Coping with a Setback

No matter what your journey, there will be times when you feel as if you have stepped backward when you want to be moving forward.  This could be a day when you do not feel that you manage your energy as well as you had hoped.  Or it might be a bout of worry and fear while you are engaging in practices to overcome an anxiety disorder or panic disorder. This is completely normal.  When you are actively working to create change in your life, there…

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Video Post – Jumping to Conclusions and Labelling

This is the third and final instalment of my video series exploring cognitive distortions.  Today I introduce Jumping to Conclusions and Labelling and some ways that you can overcome these habits of thinking if you find they are not serving you. https://youtu.be/42YrTra6aL8 Please share your ideas for working with thoughts in the comments below.

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Diabetes and Mental Health

Thanks for all who attended my recent webinar on Diabetes Burnout with the Canadian Diabetes Association!  The link to the recording is here: Diabetes Burnout: What It Is and How to Beat It For those interested in this topic, here is a link to another resource for those dealing with diabetes and wanting to explore the emotional component of the disease. How Diabetes Impacts Your Mental Health In the post, Dr. Heyman outlines many of the common concerns and experiences when coping with diabetes, or any chronic health…

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Diabetes Webinar

On May 24, 2016 I will presented a webinar for the Canadian Diabetes Association regarding Diabetes Burnout.  The link to the recording is here: Diabetes Burnout: What It Is and How to Beat It Please take a look to learn about the common signs and symptoms that you might experience during burnout (from diabetes or any chronic condition).  I also discuss some strategies you can use for coping and for prevention.  

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How to Gracefully Say No

It is challenging for many of us to strike the ideal balance between engagement in life and managing our energy.   With health issues, this becomes a vital balancing act.  If you push yourself too much, you might feel the effects reverberating for days or weeks.  Although it can be enlivening to participate in outings and events, it is important to find ways to do so that support your overall well being.  One of those ways is to choose to sometimes skillfully say "no". Here are five ways…

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Emotional Stability

Our lives are full of emotions and when we pay attention, we quickly see that those emotions are ever-changing and fluid. That is a powerful awareness to have. Each and every emotional experience will come and go and need not be feared nor clung to.  In my mind, there is great freedom in this awareness.  It puts a decidedly positive spin on being "emotionally unstable".  We are all emotionally unstable.

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Tension Relief

Our bodies hold tension that arises from the pressures of day to day life.  Frequently, we are not even aware of these tight spots until we intentionally engage in a stress relieving activity such as yoga or getting a massage.  However, the ability to let go of the habitual tension in the muscles allows us a greater sense of relaxation and ease.  When we feel more in control of the relaxation response, we are better able to respond with skillful and purposeful action to the inevitable challenges that arise.…

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Ways to Play (Even When You Feel Lousy)

There is increasing research on the positive benefits of play for both adults and children alike.  Often we become detached from the playful dimensions of ourselves as we get older.  Yet engaging in play boosts both physical and mental health as outlined in this article from Psych Central. Finding opportunities for play can be tough enough in the midst of regular adult life and it frequently becomes even less of a priority when illness is present.  It might feel frivolous or indulgent (or just too much work!) to nurture a playful…

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