Reaching out…

August 25, 2014 by
Patch-Adams-12

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." ~ Robin Williams Some time has passed, and we continue to stand in awe as the number of new calls shows us how tragedy and loss can motivate others to find courage to reach out for help.  Our hearts continue to extend to Robin's soul, his family and friends, and to others who experience emotional pain and suffering every single day...there is a light at the end of the tunnel and emotional transformation is possible with support and hard work. Fame, lack of privacy, and other factors we may never understand prevent many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Addictions/Recovery, Depression, Inspiration, Mental Wellness, Motivation

More P’s for Business Survival

July 25, 2014 by
MH900407401

We've addressed 3 important P's for business success: Patience, Persistence, and Positivity. Apparently, P is an important letter for a healthy business mentality.  Here are a couple more Ps which are just as important... 1. Planning I can not tell you how many business owners have told me that a business plan is critical to survival.  Many small businesses come into being out of a hobby or interest pursued in a nonchalant manner.  The risk of a fly by the seat of your pants is high, and you can end up there before you know it if you're not careful.  The awesome news is that it is never … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Health

Pausing the “Fix It” Tendency

July 25, 2014 by
MH900399402

As a parent, you don't want to see your child uncomfortable, struggling, or in emotional pain.   It is so tempting to jump in and "fix it."  We challenge you to consider pausing with alternative steps before eliminating the discomfort and solving your child's dilemma. Validate your child's feelings.  If your child is scared of the dark, ask questions to learn more about the fear before saying there's no reason to feel scared.  If he is scared of a monster in the closet, what kind of monster does he imagine?  What does it look like?  Validate those fears with a response such as, "That does … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child/Teen Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Mindful Parents

Happiness Is A Choice

July 19, 2014 by
MB900441908

Many go through life blaming others and complaining about circumstances that prevent them from being happy. I hear phrases such as “My boss made me so mad” or “My son makes me so frustrated.” Or “The traffic jam I got stuck in made me so angry.” We cannot control external circumstances or other people, we can only control our reactions to them. In truth, no one has that power to make you feel in a certain way unless you allow feelings to surface. As soon as you feel frustration or irritation bubbling up in a situation, stop and reflect on what you’re feeling. Visualize yourself on the beach at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adjustment/Transition, Depression, Inspiration, Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Mindfulness, Motivation, Spiritual Health Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What’s Yoga Got To With It?

July 16, 2014 by
untitled

Everything! Yoga has become a trendy catchall term for flexibility and stretching. But yoga is really about living life to the fullest and developing a lifestyle that is balanced and integrated. Doing yoga postures/asanas may well improve flexibility but the true impact of yoga goes far beyond the notion of exercise. Yoga provides a vehicle to learn lessons that can carry over into everyday experiences. The practice of yoga does not stop on the yoga mat. Having been trained by world-renowned Yogi Master Gurudev Amrit Desai, I’ve learned—and teach--how to carry the calming, mindful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Integrative Wellness, Stress/Anxiety, Yoga Tagged With: , , , ,

A Simple Way to Relieve Stress

July 15, 2014 by
MH900426560

We accept stress as normal but it can be extremely depleting to body and mind. There are numerous methods to help dismantle stress but one of the most powerful and empowering is to take mindful breaks throughout the day. Recent research in the neurosciences shows that relaxing the body and mind at 90-minute intervals throughout the day can be extremely beneficial to overall well being, focus and balance.  Take a minute or two and try closing your eyes and taking some deep slow breaths. Then notice how you feel! Frustration, frenzy, anger, anxiety will all be reduced. If you don’t feel … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breath, Integrative Wellness, Mindfulness, Spiritual Health, Stress/Anxiety Tagged With: , ,

Preparing Children for a Move

July 14, 2014 by
MH900044840

Moving requires much planning and preparation.  The natural to-do list includes gathering moving boxes, sorting through clutter, packing, researching the new location, informing others of new address, etc.  Whether short or long-distance, it is important to prepare children for a relocation.  Here are some helpful tips to consider: 1. Be as specific as possible (and age-appropriate) with your explanation of the moving process.  This includes: Wait until your move is definite before you inform your children to avoid confusion. Take them to visit the new home or city prior to the actual … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adjustment/Transition, Child/Teen Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Mindful Parents Tagged With: , , , ,

3 P’s for Business Survival

July 14, 2014 by
Picture1

  Taking the leap of faith to start a business is frightening, exhilarating, exhausting, and rewarding, all in the same breath.  Here are some helpful tips for entrepreneurs, whether you are in the initial dream stage or in the process of living out that dream:   Patience Someone once reminded me “Rome wasn’t built overnight.”  On a much smaller scale, the same principle holds true for building a business.  Without continued patience, you and your business will not be able to withstand the frustrations, challenges, and unexpected detours that will cross your path.  If … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Health

When It May Be Time for Couples Therapy…

July 13, 2014 by
couple beach

"Love is like a butterfly. Hold it too loose and it will fly away. Hold it too tight and it will crush." ~ Midnight Train "Don't smother each other.  No one can grow in the shade." ~ Leo Buscaglia Relationships are challenging.  When the conflicts outweigh the joy, connection feels like just a memory, or the tension impacts the children in more and more unhealthy ways....it may be time to consider couples therapy.  On the flip side, many couples decide to seek pre-marital counseling from a preventative standpoint to prepare for a life-long union and build a healthy, supportive, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Couples Connection, Mental Wellness

Healing in the Sand

July 13, 2014 by
sand tray

"Often the hands know how to solve a riddle with which the intellect has wrestled in vain."  ~ Carl Jung One form of play therapy  is sand tray.  This is a safe way for clients of all ages to find some control over their lives in a healthy way.   Sand tray, or sand play as some models refer to it, allows a safe and contained space for the builder to create a world in the sand by selecting and placing different images representing real or imaginary people, places, or concepts in the sand.     Clients can choose from any of the miniatures representing the real and imaginary world in which … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adult Mental Health, Child/Teen Mental Health, Expressive Arts, Grief/Loss, Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Trauma