Support
Emotional and Mental Wellness Resources
Emotional health constitutes a pivotal aspect of overall well-being, extending beyond merely managing stress and does not imply perpetual happiness. Emotionally robust individuals experience stress, anger, and sadness but adeptly navigate their negative emotions. They recognize when a challenge exceeds their capacity and seek support from loved ones or professionals. Such individuals maintain an optimistic outlook on life, deriving fulfillment despite occasional setbacks.
Central to emotional health is the acknowledgment and acceptance of one's emotions, coupled with the confidence to address them constructively. Emotionally healthy individuals exhibit self-mastery, effectively managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, enabling resilience in the face of life's trials. Cultivating positive self-regard and nurturing healthy relationships are intrinsic to this state. Just as physical wellness necessitates active commitment, emotional wellness thrives on deliberate practice. Accessing tailored strategies tailored to specific emotional challenges can serve as an invaluable starting point on the journey towards emotional well-being.
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We have curated these support resources based on specific needs. Please review or share with someone in need.
Personalized Lifeskills Coach and Wellness Support:
Book Your One-on-One Session Today
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We provide a range of services tailored to individuals affected by cancer. One of these services includes personalized one-on-one wellness coaching sessions with our dedicated lifestyle & wellness coach, Lyanne Westie. Whether you're struggling to locate suitable resources or simply prefer expert guidance, we encourage you to fill out her form today. Upon submission, our team will promptly arrange a scheduled virtual booking time with Lyanne Westie, ensuring personalized support to meet your needs.
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Understanding Wellness Coaching: How It Differs and Empowers
Wellness coaching is a personalized partnership aimed at enhancing individual well-being. Clients benefit from a supportive environment to delve into emotions, define wellness aspirations, and foster self-awareness. Through compassionate guidance and customized techniques, wellness coaches assist clients in overcoming internal obstacles, deepening self-awareness, and crafting self-care and holistic wellness strategies. This coaching dynamic promotes empowerment, comprehension, and a stronger self-connection, leading to a more harmonious and satisfying life journey. How Does Wellness Coaching Differ from Counseling or Consulting? Wellness coaching, counseling, and consulting play distinct roles in supporting well-being. Wellness coaching focuses on helping clients set and attain specific health and wellness objectives, often employing motivational interviewing, goal setting, and behavior change techniques. Counseling, in contrast, involves a more profound exploration of emotions, thoughts, and past experiences to address psychological concerns and enhance mental health. Consulting in a wellness context typically entails offering expert advice, strategies, and solutions based on specialized knowledge and experience in areas like nutrition, fitness, or stress management. Wellness coaching encourages clients to explore their needs actively and take tangible steps towards fulfilling those wellness aspirations.
Lyanne Westie
I support clients in slowing down and mindfully exploring the connection between their mind and body, thoughts and feelings while cultivating curiosity, compassion, and self-trust. Through my journey of healing from chronic pain and trauma, I have explored various teachings and modalities, identifying key aspects of wellness that include the need to feel safe, seen, heard, and understood; developing self-compassion and the ability to view ourselves with curiosity and grace; and building internal trust by honouring our own boundaries and preferences. I believe that fostering a safe and attuned counselling relationship is crucial for nurturing these strengths.
Mindfulness has been an integral part of my life for the past seven years, significantly contributing to my capacity to sit with emotional and physical discomfort that often arises when addressing our past hurts. I spent a considerable part of my life searching for a singular treatment or solution to alleviate existing pain and prevent future suffering. This pursuit often led me to dwell on past regrets and yearn for a different future. However, I discovered the profound wisdom inherent in the present moment. While checking into the present can be challenging, with practice, patience, and the cultivation of trust within the counselling relationship and oneself, the present moment becomes increasingly accessible. Having someone to accompany and support clients in this process can be profoundly calming, encouraging them to linger a little longer in the moment they are exploring.
