In an era where holistic well-being is gaining increasing attention, the practice of mind-body medicine has emerged as a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Many counselors are now incorporating science-based approaches with ancient practices to help individuals unlock their true potential. Among these techniques, Hakomi and HeartMath stand out as profound methods that integrate modern neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and personal experiences, offering a comprehensive path to self-discovery and healing.

Hakomi: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection

Hakomi, a somatic psychotherapy method developed by Ron Kurtz in the 1970s, is grounded in the idea that our bodies are windows into our psyches. It combines mindfulness, body awareness, and the principles of non-violence to foster self-awareness and emotional healing. Counselors who practice Hakomi encourage clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, with the belief that our bodies store memories and emotions.

Applying Neuroplasticity: Rewiring the Brain

One of the cornerstones of Hakomi is neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Counselors practicing Hakomi harness this capacity by helping clients identify and transform limiting beliefs, emotional patterns, and traumas. By creating new neural pathways through mindfulness and self-compassion, individuals can rewrite their inner narratives and experience profound personal growth.

Nervous System Regulation: Finding Balance

The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in our physiological and emotional responses to stress. In Hakomi, counselors work with clients to regulate their nervous systems, fostering a sense of safety and stability. Through techniques such as grounding exercises and breathwork, individuals learn to soothe their sympathetic (fight-or-flight) responses and activate their parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) systems, leading to greater emotional resilience.

Drawing from Personal Experience: Empathy and Connection

Counselors who practice Hakomi often draw from their own experiences, creating a deeper empathetic connection with their clients. This shared vulnerability can enhance the therapeutic relationship, providing a safe space for clients to explore their own inner worlds. The counselor’s presence and authenticity become powerful tools in the healing process, demonstrating that personal growth is a journey that can be walked together.

HeartMath: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

HeartMath is another science-based approach that has found its place in the realm of mind-body medicine. Rooted in the idea that the heart is an intelligent organ, HeartMath techniques focus on regulating the heart’s rhythm to promote emotional coherence, resilience, and self-awareness. Counselors practicing HeartMath help individuals access their heart’s wisdom to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

Utilizing Heart Rate Variability: A Window to Emotions

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key metric in HeartMath. It measures the variation in time between successive heartbeats, reflecting the body’s ability to adapt to stressors. By training clients to increase their HRV, counselors can teach individuals to respond to life’s ups and downs with greater emotional intelligence. This empowers clients to access a state of inner calm and balance, even in the face of adversity.

Integrating Ancient Practices with Modern Science

Counselors who practice mind-body medicine with techniques like Hakomi and HeartMath bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary science. They blend mindfulness and self-compassion practices from Eastern traditions with the latest findings in neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation. This integrative approach offers individuals a holistic toolkit for self-discovery and healing.

The practice of mind-body medicine is evolving, incorporating ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science to facilitate profound self-discovery and healing. Counselors who integrate techniques like Hakomi and HeartMath provide individuals with the tools to explore their inner worlds, rewire their brains, regulate their nervous systems, and cultivate emotional intelligence. Through a blend of science-based approaches and personal experiences, these counselors offer a transformative journey towards greater self-awareness and well-being. In the ever-evolving field of mental health, mind-body medicine shines as a beacon of hope and healing.

At Connect Health, we have counsellors practicing mind body medicine. Contact us to learn more: cs@connecthealthcare.ca

In the intricate landscape of mental health, finding the right support can make all the difference. Just as every individual is a mosaic of experiences, emotions, and challenges, mental health practitioners also come in various forms, each specializing in a distinct area. Let's embark on a journey to understand the diverse world of mental health experts and their sub-specialties.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapists (CBT):These therapists are adept at helping individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors. They equip clients with practical tools to manage anxiety, depression, and various mood disorders.

  Sub-Specialty Example: CBT therapists may specialize in treating phobias, using exposure therapy to help individuals confront and overcome their specific fears.

2. Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT):MFTs focus on relationships and family dynamics. They help couples and families navigate conflicts, communication issues, and transitions, fostering healthier connections.

  Sub-Specialty Example: Some MFTs specialize in premarital counseling, assisting couples in building a strong foundation before they embark on their marital journey.

3. Child and Adolescent Therapists:These therapists are skilled in working with young people, addressing developmental challenges, behavioral issues, and emotional struggles that children and teenagers may face.

  Sub-Specialty Example:Therapists specializing in play therapy use creative methods to help young children express themselves and work through their emotions.

4. Substance Abuse Counselors:Specializing in addiction and recovery, these counselors provide support for individuals struggling with substance abuse. They offer guidance in overcoming addiction and creating a healthier lifestyle.

  Sub-Specialty Example:Counselors may specialize in dual diagnosis, assisting individuals dealing with both substance abuse and underlying mental health conditions.

