I am currently taking an introduction to Improvisation Comedy class. Improv is a fun way to practice…
I attended an InterPlay workshop recently, based on the principals of Interpersonal Neurobiology. We experienced firsthand how “mindfulness” can be fun. And “playfulness” is not an escape from reality. In this workshop, we played (connected, laughed, moved) and built (inter)personal awareness. Intentional play is an antidote for depression and anxiety.
Here’s a list of 81 Mental Health Resources, including apps and community support groups.
Each program has it’s potential benefits. Taken as a whole, this list points out that MANY people are working individually and collectively to make this world a more accessible, responsible, and peaceful place. If you try one of these programs, I’d like to hear about your experience.
This video describes autonomic nervous system responses to brief and chronic stressors. It helps viewers develop a map of their well-being and provides insight into the art and science of self-regulation.
In addition to other healthy life practices, I find great resiliency in a self-book: Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others. This book provides a framework for managing vicarious trauma. The text outlines 16 possible imbalances within a caregiver or service provider–such as cynicism, deliberate avoidance, hypervigilance, and an inability to embrace complexity. Readers can self-assess their experience and make adjustments. This collection of research and anecdotes relates to various human services, including social work, law enforcement, education, and medical fields.
I recently took a somatic psychology training with Babette Rothchild, author of The Body Remembers Casebook. I gained knowledge about the body’s nervous systems and ways to reorient trauma and panic.
Lives Restored is a New York Times video/interview series that profiles the resiliency of five people diagnosed with mental illness.
If you enjoy advice columns or processing life conundrums, you may enjoy the Ask Amy series on youtube. Amy Poehler created a series of short videos with titles like: Apologies, Courage, Negativity, and Friendship. Obviously, the information won’t fit every situation–but I hope you get some new ideas or laughs.
This morning, I downloaded a new app: The Physician’s Desk Reference, 68th Edition. It’s a searchable book that provides information about prescription drugs: their uses and risks. Decades of research at my fingertips. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I do not prescribe medications. I appreciate this information though, as it facilitates consultation with doctors and other medical professionals.
I looked up non-medical applications too. An article called The 8 Best Apps for a Calm, Focused Mind offers non-pharmaceutical tools. Some applications help users build structure into their lives. Other applications help users develop cognitive skills–such as practicing focus and the ability to calm oneself through music, poetry, or meditation.