Creativity: An Essential Part of Healing and Wellness

Creativity can be daunting. When we look around the world with an eye for art, we can feel intimidated and overwhelmed when thinking about pursuing it ourselves. I know I am. However, creativity isn’t just for artists, actors or musicians. Whether through painting, writing, gardening, or even cooking, creative activities offer a unique outlet for expression and even emotional release.

When we engage in creative processes, our brains shift into a mode of exploration and problem-solving. This encourages us to see things from new perspectives, often helping us process complex emotions or experiences we might not be able to articulate otherwise, so for many, it’s a way to give form to feelings that words can't quite capture.

One of the benefits that engaging in creative acts does is that it provides a break from the constant chatter of our minds, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the moment. This “flow” state, where we lose track of time and become absorbed in an activity is known to enhance well-being and create a sense of peace, as well as provide you a glimpse of an alternate way of being.

Creative outlets also serve as a form of self-discovery where we can learn more about ourselves, including our thoughts, our desires, and our challenges.

Another benefit is that creative acts can be shared and connect us with others, so whether we’re sharing a poem, collaborating on a project, or simply discussing our latest hobby, creative expression fosters community and empathy. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone in our experiences, and that connection is healing in itself.

So, even if you don’t consider yourself “creative,” give it a try. Just try anything that you might have previously or have always wanted to try. Just play a bit and you might be surprised by how much it can do for your mental health.

Don't Ignore your Self: Why Self-Care isn't Silly

If you think back in your life to the times that others have provided care for you, what would that look like? Maybe you were sick and someone did some chores for your. Or you were just feeling down and someone spend time listening carefully and compassionately. Now think about how you treat yourself? Do these match up? Maybe not, and if not, it's a good area to work on.

It’s more than just pampering yourself with bubble baths and snacks—it’s an essential practice that keeps you balanced and thriving. Whether you feel you're relatively mentally health, or living with depression, anxiety, PTSD or more, self-care matters and here's how you can incorporate it into your life.

Understanding Self-Care

Self-care is all about tuning into your own needs and actively meeting them. Picture yourself as a plant; without water and sunlight, you’d struggle to grow. Similarly, regular self-care helps you stay nourished and vibrant.

Why It’s Essential

• Recharge Physically and Emotionally: Regular self-care helps you rejuvenate and maintain your energy levels, especially for when you need them to be healthy.
• Prevent Stress and Burnout: Neglecting self-care can lead to stress buildup and eventually burnout. By taking time for yourself, you’re actively working to avoid these pitfalls, which can sometimes take a long time to settle.
• Improve Overall Well-Being: Self-care practices help you stay balanced and feel better overall in your life.

Now, self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. What works for one person might not work for another. Some people find their groove in gym workouts or outdoor activities, while others recharge through quiet time with a good book or hanging out with loved ones. The key is to explore and find what truly resonates with you.

Creating Your Self-Care Routine

• Set Aside Time: Whether it’s a few minutes a day or a block of time each week, make self-care a regular part of your schedule.
• Experiment and Adapt: Try different activities to see what helps you feel recharged. It’s all about finding what suits your needs best.

Remember, self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s about being kind to yourself and acknowledging that you deserve to feel good. So, make self-care a priority and watch how it positively impacts your mental health.

Compassion for Self Helps with Healing

For the longest time in my life, I was incredibly hard on myself. I know this is not a rare thing, as most of the people I've counselled in my life are the same in that they beat themselves up for silly mistakes, berate themselves for not "doing better" and generally dislike themselves and they way they've handled a lot of things in their lives. 

I've often tried to practice compassion for myself, but always found it easier to practice it towards others. I've gotten better at this and it's really helped me out in so many different ways.

Let’s delve into the transformative power of self-compassion and its essential role in the healing process. Navigating through life’s challenges can be tough, and incorporating self-compassion into your routine can make a significant difference in how you handle these difficulties.

Understanding Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is about treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a close friend. Imagine you’ve just faced a setback or made a mistake—rather than criticizing yourself harshly, self-compassion invites you to respond with empathy and care. It’s acknowledging that everyone experiences struggles and that it’s perfectly okay to be imperfect.

Why Self-Compassion is Essential

• Reduces Self-Criticism: When you practice self-compassion, you replace harsh self-judgment with kindness, which can alleviate the emotional strain and depressed feelings that comes from being overly critical of yourself, helping you move forward with less self-doubt.

• Enhances Resilience: Self-compassion acts as a support system during tough times. By offering yourself understanding and encouragement, you build emotional resilience, making it easier to recover from setbacks and face challenges with a stronger mindset.

