April 2023 Newsletter

Welcome to Spring or at least the early days of it here in Canada. I am like a kid in a candy store enjoying the little bit of sunshine and warmth we have experienced over the past week.??This seems to be the longest winter in history…it actually is the longest and darkest in the past 80 years. This has a significant impact on our emotional levels and our overall well-being, it increases anxiety, depression, etc so it is not to be taken lightly.

So what are you doing to ensure strong mental and physical health practices?

I know for myself it has been a real struggle - having a lack of energy, feeling blue, and needing extra pickup. At first, I did not realize what was going on and then I realized I haven’t actually travelled to warmer climates which I normally do, I had gotten out of my workout/walking routine, I wasn’t seeing as many friends, and the list goes on. I then realized that this was not helping and I needed to do something. I went back to working out with my fitness trainer as I knew I needed support and accountability to reinforce my physical well-being. And I have started to do more things by getting out and about with those in my support system. We all go through tough times, I don’t care how grounded you are or how confident you might be, as life happens and it can impact us in many different ways physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is what we do about it that matters most and that we take time to do the things we need to do for ourselves to keep us healthy and whole.

How has this lack of sunlight impacted you over the past few months and what are some of the strategies you are using to get back on track?

I am here if you need support to navigate getting back on track or if you want to share.

With Gratitude,

Vicki

Mental health disorders are metabolic disorders—and that expands the possibilities for treatment and/or remission

In 2016, Harvard psychiatrist and researcher, Christopher M. Palmer, MD, helped his patient, Tom, lose weight. Tom had schizoaffective disorder and suffered with hallucinations, delusions and mental anguish. He tried almost 20 medications; they didn’t reduce his symptoms but caused him to gain 100 pounds. Tom asked Dr. Palmer for weight-loss help and within weeks of following a medically supervised ketogenic diet, Tom’s psychiatric symptoms were reduced. In total, Tom lost 150 pounds and found relief from his debilitating symptoms. As a seasoned psychiatrist, Dr. Palmer could hardly believe this transformation. Why did it happen?

In his new book?Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health—and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More, Dr. Palmer explores the very real bi-directional relationship between metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease) and mental health disorders.

Modern psychiatry treats symptoms, often with interventions that cause more symptoms. Some people recover, other people suffer for decades. But there’s ample evidence that shows the symptoms of mental disorders are alleviated by addressing metabolic health.

For more about that, read Dr. Palmer’s book. Or check out these interviews where Dr. Palmer talks about truly helping treatment-resistant patients with low-carb/keto lifestyles.

Best Mental Health Diet [KETO for Mental Health] with Dr. Chris Palmer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUvkLS0P8DU

This one includes the story of a woman who struggled for FIFTY YEARS and then was helped by a low-carb diet.

Mental Health Q&A with Dr. Chris Palmer [BRAIN ENERGY Book]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjY_pmIyXnw

To start this video, the interviewer, Dr. Ken Berry, reads his audience’s comments about improving mental health issues. Inspiring!

The bottom line

There is hope for mental health disorders … if you or someone you know is suffering, it doesn’t have to be forever. Check out these resources and get your hope back.

Featured Woman of the Month

My name is Paislee Maggiolo and I am a passionate young woman who is no stranger to wearing many different hats! I am currently completing my Master of Psychology at Adler Graduate Professional School, where I have learned to strengthen my interpersonal skills, learn more about the human experience, and understand human behaviour at its deepest level. In addition, I work as a Client Executive, at Arctiq, a Benchmark Company, where I have served several amazing customers for the past 2 years.

Arctiq has been a wonderful place of community for me, as I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people, build friendships and develop my professional career! On the other hand, I understand the importance of creating time and space for ourselves and in my downtime, I love to paint and decorate my space. I love to travel and have adventures with my loved ones. Finally, I am an avid runner and I hope to complete a marathon before the end of 2023.