5. Trauma-Informed Therapists:These experts are trained to work with individuals who have experienced trauma. They create safe spaces for processing and healing from traumatic events.

  Sub-Specialty Example:Therapists specializing in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) use this technique to help individuals process and heal from traumatic memories.

6. Geriatric Therapists:Focused on the mental health needs of older adults, geriatric therapists address issues related to aging, grief, loss, and maintaining well-being during life transitions.

  Sub-Specialty Example:Therapists specializing in dementia care provide support for individuals with cognitive decline and their caregivers, offering strategies to enhance quality of life.

7. Art Therapists:Utilizing the creative process, art therapists help individuals express themselves and work through emotional challenges. They use various art forms to promote healing and self-discovery.

  Sub-Specialty Example: Art therapists specializing in body image issues empower individuals to explore their relationship with their bodies through artistic expression.

8. Mindfulness and Meditation Instructors: These practitioners guide individuals in cultivating mindfulness and meditation practices. They help individuals manage stress, enhance self-awareness, and promote emotional balance.

  Sub-Specialty Example: Instructors specializing in mindful eating guide individuals to develop a healthier relationship with food by practicing awareness and intentionality during meals.

The realm of mental health support is an intricate mosaic, with each practitioner weaving their unique expertise to cater to diverse needs. From cognitive behavioral therapists fostering positive thought patterns to trauma-informed therapists aiding in healing from the past, these experts embody the compassion and commitment necessary to guide individuals towards mental well-being. By recognizing the varied sub-specialties within mental health, we embrace the richness of options available on the journey to emotional flourishing. On PromptHealth, there are different mental health experts who can help you with your specific needs.

I believe we all deserve to feel good about ourselves. Some people struggle with this more than others. Something I’ve found very helpful for me, turns out to be one of the top strategies for dealing with mental health on a wider scale.

One of the BEST things you can do to show yourself some love and support is to MOVE your body – regularly and intentionally.

When you exercise regularly, your body just plain FEELS and FUNCTIONS better from the inside out. And it’s not just your body but your mind that feels and functions better. That’s what I’m talking about! Movement is healing.

Here’s a list of just some of the many benefits related to mental health: 

1. better mood 

2. reduced stress

3. relieves tension in the body and promotes relaxation

4. reduced anxiety 

5. reduced depression 

6. boosts self-confidence

7. Improved brain health (replenishing blood vessels and brain cells)

8. Improved brain function (slows cognitive decline and improves memory, focus).

9. better sleep (both quality and quantity). When we sleep better, we think better.

10. Increased energy - yup, expend energy to gain energy! When we feel more energetic we just feel better, physically and mentally.

If you want to feel better about yourself, get moving.

Is there anything in this list that you could benefit from?

I've been a certified personal trainer specializing in women’s fitness since 2013, and more recently, a 500-hour trained yoga teacher. Rather than go on about me, here's one of my clients demonstrating the TRX SuperWoman. I've been her proud coach since October 2020! Let her WOW you!

.

Who wants to give this a try?

Let's connect if you want to see if personal training or private yoga with me is right for you.

https://www.moniqueshapirofitness.com/

Sign up for yoga, leave with so much more

Maybe we didn’t need a pandemic to illustrate the connection between exercise and mental health.

Exercise, especially yoga, tends to keep the mind from spiraling, and can be a very effective tool to stay in the present moment.

I’m very grateful to have a small space in my home where I can offer clients personal training or private yoga.

Most often, my clients are women who prefer the smaller, judgment-free environment of my private in-home studio.

With me, they have shared that their sessions over the past 2 years have had a strong positive impact on their mental health.

Although I offer fitness and yoga, my clients receive so much more out of their sessions than mere physical progress.

I take nothing for granted. I am filled with gratitude and honour each session.

I can easily list 3 things that have boosted my mental health the most, during these challenging times:

• My clients
• The virtual yoga community I stumbled upon winter of 2021
• My dog 

For anyone who wishes to share here in our community, what has helped you to deal with the pandemic? Answers do not have to be fitness related. 

https://www.moniqueshapirofitness.com/

I’ve been a personal trainer specializing in women’s fitness since 2013. 

For me, yoga began as a desire to learn all the physical poses. However, it evolved into so much more, offering me a way for me to change my narrative during difficult times. 

Where regular strength and cardiovascular training fell short, yoga nourished and calmed my mind, energized, and nurtured my body. 

As I pursued my 500-hour yoga teacher education, I discovered the multi-layer effect of yoga on emotions, feelings, and, of course, the physical body. 

Then, the pandemic made yoga an essential service I’m grateful to be able to offer. 

I knew we could all collectively benefit from yoga during a pandemic. And as a fitness professional, I was confident that I could guide clients through a practice and allow them to enjoy similar benefits. 

My style of yoga is gentle, paying close attention to posture and spinal alignment. We always move safely, with intention, harmonizing breath with movement. 

This style helped clients to develop a deeper body awareness and feel renewed in body and mind. 

I invite you to reach out and connect. 

Namaste.

https://www.moniqueshapirofitness.com/

What is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive eating is the way of eating that has nothing to do with diets, meal plans, discipline or self-control. It ’s about getting back to your roots and learning to trust your body again. 

A lot of misconceptions surround the concept of intuitive eating. Yes, you get to eat what you want and when you want, but it’s much more moderated than that. The foundation of intuitive eating is based on listening to your body, but using your brain to make informed choices. The goal is to listen to signals about when your body needs food and to make intentional choices about what goes in. Intuitive eating aims to be non-restrictive and teaches you the tools to stray from impulsivity and guilt from previous eating habits. 

These are the 10 principles of intuitive eating courtesy of Evelyn Tribole (MS, RDN, CEDRD-S) and Elyse Resch (MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND) aka “the Original Intuitive Eating Pros.”

1. Reject the Diet Mentality

Diet culture emphasizes the mentality of “lose weight fast”, which is generally unattainable to do in a healthy manner and extremely unsustainable. 

2. Honour Your Hunger

Listen to your body signals to eat when you are hungry. By ignoring these signals and being in a state of excessive hunger, all conscious eating intentions become obsolete and overeating occurs.

3. Make Peace with Food

Give yourself unconditional permission to eat. If you restrict yourself too harshly to certain foods, it leads to intense cravings, and often, bingeing. When you “give in” to these foods it causes overwhelming guilt, which is not healthy.

4. Challenge the Food Police

It’s time to silence the voices in your head that tell you that you’re “Good” for eating a certain amount of calories or “Bad” for having dessert after dinner. 

5. Discover the Satisfaction Factor

In order to abide by diet culture we often overlook the innate pleasure and satisfaction that can be found in the eating experience. Allow yourself to enjoy this experience and you’ll find that you’ll know what amount of food is “just enough.”

6. Feel Your Fullness

Listen for the body signals that say you’re comfortably full. Take pauses while eating and ask yourself how the food tastes, and what your current hunger level is. 

7. Cope with Your Emotions with Kindness

First, recognize that your internal issues affect your relationship with food. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, stress, boredom, loneliness, etc, food is not the fix. It may be comforting for the short term, but food won’t solve the problem and may only make you feel worse in the long run. You’ll ultimately have to deal with the source of the emotion.

8. Respect Your Body

Accept and appreciate your body for all it is and what it does for you. It’s hard to reject the diet mentality if you are unrealistic and overly critical of your body size or shape. All bodies deserve dignity.

9. Movement— Feel the Difference

Shift your focus to how it feels to move your body, rather than the calorie-burning effect of exercise. 

10. Honour Your Health—Gentle Nutrition

Make food choices that honour your health while being enjoyable. You don’t have to eat perfectly healthy every day, and it’s what you eat consistently over time that matters. Progress, not perfection. 

Food is fuel for your body and should NOT be treated as something to be earned, punished for later, or as an option. Intuitive eating equips you with the tools to stray away from everything you’ve been taught in traditional diet culture and allows you to get in tune with your body and reframe eating in an unconditional light. 

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the relationships of children and adolescents?

Many changes have derived from the COVID -19 pandemic and one of these is the disruption of social relationships. One study published in the International Journal of

Environmental Research and Public Health, leadership by the Salima Meherali of the

Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, said; “It is already

evident that the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of the COVID-19

pandemic are insidious and affect the mental health of young children and adolescents now and will in the future.”

Impact of the pandemic on children's and adolescent's mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic's physical restrictions and social distancing measures have

affected each and every domain of life.

Although the number of children and adolescents affected by the disease is small,

the disease and the containment measures such as social distancing, schools

closure, and isolation, have negatively impacted the mental health and well-being of

children and adolescents.

Schools have been closed, and most extracurricular activities for children and adolescents that typically occur outside the home and in group settings have been cancelled. Children and adolescents are experiencing a prolonged state of physical

isolation from their peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.

Social distancing and school closures have increased the mental health problems of

children and adolescents, who are already at higher risk for developing mental

health problems compared to adults. These mental struggles that the youth

experience is happening at a time when they are also experiencing anxiety over a

health threat and threats to family employment/income.

Studies have confirmed that children and adolescents are more likely to experience

high rates of depression and anxiety during and after a pandemic.

These studies reported that pandemics cause stress, worry, helplessness, and social

and risky behavioural problems among children and adolescents (e.g., substance

abuse, suicide, relationship problems, academic issues, and absenteeism from

work).

