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Your Life in this new COVID World

Bear Psychology Podcast

Release Date: 03/30/2020

The Relief of Letting Go show art The Relief of Letting Go

Bear Psychology Podcast

Having dedicated her life to helping others through emotional moments, Dr. Bea MacKay knows better than most that there are many things we cannot control in life. In her book, “Let Go of the Outcome and Let Things Fall Together”, she shares strategies for dealing with events we cannot change without feeling defeated. Her approach to mental health, embraces emotional wellbeing. Listen to our conversation with psychologist & author Dr. Bea MacKay as we talk all about her approach to reconnecting with your emotions and yourself. In this book, she walks you through how you can combine...

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Understanding Narcissism show art Understanding Narcissism

Bear Psychology Podcast

If you have ever struggled with a person in your life that displays behaviors such as: lack of empathy; entitlement; a need to be the center of attention; negative reactions to any critical feedback; a grandiose sense of self; arrogance; manipulation and gaslighting; a need to be in control; demeaning and blaming of others and much more than this conversation will be of interest to you! “Narcissism: A Contemporary Introduction” by Dr. Richard Wood is a well-researched book that provides you with a deep understanding of the psychological terrain of the Narcissist. He distinguishes and...

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Healing from Wounds No One Sees – From Military to Motorcycles show art Healing from Wounds No One Sees – From Military to Motorcycles

Bear Psychology Podcast

Dedicating your life to the safety and freedom of your country is a massive sacrifice military veterans across make every day. One of the largest challenges for these heroes is working through the barriers and stigma of PTSD following service and navigating their path of readjustment and recovery. Kurt Grant, author of “Shiny Side Up: On the Road to Recovery”, used a cross-country motorcycle trip to help integrate and calm some of the chaos in his mind following military service as an infantry sergeant. Listen to our conversation with veteran & author Kurt Grant as we talk about...

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Our Emotional Connection to Pets and how it impact our lives show art Our Emotional Connection to Pets and how it impact our lives

Bear Psychology Podcast

So many of our listeners have pets that they cherish and certainly have shared struggles they might have with these animals.  I am a great animal lover and many of my clients have found solace in their relationships with pets in the home, at times feeling a great emotional boost from the connection.   With this in mind, I wanted to share the work of Denise Mange – who has written about her special approach to building a health relationship with the pets in your life.   A bark is not always just a bark and a bite is not always just a bite. Training a dog (or other animal)...

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Overcoming Depression with Activation Strategies show art Overcoming Depression with Activation Strategies

Bear Psychology Podcast

Depression is a type of mood disorder that often results in chronic feelings of profound sadness and disinterest. Referred to as both clinical depression and major depressive disorder, it affects one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and can result in a range of psychological and medical issues. Sufferers often report difficulty navigating their day-to-day life and thinking life is not worth living. However, it is critical to understand that recovery is possible and that you are not alone in these struggles. Dr. Nina Josefowitz’s book “The Behavioral Activation Workbook for...

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Healing Emotional Dysregulation show art Healing Emotional Dysregulation

Bear Psychology Podcast

In this healing exploration author and therapist Dr. Tamra Sattler reflects on the “Enneagram 4” also referred to as “Borderline-style personality”. These personality styles have a reputation of being difficult for therapists to work with, families to tolerate, and importantly for those struggling to love and accept themselves. In her book, “Too Much and Not Enough: Healing for the Enneagram Four or Borderline-Style Personality”, Sattler describes how people achieve self-discovery and a path forward to belonging, for those with strong emotions. Listen to our conversation with...

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Medical Assistance in Dying – loving someone through the process show art Medical Assistance in Dying – loving someone through the process

Bear Psychology Podcast

Upon receiving a brain tumor diagnosis in 2018, Cynthia Clark’s husband expressed his desire to prioritize the quality of his remaining years over the quantity. His desire was to relish his time with his wife and kids, which ultimately led to his decision to utilize MAID when treatment failed eight months later. After starting a blog to update friends and family about the process, Cynthia began to notice that those going through this same process with a loved one often reported feeling alone and unsupported.  This led her to write “The Many Faces of MAID: What to Expect When Someone...

