December 24 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 We’ve reached the final day today of our Wellbeing Advent Calendar, and thank anyone who has been following along with this series as we’ve acknowledged the challenges we all may face this year as we see our December holiday celebrations such as Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa impacted by COVID-19. We may not be able […]
December 23 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 There are many ways we can build our resilience. Just as we may take vitamins to protect ourselves from illness, or stretch to protect ourselves from injury, we can build up resilience factors that may protect our mental health from suffering. While just as taking a vitamin can’t totally prevent all illness, these won’t […]
December 22 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 Today’s post is another one for youth: listen to a Kids Help Phone National Ambassador share 5 strategies they are using to cope with change during COVID-19. These strategies may help youth (and adults!) cope with the changes COVID-19 is creating this holiday season. Article below: Alicia Raimundo: How I cope with change during […]
December 21 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 “The approach of the winter season often brings expectations…..for many of us, idealized expectations can lead to frustration, loneliness, disappointment, anxiety, sadness and holiday blues.” An excerpt from todays resource from CMHA’s Self Help Alliance: their Winter Holiday Self-Care workbook. If that statement above resonates true for you, particularly this year where we may […]
December 20 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 Today, a reminder that one way to be gentle with yourself over the holidays is to eliminate pressures. We may feel enough pressure during normal times to host the perfect gathering, give the perfect gift, cook the perfect meal, or buy the perfect outfit. This year, just as the stressors we face may look […]
December 19 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 This month, the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s “Catalyst” newsletter included two articles titled “Giving the Gift of Self-Care” and “Making Spirits Bright” that touched on coping with and adapting to a different holiday season this year. Read the insights in these articles here: MHCC: Giving the Gift of Self-Care MHCC: Making Spirits Bright
December 18 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 The practice of mindfulness is often spoken of and has been researched as an effective practice for coping with stress, anxiety, or depression. Toronto’s non-profit Centre for Mindfulness Studies shares with us some suggestions for how mindfulness can be useful in the current times of uncertainty, and shares some practices you can try. Read […]
December 17 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 #Resource Thursday This resource compiled by the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health shares National and Provincial mental health support lines that provide seniors in Canada who may be feeling lonely or isolated with empathetic supportive listening or brief counselling. Find the organizations and phone numbers here
December 16 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 “Finding a way to stay socially connected during the pandemic is probably one of the best things we can do for our mental health”. From Calgary’s Centre for Suicide Prevention comes the third post in their Hope, belonging, meaning and purpose: suicide prevention in times of crisis blog series, titled “Maintaining relationships and social […]
December 15 – Wellbeing Advent Calendar
#WellbeingAdventCalendar2020 As we enter the holiday season, we often encounter added stressors. Under normal circumstances, those stressors may be around preparing for family gatherings or meals, or dealing with past traumas or losses that may be amplified over the holidays. This year, where family gatherings are not possible, the stressors may also take the form […]