Today we are celebrating our 50th Mental Health Monday!
We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read our blog, contributed topic ideas, and offered feedback. We hope you were able to take something away from this content and will continue to stay engaged with future posts.
To show appreciation for your support, this week we encourage you to participate in our Mental Health Monday Challenge!
Every day from April 5th to April 9th, we will release an activity that benefits our mental well-being. If you choose to take part, please send us a photo to info@tndf.ca capturing your experience. It can be of your surroundings, creation, or of yourself in the moment.
In return, you will be entered into a draw to win a $50 gift card to The Wild Garden!
Each photo counts as one entry for a maximum of one entry per challenge. Complete any number of challenges 1 through 5! Please contact us at (705) 432-2444 or info@tndf.ca for any questions. The winner will be announced Monday, April 12th. Stay tuned for upcoming posts and have fun!!!
Send a photo of your nutritious (and delicious) meal to
⇒ info@tndf.ca ⇐
for your chance to win a $50 WILD GARDEN gift card!
Looking for inspiration? Check out our Youtube channel for lessons on how to make One Pot Pasta, Curry Ramen, Stir Fried Rice, and more! Or head over to www.tndf.ca/cooking-classes for the full Pantry Clips library including PDF recipe downloads.
Challenge #1: Make (and eat!) a nutritious meal
We have always been told that what we eat affects our physical health, but did you know it has a great impact on our mental health too? Eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes/nuts, and lean proteins can provide nutrients that protect against low moods and anxiety as well as help to manage them.
To incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, consider trying a Good Food Box, filled with seasonal produce from local farms and accompanying recipes!
Challenge #2: Refocus by practicing mindful meditation!
Meditation trains our minds to slow down, come to the present, and accept an experience rather than react to it. Taking just five minutes out of your day to meditate can improve well-being by lowering levels of stress as well as symptoms of depression. Stay tuned for next week’s blog post on Mindfulness for more information!
If you find it more helpful to have someone guide you through the meditation process, find an online video, download an app, or join a program like Brock Community Health Centre’s Virtual Guided Meditation!
Send a photo of your meditation practice to
⇒ info@tndf.ca ⇐
for your chance to win a $50 WILD GARDEN gift card!
Looking for inspiration? Check out these guided meditations on Youtube for anxiety, self-love, sleep, and more! Or look into the work of Jon Kabat Zinn, the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. His stress-reduction program is widely offered by health practioners. Here’s a good place to start.
Send a photo of your fun walk to
⇒ info@tndf.ca ⇐
for your chance to win a $50 WILD GARDEN gift card!
Looking for some good trails? Check out the Township of Brock for local parks and trails to explore in this lovely weather!
Worried about accessibility? Here are accessible trails in Brock Township.
Looking to venture a bit further than brock? Find Ontario trails here!
Challenge #3: Enjoy the outdoors by taking a walk!
Engaging in physical activity has a range of benefits like increasing our energy levels and strengthening our immune system. When we exercise, our body releases endorphins which are chemical messengers that trigger positive feelings and reduce our perception of pain. One activity to get moving is to go on walks! Incorporating walks into your daily routine can even boost your confidence over time.
If you like nature, walking, and 2SLGBTQI-friendly company, Out & About is a guided walking group in Brock Township that offers an educational experience in relation to the natural environment and provides visibility to the queer community and allies.
Challenge #4: Take a moment to safely connect with others.
Research has found that we are profoundly shaped by our social environment and suffer when we have a lack of or meaningless relationships with others. Having people in our lives who we trust and who understand us can help us cope with setbacks and can event protect against cognitive decline. Especially in light of the most recent lockdown, showing someone that you are there for them or telling them that you care about them can make a big difference in their life and yours.
To expand your social support network, Community Care Durham’s COPE Mental Health program has a variety of specialized and recreational groups available to develop skills and to connect with others in the community.
Send a photo of how you safely connect with others to
⇒ info@tndf.ca ⇐
for your chance to win a $50 WILD GARDEN gift card!
Looking for inspiration? Here are 10 creative ways to safely stay in touch with each other during the pandemic.
Challenge #5: Build up your self-esteem through yoga!
Yoga encompasses both mindfulness and exercise and consists of breathing techniques, strengthening the body, and connects the physical self with your mind. Yoga teaches us to control our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours and has a calming effect on the nervous system.
For anyone from beginner to accomplished, we offer a weekly Chair Yoga class where you can follow along with a certified instructor to learn and exercise stretches and poses and participate in optional informal discussions to reflect on the practice.
Send a photo of your yoga practice to
⇒ info@tndf.ca ⇐
for your chance to win a $50 WILD GARDEN gift card!
