Someone recently contacted me asking for some advice on how to support their loved one who is facing some serious health issues. It's a great question and it highlights how helpless we can feel when someone we care about is going through a difficult time. Here are some great tips from the Huffington Post: 8 Ways to Support Someone Dealing with a Health Crisis
A humorous take on the power of animals today...
Anxiety frequently goes hand in hand with health issues. Whether you are facing a new change or long term management, it is normal to have fears and worries. The many uncertainties relating to your health may feel overwhelming and impossible to manage. Anxiety BC is a great resource for those of us who deal with anxiety. It offers multiple resources for coping with anxiety including downloadable worksheets, videos, and the MindShift™ App. Although the app was designed primarily for youth, it offers useful tools (such as instructions on…
How do you cope with losses in your life? No matter how much good fortune we have in life, each of us will at some time face loss. Beyond the death of a loved one, this could be the loss of a job, a relationship, our health or a dream. Coping with losses is a process that cannot be rushed nor prescribed. Each of us has the right to attend to our suffering in the ways that are most nurturing to us. Time may lessen the…
On a particularly difficult day for me last month, a friend gave me a book that he knew would lift my spirits. It was a collection of quotes and drawings that contained simple wisdom for living a life of peaceful presence (I've mentioned the work of Francois Lange at Sketches in Stillness on the blog before - I remain a huge fan). Having experienced that thoughtfulness and kindness myself, I was reminded of how offering up a gift is a powerful act for both the receiver AND…
Today I read a statement/affirmation/words of wisdom that I want to share. I'll get to that. But first I want to briefly talk about visibility. Visibility in chronic illness is a frequent topic. Or rather, invisibility is. Although some of the symptoms and side effects may be obvious, much of the experience plays out beneath the surface or behind the curtains, where friends, colleagues and even family do not see. These silent and insidious side effects are far reaching and include both physical and psychological processes. …
A video post today about how values can help you in both good times and the tough moments. Values
Acceptance is such a common theme that I am revisiting it again - you can see my first video post on the topic here: Acceptance Naturally, when we are faced with something unpleasant, we want it to go away. As with any problem we encounter in life, our natural instinct is to find a solution. We may seek this solution through consulting with a health professional, requesting input from our community or attempting self management. Thankfully, one of these options generally provides the answers we seek…
I recently came across this: I immediately loved the quote and set about finding the source. I was even more thrilled to see it came from this article: 11 Quotes to Remember When You Feel Exhausted Take a read through whenever you are feeling worn out - hope comes from just doing the next best thing. Sometimes that thing is reading other people's wisdom.
For mental well-being, taking breaks (and vacations from work) is essential. An interesting article by Cari Romm on the Science of Us blog earlier this year highlights the importance of scheduling in those breaks! It turns out we are actually more productive after planned breaks (vs. taking them when we think we need them). Who knew? Follow the link below to read the whole story... Taking Breaks Is Good for You — But Scheduling Your Breaks Is Even Better