[NFBNJ] MHANJ's Bell Newsletter -- Keeping Mentally Grounded, Plus Highlights on Virtual Groups
joe ruffalo
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
Fri Jun 26 19:09:40 UTC 2020
Greetings to all!
Please read and share with others.
Joe
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From: Mental Health Association in New Jersey
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2020 2:16 PM
To: nfbnj1 at verizon.net
Subject: MHANJ's Bell Newsletter -- Keeping Mentally Grounded, Plus
Highlights on Virtual Groups
Please join us for a virtual group
About the MHANJ Bell: As we navigate the
COVID-19 Pandemic, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Bell email
newsletter is a source for behavioral health information, news and
highlights. We are working to provide the best resources to you including
free virtual groups, webinars, interviews and Covid-19 information related
to mental health. Please check our website and social media often for
updates and additional information.
June 26, 2020
How to Feel Mentally Grounded
Is your mind constantly racing? It can feel
like a train running through a million thoughts, thinking about the past,
the future, or all the things that went wrong or could go wrong. Instead of
figuratively "staying grounded on the platform," people experiencing anxiety
or trauma caused by circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 Pandemic or
anything else in their lives can feel like they have become unmoored and
launched on a wild ride without any guardrails. When this happens it can be
hard to sleep, to stay focused or be around others.
The following exercise is designed to help
people calm down and retrain the body and mind to stay grounded in the
moment. This exercise can be used if you notice you’re getting anxious or
realize you are moving closer to a panic mode.
Stay Grounded Physically -- Hop off the
Train
The goal is to fill your brain with thoughts
on the here and now – and help to stop your brain from going to the past or
the future or obsessing about a difficult current issue.
• Before you start, you must learn to catch
yourself It’s hard to practice coping skills if you’re on the anxiety train.
Stop your self from getting on – or get off the train if you’re already on
it. Sometimes we literally have to tell our minds, “Stop It!” After you do
that, practice the strategies below.
• Focus on a single thought or object such
as a candle, flower or even your pet. It’s pretty hard to have two different
thoughts in your head at one time. The more you practice, the faster you’ll
notice your body and brain responding well. Touch is a powerful force for
keeping your mind in the here and now.
• An object can help with fidgeting and
refocusing. If you find an object you like, keep it on hand and pull it out
when you need it. This can be anything that holds value to you such as a
small family heirloom, a piece of art, a small toy or spinner, a much-loved
seashell; the list is endless.
• Use your surroundings. If you’re on a
walk, touch a fence or a wall. If you’re in the car, feel your seat or the
door. If you’re trying to sleep, feel the pillow on your face.
• Ask yourself: How does it feel? Is it
cold? Rough? Does it have patterns?
• Describe it (in your mind) silently to
yourself or out loud. Describe it in a calm, rhythmic way. You can talk
through each of the five senses asking yourself how it smells, looks and
feels taking time to do this slowly and with focus. You don’t have to do
them in order or do all five. You don’t even need to make sense. As long as
your mind is talking through any of the statements above and not on anxious
thoughts, you are making progress. Continue this calm, rhythmic pattern of
focusing the mind. Talk through it until you feel your mind and your body
calm down. Coach yourself using phrases of affirmation like, I’ve got this
or I’m going to be ok.
Source: Mental Health America
Nominations being Accepted for MHANJ's
COVID-19 Pandemic Behavioral Health Hero Awards
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey
(MHANJ) is pleased to announce a new Behavioral Health Hero Awards Program
recognizing people who have gone "above and beyond" to help people with
behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
"This project will give us the opportunity
to recognize behavioral peers, care providers, family members and volunteers
who are putting themselves at risk as they serve others. The program seeks
to highlight individuals putting forth extraordinary efforts to help those
with behavioral health disorders and their family members during the
COVID-19 Pandemic," said Carolyn Beauchamp, MHANJ's President and CEO. "In
addition, the program will help break the stigma of behavioral health issues
as we highlight stories of those who have taken action to make a
difference."
The MHANJ's Behavioral Health Hero Awards
Program, starts now and will run through November 10, 2020. Click here for
more information, including how to make a nomination.
MHANJ is Here for You
MHANJ - Virtually Out and About
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey
is offering a vast variety of virtual groups that offer emotional support
and growth opportunities. Below are just a few of the highlights. Click here
to see more.
Click here to Register:
https://tinyurl.com/y7e3hzw5
There is no cost to participate. This is the
first webinar in a series of three;
additional topics will be announced soon.
Exploring Creativity and Mental Health
Join Deacon Laverne S. Williams and her
Special Guest via Zoom or Facebook Live
Click here to donate.
Follow MHANJ's Social Media for Updates and
Inspiration
Suggestions?
If you have any suggestions on how the MHANJ
can serve the community,
or comments on our services please send them
to info at mhanj.org
Mental Health Association in New Jersey |
800-367-8850 | info at mhanj.org
Mental Health Association in New Jersey | 673 Morris Ave.,
Suite 100, Springfield, NJ 07081
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