At AWARE, we measure success through the lives changed and the goals achieved. Behind every success story is a person with a dream, determination, and the courage to keep going. This is Cathy’s story.
Cathy joined AWARE one year ago as one of our Mind-Body Wellness Program’s first members. Cathy made the brave decision to take part in the Mind-Body Wellness Program in hopes of gaining a different perspective on life. She began with goals of managing anxiety, depression, sleep, and diabetes.
Mind-Body Wellness Program Practices
The Mind-Body Wellness Program helps people find calmness through gentle practices that quiet the mind and relax the body. It works to calm the nervous system, moving it from the state of fight-flight to rest-digest. The basic, modifiable template of each session for all clients is as follows:
1. Opening guided relaxation: Body scans and/or visualization meditations to help client find the present moment.
2. Check In: Gives client opportunity to talk about themselves and tell how they’re doing. Rates their body and mind on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 low, 5 high). Provides a feeling word.
3. Discussion about topics that are related to mind-body wellness: Such as breathing, creating affirmations, sleep, stress, mindfulness, self-compassion, emotions, thoughts, feelings, and more.
4. Movement: Such as breath work, tapping, self-massage, chair or floor movement. Movement activates the body and then leads into calming movement to exercise the nervous system.
5. Moment of integration: Meditation, quite moment, relaxation to build pathways in the brain for new patterns.
Each client takes part in an assessment before beginning the program. The assessment helps determine each person’s needs and desires. It asks if they are interested in learning to calm the mind and body 1) by sitting quietly; 2) by moving, stretching, and using breath; 3) by working with thought patterns; and 4) by learning other beneficial activities to feel rested.
Cathy has been working on meditation, movement, and mindset – the base of the Mind-Body Wellness Program.
Cathy’s Change through Consistency
Since Cathy began with AWARE’s Mind-Body Wellness Program one year ago, she has consistently participated in her weekly sessions with Jacquie Peterson (Mind-Body Wellness Coordinator), meeting in person either in an AWARE facility or at a local park. Additionally, Cathy takes what she learns in her sessions and practices on her own. She meditates while listening to relaxing music on YouTube, uses her movement practices when she wakes in the morning, and uses calming breath when she is feeling overwhelmed.
Cathy has taken her journey very seriously, and as a result is a totally different person now.
At Cathy’s second assessment, she was proud to reveal that she learned a lot over the last year and better understands these same questions that she was asked a year ago. During the last year, Cathy has overcome several challenges related to relationships, sicknesses, and housing, all of which contributed to her stress/anxiety. Cathy says she has learned to better notice her anxiety and use mind-body practices rather than coping activities she would have used in the past. She has also been able to set boundaries to manage her relationships.
Cathy says she is aware that her blood sugar changes when she is feeling stress/anxiety from her relationships. Cathy says that she has learned to notice the signs in her body more now than previously when she is feeling anxious. She says she can slow down when she is experiencing heart palpitations, sweatiness, shakiness, or fluttering. She also notices how her body is feeling when experiencing depression.
Cathy’s transformation is truly inspiring. From once tired, lethargic, and struggling to manage anxiety, Cathy is proud to state she now “Goes out each day, looking at the positive instead of the negative, looking for the good each day.”. With a more upbeat, positive mindset, she has been able raise her self-esteem, become more talkative, and show her kind and caring disposition.
When asked what her favorite part of her the Mind-Body Wellness Program has been, she explains “No favorites because it helps as a whole – I enjoy yoga because it helps my muscles to move better, I love meditation because helps me to relax, and enjoy breathing lessons to connect with my body.” In addition, she explained different activities she has learned to help in an overwhelmed state to reconnect with her body as well as tools to work on her mindset such as affirmations and positive self – talk.
It Takes a Team
The Mind-Body Wellness program is an integrative wraparound approach to care, ensuring the people we serve receive the exact care they need to thrive in their health and wellness, homes and communities.
Cathy says during the last year she has had a lot of support, including a few friends, support from her life coach, recreation therapist, mind-body wellness coordinator, and case manager through AWARE.
Facing Fear with Courage
Attached is a photo of Cathy that came from a photoshoot she chose to participate in. Cathy explains she was very shy and never had her picture taken. Through the confidence she gained this past year, she decided that as part of her journey, she wanted to do this for herself. Despite feeling uncomfortable, Cathy opened herself to this new experience, and as a result felt beautiful and is able to share her beauty with others.
We want to thank Cathy and her team, especially Jacquie Peterson, for sharing her story. We want to congratulate Cathy on her bravery and commitment to her journey, as well as her team for supporting her and providing the tools to make this possible.
Want to learn more about the Mind-Body Wellness Program? Reach out to Jacquie Peterson at jpeterson@aware-inc.org or look here for more information.