• Improves Emotional Well-Being: Engaging in self-compassion fosters a sense of connection and reduces feelings of isolation. Validating your own experiences and emotions without judgment helps you maintain a balanced and healthier outlook on life.

How to Practice Self-Compassion

• Positive Self-Talk: When you’re struggling, speak to yourself as you would to a supportive friend. Use gentle and affirming language to offer encouragement and understanding.

• Acknowledge Your Emotions: Allow yourself to fully experience and accept your feelings. Recognize that all emotions are valid and an integral part of the human experience.

• Prioritize Self-Care: Incorporate activities that nurture your well-being, such as mindfulness, exercise, or relaxing hobbies. These practices help reinforce the sense of self-kindness and support.

Self-compassion is a fundamental practice for effective healing. By extending kindness and understanding to yourself, you can foster resilience, reduce self-criticism, decrease anxiety and improve your overall emotional well-being. 

Emotional Triggers: How to Identify and Respond Calmly

We're in the midst of that time where our emotional triggers are on HIGH alert. Be it from family, time of year, changes in weather or otherwise, there's a lot of emotion running high at this time of year. Read on to find out how you can respond to your triggers and not react to the situation, all the while providing the care for yourself you need to get through the season.

Emotional triggers are situations, people, or memories that evoke intense emotional reactions, often disproportionately to the event itself and can range from anger and sadness to anxiety and fear. Learning to identify and manage your emotional triggers is crucial for maintaining emotional well-being and fostering healthier relationships.

What Are Emotional Triggers?
Emotional triggers often stem from past experiences, unresolved trauma, or deeply held beliefs. For example, if someone has been criticized harshly in the past, they may become triggered by even mild feedback from others. These triggers can cause immediate, automatic reactions that are difficult to control in the moment. Being aware of your triggers is the first step toward managing them.

How to Identify Emotional Triggers

1. Pay Attention to Your Emotional Reactions
   The first step in identifying your triggers is to notice when you’re having a strong emotional reaction to something. Ask yourself:

   • When do I feel overwhelmed, anxious, or angry?
   • What words or situations make me feel this way?
   • What are the physical sensations that accompany these emotions (e.g., a tight chest, clenched fists)? Becoming more aware of these patterns helps you pinpoint the underlying trigger.

2. Examine Past Experiences
   Triggers are often tied to unresolved issues from your past. Reflect on your childhood, previous relationships, or significant life events that may have contributed to your current emotional sensitivity. Journaling or talking to a therapist can help you connect the dots between past trauma and present reactions.

3. Identify Specific Situations
   Sometimes, your triggers are connected to specific environments or people. It might be a particular setting—like a crowded room—or an individual who reminds you of a past hurt. Making these associations can help you anticipate situations where you're likely to be triggered, allowing you to prepare.

How to Manage Emotional Triggers

1. Pause Before Reacting
   When you feel a trigger coming on, take a moment to pause. Ground yourself by taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or focusing on a calming object. This pause helps create a buffer between the trigger and your response, giving you time to assess the situation rationally.

2. Challenge Negative Thoughts
   Often, emotional triggers are accompanied by distorted thinking patterns such as catastrophizing or assuming the worst. When triggered, ask yourself:

   • Is my reaction proportionate to the situation?
   • What evidence supports this feeling?
   • Could there be another way to view this situation? By challenging your initial reactions, you can shift your perspective and diminish the emotional intensity of the trigger.

3. Practice Self-Compassion
   Managing emotional triggers is not about suppressing your feelings but understanding and accepting them. Be kind to yourself during the process. Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel triggered, but you’re working on finding healthier ways to cope.

4. Set Boundaries
   If specific situations or people frequently trigger you, it’s important to set boundaries. Communicate your limits to others and take steps to protect your emotional well-being. For instance, if large social gatherings trigger anxiety, consider attending for a shorter time or taking breaks in quieter areas.

5. Engage in Healthy Coping Mechanisms
   Developing healthy coping mechanisms can help you deal with emotional triggers more effectively. Activities like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and journaling can help you process your emotions and reduce their intensity.

Seek Support
If you find it challenging to manage emotional triggers on your own, consider seeking professional help. A therapist can provide insight into the root causes of your triggers and offer strategies for managing them.

Identifying and managing emotional triggers is a process that requires self-awareness, patience, and practice and by understanding your triggers and developing healthy coping mechanisms, you can reduce the impact they have on your emotional well-being. The goal isn’t necessarily to eliminate triggers but to learn how to respond to them in a way that promotes growth, healing,