Health
The Second Annual Solstice Ride for Mental Health
This weekend on the eve of the Summer Solstive, people in the Elk Valley will be biking from sunrise to sunset... some the entire time. Some doing shorter, family-friendly sections. Others joining friends, remembering those lost to mental illness by riding one of their favourite trails. It all started last year as a fundraiser for the newly formed Elk Valley Suicide Task Force. This year, in collaboration with the Fernie Mountain Bike Club they are raising awareness and working towards ending the stigma around mental illness. We caught up a member of the Task Force, Ev Eijsermans to learn more and here is what she had to say!
One Crisis to the Next: The Looming Mental Health Crisis and How Community Can Help
May is the “Community” issue of the Fernie Fix and never has the idea of community seemed so topical and essential as it does now. This pandemic has become an ultra marathon and even if we can’t feel the effects of the stress acutely, it is undoubtedly chipping away at our defences and ready to rear its ugly head when we least expect it.
Support for the Frontline
Right now, there is an integral part of our community that needs our support.
Walk and Talk Therapy
The simple combination of walking outdoors while exploring important aspects of our lives intuitively just makes sense. When Tyla conducted her research and wrote a dissertation, she constantly had to defend her inquiry into taking therapy outside of the safety of four walls and a couch and into the great outdoors.
Green Living
The annual “Green Issue” of the Fernie Fix is such a great opportunity for all of us to check-in with what we have been doing to green-ify our lives and learn more about what we might be doing to promote health in ourselves and for our planet. Why is this important? Well, it is clear that what we absorb from the world around us impacts our health.
We Can Do Hard Things
During one of the many moments through motherhood when I have felt out of my depth, a good friend told me, “We can do hard things.” That stuck with me and became a bit of a mantra. And through my own experience, and in hearing other women tell their stories, I’ve come to realize just how true those five little words are. Women are warriors. We can do hard things.
Be Your Own Legend
In the past few years Dr. Kirsten Neff has become one of my personal legends. In her teachings about the importance of self-compassion I learned that the actions of other people are not a direct evaluation of my worth. Read that again. We crave acknowledgement from others. “Good job,” or “you got this” really can be some of the greatest words we hear in life. When we were young, we were praised for the smallest acts. Cheers and clapping arrived for all of our momentous occasions like smiling, standing, or taking a step.
Multi-Tasking Success
In these busy times, carving out time for yourself, for anything, really, requires a little creativity. Multi-tasking is not something I typically condone, neither is it something I have ever been any good at! But being a new mom has forced me to dabble in it more than ever before. Sometimes intentionally, often not; sometimes successfully, mostly not.
Artfully Improving Your Health
What are the benefits of art? Well, when it comes to art, there are two aspects to consider: creation and consumption. Most of the health benefits we see come as a result of producing art, regardless of the outcome. Here are the benefits of art in three different populations.
Healthy Habits
It is time for an honest check in on how we are really doing. Stress levels are high, exhaustion levels are up, and patience seems to be waning. COVID-19 is a motivating factor for some of us to increase our healthy lifestyles and overall wellness. It has for others become a bit of a crutch and excuse for avoiding healthy choices. An example of this is thinking that it’s okay to eat junk food, drink beer, and lay on the couch watching Netflix all day because of restrictions.
Best Patience in Fernie?
To Kate, the Best of Fernie includes exploring the endless trail networks at various speeds; being inspired to push her own physical boundaries by a wonderfully active and motivated community. It’s also been on her mind recently, however, that these things can be a double-edged sword.
Festive Social Connection
The holiday season also presents new challenges for us. This time last year many of us were holding open houses, going to shopping parties, and spending time with friends and family in preparation for the holidays.
The Gift of Breath
Just breathe.
The Gift of Breath
Just breathe.