Winnie the UWindsor Engineering Therapy Dog

This week's #winniewellness tip is about the importance of positive self-talk. Try to keep your inner dialogue optimistic, encouraging and uplifting #UWinWinnie #UWindsorENG

We can all use a best friend at this time and there is no better way to have a friend than to attune to what our friend’s circumstances are and to be with them. When we become mindfully aware of our own circumstances by tuning in to our thoughts, feelings, body sensations and outer circumstances, we have the opportunity to notice, without judgement (judgement is simply a thought, not a fact) what the present moment circumstance is and how to respond to it as a friend. Give ...it a try. As a dog, I was born an expert at this. That’s why many humans declare that I’m their best friend #WinnieWellness #UWinWinnie #UWindsorENG

Take ten breaths to centre yourself and connect with your environment. Practice it throughout the day, especially any time you find yourself getting caught up in your thoughts and feelings. #UWinWinnie #WinnieWellness #UWindsorENG Take ten slow, deep breaths. Focus on breathing out as slowly as possible until the lungs are completely empty and then allow them to refill by themselves. ... Notice the sensations of your lungs emptying. Notice them refilling. Notice your rib cage rising and falling. Notice the gentle rise and fall of your shoulders. See if you can let your thoughts come and go as if they’re just passing cars, driving past outside your house. Expand your awareness: simultaneously notice your breathing and your body. Then look around the room and notice what you can see, hear, smell, touch, and feel. See more

It’s so easy to get caught up in thoughts and feelings involving future fears and past pains. The following is a simple exercise to centre yourself, focus and engage with your environment. Try to practice it throughout the day. Winnie's Notice Five Things Activity #WinnieWellness #UWinWinnie #UWindsorENG... Paws for a moment Look around and notice five things you can see Listen carefully and notice five things you can hear Notice five things you can feel in contact with your body (for example, your watch against your wrist, your trousers against your legs, the air on your face, your feet on the floor, etc.) Now notice four things you can see, hear and feel. Taper down to three, two and finally one thing you can see, hear and feel. Just like going to the gym and resisting the weight you are lifting will build your physical muscles, taking time to resist going down old warn tracks of thought will build your present moment focus muscle and leave you available to do homework, socialize or just plain relax!

Do you like my new bow tie?