Mind and Body Connection

After watching the Peterborough Corporate Run and Relay Race on Saturday with a friend I started to think about the way I feel when I run. I came to the decision that I feel like a tiger; at peace in the jungle moving swiftly through the trees, ready to strike at any moment. It makes me feel centered and in control of everything around me and everything inside of me. In a way you could say I use it  as a form of meditation.

The following Monday in my Lifestyle Coaching class we learned about mind and body connection:

• How it is used to enhance the mind’s capacity in assisting the body to do what it needs to do;
• Why some people don't partake in mind/body connection exercises and; 
• What are some strategies to help people partake.  

Sounds boring to some people I know, but knowing this could be really beneficial to someone looking to do something different, so bare with me.

So you want to know why it's good for you? Well....it decreases anxiety, decreases pain, enhances sleep, strengthens your immune system, enhances the ability to heal, and increases your sense of control and well-being.  It can also improve flexibility, strength, posture and balance, along with coordination, stress management and focus.

ALL GOOD THINGS RIGHT?

Why don't people do this more often? 

Lack of money, time, education, professional resources, awareness and interest.

Now forget all of those barriers and focus on how you can get around that..

Time management, support from others, professional support, educational strategies, motivational strategies, and more importantly research. You have the resources right at your finger tips. Go ahead, go to Google and type in, "Mind and Body Exercises".

If you are looking for something different in your workouts—exercise that will engage your body and mind and make you feel like a peaceful tiger then maybe this could be something for you.

Here are a few things that can maybe kick start your research even further: visualization, yoga, pilates, nia, martial arts, tai chi, dance, music, prayer, meditation, support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

All very useful and fun!

Don't be afraid to leave a comment and ask questions about this subject. 
I am full of answers.

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

There are two types of people in this world: those who pick up their accidentally dropped keys with no complaints and go along their way and those who, more often than not, can't pick them up without cursing or letting out a big, miserable sigh.

 

For the longest time, I was that second person. As much as I wanted to be that person who took life's small slights and setbacks with a shrug, I wasn't. I freaked out, blew up, and flew off the proverbial handle in a loud huff whenever something bothered me.

It wasn't until I was sitting on the floor crying because I couldn't get out of my jacket that I realized maybe it wasn't the best approach to dealing with things. Maybe it wasn't the healthiest approach...

In my Fitness and Health Promotion program at Sir Sandford Fleming we learn about how feeling chronically stressed increases the risk of heart disease and weakens the immune system. We learn that if we could all be more even-keeled (so we didn't sweat the small stuff), we would enhance our physical and mental health.

I want to share with you a few simple things that I think about that help me to not sweat the small stuff that I picked up over the years. 

1. Think about it. Will what happened affect your life significantly? 
2. Look at the big picture. Why are you really feeling that way?
3. Focus on the present.
4. Breath.
5. Name the emotions you're feeling. This reduces the activation of your emotional brain and engages your reasoning brain. It will help you focus on fixing the problem.
6. Speak positively.
7. If something doesn't happen the way you envisioned, don't get angry. Sometimes a spontaneous change of plans can be fun.
8. Understand that happiness is a choice.
9. Remember, your problem is like a snowflake. Are you going to let one tiny snowflake stop you from living? It'll melt away soon enough. 
10. Not everything is an emergency.

If you met me today, you would think nothing bothered me. You would think I am one of the most optimistic/down-to-earth people out there. I am happy and healthy and I haven't had an anxiety attack in years because of it. 

So next time you trip over a curb or spill mustard down your shirt, take a step back and think before you start cursing. Shrugging it off will help your mind, body and spirit in the long run and believe me, it's worth it.

Meeting Season

The smell of fall is in the air and this means the return of 'meeting season'.  For those who work in nonprofit we know this time as rush time to book and confirm the slew of board and committee meetings that are on hiatus over the summer.

There is something about this routine that is oddly comforting; perhaps that's why I continue on in nonprofit/charitable work after 15+ years!

September also marks the return of placement students from the local Trent University or Fleming College programs, a very welcome addition to our 'small shop' here at the Health Services Foundation.

Kassandra Sewell joins us today from the Fleming Fitness & Health Promotion Program.  She will be here every Wednesday for 7 weeks helping with the www.ptbocorporaterun.com event on Sat September 13 and the 'Laughter is the Best Medicine' luncheon on Nov 28.

Kassandra, hard at work on her first day.

Laughter

How a simple thing like laughter connects and ignites people in your workplace - Carol Lawless

There's nothing I love more than the sound of laughter. Especially when it comes from a group of volunteers working together. 

As I sit at my computer in the corner office in downtown Peterborough overlooking George and King streets, I wonder what is the impetus for such contagious laughter spilling out of the board room at the Health Services Foundation.

