Whole Health

In her book Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown warns that we are collectively experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection. Rates of loneliness across the globe have increased exponentially in the past few decades. This was before we found ourselves in the midst of a pandemic which has us all practicing "social distancing." The good news is that even during this difficult time, we can still apply the principles in this book to connect more with ourselves and others.

What better time than now to learn about having the courage to stand alone (finding our way back to ourselves) while also finding our way back to each other. Backed with her own research, Brené challenges everything we thought we knew about what it means to belong. True belonging is not about being included in a group, "fitting in," or being accepted by others. It requires a combination of courage and vulnerability (to stand alone) with love and empathy (to come together).

One thing that brings people together during a collective trauma such as what we are experiencing now is music and art. Creative expression allows us to share our pain and turn it into something beautiful and/or meaningful. It is a reminder that we are all in this together. Creative expression encompasses courage, vulnerability, love, and empathy. It allows us the freedom to be ourselves while embracing our shared humanity.

May we all use this time to find our way back to ourselves and back to each other. We encourage you to make some art to process what this time has been like for you and challenge you to share it!

Managing the "what if's" can be a challenge. Our minds are masters at making up scenarios and focusing on the negatives. Have you ever tried rewriting the script?

Try this technique Ashton recommends:

1.) Identify the stressful thought and write it down
2.) Rethink the situation. Write down as many effective thoughts as you can to replace the stressful thoughts (e.g., I can handle this, I will be okay, I am here now)
3.) Choose the one that is most helpful to you
4.) As you breathe in deeply into your belly, say the new statement to yourself. As you breathe out, say "relax" while releasing tension from the muscles in your body. For example, "I'm doing the best I can (inhale), so relax (exhale and release)"
5.) Repeat several times and notice how you feel.

Right now, mental health is more important than ever. For everyone who:

Had graduation canceled
Postponed a wedding
Closed a business
Cannot be close to loved ones
Is being required to work despite being afraid
Didn’t get to go on the first, second or third date
Is home with family and doesn’t feel safe
Lost a job
Is overwhelmed by the requirement to homeschool
Lost health insurance
Has dipped into the bottom of savings
Lost your retirement in the stock market
Is desperately trying to navigate the unemployment system
Cannot accompany a family member to the hospital as they fight this disease
Cannot have a spouse or partner with them during labor and delivery
Cancelled vacations and conferences and dream experiences
Is home and hungry
Does not have a large enough space outside their home to get fresh air and still be able to social distance
For those in chronic pain that is now considered “elective” and appointments are cancelled
Is afraid for the future of their children
For the cancelled birthday celebrations
For the deaths and funerals that cannot be mourned together
For the cancelled community gatherings, book clubs, yoga classes, pot lucks, girls night out, man cave poker nights, concerts, church services, critical moments of belonging
For the inability to go to the grocery store and buy what we want to buy
For all the other thousands of reasons

For all of us.

We stand with you. (843-564-8275)

Click the link below to join Mark Melvin, his partner Cara Slider, and their Canine Stillness Guru, Bogey, for a meditative check-in. Staying aware of how we feel is critical to mental well-being on a normal day. This is imperative during this pandemic.

https://bit.ly/2yNN3EN

Dawn Freeman ran into some traffic on her morning commute. 😂 Meet her therapy dog, Moose.

We thought you would like to see what it looks like in our virtual offices. We are doing our part to flatten the curve and are available to offer counseling during this anxious and unpredictable time. We will be sharing some photos of the dogs at our feet as they provide comfort to us at home. 🐕

P.S. Most insurance companies have waived any barriers to Telehealth. Let us know if you would like to see how it feels to you.

The possibilities are endless when you decide to change. ⚡️

We are excited to add EMDR to our treatment options. Training starts now!

Sometimes that is exactly what it looks like.

Worth the 60 seconds it takes to read this one. So.... what are you doing for self-care?

Marriage Minute | The Gottman Institute

How folks regularly describe Shannon Miller's Art of Non-Doing Class:

1 - I felt so peaceful... Like I hadn't been able to feel in a long time.
2 - No words. Just wonderful!
3 - I'll be back!

Repairing the stress of everyday isn't optional any longer. Come join Shannon every Monday at 6:30 for a journey into relaxation.

