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The COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts worldwide, racial discrimination, rising prices, and disasters linked to the climate are all burdening the thoughts of  North Americans together.

Although the official national health emergency due to COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023, many people are still not feeling completely back to normal. According to a recent survey called  Stress in America™ 2023, a nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of APA among more than 3,000 U.S. adults age 18+.

After looking at this year’s survey results, psychologists from the APA generally agree that there’s growing proof that our society is dealing with the mental effects of a shared traumatic experience.

“Stress affects all systems of the body, so it is crucial that Americans know the serious impacts of stress and what they can do to reduce the effect of stressors in their life, as well as receive help from their health care providers, workplace and support systems to prevent further health crises,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer.

More information on the survey findings and how to handle stress is available on the Stress in America webpage.

If you, or someone you know is struggling with their mental health get in touch we are here to help.

Pain Awareness Month in September is a month dedicated to raising awareness about the silent and often misunderstood epidemic of chronic pain.

My ideas about this subject are shaped by my own experience with chronic pain. I am often asked ‘what do you find  helps with pain’? However, I  don’t have  a simple answer. Anyone who has read  my series of blog posts, following my stroke, and emergence of  central pain syndrome, will discover along the way I’ve tried so many things, from physio, acupuncture, massage, saunas to mindfulness and meditation. I have  been seduced into trying lotions, potions, and gadgets. After  several years I’ve learned that it takes time to come to terms with chronic pain, to accept just how difficult it is to treat, and that there are no ‘quick fixes’.

A variety of tools are beneficial for managing chronic pain

Chronic pain is a common disabling illness that does not completely respond to current medical treatments. A variety of tools are beneficial for managing it. For example, the practice of mindfulness meditation. There is growing evidence  that mindfulness practice produces real changes in the brain , and may lead to changes in pain tolerance and pain intensity ratings.

What is  mindfulness?

It’s a mental practice that involves paying focused and non-judgmental attention to the present moment. In other words being fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the environment without trying to change or judge them. Mindfulness encourages acceptance of the present moment as it is and can be cultivated through meditation, breathing exercises, or simply by consciously being present in everyday activities. Research has shown that mindfulness is a simple but powerful way to enhance several cognitive functions. It can improve attention, relieve pain and reduce stress.

Below is video that provides a more detailed explanation of  mindfulness meditation for  chronic pain from Stanford Medicine.