Healing Mind Live in Group Activities!

Here is a list of ideas that I have employed at various times in a mental health setting for groups of adults, children, and teens.

1. Lighthouse:-

Visualization: You are lost at sea on a stormy night.  You see a glimmer of light leading you to land.  If you row hard, you can make it.  Someone waits for you with a warm meal, dry clothes, and a place to rest. 

Draw, color, or paint an image of a lighthouse as a source of guidance in your life.  Depict yourself somewhere in the image, either in a boat on the water, in the lighthouse, etc.  Add words to represent your sources of guidance in life, i.e. faith, family, hope. 

2.  Joyful Memory:-

Everyone shares the most joyful memory that comes to mind.  Each person directs the scene, casting group members in the various roles, including him or herself.  Participant watches the scene and comments on the feelings and memories that come up.

3.  Good and Evil:-
 (This one seems complex at first but once everyone gets it, it's a very fun and powerful activity.)

Clients take six strips of paper each.  Write three Negative Messages or beliefs on three of the paper strips; i.e. You're dumb, you're ugly, etc.  Write three Powerful, Positive Responses to the messages on the other three paper strips; i.e. I have confidence in my abilities.  I'm proud of the way I look. 

Form two rows of three standing opposite each other.  Let participants choose if they want to be in the "Good" row or the "Evil" row.  A participant gives one of his Negative Messages to each person in the "Evil" row.  He gives the corresponding Powerful, Positive Response paper to the person in the "Good" row that is facing the "Evil" side.  The participant stands between the first pair as they read the messages on the sheets and try to influence the participant using ad lib sentences.  The "Evil" person extends her arm out to block the participant from passing. 

e.g. Evil: "You're really dumb.  You are always so slow.  Why don't you ever understand anything?"  Good: "I'm proud of my abilities.  I may not be perfect, but I'm exactly who I need to be."  Participant listens to the two sides and finally chooses the "Good" side by repeating the Powerful Positive Response and pushing past the "Evil" person's arm block.  Participant repeats process with next pair until finished with all three pairs.  Repeat for each person. 

4. Friendship Mural:-

Big banner: "A true friend is someone who..."

Clients fill the mural with images and words that complete this sentence. 

5.  Resilience:-

Draw, color, or paint an image of a being in nature that survives in a harsh environment: a flower in a sidewalk; a fish at the bottom of the ocean; a creature in the desert. 

6.  Violence:-

Discuss quote from Elie Wiesel: "Violence is a form of communication for a person who fails to find words"  

 Participants complete the following sentences for a journal activity:

Violence happens because...

Someone who is violent toward others is trying to...

Someone who is violent toward himself is trying to...

Someone I have trouble communicating with is...

What I really need is....

What I wish people would understand about me is...

7.  Powerful Ally:-

Think of a person or character, real or imaginary, who is powerful, strong, or wise.  Remember a time you felt alone, scared, out of control, or helpless.  Imagine that the Powerful Person is there with you during the experience, either offering help or just being with you.  Participants enact the memories with the Powerful Person present in the scene.  Each participant casts the needed players in the scene and instruct the players how to enact the various characters' actions.  Client plays herself in the scene.  

8.  Inner Child:-

Draw yourself as a child on your paper.  Add images and words to give this child everything that it needs, including a supportive nurturing parent. 

9.  Purpose in Life;- 
   (adapted from an activity used in the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium)

Fold paper into three sections.  In the first section, list your gifts, strengths, talents, including abilities and personal qualities.  In the third section, list problems in the world that are concerning to you, such as child abuse, animal abuse, unemployment, etc.  In the middle section, use creativity to devise at least three ways to use your gifts in the first section to solve problems in the third section.  Draw and color an image of one of these ideas as if it has already happened and succeeded in solving the problem.   

10.  My Relationship with:-

Select a magazine image for yourself and another person with whom you have conflict or difficulty.  Glue each image on opposite sides of the paper.  Draw arrows from the other person to yourself and write words above each arrow to indicate the disagreeable actions of the other person.  Draw a protective wall between you and that person using bricks, laser shields, or any kind of imaginary protective device that believably prevents the disagreeable actions from harming you.  Now safe from harm, add images, words, and colors around the picture of the other person to depict your wish for their healing, growth, and peace.  Write your prayers or hopes that they will receive what they need to be happy.  Add images, words, and colors around the picture of yourself to describe what goals and values you will pursue once you are healed from the negative impacts of this relationship.

Balance Your Mind, Body & Soul!!

