MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Understanding the Human Mind
Mastering the Art of Self-Talk: How to Intentionally Direct Your Thoughts
By: Jonathan Nhan
Are you in conscious control of your thoughts? As functioning people, we often have learned and ingrained patterns of how we think, feel, and act so that we can navigate through the day without too much hardship. There inevitably comes a time when those patterns are challenged - especially when trying to learn something new. In these times, we may experience difficulty and struggle and to add on top of that, our thoughts can run wildly against what we want. If you are aware of having a thought, you can change it. In this article, I will share with you how to start using your conscious mind intentionally to your advantage.
Think of the last time that you felt like you were struggling. Do you remember the thoughts you were thinking? There are times when we repeat statements to ourselves like “I’m just not good at this” or “I can’t do it”. Know that the only way that this holds true is if you believe it. While you may think that these statements are accurate, they describe a state - a moment locked in time. When you believe statements like this, you are making a choice to stay stuck, and ignore the process of growth and development.
Reflect on your self-talk and ask yourself “Does my self-talk describe a state? Or does it leave room for the process of growth to occur?”. Before you can intentionally direct your thoughts, you need to be aware of your thoughts and accept that your beliefs may not serve your purpose. When you are ready to let go of your negative self talk, you’ll be ready to start intentionally crafting better self talk.
If you notice yourself making statements about your behaviors or capabilities (“I can’t…”, “I don’t…”, etc), repeat the same statement and add “yet” to the end. This simple change will move you from a stuck state and open yourself to the possibility of change. Consider how different it is to say “I can’t do this YET” or “I’m no good at this YET”. This is a great first step.
Now that you have begun shifting your negative self talk, let’s explore how to use empowering questions to lead us to better solutions. You’re ready to start discovering solutions, so the next important questions are “what?” and “how?”. “What will you do…?” and “How will you do it…?”. The most important thing is to know what your specific goal is. If you don’t yet know what that is, and instead have a long list of things that you don’t want, ask yourself “What would you like to have happen?”. Listen openly to the answers that come up because this will lead you to your desired target state. Once you know what you are moving towards, you can start consciously directing your attention towards solutions to get there.
Will simply asking questions like this be enough to get to your goals? On a conscious level - yes! Your conscious part has the capacity to create this guidance, but will definitely struggle in reaching the goal. This is where your unconscious mind comes in. Practice shifting your self talk, opening up possibilities, and formulating empowering questions. Next month, we’ll dive into how these questions direct your unconscious mind so you can fully leverage your inner potential.
Oral Health
National Dental Hygienists Week
By: Candace McIntyre, RDH
April is a special month for Shine-1-1 Mobile Dental Hygiene as we get to celebrate National Dental Hygienists Week!!
• National Dental Hygienists Week, April 4-10, highlights the importance of maintaining good oral health practices and helps Canadians understand the role of dental hygienists in the health care system. The theme of this annual event is “Oral Health for Total Health,” reminding us all that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums positively impacts other aspects of our lives. Learn more about your oral health at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca.
• A dental hygienist is not just a person who cleans your teeth. A dental hygienist helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, educates clients on proper brushing and flossing techniques, treats sensitivity, screens for oral cancer, can help you quit smoking, and so much more. Learn more at www.cdha.ca/ndhwinthenews.
• Don’t be one of the 26% of Canadians who hasn’t seen a dental professional in the last year. Schedule a visit with your dental hygienist today to protect your health for tomorrow! #NDHW23
Visit www.dentalhygienecanada.ca to find out more.
Candy McIntyre - www.shine-1-1.ca
Registered Dental Hygienist with
Shine-1-1 Mobile Dental Hygiene
(519) 373-3519
Personal Growth
Enjoy The Simple Things In Life
By: Amanda Kirkland
Despite winter’s inactivity and lifelessness, it is still a season of growth. Soon the snow will melt, hatchlings will leave their nests, trees will bud, flowers will bloom, and those darn insects will awaken.
If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of time thinking about your physical health. You might go to the gym, or yoga studio, or join a running club, and you have some idea of what foods are right for your body. But what about your mental health? Are you taking care of your mind as well? Mental health is as important as physical health. In fact, studies show that people who are happy and healthy in their minds are more successful in all aspects of life.
We spend a lot of time in our homes and gardens, so it’s no surprise that they can have an impact on our mental state. Having a home that you love can make you feel happy, even when things are off. Having a garden that you love can make you healthier and happier. Taking care of your home and garden is an excellent way to improve your state of mind. I don’t have a garden per se, but I treat my two decks as mini gardens. The moment frost is no longer a threat, I start shopping for flowers and greens to plant in my hanging planters. This makes me happy. The fact that I can see them from inside my home also makes me happy.
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4 Secrets Gritty, Strong Women Need to Know to Rise Above Toxic Relationships
Trust Your Gut
Spring Clean Your Diet
By: Kira Bauer
Like the seasons shift and change, so do our habits and patterns as humans. The transition from winter to spring signifies many events in the external world: blooming, rebirth, and a new cycle in nature. Within this is an opportunity for us to tune into our internal gardens, and enter spring with deeper intentionality around supporting our health with seasonal eating.
The benefits of integrating high-quality food sources that are most bioavailable to us are significant and incredibly supportive. When implemented consistently, they can boost our immune and gut function, balance metabolism and blood sugar, increase energy, and strengthen our relationship to ourselves. Some of my seasonal garden favourites to prioritize this April are:
Asparagus / Arugula / Artichokes / Beets / Carrots / Fennel / Onions / Parsnips / Spring garlic
All of these choices are rich in antioxidants, prebiotics, and fiber–compounds your gut bugs love and crave! A valuable coaching tip is to slow down and use sensual eating while honouring these foods at home. This practice asks us to engage all of our senses: sight, smell, and taste, creating a deeper connection for your experience of wellness and satisfaction with food.
Looking for support in sustaining these changes? Let’s get in touch:
