One of the symptoms of trauma is the inability to hold a good feeling, a feeling of OKness, or a feeling of safety. It's almost like you get filled up with a good feeling and then it's suddenly gone. If this happens over and over you may feel, "Why even try to feel good again."
Tuning your instrument.
How does MDMA work? Our moods and social experiences in life are modified and enhanced by a host of different hormones that are part of a complex integrated orchestra which science is just beginning to understand. When instruments in that orchestra are out of tune, playing too slow, or too fast, or not at all we can find ourselves struggling to find harmony and coherence in ourselves and with others.
Listening to ....... Ecstasy????
Current western culture is built on the belief that our individuality is key to our freedom. It has long been thought, in the alternative communities, that the suppression of 'medicines' long used by Shaman's, Healers, and Spiritual Leaders was a way to suppress the very thing these 'medicines' reveal - that we are all connected and have more in common than we have differences.
Healing Men
Fear: It's What Lies Underneath.
In this week’s Halloween inspired podcast of The Positive Mind, Kevin and Niseema talk about fear and it's paralyzing effect in the lives of all of us. They encourage us to see the patterns of our personalities and the fears underneath them. By slowly going into your fears either through meditation or a therapy session you can begin to discover how fear rules your life and how you can conquer it and live more freely.
S.C.O.P.E The tool for preventing P.T.S.D.
S-C-O-P-E is a somatic (body based) tool that can go with you anywhere, anytime. These 5 exercises interrupt stress and can be done in less than 5 minutes. Practice one or all the next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or in a situation that is "too much, too fast, too soon.”
Too Much, Too Fast, Too Soon
Most of us, by now after months of living with, hearing about and managing the existential threat of getting or giving a potentially deadly virus, are limping through our days. The changes and adjustments we've had to make may be easy for some and very difficult for others. It has been a real pervasive threat that may be challenging our sense of who we are, how we are living and what we really want to do with our lives.
When Someone Want's To Die: Suicide Prevention
Resilience: The Power to Withstand and Expand
Healing Systemic Trauma through Action
Moving through, "What Happened to You?"
Impulsive, self-harming behaviors that arose from overwhelming feelings of helplessness are what caused Richard Smith, a product of an adverse childhood, to be incarcerated multiple times. It wasn't until he was asked by one of his fellow inmates, "What happened to you?" that his understanding of himself and his journey began to change.
Learned Optimism : I'm a just a (reality based) cock-eyed optimist
PPP as Your PPE
Seeing/Not-Seeing
FOMO to FOGO
A Path to Independence
What would it mean to be truly independent? Writer Alice Miller in her book "The Drama of the Gifted Child" explores that thought as a process for self discovery. As a child you had to navigate your surroundings with little guidance but the voices and actions of the adults who were responsible for you. The words, feelings and behaviors you experienced and witnessed shaped who you are today for better or worse.
Dysthymia: From 'Blue' to 'Grey' Everyday
Dysthymia is more than "feeling blue". People who have dysthymia are more than just pessimistic. They have a gloomy outlook, and can rarely remember the last time they were happy or inspired about something. It is difficult to have fun, and self-criticism often involves a persistent sense of failure and low self esteem. Many become comfortable, taking on the gloom as an identity. "I am not worthy of happiness so why bother".
Then and Now
Anhedonia: "I Usta Could"...and I will Again!
Yes you read that right. "I usta could" is a phrase in the South meaning when we were younger, or things were different, we were able to do things we can't now. Do you find yourself saying "Just a few months ago I usta could go shopping, meet friends, work out, stop at a cafe for a coffee." Even thinking about what was becomes exhausting much less doing anything.
Alexithymia: "How do you REALLY feel?"
Alexythymia is a condition that refers to a person's inability to identify or verbally describe their feelings. Its not uncommon for this condition to amplify during unusually trying times.
"Skin Hunger" is another side effect of the Pandemic which has physiological impacts. During this show we offer ways to help ease these issues during a time where there is less human contact.