In Episode 51 of the Mindful Life Podcast, I talk about the effects of the Covid 19 Pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and specifically what I am hearing from my client and the kids I deal with in my day to day work. Kids have experienced so much change and uncertainty since the Pandemic hit our country. Their routines have been disrupted and many are feeling isolated and unsettled. Lots of kids are feeling anxious and sleep seems to be the biggest issue for many kids. The way we as adults deal with our own anxiety and fear can also impact how our children see and experience the situation. Its no surprise that kids are struggling, this is a once in 100 year life changing event. Please reach out if you need support for yourself or your children Parentline-132289 (Victoria only)  *Beyond Blue Corona Virus Support Line 1800 512 348 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78   *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800 You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 50 of the Mindful Life Podcast, I share my thoughts, feelings and ramblings of my current scattered mindset on Day 1 of the return to Covid-19 Stage 3 Restrictions here in Metropolitan Melbourne. I, like my fellow Melbournians are feeling all the feels. Frustrated, disappointed, anxious and sad. The media is saying we are surrounded by a ring of steal to ensure none of us leave the "Covid Capital" for the next 6wks. Other states are saying we are letting the country down. Needless to say, this is adding to our feelings of disappointment. For the next 40 odd days we are again only allowed to leave our homes for essentials, we must work and study at home, all in an effort to again flatten the curve. All of this concerns me immensely. I worry for people's mental health. I fear that this is more than some people can take. And of course, I know going into lockdown is essential to keep us all safe from the virus, but sometimes home isn't a safe place and being isolated from others is detrimental to mental health  Are we sacrificing mental health to save our physical health? Please if you are struggling, reach out, you are not alone.    *Beyond Blue Corona Virus Support Line 1800 512 348   *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732   *Mensline 1300 78 99 78  *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800    You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 49 of the Mindful Life Podcast I bring to you a simple breathwork Meditation. Our breath is a simple and readily available resource that we can use any time to find peace and relaxation. My aim is to help you find some peace, calm and positivity during these difficult times. Enjoy **IMPORTANT-Please be advised that Meditation is not for everyone and in some participants, particularly those with a clinical/serious mental health disorder, the practice of meditation may sometimes increase the level of distress or exacerbate symptoms, however, this is rare. If you feel you may fit into this category, it is advisable that you consult with your health professional prior to engaging in meditation practices. If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support  (Aust. only) *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800 You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 48 of the Mindful Life Podcast I bring to you a relaxing Bodyscan Meditation. Body Scanning is particularly helpful for anxiety, pain and sleep. My aim is to help you find some peace, calm and positivity during these difficult times. Enjoy    **IMPORTANT-Please be advised that Meditation is not for everyone and in some participants, particularly those with a clinical/serious mental health disorder, the practice of meditation may sometimes increase the level of distress or exacerbate symptoms, however, this is rare. If you feel you may fit into this category, it is advisable that you consult with your health professional prior to engaging in meditation practices.    If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support  (Aust. only)  *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800   You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 47 of the Mindful Life Podcast I bring to you a Letting Go meditation. Letting Go is a vital component of Mindfulness practice. And it is probably the most challenging aspect. Letting Go is relevant to the current pandemic situation. Many of us are feeling disempowered and a real loss of control.  Its a difficult time to just let go and accept what is. This is the third episode in my series of Mindful Monday Meditations. My aim is to help you find some peace, calm and positivity during these difficult times. Enjoy  **IMPORTANT-Please be advised that Meditation is not for everyone and in some participants, particularly those with a clinical/serious mental health disorder, the practice of meditation may sometimes increase the level of distress or exacerbate symptoms, however, this is rare. If you feel you may fit into this category, it is advisable that you consult with your health professional prior to engaging in meditation practices.  If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support  (Aust. only) *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800  You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In Episode 46 of the Mindful Life Podcast I discuss the role fear has played in the Corona Virus Pandemic. For certain, we are living in precarious times and at times, it has been scary but perspective is vital, keeping it real is vital. Fear and anxiety are contagious, more so than any virus. As a global community we are living under a collective consciousness of fear and this can impact our ability to think rationally and it can also impact our ability to cope. In times like this it is not only important, but it is vital that we feel empowered to trust ourselves and our instincts and that we gain perspective and not get lost amongst the fear.  If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support  (Aust. only) *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Beyond Blue Corona Virus Support Line 1800 512 348 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800  You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 45 of the Mindful Life Podcast I bring to you a meditation that encourages gratitude practice. Gratitude practice encourages positive thoughts, it literally rewires the brain. It also improves relationships and reduces stress. This is the second episode in my series of Mindful Monday Meditations. My aim is to help you find some peace, calm and positivity during these difficult times. Enjoy **IMPORTANT-Please be advised that Meditation is not for everyone and in some participants, particularly those with a clinical/serious mental health disorder, the practice of meditation may sometimes increase the level of distress or exacerbate symptoms, however, this is rare. If you feel you may fit into this category, it is advisable that you consult with your health professional prior to engaging in meditation practices. If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support  (Aust. only) *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800 You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In Episode 44 of the Mindful Life Podcast, I catch up with my good friend and fellow Allied Health Professional Mick Ryan. Mick is an Acupuncturist, Remedial Masseuse and Meditation Teacher and lots more. He is also a Doreen local like myself and again like myself he runs his wellness practice locally. We sat down and had a bit of a chat via Facebook live, we talked the current pandemic self isolation situation here in the lucky country, Australia, and how its impacting our community. One things for sure, we are all struggling and its not easy. Its a storm we are all facing on a global scale. But with connection, self care and support from others, we will get through this.   Please note; The information and views provided in this episode are reflective of the Australian Covid 19 experience and were current on 15th April 2020. A big thanks also to Mick for so generously sharing this audio with me for use in this episode. To hear more from Mick, check out his podcast “More than Wellness” If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support (Aust. only)   *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800   You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 43 of the Mindful Life Podcast I bring to you a short meditation practice out in nature. This is the first episode in my series of Mindful Monday Meditations. My aim is to help you find some peace and calm during these difficult times. Enjoy  **IMPORTANT-Please be advised that Meditation is not for everyone and in some participants, particularly those with a clinical/serious mental health disorder, the practice of meditation may sometimes increase the level of distress or exacerbate symptoms, however, this is rare. If you feel you may fit into this category, it is advisable that you consult with your health professional prior to engaging in meditation practices.  If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support  (Aust. only) *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800   You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]

In episode 42 of the Mindful Life Podcast I talk about the lessons we can learn from the Covid 19 global pandemic. From a Mindfulness perspective there are lessons on acceptance, impermanence, kindness, compassion, patience, flexibility, tolerance and gratitude. It can also be about opportunity.  Maybe its about an opportunity for us to practice empathy, because after all we, are all in this together.  And maybe, to this pandemic is also an opportunity for us to look at what and who we value in life.  If we can reflect on the many lessons we are learning along the way, it may give us strength and courage to keep going, it may also help to build our resilience. There are always lessons to be learnt in any challenge we face as human beings in this life.  If for any reason, you have found the content of todays podcast triggering or distressing in any way please consider accessing some professional support (Aust. only) *Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 *Lifeline 131114 *1800 Respect 1800 737 732 *Mensline 1300 78 99 78 *Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800 You can find The Mindful Life Podcast on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Mindful Life Podcast. To collaborate or make contact, please email [email protected]