Resource Library

Stress, Burnout Rebecca Graves, RH, CH Stress, Burnout Rebecca Graves, RH, CH

The Physiology of Burnout and Why It Matters

Burnout is more than just exhaustion—it triggers significant changes in your body, including hormone imbalances and weakened immune function. Prolonged stress affects everything from your digestion to your ability to sleep. Understanding the physical toll burnout takes on your body is key to addressing its long-term impact on your health.

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Stress, Burnout Rebecca Graves, RH, CH Stress, Burnout Rebecca Graves, RH, CH

Understanding Burnout

Uncover the truth about burnout: a pervasive exhaustion impacting physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This article delves into the symptoms of burnout, from chronic fatigue to emotional numbness, and highlights those most at risk, including high achievers, caregivers, and neurodivergent individuals.

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Holistic Health, Women's Health, Complementary Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P. Holistic Health, Women's Health, Complementary Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P.

Practitioner Spotlight: Meet Andrea

Are you looking for a practitioner who is kind, compassionate, empathetic and understands the health struggles you’re experiencing?

Andrea’s near encyclopaedic wealth of knowledge combines perfectly with her calm and compassionate nature to deliver an outstanding level of care.

At Dancing Willow Wellness, we pride ourselves on patient-centred care, and Andrea exemplifies this principle. She is always ready to meet patients where they’re at, and use her skills, expertise, and warmth to bring them closer to where they want to be.

Patients feel supported and heard throughout their journey and appreciate her kindness as well as the great results they achieve.

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Counselling, Mental Health Alicia Niewiatowska, RSW Counselling, Mental Health Alicia Niewiatowska, RSW

‘No’ as Self-Care

As I tell my clients, “if self-care feels like just another thing you have to do, you're doing it wrong”.

There are many ways of taking care of yourself; getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, etc. But I think many of us are missing a really important part of self-care.

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Women's Health, Mental Health, Counselling Dancing Willow Wellness Women's Health, Mental Health, Counselling Dancing Willow Wellness

Time to have a Chat About Stress

We’ve all had our fair share of stress over the last few years with the pandemic and all that’s come from that. Some of you have felt more stress with the loss of work, while others have felt like they have been working like a dog. Some people have been called heroes by some and spit on by others. We’ve also seen one of the most concerning protests in Canada in recent memory. All these events add stress to our lives!

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Mental Health, Women's Health, Holistic Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P. Mental Health, Women's Health, Holistic Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P.

Why Sleep Matters & How to Sleep Better

Sleep is not self-indulgence or self-care. Sleep is a basic human need that’s critical to our health, well-being and self-preservation!

I'm choosing to start with this bold statement for a reason: from a young age, we're taught that 'sleep is for the weak’, that we can 'sleep when we're dead' and other detrimental beliefs about sleep. This is reinforced in our 20's and the belief that we can "do it all". North American culture has become one where sleep is thought of as a luxury we can't afford if we want to get everything done.

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Mental Health, Holistic Health Rebecca Graves, RH, CH Mental Health, Holistic Health Rebecca Graves, RH, CH

Stress and Hypnosis

Did you know your brain is brilliant at keeping you safe from sabre tooth cats? You have an amazing fast-response system that puts you on high alert whenever danger threatens you. You might know it as the “fight or flight” response.

Your heart beats faster, filling your arms and legs with more blood and energy. Your breathing becomes faster and deeper to help provide your muscles with the oxygen they need to fight or run away. Even your pupils get bigger, so you can see a little better in low light conditions – just the time of day that big cats like to hunt!

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Holistic Health, Mental Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P. Holistic Health, Mental Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P.

Overthinking: What Exactly is Overthinking

I used to wonder why this happened to me. I’d even try staying up super late hoping exhaustion would help me avoid it. Going to bed early (especially if I wasn’t tired) only made it worse. Thankfully, I’ve found a few tips and tricks over the years which have helped me stop overthinking or quiet my mind when it does happen.

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Mental Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P. Mental Health Andrea Empey, R.Ac, CNP, R.O.H.P.

Reframing 'Shoulds'

When I hear 'should' coming out of my mouth, I think I've got a ball and chain attached to my ankle. 'Should' is so heavy. It's so full of obligation. It's so judgmental. I allow myself to make a change and reframe how I'm thinking about that 'should.'

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