Pulling from another ongoing series, Monday Morning Mindfulness, this episode is a skill development and practice designed to use a visualization grounded in a simple mindfulness practice allowing the listener to create a little room or space in connection with an unwanted personal experience.  There is no need to have any knowledge of how to do a mindfulness practice, just follow along and listen. 

One of the considerations of how to build a chronic illness support group is in learning how the mind works in order to come up with ways of dealing with distress.  This video looks at the thinking mind and observing mind for strategies to be able to distance yourself as well as highlighting the importance of managing your energy.  It is designed for both the patient and for anyone in a supportive role.  

It is broken into three parts due to its length, one coming out each week, and each one provides an effective coping skill you can try immediately.   This is part 3 of 3.

You can watch the video format of this here:  Chronic Illness Support Group | Dealing with Distress Part 3

One of the considerations of how to build a chronic illness support group is in learning how the mind works in order to come up with ways of dealing with distress.  This video looks at the thinking mind and observing mind for strategies to be able to distance yourself as well as highlighting the importance of managing your energy.  It is designed for both the patient and for anyone in a supportive role.  It is broken into three parts due to its length, one coming out each week, and each one provides an effective coping skill you can try immediately.  

You can watch the video here as well:  Chronic Illness Support Group | Dealing with Distress Part 2

One of the considerations of how to build a chronic illness support group is in learning how the mind works in order to come up with ways of dealing with distress.  This video looks at the thinking mind and observing mind for strategies to be able to distance yourself as well as highlighting the importance of managing your energy.  It is designed for both the patient and for anyone in a supportive role.  It is broken into three parts due to its length, one coming out each week, and each one provides an effective coping skill you can try immediately.

A simple mindfulness exercises for beginners or for anyone wanting to try to strengthen their practice with a simple 3-5 minute long exercise followed by a quick discussion of what to expect, what might be experienced, and how to add this skill to your day.  Essential tool in the Team Positive Toolbox.

Join Todd Schmenk as he walks you through how to manage dealing with what ifs, that if focused on for too long increase levels of stress and anxiety and what to do instead.   

Skills and Tools: Awareness: Taking a Purposeful Breath Openness:  Unhooking from thoughts Engaged: Finding a Guide

An easy to use approach to decreasing emotional distress, anytime anywhere.  

This mindfulness technique helps you to become more present to the current moment.   This is helpful in that when we are worried or anxious, it is because our minds are focused on the future.  While this is a necessary component of life, if we focus too much attention there, we become hypersensitive.  This technique addressed this phenomenon.  

An easy to use approach to decreasing emotional distress, anytime anywhere.  The 5,4,3,2,1 method is a mindfulness stress management technique that helps you to become more present to the current moment.   This is helpful in that when we are worried or anxious, it is because our minds are focused on the future.  While this is a necessary component of life, if we focus too much attention there, we become hypersensitive.  This technique addressed this phenomenon.  

This is one of the ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) areas of focus, present moment, which is an openness skill.    

A broader explanation of this tool can be found within the Team Positive book here: https://www.amazon.com/Todd-Schmenk/e...

Join Todd Schmenk as he walks through to build support for caregivers of cancer patients (or any other chronic illness).  A look at some common questions and concerns are covered along with some suggestions for how best to either build your own team or build a team for someone you love.

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What do you do the moment you discover you have a serious medical challenge in front of you?  Whether it is your own personal challenge or that of a loved one or good friend?  Join Todd Schmenk as he walks through a few examples of how this occurred for others, what you might expect, and stick around until the end of the podcast for ten suggestions for what to do in that initial moment. 

Join me, Todd Schmenk, for an introduction to this series, from the history behind the "Team Positive program" to what you can come to expect in listening to these podcasts.  The primary goal of this podcast is in fostering psychological flexibility for all involved, from the person dealing with the chronic illness or medical situation to anyone who finds them-self in a supportive role.  

Topics will include a deeper look at the guides and framework, what you should expect, what to say and what not to say, how to manage your energy, mental and emotional states, and a whole host of skills and tools all aimed at the primary goal.  Dealing with a diagnosis, whether it is a newly diagnosed issue, or an ongoing issue, is no easy task.  It is my greatest hope that this approach will give you and your entire Team Positive some reassurance and relief.  Here is to building your own Team Positive!