A New Breath Counselling & Life Coaching
12479 222nd street V2X0W6 Maple Ridge, BC, Canada

I am now a Certified Gottman Connect member. Couples can answer their relationship questionnaires online and the results plus a recommended treatment plan is forwarded to me from the Gottman Marital Institute.

This past week especially, I've had more clients asking what techniques there are to cope with the uncertainty, fear, sadness and anxiety Covid is creating in their lives and relationships. It is affecting us all. My family and I have been feeling the negative effects of this "new normal" too. So, for the next little while, I thought I would share some thoughts here that might help cope with all of the negative feelings and emotions that are coming up for so many of us right... now, on top of the normal life stressors. I will be posting these thoughts in a little series I'm going to call, "Handling Emotions And Retraining Thoughts Successfully during Covid." (H.E.A.R.T.S. during Covid). Please feel free to share any methods you've found helpful as well...as we are all in this together. Post # 1: Try something creative that will distract you from the negative social media and news reports and get you off of the computer or away from the tv for a little while. At our house, we have joined in on making window hearts. It's helped us feel more connected to our neighbours and it's something positive we could share with others right now. It also makes us smile when we walk into the room and see this big heart on our window. It's made us want to find more fun and creative things we can do at home together as well. See more

Coaching is about stripping away the 'shoulds" so that only your own truth remains. Contact me for more info. Make 2018 the year of Your Truth. *meme is from Staying Alive is Not Enough*

Handling Emotions and Retraining Thoughts Successfully during Covid # 3 : Now more than ever it is important to find a balance when using the internet and social media. They should be used to our benefit not our detriment. Its so easy to spend hours on our computers and phones, getting lost down one rabbit hole of information and sometimes misinformation, which can be at best, not the best use of our time and at worst, with what is going on with Covid, can activate our fight... or flight response. This can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, worry, over eating and drinking and a general feeling of hopelessness and fear for some people. So what should you do: 1. Limit social media and Covid conversation, especially around children. One can find tons of information on COVID-19 to consume, and it changes minute to minute. The information is often sensationalized, negatively skewed, and alarmist. Find a few trusted sources that you can check in with regularly, limit it to a few times a day, and set a time limit for yourself on how much you consume (30 minutes total per day in 2-3 small chunks). Keep news and alarming conversations out of earshot from childrenthey see and hear everything, and can become very frightened by what they hear. 2. Notice the good in the world, the helpers. There is a lot of scary, negative, and overwhelming information to take in regarding this pandemic. There are also a ton of stories of people sacrificing, donating, and supporting one another in miraculous ways. It is important to counter-balance the heavy information with the hopeful information. 3. Be the helper. Find ways, big and small, to give back to others. Support restaurants, offer to grocery shop, check in with your neighbors and friends helping others gives us a sense of agency when things seem out of control. 4. so...finish reading this and put down the phone or turn off the computer and go hug your kids, brush the cat, do some exercise, read a book, write a poem, tackle the to-do list or take 15 minutes to practice some deep breathing and relaxation. Your body and your mind will thank you. See more

Handling Emotions and Retraining Thoughts Successfully during Covid # 2 : ATTITUDE. It defines how we experience adversities in life, our relationships and in ourselves. Some of the happiest and more inspiring people I know have had the most terrible and traumatic experiences. Yet, despite their negative experiences, they have chosen to see the positives and have chosen to grow from their experiences. For many of us, Covid is going to be one of those life defining moments. Y...Continue reading

This past week especially, Ive had more clients asking what techniques there are to cope with the uncertainty, fear, sadness and anxiety Covid is creating in their lives and relationships. It is affecting us all. My family and I have been feeling the negative effects of this "new normal" too. So, for the next little while, I thought I would share some thoughts here that might help cope with all of the negative feelings and emotions that are coming up for so many of us right... now, on top of the normal life stressors. I will be posting these thoughts in a little series Im going to call, "Handling Emotions And Retraining Thoughts Successfully during Covid." (H.E.A.R.T.S. during Covid). Please feel free to share any methods youve found helpful as well...as we are all in this together. Post # 1: Try something creative that will distract you from the negative social media and news reports and get you off of the computer or away from the tv for a little while. At our house, we have joined in on making window hearts. Its helped us feel more connected to our neighbours and its something positive we could share with others right now. It also makes us smile when we walk into the room and see this big heart on our window. Its made us want to find more fun and creative things we can do at home together as well. See more

