Videos by Julia Grace in Auckland. Mental Health Speaker/Author/Award Winning Artist. Be Kind to Your Mind
One of my greatest joys is to see the âlightbulb momentâ happen in the eyes of my audience members during my Keynote presentations. I spoke to a group of 1500 school students on the topic of anxiety, teaching about how the brain works, why we need a Jelly Buddy and what to do at the Wobbly Point. As I walked offstage a girl approached me with tears in her eyes. She touched my arm, pulled me to one side and whispered, âThank you for what you doâ. These are the moments! From the Principal who went back to school after a conference and was honest with her staff about her Wobbly moments for the first time ever, to the Board member who entered a meeting doing the Wobbly Wave to signal a need for support. From the teenager who went home from a Be Kind to Your Mind event to talk to her Mum about accessing support for disordered eating, to the group of senior nurses who thanked me for being the first person to actually help their group address their own mental health rather than just prioritise the needs of others. My aspirations are simple. To use my voice, influence and platform to reach as many people as I possibly can with a message of hope and practical change. One Wobbly point, and one Jelly Buddy at a time! Thank you as always for joining me on the journey, and for spreading the news with me! Julia Grace Be Kind to Your Mind
On the day is not the day!
Why do I keep banging on about Jelly Buddies and Pre-Planning our support network? Because on the day, is not the day!
Stressed-out Brains are Offline Brains and expecting great problem-solving abilities on a Wobbly day is a recipe for disappointment.
Thatâs why we use the good days to prepare and practise.
In the words of the incredible Dr Emma Woodward from the New Zealand Institute of Well-being and Resilience: âPractise when itâs easy, so itâs easy when itâs hardâ.
Loved presenting this webinar for the
Auckland Business Chamber with @simonjbridges in partnership with @firststeps.nz talking about resilience for small business owners and business startups.
Ps Subtitles not done by me đ
One Degree of Change. If we make small changes in our lives, we are more likely to end up with consistent results. Often when we talk about our health and wellbeing, about getting fit and how that's really important, we go home and declare, "I'm going to go to the gym every day for the rest of my life!!" No we're not 𤣠But we could go for a walk twice a week. We could take our coffee at work in a takeout cup and go round the block. There are small incremental changes we can make that make up to big results in the long run. Be Kind to Your Mind by being more realistic - One Degree of Change is better than big ideas that turn into nothing. What's your One Degree of Change this week? x Julia Grace
THE MIDDLE PENGUIN. Emperor penguins huddle in a spiral formation to protect themselves from the cold, taking turns to be the penguin in the middle.I love this analogy, itâs natureâs way of acknowledging that we all have different seasons in life.Over the past few years Iâve had to learn to be the middle penguin as ive dealt with mental health challenges and itâs not easy. It can be embarrassing to admit to that youâre the one that needs help. But some time in the middle can make you a better friend, a better workmate and even a better family member.Here are 3 things you can do when you need to be a middle penguin. 1âŚEnjoy it. Letâs face it - how often do you get to lie on the couch, order cups of tea and make the most of the sympathy vote? 2âŚStop fighting. Nobody wants to help a penguin that keeps snapping at them to go away. Be grateful for the people who are there to help you out3âŚTake heart. You will get your turn on the outside again. One day you will be well and whole and taking your place as the protector and inspirer that you were born to be (while secretly wishing for a cup of tea and a lie down). đPenguins of all positions, Kia Kaha - strong, be brave, be open to support. Julia Grace : Be Kind to Your Mind
The Middle Penguin
THE MIDDLE PENGUIN. Emperor penguins huddle in a spiral formation to protect themselves from the cold, taking turns to be the penguin in the middle.
I love this analogy, itâs natureâs way of acknowledging that we all have different seasons in life.
Over the past few years Iâve had to learn to be the middle penguin as ive dealt with mental health challenges and itâs not easy. It can be embarrassing to admit to that youâre the one that needs help. But some time in the middle can make you a better friend, a better workmate and even a better family member.
Here are 3 things you can do when you need to be a middle penguin.
1âŚEnjoy it. Letâs face it - how often do you get to lie on the couch, order cups of tea and make the most of the sympathy vote?
2âŚStop fighting. Nobody wants to help a penguin that keeps snapping at them to go away. Be grateful for the people who are there to help you out
3âŚTake heart. You will get your turn on the outside again.
One day you will be well and whole and taking your place as the protector and inspirer that you were born to be (while secretly wishing for a cup of tea and a lie down). đ
Penguins of all positions, Kia Kaha - strong, be brave, be open to support.
Julia Grace : Be Kind to Your Mind
In the heat of the moment the part of our brain that makes rational decisions goes offline. My âStayinâ Alive Slowdownâ is a fun way to give your brain a chance to catch-up.
In the heat of the moment the part of our brain that makes rational decisions goes offline.
My âStayinâ Alive Slowdownâ is a fun way to give your brain a chance to catch-up. Just that short buffer of time can help with decision making and problem solving.
And it might give you a laugh in the background. Win win!
Be Kind to Your Mind: Julia Grace
In the heat of the moment the part of our brain that makes rational decisions goes offline. My âStayinâ Alive Slowdownâ is a fun way to give your brain a chance to catch-up. Just that short buffer of time can help with decision making and problem solving. And it might give you a laugh in the background. Win win! Be Kind to Your Mind: Julia Grace
Iâm not ashamed or embarrassed of my diagnosis, mental health challenges are simply health issues that I deal with and manage on the daily. Iâm always learning more about how to Be Kind to My Mind and itâs a privilege to be able to teach audiences worldwide how to be kind to theirs too! Julia Grace: Be Kind to Your Mind
Be Kind to Your Mind
Now I know what youâre thinking - talking about anxiety and depression, not my idea of a good time! Have I got news for you!
Keeping the vibes high, the engagement strong and the information immediately useful is my forte.
Message me for more info about how your business, school, conference, govt agency or church can benefit from a Be Kind to Your Mind presentation!
Woop woop!
Julia Grace
Be Kind to Your Mind
Oh my heart!! When the whole family can understand the messages, we can really create positive impact for our Mental Health. Thanks so much Jo Robertson for your epic sharing of Wobbly Points Jelly-making with the whÄnau!!
Delhi update!! Made it here, had a spare seat on the long flight so had a little mini row situation. Smashed a sleeping pill and had some sleep and it all went smoothly. Currently sitting in a (pre-booked and paid for) taxi in rush hour traffic in downtown New Delhi while sorting out work emails đđđ. Not sure why everyone is beeping or the point of painting lines on the road when nobody is taking any notice but hey! My fabulous driver is nailing it!
Be Kind to Your Mind .
What do Chihuahuas and Hokitika have in common? Me! Loved presenting my Be Kind to Your Mind session with an awesome summer vibe at the Living Waters Festival in Hokitika this afternoon!
Concert to come on the main stage this evening and the weather is stunning.
Julia Grace
Be Kind to Your Mind
Be Kind to Your Mind
I never talk about battling, fighting, overcoming or casting out mental health challenges. I talk about dealing with and managing my mental health with positive practises just like I do with my physical health.
Be Kind to Your Mind and care for your brain and body!
Julia Grace
Be Kind to Your Mind
Be Kind to Your Mind
I wish Iâd brought my leg-warmers for speaking today at Te Whaea in Wellington, the National School of Drama and Dance!
Iâll be presenting a keynote to the tutors of the Royal Academy of Dance, highlighting the need for good mental health practises for both students and teachers.
I canât wait!
Julia Grace
Be Kind to Your Mind