Focus of the month:?Power dynamics and our leadership

Power dynamics and our leadership has an impact on our ability to "Being Fully You". As a human race, we either submit to or fight against power. Power dynamics often happen both consciously and unconsciously as there are many invisible ways that power interplays take place in our society.

One thing is certain if you take the time to realize how circumstances have shaped the way you are being in the world it usually has something to do with power dynamics. Could be when you were young and your parents, teachers, babysitters, etc. used their power to teach you to follow their rules. Or as you get older and begin working organizations have different processes and procedures which is a different way of exerting power. Power can be overt and dominating or it can also be subtle so it’s important to look at it from different perspectives.

"Power over" or "Power with" as explained by Mark Parker Follett is simple and illuminated the importance of engagement. She shares "What is the central problem of social relations? It is the question of power, this is the problem with industry, politics, of international affairs. But our task is not to learn where to place power; it is how to develop power. Genuine power can only be grown, it will slide from every arbitrary hand that grasps it; for genuine power is not coercive control but co-active control. Coercive power is the curse of the universe; co-active power, the enrichment and advancement of every human soul." Follett (xii-xiii)

There are 7 types of Power developed by French and Raven in 1959 to be aware of as a leader. Each may be used at different times and for different reasons so it’s important to understand what your normal tendencies might be. This enables you to have a better understanding or awareness of your own styles and when you might use them. And think about what styles you would prefer to master, what would the benefits be, and how might others respond to you.

Remember power dynamics happen all the time and often it is so subtle you don’t even realize it. Here are just a few examples of power dynamics that are subtle: Employee of the month, President's club, wanting to be liked and appreciated. Power over examples might look like because someone has a particular title, or has money, wants a promotion and your boss doesn’t support you, values don’t align but expect you to follow along…these are all just examples and I am sure you can think about your own situations and come up with many more examples.

So how do you navigate these situations? Why is it even important to think about it? Because any of these examples impact our ability to choose. Life is complex and can be tough to work through, so with the more dominant power dynamics do you pretend it doesn’t exist or do you take some sort of action?

The more subtle power dynamics are also tough especially when it impacts diversity, equity, and inclusion. Intentions are good but the impact can have negative effects if we haven’t looked at all possibilities.

This is food for thought to support you in looking at how power dynamics might play out in your own life. I would love to hear how you might be experiencing power.

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Events

May 5th Yello Brick House Gala

I know we are all figuring out how to navigate a complex and challenging world right now but more than ever your support is needed to help those suffering from domestic abuse.

On May 5th Yellow Brick House is hosting its annual gala event after 3 years of virtual galas. I hope that you will join us in participating in the silent auction or gathering a few friends to participate in this evening to gain support for those in need. There are many incredible auction items to bid on!! Plus great connections to introduce yourself to.

Don’t delay and get your tickets now!!

WIL Talk Podcasts

WIL Talk #63 Adeline Tiah, Business Executive | CMO on-Demand | Leadership & REINVENT Coach (ICF ACC)| Fintech | Edtech | Web3 | | AUTHOR

Topic: The author of " Reinvent 4.0 - The Keys to Unlock Success and Trie in Uncertainty" shares with us why we need to embrace a permanent reinvention mindset.

WIL Talk #64 Heather Altepeter,??CEO at National Merchants Association, Owner of Sweet Oaks Wine, Investor, Entrepreneur, Wife, Mother, Leader

Topic:??How is AI opening up the world of Financial Services and what impact will robots have on our lives in the very near future?

WIL Talk #65 Heather Dominick, Owner, BusinessMiracles.com

Topic: What it’s like to be a highly sensitive leader and be able to share those gifts to create more impact in the world.

WIL Talk #66 Veronica Farmer, Vice President Marketing Wesley Clover

Topic: Leadership and leading with vulnerability, authenticity and intentionality

You can listen to these episodes on Apple , Google , Spotify , Amazon Music , and our Facebook Page ! Please subscribe if you haven’t already and do share episodes you think someone in your network would benefit from this is how we grow, learn, and stretch our thinking.??