Over the course of the next little while, while we are all at home doing our part, I will be sharing some ideas and thoughts on how to cope with our "new normal" and the stressors and anxiety that come with it. But first, I thought I would share a little about myself that many of you might not know... https://www.anewbreathcounselling.com/about-me/

Coaching is about stripping away the shoulds" so that only your own truth remains. Contact me for more info. Make 2018 the year of Your Truth. *meme is from Staying Alive is Not Enough*

https://www.huffingtonpost.com//why-people-happily-spend_b

I get many clients like this!

You should never have to apologize for these things...

Have you heard of Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy? Find out more in todays therapy spotlight.

Co-parenting isnt easy, but putting your childs needs above your feelings for their other parent, is always best.

Sometimes when were angry, there are other emotions hidden below the surface. Learning to recognize when anger isnt really what were feeling is important for helping us identify and cope with our emotions. Image inspired by Creative Social Worker.

Our stress response system evolved to protect us from danger. However, it cannot distinguish between a saber-toothed tiger in the wild and a harsh email. Resili...ence is our ability to adapt successfully in the face of stress and adversity. Pick a habita keystone habitand make it stick. A keystone habit is a change that often triggers other good changes, because it alters how you see yourself. (For example, starting an exercise routine first thing in the morning is a keystone habit that can positively affect the choices you make the rest of the day.) Ask yourself: What are my core values? What lifestyle habit will help me embody those values and become the kind of person I want to be? See more

A good reminder for children and adults. Focus on the things you can control.

Feeling triggered? Remember SNAPP: http://buff.ly/2dQ1N5L

LETS SUPPORT MORE small businesses grow! I like to buy Christmas gifts from friends & neighbours who own small businesses... whether its homemade crafts, yoga... classes, makeup, handyman services, handbags, jewelry, candles, clothes, art, etc. Lets support each other and our community, refer our favourite entrepreneurs & artisans, learn about new businesses & cheer each other! Post ONE link to your business below, then COPY, PASTE & SHARE this so I can comment on yours. TAG PEOPLE on this post to encourage them to share what they offer. Give yourselves the shout out you deserve & lets support each other, by gifting local, love-infused gifts! TAG YOURSELF (even if you dont have a business) to follow the thread & find out about local businesses, artisans & great gift ideas!

Some things never change - Couples could change so much in their relationships if they embodied this.

Empathy and understanding must precede advice. (image via Marriage Rocket)

He really creates great motivation for paying attention to our emotions!!

More profound lessons from Buddha to help you overcome worries: goo.gl/Y6UTvo

Share this 30-second calming break on your wall, and breathe along with the animation.

The CRUCIAL difference between sympathy and empathy that will make you rethink your response to peoples pain Via RSA: http://bit.ly/1PQwNBZ

This full-length video contains excerpts from a 2006 interview with Ron Kurtz conducted by Craig Comstock. Ron talks about the fundamentals of Hakomi: Loving Pr...esence, Mindfulness, Indicators, Experiments, Adaptive Unconscious, Implicit Beliefs, Taking Over and more. Find Ron Kurtz Hakomi Educational Materials at http://hakomi.com/ See more

Instead of saying "everything happens for a reason," try using these words.

Be aware of these four behaviors.

Couples therapy can change your brain???

"Good enough is good enough" Enough said!

"Men have capacities to heal that are particularly masculine and particularly healing. They often are not fully aware of this deep gift and how helpful it can b...e for those close to them, whether family or close friends. To completely transform this culture of misogyny, then, men must do more than not assault. We must call on masculinity to become whole and nurturing of self and others, to recognize that attachment needs are healthy and normal and not female, and thus to expect of men to heal themselves and others the same way we expect women to be nurturers. It is time men recognize and nurture their own healing gifts."

Fantastic, scientific article on the importance of the perspective we take. Its long-ish, but worth the read.

The Atlantic reveals what makes love last.