For most of us, signing up to attend a workshop or a course is usually prompted by a desire to experience professional growth, personal development or learn a new skill. The key is finding a workshop that fits your interest and/or your desired end goal. Are you after a skill set that might enhance your job opportunities? Do you have a passion about a certain topic that would benefit from taking a course? Have you always been interested in trying a new hobby, but haven’t quite found the time to take it on? Regardless of the reason or even the subject matter, there are so many additional benefits that can be reaped when we choose to step outside the box and engage in learning. Some of those benefits include improving our potential for success, enhancing our social network of like-minded individuals, as well as boosting self-esteem. And by learning new skills there is the added bonus of keeping our brains sharp and slowing down cognitive aging. If that’s not enough, it also prevents stagnation, which can have a direct effect on our emotional well-being. In short, think about one of your passions or goals, find a workshop that will stimulate and/or motivate you, and sign up. Always remember: If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you, If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you. - Anonymous
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I love Spring – the longer days, the warmer temperatures, the buds and blossoms. But for many, Spring brings on a barrage of the unwelcomed symptoms of hay fever such as runny noses, scratchy throats and itchy eyes. And while seeking out the latest over-the-counter wonders in allergy relief might alleviate most of the symptoms, the trade off is usually in feeling either really groggy, wired or simply not yourself. In his book The Allergy Solution: Unlocking the Surprising Truth about Why You are Sick and How to Get Well (Hay House, May 2016), Dr. Leo Galland, MD, shares his ground breaking beliefs about what is fuelling the rise in allergies. Co-authored with his son Jonathon Galland, JD, a passionate environmental advocate and health writer, they explore how our own immunity has a direct affect on allergic symptoms and convey their beliefs that by altering nutrition and lifestyle, it is possible to reverse allergies without the use of drugs. The book takes an in-depth look at how immune imbalance is at the root of allergies. Dr. Galland offers a “Three-Day Power Wash” that is designed to kick-start an ability to take back control and guide you back to health. So if you are looking for an alternative approach to feeling better this Spring, this book is a must read. We’ve all had them – those days when you feel like life is trying to beat you down. Everything that could go wrong, does. Every decision you want to make has obstacles to overcome. Even simple actions become a tangled mess of complications.
Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture stated, “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” And this advice comes in handy when faced with those days that feel like everything is unravelling. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind when dealing with adversity of all sorts.
Previously, I have written on the benefits of reading, but self-help books deserve a blog all to themselves.
Reading self-help books can serve many purposes. Some do so to learn new information or skills. Others may want to satisfy a curiosity about a certain topic, or acquire a different perspective on something. Or we might seek out a particular self-help book that addresses exactly what we think we need in the never ending pursuit of personal growth. The value of self-help books is infinite. They can motivate, inspire, teach, comfort, excite, offer guidance or advice, encourage and expand your awareness. They can help you recognize self limiting beliefs, and guide you in gaining insight into who you are and how you tick. But of all the benefits of reading self-help books, my favourite lies in its ability to make you realize you are not alone on any given path. That chances are, there are others who are on a similar, if not the same path. It is that magical feeling of knowing that someone out there was able to put into words what you could only grasp as an abstract concept. Humans are social beings, so knowing someone else out there is experiencing what you are acts as a soothing balm. Discovering a self-help book that really resonates with you can be like finding a missing piece to the puzzle. Consider it an investment in yourself – which at its core is self-care. So grab a cup of tea, and a self-help book that’s been calling your name and enjoy the sense of clarity it can bring. As I write this, I am sitting by the water's edge at our cabin. The sun is casting its warm glow and the lake sparkles with its brilliance against a cloudless sky. Tiny ripples gently lap against the granite that meanders along the shoreline. Beneath my feet is a soft cushion of moss already brimming with life. The earthy smell of wet leaves surrounds me and across the lake, by the uninhabited island, a loon calls out to it's mate. A haunting, lonely call.
Time passes without a care of what I should, would or could be doing if I wasn't here. This is my time and I plan to soak up all the energy that surrounds me. I take in the sights, sounds and smell. I notice the pine seedlings that survived the winter, poking their heads above the undergrowth and can't help but feel gratitude. For the pines, for this moment, for the understanding of how important moments like this are in life. Self care at its finest. In the interest of exploring a variety of methods of self care, I came across the field of energy psychology.
Energy psychology utilizes various approaches that focus on the mind-body connections to improve overall well being. Some of the reported benefits include a decrease in chronic pain, improvement in anxiety, a decrease in distressing symptoms, to name a few. Dr. Daniel Benor, a pioneer in the field of energy psychology, teaches a technique called Transformative Wholistic Reintegration (TWR). Combining tapping with some basic principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, Dr. Benor claims his method is effective, easy to learn and does not require lengthy sessions. He considers TWR a means of self healing. TWR involves a technique that uses tapping on alternate sides of the body while focusing on what is bothering you. Physical symptoms are identified, followed by possible emotional reasons. This is verbalized and followed with a positive statement. The theory behind adding the positive statement is based on the common psychological belief that when you take a negative issue and combine it with a positive statement, the positive will counteract the negative. The use of tapping on alternate sides of the body has similar effects to EMDR (discussed in the last blog entry). Combined, the approach is quick, and can help with the clearing of emotions on a deep level. Dr. Benor provides a demonstration on You Tube if you would like to see the technique and learn more about the approach. It is easy to be sceptical about techniques that seem so simple yet claim to offer so much. The beauty of this one is there is no harm in trying it, and can be done in the comfort of your own home. It’s definitely worth a try. Since this self care blog began as a result of looking for ways to increase resilience, primarily against Secondary Traumatic Stress, it’s important to mention beneficial treatments such as EMDR.
