Introduction
We all lose things; some are incidental and can easily be replaced or ignored.
But when that lost thing represents our safety, personal integrity or control over our life events, it becomes a trauma. We did not ask for it, nor cause it. It is something that comes at us from outside our current reality, e.g. the death of a family member or dear friend; job loss, serious accident, sudden decline in finances ,violence or natural disaster.
Cathy’s note:
When I was experiencing a sequence of these life challenging events ranging from my husband’s illness, providing home care for him, COVID and my own cancer diagnosis and treatment, I was completely unaware that I could access professional help for my own wellbeing.
It wasn’t until after my husband died and I retired from working life that I had time to focus on me and the impact these events had on my own wellbeing. I made it my job then to find out as much as I could about the physical and emotional impact of trauma in general, and on me personally.
Online Resources:
• 211 – resource referral by phone https://bc.211.ca
• Canadian Mental Health Association www.cmha.ca
• Wellness Together Canada www.wellnesstogether.ca
• Canadian Virtual Hospice www.mygrief.ca
• Alzheimer Society www.alzheimer.ca
• Family Caregivers of BC www.familycaregiversbc.ca
• Inspire Health; Supportive Cancer Care www.inspirehealth.ca
• Seniors Serving Seniors (only for Greater Victoria) https://sssbc.org
Healing Modalities:
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), also known as Tapping, is a somatic therapy which is a great adjunct to talk therapy (counselling). This is because long term stress and trauma live in the body as well as the mind. Both techniques work well together to address old messages learned in childhood and to transform unhelpful beliefs that keep us stuck. It is easy to learn and follow, and best used with the aid of a trained practitioner.
Contact
Heidi A. Diamond, BScN, CHHC
Clinical EFT Certified Practitioner
Email redefiningwellness@gmail.com
Nature Bathing:
Look online for Forest or Garden Bathing tours in your area.
Sound Therapy:
YouTube has many free videos using:
- Tibetan Singing Bowls
- Didgeridoo Music
- Solfeggio frequencies (interesting reference: https://vivifytribe.com/solfeggio-frequencies)
- Meditation
- Guided Meditation
- Sleep Stories