The responses of children and adolescents to a crisis situation depend upon their

prior exposure to emergency situations, physical and mental health issues, the

socioeconomic circumstances of the family, and their cultural background.

Crisis events negatively impact the psychological well-being of children and

adolescents. A recent study that Jiao et al. (2020) conducted in China screened

children and adolescents for behavioral and emotional distress due to the COVID-19

pandemic. Anxiety, depression, distraction, irritability, and the fear that family

members would contract the deadly disease were the most common problems that

they identified.

Effectiveness of different interventions employed during previous and the

current pandemic to promote children's and adolescents' mental health

Interventions such as art-based programs, support services, and clinician-led mental

health and psychosocial services effectively decrease mental health issues among

children and adolescents.

Supportive parental emotion socialization predicted adaptive emotion regulation

A recent study appeared in September 2021 in the Journal of research on

adolescence about Parental emotion socialization (PES) this article includes the

different ways through which parents express their emotional experiences and

respond to their children’s emotional expressions. Empirical research supports the

presence of different strategies that parents may use to influence how their children

experience emotions and deal with them. Furthermore, empirical evidence supports

the significant effect of PES in explaining children’s emotion regulation and social

competence. As stated, “parents who respond to their children's emotional expressions with behavioural reactions and negative emotions lead to negative emotionality of children and low social competence”.

In conclusion, the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents is of great concern. Anxiety, depression, disturbances in sleep and appetite, as well as impairment in social interactions are the most common presentations. It has been indicated that compared to adults, this pandemic may continue to have increased long-term adverse consequences on children's and adolescents' mental health and subsequently on their ability to foster relationships.

Mental health has been a wellness topic for years now, but with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a surge of citizens struggling with maintaining their health in all aspects. Although there is an emphasis to stay healthy physically, the anxiety and stress caused by isolation have left us emphasizing the maintenance of all aspects of our wellness. On the surface level, people perceive mental disorders to simply be depression or anxiety, but it is so much more than that. The brain is a complex and confusing organ and there are a limitless amount of things that have yet to be uncovered by medical professionals. While we could sit and worry about our mental health deteriorating, we could also take the steps to take care of ourselves and establish a positive relationship with our minds.  

You Are Never Alone

According to a poll from the Angus Reid Institute, one in three Canadians are struggling with their mental health induced by the pandemic. This struggle looks like frequent exhaustion and increasing trauma, as more people feel symptoms of fatigue, frustration, and anxiety. This struggle is not an individual one - millions of Canadians and even more across the world are suffering from their mental health. Pandemic or not, it’s important to remember that there is always someone ready to listen to you. You do not need to be feeling severe symptoms all the time in order to seek professional help. Even realizing you feel off-balance in your life and needing to reach out to someone to share your feelings might be enough to feel healthier and build on that relationship with your mental health.

What Can I Do to Maintain a Healthy Mind? 

We only have one brain, so it is important to maintain a positive relationship with ourselves and our thoughts. Positive mental health allows us to cope with stresses healthily, work at our fullest potential, be productive, and make meaningful contributions to our community. There are various ways to maintain a healthy mind, but it starts with the way we talk to ourselves. Ivan Joseph shares the importance of self-talk in his TED talk.

“We know that our thoughts influence actions, why do we want to say that negative self-talk to ourselves? We need to get our own self-affirmations.”

Joseph reminds us of the importance that positive self-affirmation within ourselves is crucial to building a healthy mind. Outside of the brain, it is important to get enough sleep, eat healthily, and stay physically active in order to maintain a healthy mind. Establishing a routine that consists of writing our affirmations, daily exercise, and meals at set times can help create a healthy space for you to nurture your body and mind. 

Image from Google

As social beings, we all face a sense of isolation and loneliness throughout this pandemic. This shouldn’t stop you from seeking help. There are hundreds of solutions out there, and it’s important to remember that what works for others might not work for you. Perhaps a reiki session might help you better than a traditional approach, or changing your diet through the guidance of a nutritionist rather than consuming prescribed medications. These are just a few of the possibilities that healing consists of - do not be afraid to find it!

What Resources Can I Turn To?

If you are looking for guidance and different tools for your mental health, check out the CDC Mental Health Tools and Resources page. If you are looking for potential providers to turn to, PromptHealth has over 200 providers on the platform ready to assist you with your concerns. On PromptHealth, you can learn more about all of the options available for your needs, and connect with healthcare providers that can help you to care for yourself in every way possible. 

Join our PromptHealth community, and reach out to us if you’d like to collaborate! If you’re a health seeker, find your next provider through connecting and learning with the providers on our platform. If you’re a provider, create an account and start posting content to bring more exposure to your practice, and meet new providers! You can find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, ClubHouse, TikTok, Spotify/Apple Music, and YouTube. Check us out for yourself at www.prompthealth.ca and be sure to download the PromptHealth app on iOS and Android.