Here is a list of 15 simple things to consider incorporating into your healthy routine to help balance your mind, body, and spirit.

1. Exercise - Find an exercise you enjoy and start doing it regularly.

2. Be grateful - Stop to think about the things you have going for you  and  appreciate them.

3. Get plenty of sleep - Sleep is regenerative for your body. The more sleep you get the better you will perform the next day.

4. Breathe deeply - Whenever you think about it stop and take a deep breath. Over time this will become a healthy habit.

5. Install a shower filter - Chlorine is a poison. You don't want to inhale it or absorb it through your skin while showering.

6. Ground yourself - Literally. Plant your bare feet on the earth as often as possible.

7. Eat organic - Chemicals are killing pests on the crops. They are not good for you either.

8. Do more yoga - Great for the body and mind. Mind Body Green readers know the importance of this.

9. Smile more - It feels great :)

10. Spend more time with loved ones - In our busy lives we need to make time for the people who matter to us most.

11. Live your passion - Do more of what you love.

12. Meditate - Set some time aside each day to rest your mind.

13. Drink clean water - Get a filtration system for your drinking water. Fluoride is not good for your body.

14. Get outdoors more - Go for a hike and enjoy nature.

15. Eat plenty of greens - Dark leafy greens are rich in vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll. They help alkalize the body.

Slowly start incorporating these ideas into your daily routine and see how they positively impact your overall health.

Exercises for Healing the Mind, Body and Spirit!

The mind, body and spirit are deeply connected. You cannot truly be balanced and happy if your mind, body or spirit is not at peace. There are many forms of exercise that can help nurture you in ways beyond vigorous aerobic exercise. These exercises improve the mind as well as the body, helping you feel whole. They help to free the mind, strengthen the body and connect you to your spirit.

Yoga:-

Yoga is great for calming the mind and stretching the body. Yoga also teaches you to focus on your breathing, which helps improve your lung capacity. It improves your flexibility, posture and strength, while helping you to relieve stress. There are many different types of yoga, so pick out which type works best for you.

Tai Chi:-

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that focuses on slow and graceful movements. Practicing Tai Chi regularly helps bring balance to your life, both emotionally and physically. The movements in Tai Chi are gentle and relaxing, so this type of exercise if great if you are looking for something low-impact. Tai Chi is believed to improve the flow of energy in the body and bring about an overall sense of well-being and happiness. It also helps you get better sleep and helps to reduce pain.

Meditation:-

Taking a moment to clear your mind and meditate is great for your mind and spirit. We live in a fast paced world and that can cause a lot of daily stress. Meditation is a good way to calm down after a long crazy day and focus on relaxing and letting your stress go. Research has shown that regular meditation can lower cortisol, the stress hormone. It also helps you to sort out your thoughts and give you time to take a break from all the responsibilities of life.

Walking:-

Walking helps you get up and moving in the environment around you. Walking near a river or in a forest can be great for your spirit, giving you time to connect with nature. Walking is also great stress reliever. It is good for circulation, improves breathing and exercises the heart. Walking is easy to incorporate into your life because to get started all you have to do is get out there and walk. It is low impact and fun.

These are some of the ways you can exercise your body, mind and spirit to achieve a more balanced life. Being more balanced means having more energy and more drive to do the things you love. By practicing any one of these exercises you are improving your overall health and supporting a happy outlook on life.

Healing With Water!

Water is probably the single most important component to long term health. Every life-giving and healing process that happens in your body happens with water.

Drinking sufficient amounts water is one of the best investments you can make in your health.

How Much Water Do You Need?

Various sources, including the Mayo Clinic Women's Health Source, suggest that you should aim for oz of water per pound of body weight. So if you weigh 130 pounds, you should be drinking about 65 oz of water or 8 glasses of water per day.

To prevent dehydration, you need to drink at least 6-8 glasses of (non-sparkling) water each day. You should increase this amount when exercising and on hot days, or if you have been sweating excessively.

Exercise:-

It is good to drink one glass of water before you exercise and an additional glass every 20 minutes or so during the activity. This can be increased considerably during hotter weather or more strenuous exercise.

Weather Extremes:-

To compensate for water loss during hot or dry weather, at high elevations or during times of high or low humidity, it is good to drink an additional one to two glasses of water per day. Indoor heat or air conditioning can also be excessively drying.

Caffeine and Alcohol:- 

Caffeine and alcohol can pull as much water out of you as you put in, sometimes more. A German study showed that adults who drank six cups of coffee per day experienced chronic mild dehydration.

