We live in a society that often talks about the pursuit of happiness and very little about depression. While sadness is a part of life and we all have days where we may feel down, depression affects multiple parts of our life - behaviour, mood, and thoughts and can last for days, weeks, or even months.
Loving and accepting ourselves as we are is challenging for many of us. Often, we are more comfortable criticising ourselves and telling ourselves what a bad job we have done rather than appreciating ourselves for our unique qualities and accomplishments.
As a cancer survivor, just hearing that six-letter word used to send a chill down my spine, stirring up feelings of fear, anxiety, and vulnerability. But here's the thing – it's because of these very emotions that we shouldn't shy away from talking about cancer. Changing the way we think and talk about this life-changing experience isn't just a good idea; it's crucial for our emotional well-being and overall healing journey.
Read MoreIf you are neurodiverse or are otherwise struggling with executive functioning – like recovering from burnout, setting a SMART goal can be really difficult even if you have assessed it as attainable. Read on for some alternative ways to goal-set that may be more supportive.
Read MoreSometimes we have responses that are just as quick when we experience a threat. Sometimes we call this a freeze response because our bodies may shut down or feel numb. In this state it is common to feel helpless, trapped, or depressed.
We also have a mammalian part of our brain which developed later. Polyvagal theory says the mammalian brain is responsible for things like co-regulation which means that how one mammal acts effects another.
Read MoreIt is commonly understood that good sleep is a component of a healthy lifestyle. But how does sleep tie into our mental health? Let’s take a closer look.
If you’ve ever struggled with insomnia, fatigue, or sleeplessness you know that these things can lead to low mood, irritability and difficulty managing stress.
Read MoreFor many of us, Spring begins with an annual ritual - the spring cleaning. A chance to declutter and say goodbye to our unwanted stuff - to refresh our living space by getting neat and tidy. However, spring cleaning can actually bring about other, unexpected benefits when it comes to your mental health.
Read MoreSpark some JOY
As another tough year approaches it’s end, we wanted to use this platform to make room for JOY.
That’s why we asked the everwell team on their perspectives and experiences with JOY; what it is and how to find it.
Read More“Window of tolerance” refers to a zone of 'arousal' or stimulation in which people are able to function and thrive in everyday life.
In this blog post we’d like to use this concept to help you develop some awareness of the cues that your body and mind may be sending you when you are outside of your window of tolerance.
Read MoreStress is a reality for all of us. There is no way to get through life without dealing with stress.
On the one hand, it is helpful to approach stress with acceptance in order to live with as much ease as possible. On the other hand, when dealing with large amounts of constant stress, it is important to realize that it doesn’t always have to be this way.
Read MoreThis month at everwell we’ve been focusing on challenging the societal narratives that uphold ‘Grind Culture’. There are many narratives that are common in our culture that prioritize productivity, achievement, and busy-ness over rest, self-care and groundedness. We are all carrying these narratives with us in some form or another. But even when we begin to challenge these narratives, many of us run into resistance to the idea of rest and the actions needed to step out of the ‘grind’ we are so used to. So let’s take a look at this resistance and how it might be showing up for you.
Read More2020 marks The Canadian Mental Health Association’s 69th annual Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week helps to shift societal beliefs and perceptions about mental health. It helps promote behaviours and attitudes that foster well-being, support good mental health and create a culture of understanding and acceptance. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week, May 4-10, 2020 is ‘social connection’ and its importance for mental health.
Read MoreNow, having developed a weird sleep schedule, new and rather creative eating habits and a completely upside-down daily routine, I find myself reflecting more and more on the unique challenges helpers face during times where we all, in some way or another, are struggling with the ominous ambiguity of the current state of the world.
Read MoreIt’s very common for our homes to get messy and cluttered at times. Simply collecting or owning a lot of things does not mean someone has a hoarding disorder. So what is the difference between clutter, collecting, and hoarding? When does too much stuff become too much? Take our QUIZ.
Read MoreMany of us are staying indoors and limiting contact with others to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This can lead to a sense of isolation and lots and lots of anxiety! To help stay calm and centred during this difficult time, why not join our 21 Day Detox Your Mind Challenge?
Read MoreSometimes we wish we could just run away from our problems. But rarely do we think about actually running away. Harnessing the power of physical activity can make you feel better. With some insight, intention, and perseverance you can move forward with feeling better both physically and emotionally.
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