Pursuing
Well-Being
"Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit
- the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe
has an effect on our state of well-being" (Greg Anderson)
About
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I am creating this site to share some of the tools
in my journey to becoming more more connected to myself and our planet, and to connect with other for ideas and inspiration.
Andreea B
A little about me >
I remember my childhood as a time of excitement, of seeing my world grow larger and discovering it through playing outside all day long, exploring my surroundings, and loving nature and people.
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Into my early to mid twenties I started feeling ​the dizziness from the fast paced life I had quickly slipped into, moving into a larger city and working full time in sales. To fit the expectations and feeling the pressure of the role, I was connected to my devices 24/7, afraid to miss any *important emails or phone calls, constantly feeling out of breath whether I was chasing planes and meeting appointments, or sitting in a chair looking at my desk all day. Exercise, dance lessons and karaoke are what got me through my every day, and at the time, I did not even know that.
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My Education Program at the University of Toronto and my pregnancy with my son are the two key events that put me on the path towards embracing holistic practices in my life. Being introduced to Mindfulness and practicing Yoga helped me find strength and resilience in challenging times, and helped me to reconnect with myself. I was learning to stop, to focus, to prioritize, to not feel guilty, to let go, to embrace the moment, to allow myself to feel and notice, to think clearly, to make mistakes and to forgive, to find peace...These are things I am continuously working on, and that have positively impacted my well-being as well as my personal and professional life.
Get back to Nature
Why?
We live in a time where climate change and mental health have increasingly become reasons for concern in our society.
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Researchers believe that feeling a connection with nature is not only good for us, but also for our environment, claiming that disconnection from our natural world may be a contributing factor to our planet's destruction.
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Green Exercise is activity in the presence of nature. Research further supports that "green exercise" leads to short and long term positive health outcomes, such as improving self-esteem and mood. The presence of water generated larger effects. Those suffering from mental health illness have seen some of the greatest improvements. (Environ. Sci. Technol.2010).
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Green spaces are also linked to promoting prosocial behaviour
(Environ Health Perspect. 2014 Dec)
Discover More:
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Camping in Nature
Daytime or overnight camping will get you immersed in nature and can lift up your spirit by bringing joy and serenity in your heart and mind.
Conservation Efforts
Plating trees and native plants is a wonderful way to help both yourself and the environment.
Check out: TREE PLANTING in Toronto and PollinateTO .
Lost Soles Outdoors
Get your feet moving!
Find a patch of green in your community and surround yourself with nature!
Check out this guide to
Focus Alone
Relax and take in your surroundings. Find a place to sit alone in nature. Try to communicate with the natural world. Connect - you belong here!
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Connect with your Mind
Meditation
Like Yoga, Meditation is a mind body practice that helps reduce stress and soothes the nervous system imbalances, helping to improve overall wellbeing.
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Tip: here is a quick guide to help you get started!
Movement as Self-Expression
Dance
"Dancing is a way of dealing with feelings and releasing them, instead of locking them in and going to the doctor with depression and anxiety" - Sarah Cook (dance researcher)
More about Dance and Mental Health, and Dance Therapy.
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Two of my favourite places in Toronto:
City Dance Corps, Steps Dance Studio (all levels welcome)
Mindful Movement
“An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience"
- Mark Williams
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Channel Your Creativity
"Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it."
- Salvador Dali
DIY. It's in Your Hands
Maybe it's painting, pottery, sculpting, building furniture, making jewellery, baking, calligraphy or maybe it's sewing?
Find what brings you joy!
You may also learn to fix a few things, and to reuse and repurpose in your process of creation.
(bonus: less going into the landfill).
It will help you, and the Planet.
Use photography to see the world from different angles and to document
why it's worth protecting.
Put LOVE into what you do.
Just"Be" in your Music
Music is for everyone! Singing as a means of self-expression helps promote well-being.
(Does Singing Promote Well-Being?, 2002).
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Music is a powerful therapeutic tool, to promote wellness, manage stress, express feelings to name a few.
Click here for more!
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Allow yourself to exist in your music, without judgement. You don't have to worry about "being good" or pleasing others, you have to dive into it and just be.
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*So pour your heart out next time you go for karaoke or sing in the shower!*
Room to "Breathe" in Text
Whether it is reading books, writing lyrics, journaling or blogs, text can be a delightful avenue for your mind and heart to set free.
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Children who are the most engaged with reading and writing in their free time have significantly better mental wellbeing than their peers. (National Literacy Trust, 2018)
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Research also claims that reading can help reduce stress: "This is more than merely a distraction but an active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness."
(Dr. Lewis, University of Sussex)
References:
Amoly, E., Dadvand, P., Forns, J., López-Vicente, M., Basagaña, X., Julvez, J., … Sunyer, J. (2014). Green and blue spaces and behavioral development in Barcelona schoolchildren: the BREATHE project. Environmental health perspectives, 122(12), 1351–1358. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408215
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Barton, J., Pretty, J. (2010). What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study AnalysisEnvironmental Science & Technology, 44 (10), 3947-3955
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Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking Individuals’ Connection With Nature to Environmental Concern and Behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41(5), 715–740. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916508318748
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Resources:
Alo Moves: Yoga, Meditation, Dance and Fitness App (computer and mobile)
Alo Gives: Yoga and Meditation App for Kids, Parents
and Teachers
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Calm: Meditation App
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City Dance Corps: all levels dance lessons and dance inspired fitness classes in Toronto
Steps Dance Studio: all level latin dance classes in Toronto
Learn to Dance with Three Easy Steps
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The Make Den: all level sewing lessons in Toronto
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These are just a small list of some my most loved resources. It is not a one size fits all, and we should all try to find what resonates with us. Your environment, your community, as well as the internet offer a plethora of opportunities to help anyone looking to start focusing on their wellbeing.