Drinks containing caffeine and other chemicals are taxing to the digestive system. The phosphorus content in cola drinks is so high it can lead to a calcium/phosphorus imbalance and contribute to diseases such as osteoporosis.

Alcohol is also a very strong diuretic, causing the body to excrete water, which often leads to advanced dehydration. It is recommended that you drink an extra glass of water for every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink.

Metaphysical Considerations:-

Metaphysically speaking, water is the element related to the second energy center. Proper water intake helps to regulate this energy center  also known as the emotional center, which allows you to feel pain and pleasure.

An under functioning second energy center may be manifested in repressed feelings, and an over stimulation may be manifested as addictions or greed. Therapies for the second energy center include water intake, swimming and luxurious baths or showers.

Help Your Body Heal Itself:-

While water is not an absolute cure-all, it is a primary ingredient in every preventive and healing process within your body. So many common ailments and diseases may be prevented with an increased intake of water. Headaches, hypertension, back pain, arthritis and asthma can all benefit.

Your body instinctively knows how to sustain good health. One of the best ways to prevent, treat, and in many cases cure illness, is to give your body the right tools. With the proper intake of water and the right minerals and nutrients, your body can overcome almost anything.

Laughter Is Good Medicine!

You have probably noticed that you feel a lot better after a good belly laugh. The problem is that your sense of humor generally abandons you just when you need it the most - when you get sick.

New evidence suggests that you may want to consider laughter as part of your comprehensive wellness program. It not only boosts your mood, but it also revs up your immune system, protects your heart, lowers blood pressure, reduces pain, improves lung capacity and provides a general sense of well-being. A good belly laugh also reduces stress hormones in your body.

Humor and Healing

The mere fact that you feel better after a good laugh should lead you to conclude that humor must be good for you. But research now confirms that your sense of humor promotes physical health. Clinical studies over the last 20 years have demonstrated that laughter plays an important role in healing. As a result, hospitals and health care organizations are initiating a number of humor-related programs, ranging from "laughter channels" on TV to visits by clowns.

Presbyterian Inter community Hospital in Whittier, CA has trained 25 clowns with the mission of putting smiles on the faces of its patients. "We have discovered that clown therapy works," says hospital President and CEO Daniel F. Adams..

Immune System Enhancement

Whether or not you get sick depends on your body's ability to fight off disease. Research has proven that positive emotions such as laughter enhance your immune response.

According to Dr. Lee S Berk of Loma Linda University in California, laughter helps increase the count of white cells and also raises the antibody levels. After "laughter therapy" he noticed an increase in antibodies in the nose and respiratory passages which are believed to have a protective capacity against some viruses and bacteria.

In a BBC article about laughter and hospital treatment, researchers found that the healing power of humor reduced pain and stimulated immune function in children with cancer, AIDS and diabetes and in children receiving organ transplants and bone marrow transplants.

High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

Those who suffer from heart disease may discover that laughter can improve their blood circulation and oxygen supply to their heart muscles.

The most astonishing evidence of the power of laughter comes from a 1997 study of 48 heart-attack patients whose therapy included 30 minutes of laughter a day. After a year, ten patients in the control group had suffered repeat heart attacks, compared to only two in the group that watched comedies.

Another study demonstrated a drop of 10-20mm pressure after patients participated for 20 minutes in a laughter session

Pain Reduction

Laughter increases the level of endorphins, which are natural pain killers found in your body.

Norman Cousins drew the attention of the medical community to the pain-reducing power of laughter in his book Anatomy of an Illness. He discovered while watching comedy films that belly laughter eased his pain and noted that ten minutes of belly laughter gave him two hours of pain-free sleep. Over a dozen studies have now documented that humor does have the power to reduce pain for many people.

In one study, people listening to Lily Tomlin joking about the phone company were less sensitive to pain than those who listened to an academic lecture. Another study showed that when elderly residents in a long-term care facility watched funny movies, the level of pain they experienced was reduced. In a third study of 35 patients in a rehabilitation hospital, 74% agreed with the statement, "Sometimes laughing works as well as a pain pill."

"A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast."

                                                                   

Respiratory Relief

Laughter is one of the best exercises if you suffer from asthma and bronchitis. It improves your lung capacity and oxygen levels in your blood. Doctors often recommend chest physiotherapy to bring out mucous from the respiratory passages, and blowing forcefully into an instrument or blowing balloons is one of the common exercises given to asthmatics. However, laughter does the same job, but more easily and cheaply.

