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Debbie Ehrstien

~ Creating a life without shame

Debbie Ehrstien

Tag Archives: Life

Bell Let’s Talk Day raises more than $7.2M

31 Thursday Jan 2019

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#mentalhealth, Author - Debbie Ehrstien, Bell Let's Talk Day, book, Childhood Sexual Abuse, End Childhood Sexual Abuse, Life, overcoming shame, pain, suicide, suicide note, Supporters, Survivors, The Dissociate: A memoir of secrets and survival of childhood sexual abuse, therapy, treatment, You are not alone

Did you know:

The economic burden of mental illness in Canada is estimated at $51 billion per year. This includes health care costs, lost productivity, and reductions in health-related quality of life.

By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have—or have had—a mental illness

Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada

The disease burden of mental illness is 1.5 times higher than all cancers put together

About 4,000 Canadians per year die by suicide—an average of almost 11 suicides a day

The Dissociate ~ A Memoir of Secrets and Survival of Childhood Sexual Abuse I discuss in Chapter Four my mental illness journey. I share the types of treatment, therapies and doctors that were involved in my road to wellness. I also share an excerpt from a suicide note I wrote on a very dark and painful day I was preparing to take my life. I’m so glad I’m not another statistic and I’m here today to be an advocate for other survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Please remember, you are not alone.

For help, please call

Canada Suicide Prevention Services 1-833-456-4566 Available 24/7

United States Suicide Prevention 1-800-784-2433 Available 24/7

Worldwide contacts: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/crisis-centres/worldwide-emergency-numbers/

 

 

 

Yoga and the Benefits of Calming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms

19 Friday Oct 2018

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#mentalhealth, Author - Debbie Ehrstien, Brain, Childhood Sexual Abuse, End Childhood Sexual Abuse, Life, Never give up, overcoming shame, PTSD, Survivors, The Dissociate: A memoir of secrets and survival of childhood sexual abuse, You are not alone

Yoga consists of breath (pranayama), postures (asanas) and meditation. 

Yoga has been a big part of my continued healing journey. My determination to reconnect my mind and body. 

In chapter seven of my book, The Dissociate: A Memoir of Secrets and Survival of Childhood Sexual Abuse I talk about how self-care has helped bring me back into my body.  

Yoga Class today was a reminder of my continued work in healing my mind, body and spirit.    

I was asked to reach behind and grab my right foot with my right hand. Sounds simple right? I was unable to do this posture. Not because of flexibility but because I didn’t know where my foot was. I began to feel panic. Stress began to surge through my body. I looked behind to ensure I still had a right foot. I know that sounds odd but I had to reassure my mind I was still whole. I then began judging myself. Why is this happening again? Why am I disconnecting my mind and body? 

It only lasted a few minutes thanks to some deep cleansing breaths.  I began to quiet my mind and quickly I realized that I’m very much a work in progress and that’s okay. 

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is the result of great suffering. PTSD can disrupt your whole life ― your job, your relationships, your health and your everyday enjoyment. 

But there’s hope. 

Do the hard work and don’t give up. 

You are not alone.

Namaste 

Float like a Beautiful Butterfly and STING like a Bee

03 Friday Aug 2018

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#mentalhealth, Author - Debbie Ehrstien, Boxing, End Childhood Sexual Abuse, Life, Meditation, Never give up, overcoming shame, Power

The health benefits of boxing have surpassed my expectations. To me, it’s like another form of meditation because you must be in the NOW with focus and concentration.

Thanks Ryan for teaching me how to float like a beautiful butterfly and STING like a bee. 

http://rumbleboxing.com

Check out Ryan’s video on my instagram/facebook/twitter

https://www.instagram.com/debbieehrstien/

https://www.facebook.com/debbieehrstienauthor/

https://twitter.com/Debbieehrstien

 

 

Yoga Nidra – Deep Sleep & Relaxation

30 Monday Jul 2018

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Author - Debbie Ehrstien, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Debbie Ehrstien, Inspire Wellness Centre, Inspire Yoga, Life, Love, Sleep Well, The Dissociate: A memoir of secrets and survival of childhood sexual abuse, Yoga Benefits, Yoga Nidra

I fell in love with the practice of yoga several years ago. I heard about the health benefits of yoga and wanted to reconnect with my body. Quickly I discovered profound health benefits. In Chapter Seven of my book, The Dissociate I talk about self-care and how yoga became a great tool in my healing journey.

I have been through turbulent phases in my life, both physically and mentally since early childhood and there was definitely a lack of connection and “grounding” from my soul, mind and body.

When I started healing a childhood trauma that was haunting my life, I no longer had the ability to sleep well at night. My nights were full of terrors and flashbacks. In search of a solution that didn’t include sleeping pills, I traveled to Mexico.

While visiting a Yoga Shala, I soon discovered Yoga Nidra. This practice was offered by a very talented, well respected teacher in all disciplines of yoga who trained globally to bring knowledge and experience to her students. I took an introductory course and soon realized this was the answer to my sleepless nights. Shortly thereafter I embarked on the Yoga Teacher Training in the discipline of Yoga Nidra in Mexico. I now call Mexico and Canada my home.

Photo credits: Chuck Szmurlo

I will be a Guest Instructor at Inspire Wellness Centre (Inspire Yoga) located in Calgary, Canada for a limited time. Aug 7 – Sept 28

Learn what’s going on with your brain waves when you sink into a YOGA NIDRA practice and why it leaves you feeling so refreshed.

Begin with sensing the body and learning specific breathing patterns to stimulate a deep relaxation response. The relaxation response balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and balances the left and right brain. Your heart rate and respiration begin to slow, as the mood-regulating hormone serotonin releases further calming the mind and body.

Yoga Nidra OR YOGIC SLEEP is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. Learn to relax consciously, some say a single hour of Yoga Nidra is as restful as 4 hours of conventional sleep. People who practice Yoga Nidra feel refreshed and relaxed and find that regular sleep habits is no longer an issue.

The benefits of Yoga Nidra

Better sleep pattern

Healthy heart rate

Reduces stress

Reduces inflammation

Bolsters memory

Create an overall healthier weight

Reduce depression and anxiety

Reduce chronic pain

Reduce blood pressure and improve blood glucose

Assists in calming PTSD symptoms

Support menopause

Alleviate sleep apnea

To register

https://inspirecentre.ca/calendar/

Live with Intention

30 Monday Jan 2017

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gift, heart, intentional, Life, Love, mindfully, mom, second chance

My heart ❤️ broke wide open when my mom passed away last month.
I do believe she left me with a gift.
A gift of second chance.
I am now mindfully choosing how I spend each day and are intentional about creating I life I love.

fullsizerender

Thank-you Mom

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mind/10-secrets-to-living-your-life-with-intention/news-story/d5f36c551d34997fce16aa55e6aca581

Embrace Your Inner Adult

16 Monday Jan 2017

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Emotional Maturity, Inner Adult, Life, Listen, Love, sadness

Embrace Your Inner Adult:
Osho Reveals 4 Steps to Emotional Maturity

relaxation-2

Experience Life, Listen to Your Being, Rise in Love, Sadness Gives Depth & Happiness Gives Height

http://thepowerofideas.ideapod.com/embrace-inner-adult-osho-reveals-4-steps-emotional-maturity/

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