Seven Great Ways to Start Your Day!!!

Put on some music
Music therapy has been shown to reduce stress and have a positive effect on health. But you don’t need a therapist to enjoy some of the benefits music has to offer. Listening to music as you get ready to start your day will create positive energy and a soothing sense of peace (or a sense of fun, if you play party music). Music can compliment other healthy habits adding a sense of peace to a yoga workout, putting a spring in your step on a morning walk, or stimulating your mind as you write in your journal.

Stretch in the Shower
The hot water will loosen up your muscles, so it’s easier to get a good stretch. The act of stretching will help release stored tension and enable you to start the day feeling more relaxed, at peace, and ready to handle what comes your way.

Eat a Balanced Breakfast
For those of you who start the day on coffee, read this! Breakfast is known as ‘the most important meal of the day’ for a very good reason: a healthy meal in the morning can balance your blood sugar levels and give you the sustenance you need to handle physical and mental stress. Without it , you will be less resilient, both physically and mentally, Be sure to have plenty of protein and fruit, not just caffeine and empty calories!

Drink Green Tea
Sipping a warm cup of tea is a soothing activity that will help you prepare for the day ahead and feel nurtured. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, so it’s a delicious and healthy choice.

Write in Your Journal
Journal writing has many health and stress management benefits, and can also lead to increased self awareness. Writing once a day can help you feel focused, process negative emotions and solve problems.

Morning walk
Walking has so many health benefits, the stress management benefits are practically just gravy! A morning walk can get you ready for your day, help you sleep better at night, lower your stress level, and reduce your risk of numerous health conditions. And if you bring a dog with you, you’ll be lavished with attention as well!

Yoga
For a healthy body and peaceful mind, few activities give as much ‘bang for our buck’ as yoga. Combing all the goodness of several stress management techniques such as diaphragmic breathing, meditation, stretching and more, yoga provides some of the best stress management and health benefits you can find in a single technique. A good way to start your morning is by doing a series of yoga poses call Sun Salutations.

Poem!!!

An Attempt

by Nicci Wall

I feel the suns warmth upon my back,
I see its gleam on the dew covered grass.
All around me things appear much brighter,
No longer does my life seem a farce.
I am making an attempt to change,
The things in life which get me down.
By accepting choices made by those around me
Maybe even choosing to leave this town.
Although I will no longer accept responsibility
For choices that were not mine.
I won’t let the chance to have my say go by,
For then my efforts would be a waste of time.
So back into counselling it is I go,
Hopefully for the final healing journey.
As I plan on emerging from this bout,
A new person and mentally healthy.
And if by chance I don’t succeed,
There are no promises it will be the end.
To counselling I will return once more,
And I am prepared to do it again and again.

ADAVIC's Meetup Social Group!!!

If you haven't as yet joined our Meetup group, don't delay as there are many social events planned plus you will receive notifications about the support groups as well.
Here is the link for our social events group




http://www.meetup.com/ADAVIC-Social-Events/

Stomp out the ANTs - Book Review!!!

Stomp out the ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)
By Sally-Anne McCormack

Sally-Anne McCormack is a registered psychologist, former teacher and mother of four. She has extensive experience dealing with a broad range of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression, but has a particular interest in working with children and adolescents. Stomp out the ANTs is a fantastic resource for individuals of any age who are experiencing recurrent negative thoughts, and wish to squash such thoughts in order to lead a happier, worry-free life. The book teaches the reader simple strategies for identifying and effectively dealing with negative thoughts, and replacing them with more positive thoughts and therefore feelings.

The book opens with a heartfelt message from the author stating that individuals suffering from ‘mood disorders’ such as anxiety and depression are not alone, and certainly are not at fault. The author creatively likens the ANTs in our heads to the pesky insects that invade all of our homes at some point, and reassures us that we should never feel shame or embarrassment about the current ‘infestation’. Furthermore, just as some individuals are reluctant to use insect sprays on surfaces used to prepare food, many individuals are reluctant to take medication in order to wipe out their ANTs. This, too, is completely rational and understandable, and all of the techniques taught in this book are chemical-free!

Borrowing from the psychological principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), the book teaches readers to correct the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes mood disorders, simply by altering current thinking patterns. By teasing apart and tuning into our thoughts and feelings and attributing how we feel to our thoughts rather than the immediate situation or context in which the feeling occurred, we are able to control the thoughts that enter our heads. Put simply, events themselves do not cause us to feel good or bad; rather, it’s the thought that accompanies the event that determines how we feel. We cannot change events however, we can change our thoughts and feelings in response to life events! Learning that thoughts cause feelings endows readers with a sense of control over their thoughts and encourages them to stop worrying about things they have no control over, to stop blaming others and to help themselves.

By Amy—March 2010

I ♥ Me by Bev Aisbett - Book Review!!!

With the success of five self-help books, Bev Aisbett gives us yet another eye-opening and thought-provoking read. As always, the author personally illustrates her books with this one no exception. ‘I Love Me’ is described as a guide to being your own best friend. It touches on a variety of feelings from anger and depression, to loneliness and hurt.

The book explains simple yet truthful notions, which everyone could only benefit from understanding. The main concept of ‘I Love Me’ is that to make relationships with others easier (and so too life in general), a lot of concentration on self is needed, including self-appreciation, self-love, self-realisation, and self-awareness. Whilst these concepts may sound confusing, Bev’s book explains them so that the reader will not feel overwhelmed. It is easy to read and simple for anyone to understand.

Even if you are not personally suffering self-esteem issues, or do not feel you lack self-love; this book can still be an insightful read. You may even find that the book shares completely relatable ideas you were previously unaware of!

‘I Love Me’ is a highly recommended and pleasurable read. It offers deeper insights into who
you are and the importance of loving yourself unconditionally.

By Alyssa – Placement Student ACAP

Winter Quotes

~ One kind word can warm three winter months. ~
~ Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart. ~
~ Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~

~ If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~

~ Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~

Sorry again!!

Hi to those who might be following the ADAVIC blog...sorry it hasn't been updated since May....so many things to do and not much time for me to be here.

I will update some articles and stories today!!!!