Vision, Empowerment, and Laughter
Women are do-ers, particularly if they are moms, and we celebrate them this month, which has been named
Women’s Health Month. And Mother’s Day also reminds us of the most influential women in our lives.
The Healing Institute itself was launched because my own mom died at a young age, from complications of medication
she was on. It shed light on how we need to be better at taking care of ourselves through many modalities, not just medications.
We encounter health care only through symptoms, and not root causes, which does us all a disservice.
So it was fitting to gather some great women to discuss how we can support those we love – like ourselves! – with healing practices that truly lift us to being healthier in mind and spirit. Often women are so focused on their roles as nurturers, providers and helpers that they overlook their own needs. (Sound familiar?)
The most recent Heal the World Show Podcast featured three practitioners who collectively helped us to address women’s health from many perspectives.
Amy Vogel is an author and coach to help women write “bold books” that reflect their true selves, and inspire others to become who they were meant to be. As women, we spend too much time “playing small” don’t we? Amy’s focus is on feminine empowerment, particularly through story and book writing. She helps clients shift from the stories that have held them back to rewrite those that embolden them to be their true selves. Writing is therapeutic and helps women clarify their own vision of who they are and can be.
Ell Graniel, certified emotional intelligence mentor, agreed and added that we’re trained to think of what we don’t want, and we need to retrain ourselves to think of what we DO want. We need to be bolder in asking for what we want; be aware of people who don’t foster that, are more negative, because they keep us from our own light.
Speaking of light, there is nothing that brings light to any situation than laughter. Dr. Erica Buccholz, developmental psychologist, who uses laughter to help others overcome challenges, also joined in the conversation. She pointed out that after you giggle you feel better, and physiologically it’s proven. She pointed out the sad fact that adults only laugh 6 times per day while kids laugh 300-600 times each day!!
She recommends forced laughter or intentional laughter, because your body doesn’t know you’re pretending, but responds positively nevertheless; great for lungs, heart and builds connection. While laughing has the same positive effect as a good cry, but it draws people in more easily than crying. Socially it also lifts others.
Our take-aways from this vibrant discussion?
- Take the time to know yourself, and reject all of the negative voices we hold onto.
- Be bold, and stop “playing small” to make others feel better
- Rewrite your story from the negative fiction you are subject to, and instead reflect your nonfiction, which can be as simple as keeping a journal; it helps cast your vision as well.
- Finally, laugh more often, even if it’s forced or intentional at first. If you need prompts, try videos, funny shows, or other positive content.
What do you find is a great practice to have better emotional and mental health? Tell us in the comments!