What is EMDR? Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy used in the treatment of trauma. When someone experiences a traumatic event, certain memories can become ‘frozen in time’. Normal memory processing is altered and can become locked in a circuit like pattern. Images, sounds, smells and/or sensations trigger memory recall – and the trauma is relived. EMDR has a direct effect on how the brain processes information. It can reprocess the disturbing memories so that they no longer contain so much emotional volatility. The event is easily recalled, but the feelings surrounding the memory is no longer so all consuming. It is as if someone has turned down the volume. EMDR combines a dual focus of attention to enable the brain to re-circuit itself. This allows for normal memory processing and integration. Participants often experience less negative emotions, improved understanding and less emotional stress surrounding the event. Scientific research shows EMDR is also effective on panic attacks, stress reduction, addictions and complicated grief, to name a few. Simple, safe and effective. Crucial to self-care is a really good understanding of yourself and your emotions.
The old axiom ‘healer know thyself’ holds true for anyone. By gaining clarity of who you are and how you react to various people and situations, you can improve the quality of your life significantly. Living in ignorance is not bliss and only compounds the confusion, the frustration and the stress experienced. In a mind set of self-compassion and refraining from any judgements, ask yourself key questions such as:
Answering yes to any of the above could indicate you are an empath: someone with an intuitive ability to sense the mental or emotional state of others. While this quality is truly a gift, it needs to be managed with care. The first step is recognizing this quality in yourself. The second step is in managing it. Dr. Judith Orloff, author of ‘Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life offers suggestions for empaths. She suggests employing centering techniques such as mini-meditations, taking time to decompress emotionally and understanding your limitations in socializing, among other ideas. Finding ways to feel grounded, recognizing when you are absorbing other people’s emotions and even eating a high protein meal can be helpful. So many of us chose our career paths without a really good understanding of who we are intrinsically. I know I didn’t when I went into Nursing. And yet having that understanding would have been invaluable during my career, as would have been the knowledge about how to manage it. And unless you are a hermit, it is a crucial skill in navigating life itself. Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years and makes an excellent addition to anyone’s list of self care activities. They say that one hour of massage is about the same as getting 7–8 hours of sleep. Relaxation is one of the most common reasons people get massages, but benefits go well beyond that.
Massage therapy helps stimulate lymphatic flow, which improves immunity. It increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to areas being worked on, which promotes tissue regeneration and a reduction in scar tissue. Tight muscles are loosened, joint mobility increases and spasms and cramping are reduced. All that with the knowledgeable touch of a trained massage therapist. Choosing a specific type of massage is highly individual. With over 80 different kinds, there is no shortage of styles to pick from. Some of the most popular types include Swedish or Thai, Hot Stone or Aromatherapy, Shiatsu or Deep Tissue. My personal favourite is deep tissue massage, which as the name suggests, involves manipulating the deeper layers of muscle and soft tissue. In today’s technological society, so many of us sit slumped at computers or stoop to read our smart phones. This can result in a variety of musculoskeletal issues that can cause significant aches and pains. (Doctors have even pegged it as the “Smart Phone Slump) Deep tissue massage and practicing better ergonomics can minimize these injuries so they don’t become chronic conditions. The late actor/comedian Bob Hope lived to be 100 years old. He remained independent, living in good health with his wife in their own home in California until a few weeks before he died. His secret? Daily massages. Ever turned on a favourite playlist to de-stress after a long day? It can work like a charm to put you in a better frame of mind. But the beneficial effects can go much deeper than that. The use of sound in healing has been used by Eastern cultures for thousands of years. Fortunately it is gradually catching on in West. Sound and vibration therapy (vibroacoustic therapy) uses bells, drums, gongs, crystal/singing bowls and wind instruments to produce vibrations that directly interact with every cell in the body. Our bodies respond by synchronizing to the vibrations of the instrument. This results in a harmonious balancing effect that occurs through out the body to the cellular level. Sound therapists believe if there is a blockage of energy in any part of the body, the area can become unblocked and restored to its highest functioning. Sound therapy is beginning to be used in various cancer treatment centres. Himalayan singing bowls and gongs have been found to greatly improve pain management. Additional documented benefits include improved recovery after illness or/or surgery, improved pain tolerance, improved sleep. Sound therapy can increase vital energy flow, cleanse negative energy and alter old patterns of behaviour that no longer serve us. Hmmn, that alone might be worth giving it a try. |