I AM FINE 

[VANCOUVER, BC]- The world has been upside down for most of us since the pandemic started, and a lot of people have suffered being in isolation. Pushing us to the limit after yet another version of this virus, now Omicron, there is a mental health crisis due to more restrictions once again. 

In 4 weeks Hedieh Safiyari, PromptHealth founder, has amassed a TikTok following of more than 23 thousand people. Her content and the conversation it sparks, go to show how desperate people are for help. Her intentions were to spread positive vibes and create more awareness about wellbeing, not knowing what to expect. She started creating and posting videos on a daily basis and hosted live video conversations on most nights with a variety of people in a group-type setting. 

One particular video that stands out about men’s mental health revealed people’s struggles in the comments section, sharing how they have always suppressed their feelings. Although it’s happening to both men and women, men seem to be more reserved and prone to suffer in silence. There were thousands of views and hundreds of messages all saying the same thing, all preferring self- help solutions. But the problem is often people are unaware of alternative solutions leading to repressed pain which can lead to bigger problems down the road. 

Some people are on the verge of breaking as seen by some of the comments on Hedieh’s post:

“No one’s there. I’m at my lowest right now, I attempted last week, I don’t reach out to anyone because no one cares, they just see it as weakness.” 

They seem to think they can solve it on their own but often are not well equipped with enough knowledge in terms of where to start. The several comments show how everyone is going through the same thing, yet suffer in silence not doing anything about it. 

“Don’t need to talk to anyone. I’ll deal with it on my own.” 

Multiple users on TikTok thanked Hedieh for opening the discussion about mental health and bringing awareness  to the lack of help available to them… 

“I have been through a 12 step program assistance from a psychologist and psychiatrist, as well as drug and alcohol counselLors to help me settle past trauma back where they belong..thank you for bringing these issues to TikTok and inspiring men and women to talk about their experiences!” 

Hedieh’s social media has become that “safe space” for people to come together and share 

their stories and struggles. The need to be heard, loved and accepted echoes strongly with people, especially during the pandemic. Often even a simple smile and a listening ear can have the potential to change someone’s life. Listen more carefully next time someone says I am fine…

“I am fine, three small words packing in so much power, used as a two-way shield, protecting us from the world and they from us. I am fine, when someone is saying this, truly listen, because what they are trying to say, what they truly need you to hear is, “Please help me!” 

We live in a digital era where people use all kinds of platforms, such as TikTok, to find out about alternative solutions, although the issue is the credibility of the information. PromptHealth, a platform for holistic care options was created to allow people to learn about verified and credible options for their wellbeing. When you have a mental health struggle, waiting to be seen by a professional psychiatrist, that will most likely take over a year is not the only answer. Depending on the severity of the challenges, there are different solutions that exist. 

According to Hedieh, “No one might think of talking to a life coach or have even heard of laughing yoga…it is important to know all of your options when it comes to your health, as it is not a cookie cutter approach!” 

Having spent a lengthy career in healthcare, Hedieh noticed firsthand that society viewed health through an illness focused lens. PromptHealth is on a mission to shift the focus of health to wellness, where a person is healthy in all aspects of their being including mentally, physically and spiritually. Proactively pursuing wellness through exploring alternative options can lead to longer and more fulfilling lives as opposed to dangerous breakdowns resulting in disastrous consequences by ignoring one’s wellness. 

Mental health is not independent from physical health. They are interconnected, which is why taking a step back and looking at the whole person is imperative.  A holistic approach encompasses the mind, body and soul and targets the root of the issue rather than treating the symptoms after they appear. Compared to traditional healthcare, holistic care broadens the definition of health to include the mind, body and soul. The future of wellness starts with knowing all of your options. 

The PromptHealth App is available on iOS and Android.

Media Liaison

Harry Coleman

harry@prompthealth 

(778) 881-2471

Introducing A.Vogel! We have recently partnered with A.Vogel, the premier supplier of high-quality plant remedies, that is founded on the same mission as PromptHealth; to help people find holistic options. Just like PromptHealth, A.Vogel believes in incorporating nature to maintain our health and wellness. Continue learning through our Instagram Live with A.Vogel’s medical advisor, Owen Wiseman  - continue learning more about strengthening your immune system through there!

What Exactly is The Immune System?

Your immune system is a complex apparatus that battles viruses, germs, and fungus from invading your body. This mechanism has the ability to eliminate cancer cells. Several actors are involved in this work: white cells, which are defense cells of various types that circulate in the blood; cells with defensive capacity that are in the tissues and do not circulate; and substances or biochemical mediators, which are used directly against invaders or as warning and control messages.

