Our nervous systems are not meant to cope with the current situation. Reactions like anger & rage, numbness or apathy, or feeling stuck and not knowing what to do are biologically normal ways that our bodies try to protect us. Be gentle with yourself, and be intentional with finding moments of joy.

Be gentle with yourself. What we are living through is not normal! We can't expect to function/cope the way we used to. Give yourself permission to do less.

The world is a challenging place, especially right now. If all you're managing to do is survive, it's enough. Celebrate making it through the day and focus on the next small step forward. Sending love!

So important. ❤️

With everything going on in the world, it's easy to feel like joy & pleasure are wrong. Like having fun somehow means you don't care about what others are going through. Nothing could be further from the truth. Joy, love, playfulness, fun etc are a crucial part of healing both ourselves & our world.

It's easy to feel helpless right now or that anything you can do isn't enough to change anything so why bother, but your actions DO matter. Remember, small positive actions from a large number of people adds up to a big positive change.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by world news, you're certainly not alone. Remember to take care of yourself by limiting your exposure to social media and the news, focusing on the things that are within your control and taking the time for rest and self care.

New Year resolutions often fail because big changes can feel threatening to your nervous system. Try focusing on smaller changes that you can build on to create good habits. If there's something you want to change, start by working on it 5-10 mins a day and build up as you're able.

Happy Holidays! Sending love to all, especially those for whom the holidays are a challenging time. ❤️

Being a "people pleaser" is not an identity. It's a trauma response. It's not who you are, it's what you've learned to do to protect yourself. With support, it can be unlearned to help you find your authentic self. #trauma #mentalhealth

If you're feeling like you have too many balls in the air and are overwhelmed, drop the balls that will bounce (housework, unnecessary outings, kids' activities etc.). You can pick them up again later. It's important to prioritize your #mentalhealth

It's important to recognize the difference between emotions, thoughts and behaviors when talking about #mentalhealth. We don't have control over our emotions, but we do have control over our thoughts and actions. Learning how to shift our thoughts & actions is a crucial part of #healing

Curiosity is a wonderful tool on the path to #healing. Getting curious about our feelings helps us create the space to move through them. #mentalhealth

Bluesky is a good example of what we need in society as a whole. Science, collaboration, community building, friendly and respectful discussion and disagreement and shuttering of hate and conspiracy theories.

Rest without guilt. It's a crucial part of self care and #healing.

For anyone who might need a reminder, you are beautiful and worthy just as you are.

Individual resilience is not something we should be working towards. Rather, the goal should be a healthy society where resilience is not a necessity. #trauma #mentalhealth

An important thing to understand about our nervous systems is that they don't like change. We prefer what is familiar, even if it is unhealthy, because it is predictable (and therefore easier to respond to keep us safe). This is why sudden big changes can hinder rather than help in healing.

Emotions are not positive or negative. All emotions are important signals about what is going on in our body and our environment. So called "negative" emotions let us know when a boundary has been crossed, our reality doesn't match our goals, we've been witness to an injustice etc. (1/3)

It's OK to love your baby but hate the way they came into the world. It doesn't make you a bad parent. Difficult birth experiences need to be acknowledged & processed. You're grieving the loss of your birth as you pictured it. #birthtrauma #mentalhealth

So important! #mentalhealth

For years I had an amazing family doctor and I still miss her care. One of my favourite things about her was her willingness to say "I don't know but I'll find out" when she didn't know the answer to one of my questions. #MedSky #traumainformedcare

Trauma informed care has nothing to do with knowing what trauma someone has been through. It is understanding the responses that trauma can cause and creating a safe environment, and being a safe person, so that those responses are not triggered. #MedSky

There are no quick fixes when it comes to healing. #Healing from #trauma is a journey with a lot of ups and downs. It takes time, practice and patience. It can be uncomfortable at times but the lasting change and discovery of your authentic self is worth it.

#Trauma happens when the nervous system gets overwhelmed. It's not the event it's how the body responds, which depends on things like a person's capacity, support system and environment. This is why the same event may be traumatic for one person and not for another.

When #nurses & other healthcare providers say they are burned out, they don't mean they're tired & need a day off. Their bodies are in a state of collapse from repetitive #trauma. They need fair pay, #paidsickdays & adequate mental and physical health supports.

One of the most important steps on the journey to healing is learning to feel your feelings. It sounds simple, but society teaches us to suppress our feelings in ways we don't even realize. (1/6)

As we all struggle to process current events, keep in mind that hate is not going to be solved with more hate. As you move through the anger, disappointment, shock etc, focus on finding healthy ways to deal with those emotions. Remember that the only way to create positive change is with compassion.

If the world feels overwhelming right now, remember, focus on what you can control and take things one step at a time. Try turning your focus inward, asking yourself "what do I need right now in this moment", and honoring the answer. Sending hugs to everyone who needs one!