Getting cozy for a very intimate session of “The Art of Non Doing” . Our journey will take us to the forest tonight. If a tree falls in the forest...
Shine On. #

This artist shares such insightful images of what it often feels like when you are a first responder. We share his belief in post traumatic growth. Reaching out for help is always strength.

https://www.dansunphotos.com/Emergency-Response-Portraits/i-9xxCfzv

Fear & Shame If I was physically injured saving someone from a fire everyone would see me as a hero. What if I was mentally injured saving someone? Would everyone still see me as a hero? Would you have any hesitation reporting a mental injury over a physical injury? I think many of us would. Why is that? It's be...

Are you looking for ways to increase your health and wellness? We have a few ideas to help. Come join us!

What's love got to do with it? Everything, but maybe not quite like you think. It definitely isn't about candy and roses.

Give the gift of your time and wellness this Valentine's Day. We can all benefit from participating in activities that promote health and wellness and cultivate relationships with ourself and others. We have unique gift certificates to help! Click over for more.

http://bit.ly/2UHxEhX

We get to work together, play together, dream together and even fly together. How lucky are we?! Thank you Move Fitness for such a great Sunday morning, remembering we all have wings.

Good news in the wellness arena!

Kindness Doesn't Just Make You Healthier, It Can Actually Slow Aging, New Research Shows A new study shows loving-kindness meditation may actually help postpone the inevitable.

Thank you to CH2/CB2 and Becca Edwards for the chance to participate in this article on Living After the Death of a Spouse.

http://bit.ly/384tdSs

Hilton Head Magazines: CH2/CB2: Living After the Death of a Spouse For Connie Cappy, grief struck like an unexpected explosion. “John and I were married 34 years. He was 60 years old and in exceptional health. One Saturday, John golfed with his buddies in the morning, then later that afternoon started having ches…

“It’s about mental health and taking care of yourself." Agreed!

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/03/smarter-living/self-care-routines-that-actually-help.html

How to Make ‘Self-Care’ Actually Feel Like Self-Care Face masks and bubbles baths? Next.

Be brave!

❤️

Our grand opening required us to cut more than just one ribbon. One ribbon simply was not adequate. So, we cut many ribbons and wove them onto our wall. You can read more about the what and why of our ceremony on our latest blog post from Rosemary Clark.

https://www.wholehealthbluffton.com/blog/we-cut-many-ribbons

We cut many ribbons

❤️

Trauma Is Not Your Fault, But Healing Is Your Responsibility Healing is our responsibility because we have this one life, this single shot to do something important.

"People in cancer treatment work hard to “keep on going”, a massage gives them permission to stop, even if just for an hour."

http://bit.ly/2pPY43S

The benefits of Oncology Massage from Shannon Miller, LMBT ​Let's face it, there isn’t anyone you can talk to these days who has not been affected directly, or doesn’t know someone who has been affected, by cancer. A...

We are honored to partner with South Carolina First Responders Assistance and Support Team SC FAST. Whole Healths’s, Ashton Sullivan, shared art therapy with them at the low country quarterly training last weekend. We appreciate all our first responders do!

Please join us in welcoming Shannon Miller, LMBT to Whole Health! Shannon offers a unique massage experience that utilizes bodywork to help facilitate emotional healing and release. The experience with Shannon gently offers a path to deep relaxation and ease.

This isn't just a massage. This is a journey into yourself in order to live well.

Click over to our website for more information on what she is offering!

http://bit.ly/2oJ3ZHt

Science has proven that enriching the lives of others makes us feel happier and more fulfilled. Whole Health's Ashton Sullivan will be leading an art project to provide encouragement we can give away in order to maximize our own well being. Join Ashton at our Open House this Saturday to participate. The project will run from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and is free!

http://elitedai.ly/2Ib4X60

Elite Daily Elite Daily is the ultimate digital destination for millennial women who are discovering the world, and themselves in the process. Elite Daily delivers authentic and relatable content spanning entertainment, dating, lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and news.

It is impossible to keep a straight face while watching this video. Enjoy the laughter!

http://bit.ly/2IdxGHs

Baby Laughs Uncontrollably at Dad This baby can’t stop giggling when his dad does his own version of the Budweiser “wassup” commercial campaign. SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: https://www.youtube.com...

The chairs and cushions were full last night as Mark Melvin led us in meditation. We challenged the myths and stumbling blocks and left with practical tools to develop a meaningful mindfulness practice. The best news is that Mark is coming back to teach more!

Introduction to Mindfulness & Meditation - October 28
Developing Your Daily Meditation Practice (Intermediate) - December 9

Space is limited. Call to reserve your spot today!