Everyday Wellness Strategies for Resilience & Wellbeing from the field of Positive Psychology Presenter: Katie Thom BA Hons (University of Winnipeg), MA Psychology (University of Manitoba) Mindfulness in Schools Project, MBSR Ottawa
"There is no health without mental health. " - World Health Organization
Mental Health: World Health Organization a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. https://www.shepellfgi.com/understandingmentalillness/images/art5_3.gif We all have mental health.
Mental health absence of mental illness
Modern Day Stress Inherited mechanism to promote survival in the face of a serious threat Overrides use of critical thinking areas in the brain prepares body for action Most of our modern day stressors are not life-endangering threats Little time for rest and restoration; nature of modern day life = overstimulated, overscheduled, increasingly isolated Chronic stress can be very damaging
20% of the Canadian population will develop a mental illness in their lifetime
The Burden of Mental Illness Can Be Severe MENTAL ILLNESS COMPARED TO PHYSICAL DISABILITY Moderate Depression Major Depression Severe PTSD Severe Schizophrenia Relapsing MS Blindness Paraplegia Quadriplegia (Stouthard, et al, 1997)
http://web.iit.edu/sites/web/files/field_uploads/slideshow/full-body-slide/2015/main_home1_770x350.jpg http://www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/sites/default/files/bigstock_team_2788474.jpg Mental health is everybody s business.
"Wellbeing is a skill." -Dr. Richard Davidson
https://youtu.be/elpfycza87g
The Science of a Meaningful Life: 10 Keys to Wellbeing https://greatergood.berkeley.edu https://ggia.berkeley.edu/ Altruism Diversity Gratitude Awe Happiness Compassion Mindfulness Empathy Forgiveness Social Connection
Mindfulness Purposefully paying attention to the present moment with curiousity and nonjudgment. Suggestions for Practice: Try a Course, App or Book MBSR, MBCT Headspace, Insight Timer Finding Peace in a Frantic World The Mindful Way through Depression Mindful Cues
Gratitude Affirms there is goodness in our lives Recognize sources of goodness are outside ourselves Benefits our immune system, relationships, sleep, stress management, etc. Suggestions for Practice: Three Good Things Gratitude Letter Savouring Walk App: Bliss
Awe Feelings of wonder, amazement or transcendence Commonly elicited by other people, nature, music, art or architecture Suggestions for Practice: Awe Narrative Read or Watch Inspirational Stories Visit a Museum Go on a Nature Walk
When we act to promote someone else s welfare, even at a risk or cost to ourselves. Aka: being kind and generous. "Helper's high" Altruism is contagious Altruism
Suggestions for Practice: Randomactsofkindness.org #CaptureKindness RAKtivist stories Acts.kindness.org Join a Kindness Initiative! Altruism Reminders of Connectedness Volunteer
Compassion Concern for another's suffering with a desire to help Self-compassion = very important protective factor Suggestions for Practice: Local: Compassion Project @ CHCCM http://www.chcm-ccsm.ca/ Compassion-Based Exercises Kristin Neff (selfcompassion.org) Practice Looking for Commonalities
Social Connection Feeling that you belong to a group and generally feel close to other people Suggestions for Practice: Capitalize on Positive Events Active Listening Time Out for Time In Initiative 3-Breath Hug
Forgiveness A conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group Suggestions for Practice: Forgiveness as a Gift Effective Apology
Happiness The experience of joy and contentment combined with a sense that one s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile Suggestions for Practice: Best Possible Self Meaningful Photos Laugh! Exercise Don't Focus on Material Wealth
Thank You
Want to Know More? Greater Good Science Centre greatergood.berkeley.edu/ Greater Good in Action: ggia.berkeley.edu/ Greater Good's Happiness Course The Science of Happiness https://www.edx.org/