April 2021

Hi Folks, The latest edition of the Surviving Spirit Newsletter is posted at the website - http://newsletters.survivingspirit.com/index.php Once again I've tried to create a mix of articles, videos, music, books, podcasts, resources, etc, that offer Hope, Healing & Help. As the saying goes, “ Take what you like and leave the rest. ” or here's the PDF - http://newsletters.survivingspirit.com/pdfs/2021-04-The_Surviving_Spirit_Newsletter_April_2021.pdf To sign up for an e-mail copy, please...

Developing intimate connection with even one other person can create fertile soil for social transformation.

We carry our story - from toxic stress to excitement - in our body. Peter Levine states, "Trauma is not in the event itself; rather trauma resides in the nervous system." So, what if you could use your body as a resource to relax and restore wellness? At our upcoming Yoga for Trauma Recovery training, we will teach people how to use their body (or guide others) to practice resonant breath, rhythmic exercises, and tools to heal from trauma. In addition, we will also be having our first ever...

More and more people have adopted pets over the last year , as spending time with animals is a research-backed way to lower stress and anxiety. And yet, you don’t need to own a pet to reap the stress-reducing benefits. If pet adoption isn’t an option for you, you can still find comfort in visiting a friend’s pet, visiting the dog park on your lunch break, or taking a trip to a petting zoo over the weekend. They calm our nerves in high-pressure situations When we’re feeling particularly...

Join us for the next episode of A Better Normal! Hosted by PACEs Connection's Gail Kennedy. Thursday, April 29, 2021 | Noon to 1pm PDT >>Click here to register<< T his will be a workshop format and will not be recorded or reposted. The stressors of 2020 and 2021 are leading to burnout and exhaustion among ACEs professionals. Join IsraAID and PACEs for a specialized, interactive self-care session, on concrete ways to reduce stress and anxiety in order to continue your important...

Earth Day has blossomed into a month-long celebration in April focusing on getting outdoors, appreciating nature and coming together as a community all of which are important in our work as ACEs Aware grantees. Recently, “spending time in nature” was added to the list of ways to practice self-care in relation to Adverse Childhood Experiences. The idea behind the self-care practices is to regulate an overactive stress response which can be heightened due to exposure to ACEs and lead to toxic...

It’s been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we knew it. Many families across the country have been living in “survival mode.” Tweens and teens continue to experience a range of emotions , including sadness, anger, and fear. If left unresolved, these feelings can take a toll on health and well-being. When it comes to teens’ emotional and mental health, they are experiencing a crisis, says Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez , a primary care pediatrician and assistant professor...

1. In preparing for this practice, let’s all try to sit comfortably with both feet planted on the floor, spines erect, but relaxed. We can close our eyes if that feels OK, or keep the eyes open and soften the gaze. 2. Let’s now take our attention to the sensations of breathing , following the in-breath as it travels through the nostrils, expands the chest, and settles in the belly. Follow the out-breath as it travels back from the belly to the chest and out through the nostrils. 3. Then...

Have you ever meditated with your doctor in the exam room? The answer is probably a resounding “no.” ⁠For many of my own heart patients, however, it’s now part of the routine. You may wonder why a cardiologist is teaching his patients to meditate . While many of us tend to think of our emotions, or meditation for that matter, as only affecting our mind, research shows that these “mental” states do come with very real, physical outcomes. Try to remember the last time you or a loved one felt...

3 Tips for Anxiety Attack Prevention Sweating, shaking, irritability, nausea, and a rapid heart rate are all common symptoms of an anxiety attack, according to Verywell Mind. And while symptoms can vary from person to person, anxiety attacks often stem from an underlying anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder. Prescription medications and psychotherapy can help treat anxiety, but coping strategies such as exercise, meditation, and...

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms linked to the stress and trauma of the pandemic, along with anxiety, depression and problems with sleep. 40 specialists in fatigue describe tips, tools and resources for decreasing stress-related exhaustion as well as fatigue in chronic illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) which is the chronic disease I've been working with from trauma perspectives and the science explaining how it's not psychological.

Jennifer is an established Certified Life Coach and author of "5 Steps to Freedom From Fear," a simple guide to removing the obstacles that prevent us from realizing our fullest potential.