Elevation Counselling Services
81 Main Street K0K 1H0 Brighton, ON, Canada

Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while. Sometimes those who need it the most don't know how/when to ask for it. So today I just want to remind you to be kind to one another and offer a helping hand, even if it isn't ask for. You never know when some one might need it most.

Anger, also known as wrath or rage, is an intense emotional state involving a strong uncomfortable and non-cooperative response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat. Needless to say, it isn't enjoyable for anyone involved. One thing that I find helps a lot is learning to take "time-outs". Time-outs aren't just for kids. Give yourself short breaks during times of the day that tend to be stressful. A few moments of quiet time might help you feel better prepared to handle what's ahead without getting irritated or angry.

Stress can be an overwhelming feeling to manage. Some people work well under pressure, others start to feel out of sorts and chaotic. Stress can hinder ones ability to think straight, concentrate, start or finish a task, among many other negative side effects. This is why it's so important to recognize the things that cause stress in our lives. When we know what triggers stress we can put things in place that help us cope with and/or avoid that stress all together. It all comes down to being mindful. What are some of your stress triggers and how do you tackle them?

Meditation is such a great way to clear you mind. Have you ever considered trying it outdoors? The combination of the natural healing properties of nature, together with mindful meditation will elevate your self-care routine to the next level. As the weather begins to get nicer, I implore you to get some fresh air!

Intrusive thoughts can be overwhelming and all-consuming. At times it can make you feel as if you want to escape your own mind. The good news is there are ways to re-train your brain to recognize and allow these thoughts to pass. Here's 5 things you can try: 1. Don't suppress the thought. Trying to force yourself to forget or suppress will actually result in the opposite outcome. 2. Recognize the difference between thought and reality. Intrusive thoughts are what they suggest... just thoughts. They are not a sign of what’s to come. 3. Identify your triggers. Knowing what sets these thoughts off is an important first step in getting ahead of them. 4. Implement positive change in your life. (Do something that makes you happy!) When you're enjoying yourself your mind has less time to wander. 5. Remember you're not alone. Talk these thoughts out with some one you trust and don't rule out therapy.

Although SAD can leave you feeling irritable and hopeless, there's many ways to cope with these various symptoms such as: 1. Make a habit of taking a daily walk (even a short one) 2. Keep your curtains open during the day. Let the sunshine in! 3. Don't skimp on your water intake... 4. Avoid highly processed foods that are high in carbohydrates. 5. Keep a gratitude journal. List 3 things that you're grateful for every day. Leave me a comment below if you've ever experienced SAD, and let me know what helps you cope with it.

We all know that exercise releases those "feel-good" chemicals like endorphins and dopamine. But did you know that while your heart is pumping your blood full of oxygen and happiness, it's also helping your brain detox chemicals that cause stress and anxiety? Talk about two birds with one stone. Do me a favour and take a 15 or 30 minute stroll sometime this week. Then try to repeat that every few days. I promise, it'll help!

PTSD vs CPTSD, did you know there was a difference? If you or some one you know is suffering from the symptoms listed, I implore you to refer to CAMH's resources found here: https://www.camh.ca//mental-illness-and-addiction-i/trauma

Understanding our fears, and what causes them is a powerful tool. Fear effects us all differently, for some it can be crippling. The good news is that it doesn't have to be. When we understand our fears we have the ability to work through the root cause or trigger of that fear, ultimately alleviating the overall effect it has.

Do me a favour and take a 30 second timeout to just breathe. You can close your eyes, or keep them open if it's more comfortable. The only rule is that you stop everything you're doing to focus on your breathwork. As you inhale deeply, think about taking in fresh clean air. While you exhale slowly, imagine releasing tension and stress. Doing this a few times over is an incredibly refreshing exercise that can take as little as 30 seconds out of your day. Give it a try, it can't hurt!