In other words, we have a highly specialized army that employs a wide range of weaponry as well as a sophisticated reconnaissance, identification, and extermination system, all while being managed by a highly accurate information system.

Can this system be improved? It is not required to improve such a developed, complicated, tremendously effective, and comprehensive defense system. What we should do is let our immune system function normally without getting in the way.

Protecting Your System > Improving Your System

It is not required to improve such a developed, complicated, tremendously effective, and comprehensive defense system. What we should do is let our immune system function normally without getting in the way.

We can do this by distracting the defense system as little as possible. Consider the ambulances that respond to crises. If they begin to get more bogus calls on a particular day, it is evident that the system will begin to fail in its goal of properly responding to crises.

Similarly, the stress response created in reaction to events that we perceive to be harmful, whatever they may be, works to arouse alerts throughout the body and prioritize processes that allow for immediate physical defense in order to have alternatives to overcome or flee from danger. Keeping the body on constant alert depletes and distracts the immune defense system. But what if our alarm systems are set off by mortgage payments, my neighbor's attitude, or simply viewing the red news?

The solution is to persuade our bodies that everything is alright by using our senses to send a message to lessen the alert. The senses are used to produce these comforting signals. The five senses were designed with this goal in mind: to inform the body. They all serve a purpose.

Employing Your Senses to Serve Your System

Everything we see must be viewed in the context of a harmonious landscape. Nature's blue and green colours are quite soothing, and if you can't go for a stroll, consider looking at landscape images. 

You must enjoy the fragrances and aromas that we like the most. Those are the ones that are effective, and we may test them while resting or relaxing.

Use the sense of touch by taking a hot shower and enjoying the fall of water, resting in a bathtub, strolling on the warm floor, or getting a body massage.

For taste, we can experiment with various fruits, veggies, and nuts. We want to convey to the body that there is both diversity and sufficiency. Trying different scents of tea works extremely well. 

The ear is not as demanding. Nature sounds, such as pouring water, birds, or low frequencies obtained just by browsing the internet, will do the job. Along with that, listening to instrumental music that calms our body down is beneficial in relaxing the body after a long day.

Below are some general tips that use two or more of the senses. Take deep breaths while going outside, and dance to music that you enjoy and that thrills you. Remember that sensory stimulation should be done every day for at least 15 minutes and on a consistent basis. 

Looking for Other Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System?

Join our PromptHealth community, where you can learn about all your options for immune health and learn directly from the knowledge shared by all types of wellness professionals. If you are a health and wellness provider, join today and start sharing and collaborating with other professionals. Start sharing your content on one universal platform, and begin building your online presence along with your holistic practice. Check it out for yourself at www.prompthealth.ca and download the PromptHealth app on iOS and Android. Share this information with your colleagues and tag @prompthealth. 

Where did 2021 go?

Another calendar year has come and gone, and in 2021 there were difficult times for all of us, but 2022 marks a new beginning. The word for 2021 truly was resilience. In a year with so many unforeseen circumstances, it was difficult for many people to find motivation or positivity in their situations, but it is through resilience that we braved the year and came out stronger at the end. It is difficult to not be overwhelmed by the constant news and statistics being broadcast, and it has definitely taken a lot of resilience to remain positive when there is so much negativity going on.

What Happened in 2021?

If your memories of 2021 are a blur right now, you are definitely not alone. It may not have been the most exciting year for many of us, but we have learned a lot from our experiences over the past 12 months. The truth is, there were a lot of great accomplishments made in the past year! 

For starters, Covid-19 vaccinations were made available in 2021. Currently, more than 8.47 billion vaccinations have been administered, making this the largest mass vaccination campaign in history. The speed and efficacy of the vaccine rollout have been a remarkable accomplishment! 

Here at PromptHealth, there have also been some great accomplishments! As of 2021, we have created a community of over 15,000 members across different social media platforms, and PromptHealth has evolved majorly to support this ever-growing community. We launched PromptHealth 2.0, started virtual meet and greet events, and so much more. We had a lot of growth in 2021, and we look forward to continuing this growth in 2022!

So, What is the Word for 2022?

The hard truth is: the pandemic is not over yet, and that in itself is a disheartening way to start the new year. It took a lot of resilience in 2021 to get through the negativity, but it can be difficult to look at the bright side of things when bad news gets the most coverage. It is so easy to get lost in negativity, to feel sorry for yourself or others, and to become pessimistic about life in general when negativity is all around us. In a time when positivity is hard to come by, positivity is what we need most. 

And that is the word for 2022: Positivity. The past nearly two years have been draining for everyone, and it is difficult for anyone to stay positive for that long, but it is amazing how much positive thinking can change your outlook on life and your situation. Of course, the situation of the world right now is not necessarily positive, but it is in this scenario that positive thinking will have the biggest impact. The pandemic has made so many of us pessimistic. Here at PromptHealth, we believe the challenge and goal of this year is to find positivity in everything. 

