Author: oceansidecounsellingservices

Oh lazy days of summer how I adore you! But my goodness it is time to pay attention to this blog. For me, for you… As the numbers of vaccinated people in our families and social circles increase, we are finally able to embrace loved ones we haven’t connected with for 18 months or more and venture into safe social gatherings. Hello! This is great right?! It does seem we have more to navigate yet. There are still many questions about health and safety, regulations, mask/no mask and a wide range of readiness amongst our friends and family. As we move forward together, let’s honour where we are at as individuals. I know people who are refusing to be vaccinated – do I agree? No, but I accept their choice. Be gentle with yourself and others as we continue to determine what makes sense for our own comfort and wellbeing.

I meet with clients who have not had work or a social life for more than a year. Taking steps forward to engage with life and others again is mindful work and different for each individual. One thing we do know for sure is moving forward is the only answer. Change is inevitable. Many people are reconsidering HOW they wish to live post pandemic. This may look like a change in career, location, social connections, or values in answering the question, “What is truly important to me and how do I want to live my life?” I hope you enjoy the article below.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/04/24/awkward-social-pandemic-return/

Sleep and rest are not the same thing. In our society that places great value on individual production and achievement, the importance of sleep is frequently minimized. Science now supports the restorative value of a good nights sleep to fortify our physical and mental health, but we are also suffering from a rest deficit. Rest should equal restoration in these seven key areas of your life.

1. Physical rest includes passive acts such as sleeping and napping but also active physical rest such as yoga, stretching, and massage therapy.
2. Mental rest can be supported by scheduling short breaks throughout your workday and give yourself permission to slow down.
3. Sensory rest is a helpful break from lights, noise, computer screens, and conversation. Close your eyes for a mindful minute and unplug from electronics.
4. Creative rest allows you to connect to the wonders of life through nature and the arts. Get outside, listen to music, engage in a hobby.
5. Emotional rest gives you the opportunity to acknowledge your personal needs and feelings which can reduce ‘people pleasing.’
6. Social rest encourages us to engage with those relationships that energize rather than drain us. Surround yourself with supportive individuals.
7. Spiritual rest allows us to connect to love, acceptance, and purpose through prayer, meditation, and community connection.

We are all experiencing unprecedented challenges in navigating the impact of Covid-19 on our daily lives.  The fear of the unknown including the wellbeing of our family and friends, the economy, our jobs, and the future.  It is key to do your best to follow a daily routine, eat healthy foods, get outside for some physical activity, limit your time to receive essential news updates, and connect with others via phone or FaceTime.  We need each other right now.  My deepest hope is that we will rebound from this experience with renewed gratitude for all of our blessings.  The ability to move and travel freely, shop for an abundance of foods, connect with others face to face, go to work, attend classes may have been taken for granted by most of us.  Breathe deeply, meditate, pray, play music, dance, and honestly share with friends and loved ones when things aren’t going well.  Let’s lean on each other a little more these days.  I am available for phone or online counselling sessions via Zoom going forward.  Please reach out anytime and we can schedule time.  Take good care.  monique@oceansidecounsellingservices.com

This talk resonated with me as I work with a number of amazing millennials who are sorting their way through their present and trying to envision their futures.  Often as these clients sit across from me I want to shout from the rooftops about how amazing they are! This statement resonated with me, “Thirty is not the new 20, so claim your adulthood, get some identity capital, use your weak ties, pick your family.  Don’t be defined by what you didn’t know or didn’t do.  You’re deciding your life right now.” Your one precious life, and you are AMAZING!