Mindfully Well

It sounds pretty silly when you put it like that, doesn't it?

I have been really struggling with my Mental Health, especially over the past couple of years or so. It's been incredibly difficult and there have definitely been times when I wasn't sure I'd be able to survive the long road of recovery. People and places along the way have been instrumental in my progress. Some of these are The LOST Organization (Living Outside of Suffering and Trauma) and the staff/volunteers/friends there. I couldn't tell you how many times I was curled up... in a blanket on the LOST studio floor, crying or totally shut down, desperately needing to be there to get through. I needed that safe space where I could just exist as I was, around other people who understood what I was going through, with compassionate staff/volunteers available as needed for acceptance, support, validation, assistance in accessing my coping tools or reminding me of how much I've done and how far I've come. They also helped me to remember that the awful things my brain was telling me about myself and my life were actually LIES. Mental Illness lies and without supportive people in your life to help check the facts on those lies, they can be very convincing and incredibly destructive. LOST found me when I NEEDED them in my life and I will be forever grateful for everything they provided. Please consider supporting mental health in our community by donating to The LOST Organization. The LOST Organization (Living Outside of Suffering and Trauma) is a Not-for-profit organization that is trying to change the way the world sees and responds to Mental Health. They provide a safe and accessible space for people to receive support, education, resources, skills and techniques for managing mental health. Regular programs and activities are available such as twice daily peer support groups, yoga, art, music, meditation, visits from wonderful emotional support doggies, and special events. This is also a place where people can just come and exist among other people who "get it", without judgement or expectations. All of this is provided for free or at a very low cost. This is a wonderful magical place like no other I know of. People can drop in any time during business hours and access the space, support and tools to help them manage their mental health, provided by others with similar lived experience with mental health... all without waitlists, stressful intake appointments, or high expenses. Please check out The LOST Organization, tell other people who may benefit from their services to check them out, contribute by donating or volunteering, and PLEASE share this to your page to help spread the word about these amazing humans and their much-needed and appreciated peer-lead mental health organization. #WeAreLOST #SupportMentalHealth #Hamiltonishome #HamOnt https://www.facebook.com/donate/2342794229072709/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Exercise, fresh air, and pets can help elevate mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Medication may also be a really helpful tool in your recovery. Taking medication does not make you weak or mean that you are failing at recovering "on your own". You're just making use of one of the many great tools that we have available to assist us through this often long and difficult journey of recovery. It's totally ok to make use of whatever tools are effective for you!

Change the body to change the mind. Even faking laughter is uplifting and generally inspires some real, heartfelt laughter.

Grounding techniques have been very effective for me, not just for anxiety attacks but when trying to return from flashbacks or dissociation as well.

We often hold tension and emotions in our bodies without even realizing it. Keeping the body in that tense emotional state can reinforce and worsten the emotions. Releasing this tension and consciously relaxing our bodies can signal to our brains that we are safe and calm so that it reduces our emotions and begins to relax our whole system. We can change our body posture to effectively change our emotions. Try this out, this has been super effective for me, especially while stuck in a fear state.

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. This is my reality: I struggle with mental illness. I have struggled on and off for most of my life and as a result developed some effective and some not so effective coping skills. I coped in silence. I hid my struggles and pressed on with life. I normalized, minimized a...Continue reading

Sometimes, life is really hard. Not always because of big, challenging things. Sometimes just keeping up with the usual responsibilities or getting through the day or getting up and attending to basic needs like eating can be a major challenge. This is when I need to pause every now and then to consciously focus on feeling my breath moving in and out of my body, listening to the sounds of life all around me, and observing the colours, shapes, patterns, and beauty within my environment. Doing this doesn't magically make everything better or less difficult but it does help to ground me in the present moment so I don't get carried away by the overwhelming chaos of my mind. And the more often I do this, the easier it becomes to live more in this moment than in that chaos or darkness or nothingness that calls and pulls and absorbes me.

Getting "unstuck" can be really hard but it's so worth it!

If you'd like to hear more about Reiki and available services, I'd love to chat. Feel free to comment or send me a private message. :)

Trauma Sensitive 6 Week Yoga Series Sundays from 4:30-5:30pm | $97 for all 6 weeks. Dates: May 27th, June 3rd, June 10th, June 24th, July 8th + July 15th Regist...er here: http://circlestudios.ca/workshops/ Do you know that in Canada, nearly 1 in 10 Canadians suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Do you know that depression is a common problem following exposure to trauma? Do you know that yoga can help the healing process? Experience yoga specially designed for those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical/emotional trauma! This type of yoga is also valuable for people in high-stress careers such as first-responders, compassionate caregivers, and medical professionals who often witness traumatic events on the job. By using slower movements, transformational language, and encouraging you to explore movement and breath, this practice aims to soothe both your mind and body. Throughout the series, you’ll also get to experience yoga nidra. Nidra is a type of meditation that helps you connect with your physical body and develop an internal sense of safety. Join Empowerment Coach, Wellness Expert & Certified Trauma-sensitive Yoga Instructor, Stephenie Farrell for this unique experience. Stephenie helps people overcome their wounds, release the pain of their past, and step into a new way of living. If you are questioning whether this series is right for you, contact Stephenie at [email protected] or call 416-523-7973.

Definitely something many of us need to keep in mind. Taking care of yourself is not selfish, it's required. Let's try to let go of some of that responsibility and self judgement that doesn't really belong to us. Let's try to be gentle with ourselves.

Mindfulness allows us to exist in and experience the current moment. It's a powerful tool for managing stress, emotions, and mental health that increases in effectiveness over time as we continue to practice.

In case you've never heard of Reiki, here's an overview...

Currently offering Distance Reiki sessions in exchange for donations to The LOST Organization for mental health. http://www.wearelost.org/

An article exploring Reiki from a medical / scientific perspective. Reiki is growing in popularity, being offered in individual practices, at hospitals, and in palliative care hospices. At this point in time, there isn't yet a reliable scientific method for measuring reiki and studies on the effects of Reiki have been insufficient. Reports from those receiving Reiki treatments though have been positive and plentiful.

Currently offering free distance Reiki sessions (Reiki remotely sent to you in the comfort of your home) in exchange for donations made to The LOST Organization for mental health. (Please send a private message for additional information or to arrange your session.)