It can be difficult to change your mindset like this, but it truly is a form of self-care to look at the positive side of everything instead of the negative. Our featured speaker on the PromptHealth podcast says it best: 

“Trust that nothing is permanent… our ability to shift and adapt has nothing to do with what’s going on outside of us, but it can absolutely contribute to the discomfort.” 

• Alexia Georgousis, Naturopathic Physician

With this mindset, it is easier for us to look forward to things, and also to appreciate what we have and are able to do, no matter how big or small. It is our responsibility to make these good things known! Along with positivity, Azra Citak, Counselor and Psychiatric Nurse mention mindfulness as another factor in taking care of oneself and celebrating all the accomplishments of 2022. 

“Something everyone could do is mindfulness. With all that negative thinking about the future, it’s very seldom for us to think about the current moment. When we get swept up in things, it can be easy for us to think about those negative thoughts and have them impact everyone around us. Mindfulness brings us back to the center, and there are different ways of practicing that. It can be through meditation, breathing, music, and so much more.” 

• Azra Citak, Counselor and Psychiatric Nurse, Featured speaker on the PromptHealth podcast

At PromptHealth, we are so proud of the goals we have accomplished in the past year, and our goals for 2022 are even bigger! As our community grows more and more, we want to share our goals and accomplishments with you, and we want to hear your goals and accomplishments as well! So let’s celebrate all of our accomplishments, big and small. The world is still moving forward, and it is up to us to make it a positive place no matter what is going on around us. We are growing and learning, and it is amazing what we can do as a community, so let us bring lots of positivity to whatever 2022 has to offer. 

Share with us what you are looking forward to accomplishing in 2022! 

Join our PromptHealth community and reach out to us if you’d like to collaborate! You can find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, ClubHouse, TikTok, Spotify/Apple Music, and YouTube. Check us out for yourself at www.prompthealth.ca and be sure to download the PromptHealth app on iOS and Android. 

What a year it’s been! With another crazy, unpredictable year in the books, the Canadian platform PromptHealth remains dedicated to helping people navigate the changes by listening to wellness providers and giving a platform for them to share their expertise. 

What Happened In 2021? 

After launching in 2020 and growing our platform, we decided that there was still more to be done to give individuals a safe and easy platform to seek wellness professionals. In 2021, we launched PromptHealth 2.0. Like Twitter for wellness, PromptHealth 2.0 was designed and updated to make it a one-stop-shop for individuals to directly interact with wellness providers. We added new features for providers to share content; such as voice memos, texts, articles, and event sharing. The priority is for users to discover, learn, and connect with the providers before they seek care.

We’ve launched Virtual Meet & Greet events that give us an opportunity to engage with our providers twice a month and give them tips on optimizing their platform through PromptHealth. PromptHealth’s online academy has also launched; a tool designed for providers looking to create content for the Community page and don’t know where to start. 

We’ve gained over 15,000 members across our social platforms, and we’re only looking to grow even further in 2022. What started off on Instagram has now expanded to five different platforms, and we are excited to meet others with the same mission and values as us.  We continue to have ongoing conversations with health experts, and strengthen our relationship through features on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Clubhouse, our podcasts, and Instagram Live.

Why Did We Make These Updates?

Everyone’s wellness journey is different, and their preferences are unique to that individual. We know that this isn’t a linear path, and PromptHealth’s mission is to make that path easier to navigate. In our podcast featuring Louis Alloro, the Co-Founder of The Change Lab, one of the first in the world to attain a UPenn Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree, and a senior fellow at the Center for the Advancement of Wellbeing, he mentions the awareness that’s needed in order to effectively create a positive change. 

“There are so many strategies [to contribute to wellbeing]. The internet is not short of opportunities for people. We need to be listening to what our bodies need, and what’s important for your body is going to be different from mine, and that’s okay! These strategies include being creative and letting myself get the proper rest.” 

The overwhelming amount of content on the internet also puts strain on wellness providers, who now have to compete for attention among millions of non-certified individuals sharing their opinions. Googling symptoms and trusting websites without a vetted professional supporting the research is not enough nowadays, and PromptHealth is combatting that problem by updating the platform to make it easy to share trusted information with users. We continue to emphasize the holistic approach, which allows individuals to see that there are 10 solutions for every problem, not just one. PromptHealth 2.0 is all about managing the information providers share online and making it easier and more personal.

What’s Next for 2022?