Stress Relief

When confronted with a threatening situation, animals have two choices: they can fight or they can flee. You have a third choice: you can laugh. Humor may be one of the best antidotes to stress. You cannot laugh and worry at the same time!

Lee Berk, M.D., Ph.D., has conducted studies showing that laughter can fend off many of the physiological effects of stress, including those caused by the hormones cortisol and epinephrine, which can trigger increased blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar.

Prolonged and chronic stress can suppress your immune system, increasing your risk for viral infections and even tumors. According to Dr. Berk, the positive biological effects of a single one-hour session of viewing a funny video can last from 12 to 24 hours.

"Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress," says Dr. Berk. Heart disease patients are often given drugs called beta-blockers specifically to block these hormones. "Laughter can do that same thing," says Berk. "And it's a lot more fun."

What You Can Do

Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful healing tools you have, and laughter may be one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. You may want to consider adding a hardy laugh to your disease prevention program by

* Actively seeking out things that make you laugh;

* Taking in regular doses of funny movies, books and videos;

* Cutting out newspaper comics that make you laugh and posting them on

   your refrigerator;

* Finding a funny saying to repeat to yourself when things get tough;

* Telling a joke;

* Laughing at yourself;

* Looking for the funny side of events;

* Trying to use humor to handle anxiety;

* Hanging out with happy people.

Healing With Your Mind!

Did you know that your thoughts, beliefs, feelings and emotions influence the health and wellness of your physical body? Whatever your predominant thought is, your body will reflect that back to you in its state of health.

If you believe your body is vulnerable, if you believe the least little germ or the latest epidemic is going to get you, then it probably will. If, on the other hand, you believe you are safe, your body is safe, your body is healthy and that its natural state is one of perfect balance, your body will probably reflect that back to you.

Your Mind Is Like A Magnet:-

Your subconscious mind has no discretionary powers. It accepts whatever is fed into it. It is like a magnet. Each word and each thought can attract associated events and circumstances. The net result is that you may get sick or continue to be sick. However, filling your subconscious mind with affirmations that you are healthy and happy can bring about positive results.

The Power Of Your Mind:-

A report in New Scientist (November 2001) revealed that just thinking about performing strenuous exercise can actually affect your body. A team led by Dr. Guang Yue, an exercise physiologist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, studied 10 volunteers between the ages of 20 to 35 who were asked to imagine exercising one of their little fingers five times a week. After a few weeks, the strength in their fingers actually increased significantly!

The Placebo Effect:-

Studies have shown that thinking you are better can produce significant positive changes in recovery. This phenomenon of positive thinking is known as the placebo effect. Thus, a patient who takes a placebo (a substance containing no form of medication) may think they are going to improve because they believe the placebo is an actual drug.

When you have confidence that a medical treatment is going to be successful, or that you are going to recover from an illness quickly, you are more likely to achieve these results. Many patients who receive placebos report an improvement in their medical condition, despite the fact that they didn't receive actual treatment or medication.

One Harvard Medical School research study on the power of the mind in curing illness produced a wealth of scientific data, as well as anecdotes from patients, which established that "remembered wellness" (another term for the placebo effect) was a major factor in relieving serious medical conditions.

 

Optimism and Healing

An optimistic outlook can definitely be a factor in how well you heal from an injury, an illness or surgery. Those who maintain a positive outlook often enjoy life more than those who are negative-minded, but are they any healthier? For many people, the answer is "yes."

Healing Tips!

Some Positive Healing Tips:-

1:- Create a mental image of body mending and healing;

2:-Don't feel  guilty about your health  problems.(While there are some disease you    can try to prevent through good nutrition and exercise,other may develop and persist no matter what you do.

3:-Send yourself a constant stream of affirmations about you good health.(e.g,''I am getting strong everyday.'')

4:-Seek out your friends.(Friendships are an important factor in good health.Get a pet or plant.(Stroking an animal can lower your blood pressure and slow down your heart rate.Both plants and animals require loving care and can make you feel needed.)

5:-Laugh.(Humor can help make life face fee richer and healthier.Consider putting together a ''kit'' of emergency laughter ration,containing things like funny video,jokes books,cartoon and photographs.Take this kit out Whenever you feel down.

Positive Attitude and Wellness:- 

Your body can restore itself to health because you have encouraged and loved it back to its natural state of balance.When you truly look upon it as your friends and give it the same kind of love, caring and compassion you would bestow upon a beloved child, it may reward you beyond your wildest dreams.