culture do have the same personalities and perception of things.

Culture’s Significant Role

Indeed, culture contributes to how an individual is shaped into what he is today. Culture builds a space of a shared way of thinking, method of communicating, and common beliefs among a group of individuals. It is vibrant and is ever-changing through time. A culture that a person is born into will consequently mold his eating behavior, for example, the way you eat, the food that you eat, and the time that you eat. It inevitably influences the kind of clothes that he wears and the hobbies that he does. The norms that are established by a person’s culture determines how he treats and communicates with his family, friends, strangers, and significant others. Do you find shaking the hand more polite and formal than kissing on the cheek? Or would you welcome guests by offering them coffee or just making them wait outside for more privacy?

Source: en.wikipedia.org

The environment shapes most of our exterior personality. However, do you believe that culture doesn’t only influence how we behave but also how our brain functions? Culture changes the way we think and how we see the world around us.

Try to be open and be slower to judge them, knowing that they might not be expressing thoughts and behavior that is consistent with your perspective. — Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D.

Culture And Language

How culture influences us in terms of the words we use is shown here.

A study was done in 2008 on Piraha speakers, a language used among people in the Amazon area. They were asked to count objects of varying sizes. The Piraha language didn’t contain number words, so the people usually described amount in terms of size. Hoi described the smallest number, of a slightly higher number before the smallest, and baagiso pertained to the largest number. Because of this vague description, counting was not very important to the Piraha people. The researchers came to the conclusion that having no number assignment in their language impacted how they quantified things. Words, therefore, can tremendously impact the way we decide, think, and see the world.

Additionally, language also affects the way a person thinks about space. Navigational and spatial knowledge may alter depending on whether one’s culture contains directions with definite references, like east and west, or relative references, like right and left. There is a tiny group of Aborigines who live in northern Australia, and they live daily without any navigational words like right, left, forward, or backward. They use the terms east, west, south, and north, and they are very good at using these terms to locate anything from food, people, and things. The people here are very much oriented to the uncommon places compared to the English speakers, as their language has forced them to perceive space differently, making them constantly attentive to where something or somewhere specifically is.

Does Culture Affect One’s Success Or Failure?

Using culture as a gauge for one’s failure or success hides many biological and socioeconomic factors. If one wants to understand better the role of culture in molding us, he must also understand that culture is not just composed of a gamut of beliefs, ideas, and customs that we all live by, but it is also shaped by a lot of factors. President Obama explained this fully when he attempted to defend the black culture: “In other words, the African Americans comprehend that culture is important but that it is shaped by a person’s circumstances. We know that a lot of them are trapped by their destructive behavior, but this behavior is not innate.”

The idea of strength within the African-American community has been effective in persevering through historical and present-day hardships. However, the idea of perpetual strength provides little space for African-American youth to express the distress they feel; hence cutting becomes a viable option. — Kimber Shelton, PhD

Source: i0.wp.com

Culture, therefore, is not the only thing that completely shapes us but various events and life situations shape culture – and we also help shape it as much.

Bottom Line

No matter what culture you practice from wherever you come from, truth is, there are no lower or higher cultures in this world. There are just those that are more true and existent than the others. One’s goal should be to follow the noblest, truest parts of your culture and to try to get to know other people’s cultures. Its benefits to brain function or one’s success or failure would be just as beautiful as discovering how other people live their lives and engaging in others’ customs and traditions.

 

 

Nowadays, people need to take good care not only of their physical wellness but also of their mental health. It is something that you have to consider as early as now so that you can save yourself from a lot of trouble. Take note that suffering from mental illness can take a toll on your life – it can destroy relationships and even make you question your existence in this world. Continue reading “Your Guide To Experiencing Better Mental Health”

There are tons of things that you need to remember when it comes to your mental health. First of all, you must be aware of the fact that mental health is a serious issue that must be given focus and attention. You cannot keep on denying to yourself that you are not interested in the behavioral health’s industry. Keep in mind that failure to take good care of your mental health can have adverse effects in your life. In the long run, it can lead to severe problems on your part.

There are over a half-dozen different professions that provide services that focus on helping a person overcome a mental health concern or some significant life issue. There are dozens more variations on these, which can lead to a great deal of confusion in the marketplace. — John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

In this article, our primary aim is to present the different ways on how you can prioritize your mental health. Take note that the behavioral health’s industry is quite big and it continues to grow bigger. Nowadays, you can already easily get in touch with a therapist or psychiatrist without the need to spend long hours searching for one. The truth is that there tons of mental health experts wherever you go. With the recent advancements in the field of technology, you can even try online therapy.

 

Below are some of the tips to keep in mind to avoid stress and anxiety that may lead to a mental condition such as depression. Take note of the following:

 

Know What Makes You Happy

 

The way you think and feel affects your mental and physical health. Because of this, it is imperative on your part to determine what can make you happy and joyous. Once you know the answer to this question, it will be easier on your part to have an improved mood. You would become invincible in such a way that no one or nothing can quickly bring you down. Find your passion and dedicate yourself into doing it.

It’s easy to get caught up in your daily routine and fall victim to the idea that you don’t need to reserve any kind of special time for yourself when there are other more important things to do, such as providing for your family. But making self-care a priority is essential. — Konstantin Lukin Ph.D.

 

Be Physically Active

 

Stop making excuses for living a sedentary lifestyle. Find a way to be physically active by exercising daily. Even a simple morning jog or walk can already do the magic. However, if you have more time to complete your exercises, it is highly recommended to go to the gym. At the same time, you can also start looking for fitness buddies who will continue to motivate you to lead a healthy lifestyle. Find a way to reward yourself for any form of improvement to your health so that you will be inspired to keep going. Do not be afraid to try something new and take on new adventures. You deserve true happiness in this life.

 

Eat Right At All Times

 

Another thing that you have to remember is the importance of eating right or having a balanced diet. Always eat on time so that you will not feel starvation at any point of the day. Take note that it is not correct to skip meals to stay fit. It is a wrong notion because not eating on time can have adverse effects on your health. Moreover, you must make an effort to go for healthy food options. Be sure to value your health at all times so that you will not end up being in a hospital or even in a mental institution. Your food intake can affect your mental health. Take note of this.

 

Be Open To Others

 

Cliché as it may sound, but it is true that no man is an island. It means that you cannot survive on your own. Be sure to take notice of this fact so that you will not deprive yourself of meaningful relationships with other people. Remember that you must open up your life to someone whom you can trust so that you can feel relief. Whenever things are wrong in your life, it is best to connect with someone who makes you feel alive. Do not hide things from the one you love. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk about what bothers you as well as to listen to what other people have to say about your condition.

Accumulating unhealthy thoughts takes a toll. Your mind is a mental battlefield, your days wasted with one psychological arm wrestle after another. Compounding the problem is physical exhaustion. — Linda Esposito LCSW

 

Take care of your mental health so that you will not encounter significant problems in the future. However, if you believe that your behavioral health is decreasing, it is highly recommended to seek professional help. You can contact a mental health expert. Accept the fact that sometimes, you have to find professional help and support.