TW Recreation Therapy

03/28/2024

What is on your must read list?

Once again, I am sharing with you my favorite list of books that have helped and inspired me on my own health journey. Today I share “How not to be afraid of your own life,” by author Susan Piver.

Susan is a Buddhist teacher and best-selling author of six books that align with her teachings and personal spiritual journey. Susan has been speaking all over the world for several years on topics such as meditation, communication styles, spirituality, creativity, and relationships.

In this book, Susan teaches us that through the practice of meditation, we learn to cultivate a power that allows us to live our lives without fear, and therefore without the limitations of fear. She shows us that most fear and stress come from our own minds and that if we put forth courage and knowledge, we can change our lives for the better, forever. And, to do so, we do not need to change anything about ourselves, we only need let go of many of the negative belief structures and thinking patterns we have become accustomed to. We have the power within each of us to live life conquering fear.

Speaking on self-compassion, self-care, which leads to self-healing…
“When you are filled with fear, anxiety, or other difficult emotions, the first thing you should always do is make friends with them.” Susan Piver.

“Tranquility, compassion and wisdom, are the components of fearlessness, not power, control, and remaining unaffected.” Susan Piver.

Happy Health everyone 😊 and thank you Susan Piver for helping so many readers change their lives for the better.
Here is a link to the Susan Piver website, please have a look at her book list: https://openheartproject.com/

For great info on optimal health please join me on my page, and for more info on therapy services please visit my website: https://www.twrecreationtherapy.com/

Susan Piver, author and meditation teacher, is founder of the Open Heart Project, an online community offering meditation, courses and support.

03/20/2024

Hello everyone,
I am asking parents in the community if they would be interested in having their child join a positive mental health Kids Club Program this summer. The program will include a variety of fun games, activities, and exercises, in music, crafts, visual arts, movement, and creative and expressive arts. Kids will have the opportunity to explore and build upon their strengths, and to learn tools to aid them in building and maintaining positive mental health. A fun road to feeling great about themselves!
Therapeutic components will include
· Anxiety reduction
· Expressing emotions in a healthy way
· Emotion and stress management
· Positive thinking
· Social skill building and social connections· Team building and peer support· Positive self-image
· Self-esteem and self-confidence building.

Please note: programs are run by a qualified recreation therapist specializing in pediatrics and mental health.

If you are interested in this program for your child, please email me and indicate what times and days work best for you, be it a full-day camp, half-day camp, or evening classes, throughout the summer.

I would also like your input on an adult positive mental health program that we are considering running this summer as well. If this is an interest for you or someone you know, please let me know.

Thank you for your input and time.

03/08/2024

When Women are stressed… Moms, partners, caregivers:
Being a woman is hard work, period. We often find that we are relied upon to be the solid rock of our family. If we have a loved one, parent, child, or partner, who is facing a challenging time, we are usually leaned on and needed even more, which can cause stress and pressure. So, what happens when we as women are overwhelmed but still need to be that rock for everyone else?
As a therapist, here are some things I can recommend:
• Know you are doing the best you can with the tools and knowledge you have today.
• Ask for help and let people help.
• Say no to things that are not top on your priority list.
• Take 15 minutes a day (at least) to just do something for you that relaxes your mind and body, go for a walk, take a bath, step outside, and sit on your porch, have a cup of tea while you watch your favorite show.
• Let your family know what you can do, and what you can’t. You have limits, EVERYONE DOES, THAT’S NORMAL.
• Know it’s OK to quit something you committed to if it is overwhelming for you.
• Take a break off screens, your phone, social media. We tell our kids to do this, but do we?
• Be aware of what you can and cannot handle, stop before you burn out or have emotional overload.
• Surround yourself as much as possible with supportive people, friends, and information, stay away from social media, news, movies, or events that upset you, join and attend things that uplift you.
• Get outside.
• Do something that makes you laugh, that’s fun.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Meditate.
• Journal about anything and everything… When you’re angry, sad, afraid, and when you have something good to share.
• Do something you love to do at least once a month. Garden, paint, go for a hike.
• Remember time alone is OK.
• Scream into a pillow!
• Talk to a trusted friend, to a therapist, to God.
• Stay hydrated and eat lots of greens!

I know as women we want to see our kids and families happy, but we need to recognize that we have limits. And if we don’t acknowledge these limits our body can start to get sick and break down. So, we must take care of ourselves so that we are strong and capable of taking care of those we love. And what better way to teach our kids that they need to take care of themselves, than by leading with example.
Happy Health everyone 😊 Happy International Women's Day!

For great info on optimal health please join me on my page, and for more info on therapy services please visit my website: https://www.twrecreationtherapy.com/

02/27/2024

Talking about self-care this week and looking at all the health domains including our mental health, physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual. Let’s look at social health- fostering healthy relationships with others and ourselves. Healthy relationships include trust, honesty, respect, and open communication with one another. There should be no imbalance of power, or control over another person. To build strength within a relationship we can practice always maintaining mutual respect, trust, affection, and kindness. We can extend these points of what a healthy relationship is, into other relationships with friends and family. Don’t forget that the most important relationship to foster with care is the one you have with yourself. Respect, love, and be kind to you- first and foremost, and if you have a belief in God or a higher power then that relationship is first and foremost as well, building strength, trust, and faith within that relationship, is key.

Happy health everyone.