The Science and Soul of Living Well
Health & Fitness:Mental Health
In this episode, I speak with Laura Lu (@themindhealthspot) about patriarchy and capitalism and the ways in which we are all affected by these systems as well as concrete actions we can take to heal from their harmful effects. We highlight several core problems that we have observed in ourselves, loved ones, clients, and communities stemming from these systems and share possible tools and strategies to not only promote individual and collective healing, but also to deconstruct, dismantle, and rail against these systems, from the inside out. Some of the messages and ideals that we often internalize from these systems and that get reinforced by them that we address in the episode include 1) narrow definitions of worth; 2) an over-emphasis on appearance and unrealistic definitions of beauty; 3) negative comparisons & hierarchy/competition; 4) harmful stereotypes; 5) not investing in ourselves or our communities because we feel like we aren't good enough; 6) fitting into prescribed molds, values, or mores rather than speaking our truth and being who we really are; 7) imposter syndrome; 8) ignoring intuition; 9) suppressing emotion and invalidating our feelings; 10) not observing limits or tending to our own needs; 11) self-blame; 12) perfectionism; and 13) productivity.
To connect more with Dr. Foynes:
Check out the free 4-part video series on building resilience: https://melissafoynes.com/free-series
1:1 Coaching Program: https://melissafoynes.com/1-1-program
Follow @drfoynes on Instagram.
To connect more with Laura Lu find her main instagram account @themindhealthspot(https://www.instagram.com/themindhealthspot/) as well as an Instagram account she co-moderates that is dedicated to the intersection of social justice and mental health @thealliedminds.co (https://www.instagram.com/thealliedminds.co/).
More about Laura: Laura is a graduate student studying clinical psychology in San Francisco, California, and currently resides in Vancouver, Canada. She is originally from Taiwan and immigrated to Canada at a young age. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada in 2017 and has since worked in research settings in infant language development, bilingualism, and ADHD. She has also worked in clinical settings in ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and patients with HIV/AIDS. Last year, her practicum was at a clinic where she worked with clients with a variety of mental health challenges, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, cultural identity, agoraphobia, panic disorder, ADHD, suicidality, body image and relationship issues. This year, she is an intern at a community mental health clinic working with clients with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, parenting challenges, sensory processing disorders, OCD, gender identity transitions, and stress. She also facilitates group therapy for trauma survivors of domestic violence.
Due to both her personal, academic, and professional experiences, Laura is passionate about incorporating a culturally-sensitive lens on mental health. Right now, Laura is conducting research looking at the effects of adult and child trauma, trauma treatments, and intergenerational trauma (trauma that is passed down from generation to generation). Laura is dedicated to mental health advocacy, posts about mental wellness tips and musings on Instagram, and is a guest speaker for a variety of workshops on mental health. Laura is committed to helping others thrive in mental wellness through tools such as mindfulness, grounding, self-compassion, somatic attunement, and exploring feelings.
Please note that the information provided in this episode does not constitute professional advice or therapy, mental health services, or health care services, and is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional advice or services. If you are struggling with a mental health crisis or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Grieving is Loving: The Depth & Breadth of Grief
Listening to your body’s wisdom: Embodied resilience in daily life
Ayurvedic care that promotes holistic healing in postpartum and beyond
Learning about yourself through the lens of Ayurveda
Setting and Maintaining Boundaries as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
Recovering from criticism as a highly sensitive person (HSP)
Breaking the cycles of perfectionism
Signs of perfectionism: A guided self-assessment
Understanding perfectionism: Root causes, myths & facts
Mindfulness, movement & music in everyday life: Tips for children & adults
Grief is not a "choose your own adventure"
Defining spirituality for yourself
Intuition, balance, & feminine energy: Preventing burnout & beyond
Holistic strategies for coping with self-criticism
Understanding our inner critics: The power of insight & compassion
Better sex through mindfulness: Cultivating embodied & satisfying sexuality
Betrayal, betrayal trauma, & DARVO: Promoting individual & collective healing
Living with vitality: Mindfulness, meaning, & values
Family dynamics: Moving from habit to choice
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