One thing is for certain, PromptHealth is not stopping at 2.0. There is so much potential for growth for our platform and we are more than ready to implement the necessary adjustments that will make it easier for our wellness seekers and providers. As we enter another unpredictable year, our guest speaker, Bryce Wylde, is one of the top functional medicine experts in Canada, TV host and medical advisor to Dr.Oz. He shared some helpful tips about strengthening your brain and body during this time.

“Challenging yourself to the point of discomfort in short intervals throughout the day will help in managing this experience.”

There’s no ‘tried and true' solution to managing the pandemic, the same way there aren’t any ubiquitous solutions for wellness. However, Bryce believes that pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones a little each day stimulates our brains in a way that reminds us of our strength and resilience as individuals. The pandemic has made us all feel like we are in limbo, and it’s time to challenge ourselves. We’re ready to feel challenged, to step out of our own comfort zones, and to tackle all the new things that 2022 throws at us. 

The best part? We’re ready to do it all with you. Our mission always comes back to those embarking on their wellness journey, and we are prepared to guide wellness seekers to find the best options through the providers on PromptHealth. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout 2021, and we can't wait to continue in 2022. We look forward to paving the way to the future of wellness, together. 

Join us on this series as we share on all of our channels, including our PromptHealth Community, IG, and YouTube! Check it out for yourself at www.prompthealth.ca and be sure to download the PromptHealth app on iOS and Android. 

PromptHealth’s mission is to connect wellness providers with each other and with wellness seekers. Reimagining the wellness journey for people is the root of what we do, and we want to close the gap that exists in the traditional healthcare system. From the messages we received, It was clear that wellness providers have been looking for a home to learn about each other, network, collaborate, educate, connect and inter-refer. PromptHealth makes that possible by letting providers share their knowledge through our extensive list of content creation features, such as blog posts, voice memos, and videos. All of these features are available on our community page, where you can view other provider content.

“It warms my heart to know that technology is being designed to reimagine the wellness journey and create safe spaces for different practitioners to connect, learn and share” -Daniella Le Gresley, @laughwithdani, Wellness Provider on PromptHealth

Revolutionary Platform for Wellness Providers

Before launching our new platform, we found that only 50% of health and wellness providers reported having a website, and only 2% reported being active on social media. The industry is fragmented with wellness providers inefficiently promoting themselves using outdated marketing tactics such as dropping business cards, printing brochures, or submitting an ad in the newspaper. As more and more businesses shift to online spaces to record their information, PromptHealth aims to make that shift easier for providers. We’ve built a strong online presence on all social channels that continuously provides educational content. We started off on Instagram, and now have over 15,000 members across five different social channels - plus, we’re consistently seeking to connect with more providers with similar values. We strengthen our relationship with providers through features on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Clubhouse, our podcasts, and Instagram Live - where we have been having ongoing conversations with health experts. With our newly added content creation features, providers can connect with each other in familiar ways - like the Twitter of health and wellness.

Fostering a Community within PromptHealth

We want our providers to feel comfortable using PromptHealth, and to help new providers, we have created - and continue to grow - an online academy. This ongoing feature is to help our providers create content easily and effectively. Along with that, our team is hosting bi-monthly private and ongoing Instagram Lives live events to support our providers with content creation, helping them through the process step-by-step. If you are not following us yet, make sure you do so to stay updated! We’re building our community through these posts, and showing them that sharing their knowledge is easier than ever. 

“You have done an amazing job of bringing all of us together to create a community that will bring health and happiness, growth and tools to others lives, that so deserve it” -Jennifer Vauthrin @solutioncounselling on PromptHealth.

For Both Seekers and Providers

The world has changed, and it’s time to adapt to changing consumer needs. We are here to hold your hand and support you through this evolution. Finding like-minded providers is easier with PromptHealth, and our platform prioritizes holistic health options, so every seeker can find a solution. Check it out for yourself at www.prompthealth.ca and download the PromptHealth app on iOS and Android. Share this information with your colleagues and tag @prompthealth. 

Want to learn more and meet with our current community? Come to our next Provider meet and greet on Dec 16th! Sign up here.  

In this live event, Hedieh Safiyari, founder of PromptHealth, speaks to Andy De Santis, registered dietitian, and author of eight books about the role our dietary intake has on our mental and sexual health.

In this live event, Hedieh Safiyari, founder of PromptHealth, speaks with Dr. Samineh Shaheem, behavioural scientist and psychology professor, about happiness and some practical tools we can implement in our daily lives to experience greater happiness.

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In this episode, we speak with a physiotherapist who helps people overcome stress, anxiety, and poor sleep by leveraging the power of breath.

In this episode, we speak with a family physician and health coach, to walk us through a typical journey of a client who might need to fine tune their lifestyle.

Do you ever feel run down and looking for some sort of a stress relief solution? In this episode, we speak with an internal medicine physician as he takes us through a fusion of modern medicine and ancient wisdom.