Balancing work, family, and personal well-being is a priority for me. I strive to harmonize my passion for learning, self-growth, teaching, and counselling, recognizing that these pursuits enrich my overall experience and effectiveness in supporting others.
Insights from Lyanne: Nurturing Wellness Through Coaching
In my quest for healing from chronic pain and trauma, I've explored diverse teachings and modalities, identifying crucial elements of wellness. These encompass the fundamental desires to feel safe, seen, heard, and understood; to nurture self-compassion and view ourselves with curiosity and grace; and to cultivate internal trust by honoring our boundaries. I believe that establishing a safe and attuned coaching relationship is instrumental in strengthening these qualities. As a wellness coach, I guide clients to slow down and mindfully explore the intricate connections between their mind and body, thoughts and feelings. I encourage curiosity about their wellness needs and the most effective ways to address them. Central to wellness coaching is the belief that clients are the experts in their own lives. The role of a coach is multifaceted, aiming to: Discover, clarify, and align with clients' aspirations Facilitate clients' self-discovery Prompt client-generated solutions and support Motivate clients to progress with their plans The desired outcome of coaching is empowerment and self-aligned care, fostering clients' ability to navigate their wellness journeys with confidence and purpose.
Find a Therapist in your Area
Our team is committed to providing support for you and your loved ones during your journey with cancer. However, we recognize that some may prefer more personalized and local assistance. Below, you'll find resources to help you locate therapists in your area, as well as relevant apps.
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Simply enter your city or postal code to search for local therapists across Canada:
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Check out the new app PocketWell – a free companion app to the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) online platform which gives access to a virtual network of mental health and substance use supports. PocketWell connects with the WTC portal to allow Canadians to access free and confidential sessions with social workers, psychologists and other professionals from their mobile phone.
In this section, you'll find a variety of resources related to Hope. These groups are independent of the Save Your Skin Foundation. We offer these links as valuable sources of information, although we do not oversee their content for accuracy and quality.
NOTE: The content provided on the Save Your Skin website is not meant to substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional or doctor. While we strive to keep our website information current, please be aware that details and statistics may change with new research and studies.
Strategies for Maintaining Hope
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Hope is the blend of desire and belief in the possibility of success, existing between certainty and mere wishfulness. It acknowledges the element of uncertainty while empowering us with a sense of control over our circumstances. Despite challenging negative thoughts, hope doesn't demand unwavering optimism; it's resilient even in pessimism. It not only sets a target but also fuels determination and faith in favorable outcomes. In moments of despair, cling to hope, and seek solace in the support of those who believe in it for you.
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Strategies for Being Mindful
Mindfulness is the intentional practice of attentively focusing on the present moment without judgment. It's a skill accessible to everyone, cultivated through proven techniques that help us connect with our bodies and minds. By incorporating mindfulness into our lives, we gain strategies to enhance presence and reduce reactivity in various situations. Below are resources and strategies to help integrate mindfulness practices into your daily routine.
In this section, you'll find resources and strategies to help integrate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Please note that these groups are independent of the Save Your Skin Foundation, and while we offer these links as valuable sources of information, we do not monitor their content for accuracy and quality.
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NOTE: The content provided on the Save Your Skin website is not meant to substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional or doctor. While we strive to keep our website information current, please be aware that details and statistics may change with new research and studies.
Strategies for Improving Your Quality if Life
A cancer diagnosis impacts every aspect of life: physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Adjusting to life post-diagnosis may entail grieving over lost quality of life and navigating uncertainty. It's essential to allow yourself time and patience during this process.
Quality of life holds significant importance for cancer patients, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an individual's perception of life within their cultural framework. Understanding your perception and beliefs about quality of life, as well as considering flexible measures and subtle mindset changes, can enhance your well-being.
In this section, you'll find strategies to help you maximize your quality of life. Please note that these resources are independent of the Save Your Skin Foundation, and while we offer them as helpful sources, we do not monitor their content for accuracy and quality.
