Posts with the category “mindfulness”

The holidays are here, and if you’re feeling equal parts excited and overwhelmed, trust me—you’re not alone. Here we are  Read More

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – BuddhaAs the holidays start creeping closer, life can feel like it’s moving at lightning speed. Suddenly, there’s a long list of things to do, people to see, and deadlines to meet. It’s like we’re expected to somehow hold it all together, with a big smile, no less! But here’s the thing - sometimes, we en...  Read More

Life has its way of presenting us with moments that can feel so challenging and it can throw curveballs at us when we least expect them. Some days, even the simplest tasks can feel   Read More

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” – UnknownHello, lovely community,Can you believe it? October is already here! Autumn is officially in the air, and with it comes that magical shift of seasons. It’s such a beautiful time – the crisp mornings, the changing leaves (Mother Nature is amazing), and, of course, sweater weather. Then there’s hockey season starting and going for walk...  Read More

Moving homes is often touted as one of life's most stressful events, right up there with changing jobs or navigating a significant relationship shift. It's a process filled with excitement, hope, and the promise of a fresh start. But for many of us, it's also a journey laced with unexpected hiccups, hidden emotions, and surprisingly profound life lessons.Take, for instance, the move that I’m curre...  Read More

my husband and I decided to embark on between 6 to 12 months ago. We called it our "low carb" and "keto-ish" journey. It was supposed to be a 30-day challenge...  Read More

Embracing the Simple Pleasures of Everyday LifeHello, fellow health and wellness enthusiasts! As we approach the new year, what better time to explore a transformative concept perfect for starting the year on a positive note? In this blog, we're delving into a transformative concept: the power of noticing and cherishing small, pleasant moments in our daily lives. This practice, deeply rooted in mi...  Read More

The golden hues of falling leaves, the cozy embrace of a chunky sweater, and the first sip of a pumpkin spice latte — the fall season is known for its charm and picturesque beauty. However, beyond the aesthetic and romanticized depiction of autumn, for some it can also bring with it a shift in our mental well-being. Understanding the impact of the fall season on our mental health can be important ...  Read More

It's that time of the year again. The aisles of stores are lined with fresh notebooks, vibrant pens, and, of course, brand-new  Read More

Q: Why do mindfulness students love going to airports?A: Because they might get a free body scan!Laughter is a universal language that has the ability to uplift us, connect us with others, and infuse our day with positivity. From a mental health perspective, laughter serves as a balm, a restorative force that reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting our mood and outlook on life. As t...  Read More

As a psychotherapist with 23 years of experience, I've had the privilege of working with many clients, each with their unique needs and circumstances. I've found that not all therapeutic modalities suit everyone. That's why I'm constantly exploring different approaches that cater to my clients' diverse preferences. One of these innovative strategies is "Walk and Talk Therapy," a method that's been...  Read More

As the pace of life quickens, and with an overwhelming influx of information and stimuli, maintaining a healthy state of mind can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. However, amidst all these challenges, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of an increasingly popular therapeutic approach - Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). This is now an evidence-based 8-week program that now has decad...  Read More

As the winter months drag on, many of us tend to experience a dip in our mood and energy levels. In some cases, this can develop into a more serious condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). However, there are some ways to overcome the winter blues, and one of them is through mindfulness. In this blog post, we will explore how you can use mindfulness to boost your mood, and also touch ...  Read More

Unfortunately, mental health problems are a growing concern in Canada. In fact, at least 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health  Read More

As we commemorate Bell Let’s Talk Day, it’s the perfect time to think about what mental health is all about. Mental health is obviously a complex thing. It’s not simply the absence of mental illness symptoms but it’s about feeling balanced physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. But each individual is so different and what’s right for one person might not be right for another. That ...  Read More

One thing we know for sure, is that life is filled with ups and downs. The up times bring happiness, joy and satisfaction, as well as hope that the good times will last as long as possible. Yet, no matter how blessed you are, challenges are part of life. The down times can obscure those feelings of peace and important to...  Read More

If you struggle with addiction, there is a focus on reaching out for support, whether that's from a 12-Step Program, online support group, doctor, or therapist. While formal support is an invaluable resource for recovering addicts, good self-care is equally vital...  Read More

If you’ve had some extra stress lately, maybe some anxiety or overwhelm, you’re not alone. You might’ve had some low mood symptoms, as it’s not uncommon, even when the weather is warmer. From a mindfulness perspective, all of these mood states and emotions are welcome  Read More

If you are one of the many people who finds themselves overthinking things, then it would be helpful to take a pause and slow down, because there's a good chance that you're negatively impacting your   Read More

Do you ever feel awkward in social situations? If so, you’re not alone! Social anxiety often stems from a subconscious fear of people’s negative judgments, fear of rejection and/or fear of abandonment. It manifests as significant discomfort in and through the body, tons of negative thoughts and the urge to avoid or reduce unease. But, interestingly, no one can reject you without your consent. Shak...  Read More

“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.” ― David RichoBeing a “people pleaser” is exhausting! I should know, because I find myself, from time to time, still falling back into being one too. It's challenging enough to keep up with our own needs, but when we try to meet the expectations of others, especially if we have lots of friends and acquaintances, it fee...  Read More

Acknowledging that you want to start therapy can be a difficult step for many. A lot of people start thinking about therapy when they have quite a few things...  Read More

Anxiety can be a very common experience for most of us and can be extremely unpleasant. It is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease...  Read More

The science behind the benefits of Mindfulness skills is irrefutable. Some of the benefits include both better physical health (reduced blood pressure for one), emotional regulation and enhanced mental functioning (greater focus, clarity and confidence). Ironically.....  Read More

Every day, setbacks happen to millions of people all over the world. From minor career obstacles to serious life-or-death situations, life is full of difficult moments and challenging circumstances...  Read More

There are many natural ways to reduce anxiety and increase a sense of calm. It's wise to lessen anxiousness, not just because it's unpleasant, but also because it has a detrimental effect on your overall health and wellbeing. These 10 natural practices will help you do just that.  Read More

We live in a time where productivity and determination are needed to succeed and accomplish the things that are important to us. That applies whether you're self-employed, volunteer, work for someone else or are achieving goals around the home.  Read More

What concerns me more and more with the advent of new Mindfulness apps is the reaction from the clients who explain how they’ve practiced mindfulness through an app but concluded that it “didn’t help” them  Read More

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~ Albert Camus We are starting the most colourful season of the year and it comes and goes in a flash. Most of us recognize the changes in our scenery but how many of us truly immerse ourselves in the changes we see in nature at this time of year? So many of us are overwhelmed with our day-to-day responsibilities that we end up defaulting to...  Read More

When I found out that Tara Brach, Ph.D., was going to be featured in a webinar hosted by The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM), I immediately scheduled it into my google calendar so that I wouldn’t miss it.  Dr. Ruth Buczynski, President and Licensed Psychologist at NICABM, interviewed Tara about her latest book called True Refuge:  Finding Peace and F...  Read More

I don’t always look forward to my bi-monthly day long mindfulness meditation retreats.  In fact, once upon a time, my mind used to come up with any old excuse to avoid going.  It wasn’t hard to find a whole host of good reasons not to go; being a busy mom, wife and business owner and trying to squeeze in a whole day of practice is not as easy feat.  I’m very lucky that my husband regularly reminds...  Read More