WELLNESS

JONATHAN NHAN

Curate and Upgrade www.curateandupgrade.ca

What’s the difference between “normal” and “natural”? In the context of our present times, there’s talk of things “going back to normal” or getting used to the “new normal”. If you think for a moment, though, these phrases were not only coined during the pandemic. It seems that oftentimes we are striving to achieve “normal” and even when we do, we find that there is something else that is “not normal” that we have to make normal again. Would it comfort you to know that this whole process is “natural”?

The idea of normal is very interesting. It is used as a measuring stick to indicate what most people, or the majority of people, are doing, feeling, or experiencing. When you can identify as normal, there’s a certain comfort in knowing that you are similar to a large group of people. On the flip side, when you find yourself outside that range of normal, it can cause discomfort because you no longer can identify as within the predominant group and you likely want to get back to that state where you can once again identify. It’s natural to want to belong.

Normal is an idea that is constantly moving, changing, and shifting. Normal requires context. If you were in a fast food burger restaurant and they served you a plate of chicken feet, you may think that was very abnormal. If you were in a dim sum restaurant and they did the same, it would be normal (even if you still wouldn’t eat them!).

When you think about your feelings, moods, and thoughts, what does it mean for these things to be “normal”? There can be a great pressure to be normal from a mental health perspective and this label may add to the problem. Is it abnormal to feel sad, stressed out, or be in a depressed mood? Depending on the context of your situation, it could be considered normal. It’s almost certainly natural to feel as you are feeling. Natural, by definition, refers to that which exists or is caused by nature. So as a member of the natural world it is natural for you to experience the feelings that arise. How might this change your perspective on your moods and mental states? There are natural phenomena that can be dangerous or unwanted - forest fires, for example. With fires, we can observe them, and take steps to reduce or control the damage. For the most part, these natural phenomena have a natural beginning and end. It’s also possible to keep adding fuel to the fire which will just keep it burning.

So the next time you may have a thought, mood, or feeling that makes you feel like you’re not normal, ask yourself what is natural about this feeling, and how does simply observing it change how it feels?

Jonathan Nhan Co-Founder, Curate and Upgrade

Jon is a pharmacist, hypnotist, and Certified Diabetes Educator. He is passionate about making a tangible, positive impact in the world and has seen the power that changing mindset can have. Jon works with people like you, to find the perfect blueprint for healthy in your life and make that change effortless.

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be active?” Start small; go for short walks together, converse about things they are interested in, be a listening ear or even walk in silence. Start a couple times a week and work towards moving on a daily basis. Goal setting is another way to help your child take ownership over their life and observe their abilities! Goal setting can be a family effort - as we know, we are truly stronger together. Eventually, let your child branch out into setting their own personal goal, however, the key here is for you, as the parent, to also have your own individual goal. As we know, leading by example proves to have more success in your child’s behaviour and in turn, mental health. We want our children to persevere and keep going when things get tough, but they need you (even if they tell you they don’t) - I sure did this as a teen.

As we set out to reach new goals TOGETHER, we realize that they are achievable, even if only incrementally and at a slow pace. The process behind this is to build an inner mental strength and prove the mind wrong when we think “I can’t.”

With being active, we ignite the part of ourselves that drives us toward personal empowerment. I hope that no matter what you may be dealing with, that you choose to move!

LIZ MARTINO-DURBANO, M.Ed.

Teacher, Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor & Wellness Guide www.align-fitness.ca

Whether we want to face it or not, youth mental health is on the rise and we need to do something about it. Now.

In a world where things seem out of our control, we are seeing a rise in mental health issues - now imagine being a child/ teen getting to know life as it is and finding a safe place in it.

It is undeniable that physical fitness plays a medicinal role in our mental health. The question is “how do we motivate youth to Liz Martino-Durbano, M.Ed. Teacher, Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor & Wellness Guide Founder of Align Fitness 647.224.9559

In Support of Youth Mental Health Awareness

In Support of Mental Health Awareness Featuring

DR. SHELLEY GORMAN Psychologist

Mimico Medical

DR. TIMOTHY KODSI

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