Acknowledging Mental Health Week May 3 - 9, 2021
The incredible state of uncertainty foisted on us by the Covid Pandemic is taking an enormous toll on our mental health. In a 2020 worldwide survey, Gallup Research found that roughly seven in 10 people are struggling or suffering in their lives.
Female connections are essential for women’s health and wellbeing. The research about how men and women respond differently to stress reminds us of this fact:
“Although “fight-or-flight” may characterize the primary physiological response to stress for both
males and females…behaviourally, females' responses are more marked by a pattern of
"tend-and-befriend." Tending involves nurturant activities designed to protect the self and
Demonstrating civility means being thoughtful, courteous, polite and showing regard for others. I believe there has been a slow but significant reduction in civility over the past few years. It is almost as if rudeness is becoming the norm.
I often have clients express one of the goals for our work together to be an improvement in their self-confidence. That goal can be complex however, a good place to begin is an exploration of how connected the person is to their authentic self.
Understanding the ways in which self-confidence is built and maintained and how readily it can be undermined by experiences and relationships is another criterion. What we do and who we choose to be with, typically has a significant impact on our self-confidence.
Humans have psychological needs which when left unmet can lead to extreme distress. Some of the most important are: a sense of safety and control, being connected to others and a feeling of knowing or certainty.
People react differently to uncertainty. Some have a much higher tolerance than others and those with a low tolerance are typically less resilient. They can more easily and more quickly feel down. This in turn may lead to high levels of anxiety or trigger other mental health issues.
I was raised in a large farm family in Saskatchewan. My mother loved Christmas and always made it a very special family time. One of my fondest memories as a child is each of us getting dressed in our best outfit, then lining up oldest to youngest and walking down the stairs to the dining room where a beautiful Christmas tree stood with its’ treasures beneath it. It was both a solemn and joyful occasion.
This article is about coming to terms with our limits as we face the circumstances of a V.U.C.A. world. V.U.C.A. is an acronym first developed by the U.S. military for describing a situation that is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. I suggest those four words make good descriptors for the circumstances of our daily life and work.
As we celebrate Mother's Day it's a good time to consider our femininity. The history of celebrating mothers goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who held festivals to honour their mother goddesses. The modern precedent is the early Christian festival known as "Mothering Sunday."
This article invites you to reflect on mothers and mothering and as part of that reflection explore the feminine within each of us, regardless of gender.
“Underneath our fears and worries, unaffected by the many layers of our conditioning and actions, is a peaceful core…. Healing is the rediscovery of who we are and who we have always been.” ….. Joan Borysenko
“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.” ….. Maya Anjelo
We hear a lot about the importance of good self-care as an aid for mitigating stress and enhancing well-being. While we may yearn to improve our self-care, realistically we know that just as it's hard to give up a habit, it's also hard to develop new ones.
Smart Self Care requires consistent, intentional practice to become habitual and it's totally worth it!
Take a look at these six Life Dimensions enriched through the Smart Self-Care practices suggested below.
1. Relational