Posts with the category “mindfulness”

Awakening to the Joy of Small Moments: Overcoming Negativity Bias through Mindfulness
by Angie Kingma on January 1st, 2024
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 Science Behind Fall's Effects on Mental Health
by Angie Kingma on October 1st, 2023
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
The Backpack of Worries: Learning to Unpack and Lighten the Load
by Angie Kingma on September 1st, 2023
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
The Power of Laughter: A Mindfulness Approach to Health and Happiness
by Angie Kingma on August 1st, 2023
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
Walk and Talk Therapy: A Step Forward in Mental Health Care
by Angie Kingma on June 28th, 2023
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
Embracing the Present: A Dive into Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
by Angie Kingma on June 1st, 2023
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
Mindfulness To Help Cope with the Winter Blues
by Angie Kingma on March 1st, 2023
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
Mindfulness in the Workplace: Strategies for Staying Present and Productive on the Job
by Angie Kingma on February 1st, 2023
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
Bell Let's Talk Day - Attitude is Everything: How Flexible Thinking Can Improve Your Mental Health
by Angie Kingma on January 25th, 2023
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
Taking Care of Yourself on World Mental Health Day
by Angie Kingma on October 10th, 2022
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
Self-Care and Addiction Recovery
by Angie Kingma on September 1st, 2022
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
5 Ways to Support and Improve Your Mental Health This Summer
by Angie Kingma on July 1st, 2022
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
7 Signs You Are Overthinking and How It Can Negatively Affect Your Mental Health  
by Angie Kingma on June 1st, 2022
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
How to Manage Social Anxiety and Increase Confidence
by Angie Kingma on May 1st, 2022
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
5 Ways to Stop Being a People Pleaser (and Not Feel Guilty!)
by Angie Kingma on April 1st, 2022
“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
5 Things to Think About Before Starting Therapy
by Angie Kingma on March 1st, 2022
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
11 Tips to Skillfully Manage Anxiety
by Angie Kingma on January 1st, 2022
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
5 Easy Ways to Add Some Mindfulness to Your Day
by Angie Kingma on November 1st, 2021
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
How to Recover When Life Sets You Back
by Angie Kingma on October 1st, 2021
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
10 natural practices to reduce stress and boost a calm mindset
by Angie Kingma on September 1st, 2021
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
How Meditation Improves Your Mental Health and Productivity
by Angie Kingma on August 2nd, 2021
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
How Mindfulness Apps Can Fail You
by Angie Kingma on July 1st, 2021
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
Allowing Your Stress to Fall Challenge
by Angie Kingma on September 21st, 2018
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
True Refuge Webinar Blog
by Angie Kingma on November 14th, 2013
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
Day Long Mindfulness Meditation Retreats
by Angie Kingma on October 2nd, 2012
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