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.
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…
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.
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.…
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…
We all need a strong community or tribe of supporters in our journeys as this quote from Alex Elle suggests. You can find her work and her blog over at another sunday - she is a fabulous woman with words and images that are inspiring and hopeful. I love how she chooses to reframe her experiences in ways that benefit herself and so many others who follow her.
Whether it is a getting stuck in a traffic jam, choosing the slowest line in the grocery store or awaiting test results, we all experience impatience at times. Mindfulness teaches us that this impatience arises partly from not being comfortable in the present moment. We become hooked with anxiety as we become caught in our anticipation of future events, good or bad. We want this moment to be over so that we can get on with what we believe is coming next. This is a perfectly…
As promised, today's video/audio is a short guided sleep relaxation. In this recording, you will visualize relaxing and falling asleep in a safe cozy cloud. Sleep is an integral aspect of well-being and yet it can be elusive at times for many people. Please let me know in the comments below if there are other topics/meditations you would like to hear or if you would like a longer sleep meditation. The background music is courtesy of http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.
I regularly work with clients to explore and allow all thoughts, feelings and sensations and to cultivate a sense of curiosity and openness regarding what we find. However, I also recognize that there are times when we need to break free from a difficult situation or an unhelpful thought pattern. It is perfectly okay to utilize a distraction knowing that you can return to present awareness once you have taken a needed respite from the pain or distress. The folks over at the TED blog recently published a…
Sleep can be elusive and those of us who struggle with getting enough know the vicious cycle. You lie awake, thoughts and worries running desperately through your mind, knowing that you need to sleep and panicking that you will not function well tomorrow if you can't get that sleep. This fear causes more anxiety and even less sleep. There are extensive resources on the Internet regarding sleep hygiene (if you haven't already, I urge you to google the term "sleep hygiene" for more information) and sleep disorders. Today I offer up three…