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NOTE: The content provided on the Save Your Skin website is not meant to substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional or doctor. While we strive to keep our website information current, please be aware that details and statistics may change with new research and studies.
Strategies for Managing Support Networks
Social support encompasses both physical and emotional comfort from various sources such as family, friends, colleagues, and professionals. It manifests in different forms, including financial aid, assistance with daily tasks, advice, listening, empathy, and physical gestures like hugs. Regardless of the form it takes, social support has been linked to numerous health benefits, including increased well-being, improved coping skills, and reduced risk of depression and anxiety.
Following a diagnosis, support needs may change, requiring adjustments in type and amount. Transitioning to seeking and receiving support can be challenging as perceptions vary. Building a network often starts with acknowledging existing relationships and expanding as needed, like joining support groups for relevant knowledge and understanding.
Identifying the type of support needed is crucial:
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Emotional Support: Offering care and empathy, providing a shoulder to lean on.
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Instrumental Support: Assisting with physical needs and lending a helping hand.
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Informational Support: Providing guidance, advice, and relevant information.
Below are resources to aid in developing your support network. These links are independent of the Save Your Skin Foundation, provided for informational purposes, though not monitored for content accuracy.
NOTE: Information on our website is not a substitute for medical advice. We strive to keep it current, but details may change with new research.
Strategies For Dealing with an Overwhelming Feeling
Chronic overwhelm is one of the major causes of anxiety and anxiety disorders. When you’re overwhelmed, your mind overloads with all that’s going on. It takes a toll on your nervous, immune and hormonal systems, and left unattended will likely produce cycles of anxiety, fatigue and temporary despair.
Your body sends physical warning signs but your mind can easily override warning signals until you spiral down into overwhelm. Having strategies in place to refer to when you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed is a helpful tool.
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To effectively manage overwhelm, it's crucial to explore various strategies until you find what suits you best. Success with a strategy increases the likelihood of using it when needed. Remember, emotional wellness is an ongoing journey, so be patient with yourself. Listed above are some resources you may find helpful, although they are independent of the Save Your Skin Foundation and are not monitored for accuracy.
NOTE: Our website's information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. While we strive to keep it up-to-date, details may change with new research.
Coping with Catastrophic Thinking
The resources provided above may offer valuable information and support, though they are not affiliated with the Save Your Skin Foundation. We offer these links for your benefit, but we do not monitor their content for accuracy or quality.
NOTE: Our website's information is not a substitute for medical advice. While we strive to keep it current, details may change with new research and studies.
Strategies For Dealing with Grief
Grief is a natural response to loss or change, which can occur in various forms. Living with a chronic illness often brings about such changes, leading to complex feelings and reactions. The experience of grief is deeply personal, influenced by the nature of what we are grieving and may evolve over time.
There's no singular way to experience grief, as feelings and challenges related to it are unique to each individual. The type of loss or change can range widely, from tangible losses like physical abilities or income, to intangible losses such as independence or hope for the future. It's important to recognize and honor these feelings as part of the healing process.
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Recognizing and acknowledging feelings of grief can pave the way for seeking appropriate support and resources. If you find yourself overwhelmed by grief, professional support can assist you in navigating its complexities. Below are some resources you may find helpful, though they are not affiliated with the Save Your Skin Foundation. We provide these links for informational purposes only, without monitoring their content for accuracy or quality.
NOTE: Our website's information is not a substitute for medical advice. While we endeavor to keep it current, details may change with new research and studies.
Strategies For Emotional Wellness
Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention, on purpose, in an intentional way, to the present moment without judgement. Being mindful is a way of being that we all have access to and can cultivate through proven techniques that guide us in working with our bodies and minds to be in the present moment. Mindfulness offers strategies and perspective that we can connect with to be more present and less reactive in all our experiences, whether those experiences are wonderful or disheartening. Below is a list of strategies and resources to support you in bringing mindfulness practice into your day.
NOTE: Our website's information is not a substitute for medical advice. While we endeavor to keep it current, details may change with new research and studies.