Gathered around the long table in the centre of the room, Chit, Marg, Anne, Lindsay and Celia - all volunteers ranging in age from  21 to 77 -  are stuffing envelopes with thank you cards, annual reports and the latest communication pieces reporting on what's new at our Foundation.

I listen but it still offers no clue as to  why they are laughing and I soon realize it doesn't matter. It's such a welcome sound I sit and enjoy it and even get the impulse to join in.

Which is exactly what our Executive Director, Hannah Routly does.. No more than five minutes of joining the group at the table, she too is folding and stuffing and laughing, not only helping to lessen the workload but making the task an enjoyable and worthwhile one. 

From a recent article in The Globe and Mail written by Karl Moore and Sienna Zampino - Why finding purpose at work drives the economy -  www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/leadership-lab/why-finding-purpose-at-work-drives-the-economy/article19693719/

"By building community leaders and allowing their organization to form a bottom-up culture, rather than dictating top-down solutions, leaders will find their organization achieves success through the empowerment of their employees. A sense of community and the feeling of working towards something greater automatically boosts the motivation of employees and their performance.

Mr. Hurst suggests that being collaborative won’t be just a choice for much longer. With the growing need for purpose and a sense of accomplishment and happiness in the workplace, organizations will need to start molding themselves to suit that. And why shouldn’t they? After all, happy employees are good for business."

I get that it's often tough to find joy in what we do. But often more than not, it's a simple thing, like laughter that ignites and connects people resulting in community building,  partnerships and yes, a happier place to work.

A trusted friend and advocate for community-based healthcare

A trusted friend and advocate for community-based healthcare

This week, just before the Board of Directors adjourned their monthly meeting, Dr. Don Harterre stood up and thanked Sister Mary Connelly for being a friend and a trusted colleague for close to 50 years.

It was Sister Mary's last board meeting as a director for the Health Services Foundation. At one time Sister Mary was the supervisor of the operating and recovery rooms at St. Joseph's Hospital.

"Sister Mary was one of the first persons I met when I came to Peterborough in 1966," explained Dr. Harterre, physician lead for Primary Healthcare Services of Peterborough. "I'm proud to say we've worked side by side at St. Joseph's Hospital and believe we share the same desire to ensure everyone in the County and City of Peterborough receive the highest quality healthcare possible."

De    Described as someone who always acts with compassionate care, Sister Mary is a long-time friend as well as board member of the Health Services Foundation, formerly the St. Joseph's General Hospital Foundation. After St. Joseph's closed in 1999, the Foundation responded to the need to support community-based healthcare services and partnered with Primary Health Care Services of Peterborough. "Our job is to support the work of the local the family health team," says Sister Mary. "And just because I'm retiring from the Board doesn't mean I won't be around," she laughed as she headed towards the elevator. "So I won't say goodbye, just see you soon."
B

Sister Mary Connelly (l) and Dr. Don Harterre - good friends and supporters of
community-based healthcare.

Health Services Foundation Board of Directors Cynthia Hamu (l) Sister Mary Connelly (c)
 and Executive Director Hannah Routly 

Fifty Years on Insulin - Tino's Story: A Dedication to All Families Living with Diabetes

I read this interesting story in Family Health Team "In the Spot Light" and I wanted to share it with you all.

Feb 9, 2014 will mark 50 years that I have been using insulin. I feel very fortunate and privileged to be able to tell my story. I dedicate this piece to all the families living with Diabetes. Please feel free to send to friends, family or anybody you feel may appreciate this story or find hope and encouragement in reading it.

Ability to share and give at the heart of every great community

I love spending time with my family.
Especially when we're all at an event working together as volunteers.

For the past seven years, my father, mother and older brother Pete and his wife Joan have spent the first Monday in June at Kawartha Golf & Country Club volunteering for the Annual James Fund Golf Classic. We sell tickets, greet sponsors, join golfers with their teams and even play in the tournament.

The golf classic raises money for children and their families battling neuroblastoma - a deadly cancer that took the life of James Birrell when he was just eight years old. The annual tournament, which raises on average more than $40,000,  is pivotal in helping families deal with the costs of cancer treatment, including hotel, gas, parking fees and even medication. It also affords children an opportunity to attend a retreat at Camp Oochigeas where they can try and forget that for one weekend a year they are not suffering with this terrible disease.


Every year, when I turn on to the long road that leads up to the clubhouse, I'm overcome with a sense of nostalgia mixed with sadness, hope and yes, even pride that I get to volunteer at this annual event. There is an energy that flows throughout the day connecting sponsors, golfers, volunteers and organizers to the spirit of James Birrell and his family who have worked tirelessly to help families struggling to get through what is probably the most difficult period in their life.

I'm grateful my parents have taught me the value of giving of yourself to help others. I believe this ability to give and share is at the heart of every great community.