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Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) impacts your life today show art Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) impacts your life today

Bear Psychology Podcast

After 20 years in practice, Dr. Jonice Webb noticed the painful struggle of people who grew up in homes where they were emotionally neglected.  She identified this neglect as an "invisible factor" that continued to affect adults often leaving them feeling depleted and dissatisfied or what she described as “Running on Empty”. In Dr. Webb’s books “Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect” and “Running On Empty No More: Transform Your Relationships” she shines a light on this invisible force of CEN.  She discusses how to bring new tools, strategies and...

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Meditation after Injury and Loss show art Meditation after Injury and Loss

Bear Psychology Podcast

After years of excellent health as an ultra-marathon runner and athlete and a good life in a stable marriage Katie Arnold’s life flipped from stable to unrecognizable.  Arnold experienced a significant injury while on a rafting trip that left her with a broken leg and big life changes.  She takes us through her life as an ultra-runner and a “seething but adequate” married woman before the accident. The things she relied on before her accident were ripped away from her leaving her wondering who she really is. After her accident, she sought solace through a Zen meditation...

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Untangle from Toxic People show art Untangle from Toxic People

Bear Psychology Podcast

Growing up with emotionally immature or self-centered parents can mean that your emotional needs were either disregarded or unmet. As a result, you may struggle with feelings of betrayal, abandonment, rage, or loneliness. Although you may work hard to become the person you want to be, your old wounds might re-ignite at any time, especially if your are reminded of vulnerable childhood feelings. Dr. Gibson, is an CEN expert and the author of “Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People: Avoid Emotional Traps, Stand Up for Your Self, and Transform Your Relationships as an Adult Child of...

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How are you managing in this new COVID World?

"the hope that something good can come out of this collective state of "together, apart."– Elena Nicolaou, Mar 19, 2020

Things have changed so rapidly that everyday life seems like "a surreal life".

I walk to work and the streets are empty, I enter my building and no one is in the elevator. I arrive at my floor, open my file cabinet and begin to see clients – although now, every interaction I have is online or by phone. I cancelled all my social plans and now I have Video Zoom dinner parties, visit with friends and family by phone and email, text and chat through WhatsApp. I just realized that if my efforts for creating a social network were not strong before this, I would be truly suffering as I am a social being and I need to feel close to others. These ways of connecting are not the same as the warm hugs and direct smiles I might be used to but they do make a difference. They keep me feeling connected somewhat.
 
Dealing with COVID stress

There are so many people out there trying hard to make a difference and share resources that can help us all. No country or citizen is immune to the potential impact of this disease. Yet, from what we are seeing there are places in the world like South Korea and China where rapid actions have led to a quick handling of this Pandemic. We need to stay open to learning from those who can help.
  • Recommendations for stopping the spread
  • Big changes need to happen to change the course of COVID-19 – What to do
  • Clear Warnings
  • Hamilton Doctor Warns us in Ontario of what is coming and how clever the virus is.
Managing COVID-19 STRESS

There are many ways to manage the stress of this new COVID world, join us as we discuss this.
  • Take a Media Diet (seriously limit the amount of time you read, or watch COVID related content)
  • Exercise more (even if this means chair exercise, walk about your apartment/room/house/neighbourhood) – always keeping in mind social distancing
  • Take a class on line (right now there are so many programs and online classes that are launching to address the needs of millions of people experiencing quarantine or social isolation) – I took a live yoga class through Instagram Live (but you can meditate, learn to knit, join a book club, etc).
  • Use this time to do the projects you have wanted to catch up on
  • Reach out to a friend or family member who you have not had time for
  • Letter from Dr. Hollenstein to his students after classes are closed due to COVID
  • CAMH on COVID
  • Free irest meditations to help right now
HOW ABOUT SOMETHING HOPEFUL?

Stay Hopeful with Inspiration – Kitty O'Meara – "and people stayed home"
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a31747557/and-the-people-stayed-home-poem-kitty-omeara-interview/

REMEMBER THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD POURING ALL THEIR CREATIVE AND INTELLECTUAL ENERGY, TIME, MONEY IN SOLUTIONS. WE ARE RACING FORWARD WITH ANSWERS.
 
Some useful resources:
  • For more COVID-19 information on CDC click HERE
  • For information on the rolling COVID-19 updates by WHO click HERE
  • For more information on managing COVID-19 stress HERE
More Meaningful Link:
  • Letter from Dr. Hollenstein to his students after classes are closed due to COVID HERE
  • CAMH on COVID HERE
  • Free irest meditations to help right now HERE