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Joy Boosters from the Fresh Start Team

Sandra

The Fresh Start Anti-Viral program is designed to help people in the time of crisis. Its main goals are:

provide practical information on prevention
to inspire and
to bring a smile

The Joy Boosters aim to do all 3. Each team member prepared for you:

5 activities that people/ families can do at home during their self-isolation and/ or slow economy time
2 tips that may help people go through this time with humour and joy, in spite of challenges –jokes, practical advice, inspirational quote, motto that helps them on the way, a heart-warming life story/ situation you’ve recently observed/ experienced etc.

Note: A few team members chose a custom format and shared a quote from a blog or used a letter style.

We hope that our ideas, thoughts and resources will be helpful, inspiring and help you have more joy in your life.

Laughter is the best medicine!

Sandra Rushton, Director Assistant

Fun Activities 4 Families:

1. cycling
2. reading
3. spring cleaning
4. crafts
5. board games / cards

Finding Joy Tips:

1. use the time to wind down, really enjoy having less obligations!
2. enjoy and reconnect with those you live with. Use FaceTime to stay connected with family and friends.
3. My favourite quote is “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi

Larry Summers, Biofeedback Specialist

I agree these are troubling times and we have to stay connected and positive. Mabel and I are trying to stay very positive that this will pass and we will be stronger because of it. We are staying isolated and I am very careful when I go out and have to deal with the stores. We meditate twice a day and try to keep humor and enjoyment a daily experience. We also exercise at home to keep the physical body healthy. The best we can do is stay positive and know that this will pass and we will be stronger for it.

We went for a drive today to just get out of the house, walk on the beach, and reset ourselves. Do not listen to all the doom and gloom, stay positive and let’s come out of this stronger and better than before.

Mabel and I send our love to all of you and the staff. We will survive!!!

Marlyna Guerard, Program Consultant

Activities:

Family/couples: Play board games or even make up fun games together
Family/couples: Watch a movie
Family/couples: Start an indoor or outdoor garden, focus on getting projects around the house completed (spring cleaning, mowing the lawn, etc.)
Individual: Practice self love, run outside or prepare and execute an indoor/outdoor bodyweight workout, yoga, mediation
Individual: Read and catch up on books

Tips of positivity:

Distance yourself from negative media, people or surroundings, focus on surrounding yourself with positive media, people or surroundings to produce a positive outcome in life
Spend time doing fun things with your loved ones, look at old photos, laugh and spend quality time together to allow yourself to focus on all the good you have in your life

Ania Kastashchuk, Program Manager | Senior Program Director

Fun Activities for Families:

Yard work is most therapeutic and bonding!
Do gardening, if weather permits – you’ll always have food, will nourish your soul and will teach your kids to love nature
Do a foot massage or a back scratch for your kids at bed time – and hear them purr!
If your kids complain about being bored – give them something to do (and complain about)
Put your spouse first – always find time to send a message of deep appreciation, leave a naughty sticky note on his/her computer and never go a day without a hug, a kiss and caressing each other

How to Generate More Joy:

Joy is always everywhere, you just need to look around
If you cannot see joy, you need to heal your soul and your traumas – it is an important work to do

Dr. Lise Maltais, Naturopathic Physician

Dear friends,

I am fortunate to just have to take care of myself during these times as my daughters are both adults now.

I meditate, do my yoga at home more often now, oh and I assure you that my garden will be producing an abundance of edibles this year. Gardening brings me joy. And as for my two sweet little dogs, Rosie and Lily, a maltese and a havanese, I took the time yesterday to groom them myself, and decided that I will do it from now on instead of sending them to a salon. My heart is full of laughter when I see them run around and play, and frankly, that kind of love is precious. The time is now to be even more grateful and kind than ever. Stay safe and healthy, Lise

Rhonda McGinn, Body Worker

We are doing fine here in isolation. We are enjoying the yard and preparing some meals for our neighbour who lives alone.

Five Activities

Getting outside daily and connecting with nature feeds the soul.
For people living alone, ask a friend who enjoys playing board games to download Catan and you can play together from afar – It is one of my favorite games. There are also free games available to play with friends.
Doing something nice for those who are isolated alone – taking them a home cooked dinner and/or goodies or even calling to say hello can help brighten their day while increasing our own endorphins.
Watch a comedy, laughter is so good to keep spirits up.
Make a list of things you have been unable to get to and get one thing done each day.

Tips

Keep in touch using FaceTime with family and friends, it’s a special time to contact old friends you haven’t had time to connect with.

Keep a daily gratitude journal, write down three different things you feel grateful for everyday

Listen to music that makes you feel happy, a favorite for me when my world is rattled is Luciano. He is a reggae artist, listen to “Your World and Mine”: https://youtu.be/6ClOL5vTSmU. We’ve got his

“Music washes away from the Soul the dust of everyday Life”. Can’t remember author

Madeleine Ramsay, Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor

5 ACTIVITIES:

EXERCISE is good for the body, soul and mind- Dance on your favorite music for an hour a day, no need for therapy.
Try SOMETHING NEW that you never had the opportunity to do.
Go out and take SOME FRESH AIR- Walks, hiking, paddling, gardening, or?
Internet is useful at these times REACH OUT to friends and family.
BE GOOD TO YOURSELF- BREATHING TECHNIQUES-YOGA-RELAXATION-MEDITATION (Inner Peace)

TIPS:

Laughter is contagious and we can all find on YouTube things that will make us laugh, movies, animals interacting with each other, funny videos, or jokes amongst friends

One inch of JOY surmounts of grief a span, because to laugh is proper to the man. (François Rebelais)

Quotes/ Proverbs:

THE GEM CANNOT BE POLISHED WITHOUT FRICTION (Whenever this pandemic is over, we may have a better world)

“Who has never tasted the bitter, can never know the sweet”. German proverb

Paddling out a few weeks ago near Chrome Island, BC, Madeleine observed sea lions practicing social distancing: https://www.dropbox.com/s/d022tkhrtkoi2xs/IMG_0372.m4v?dl=0

Janine Calder , Fitness Instructor, Walk Guide and Evening Activities Organizer

Megan Wood, Head Chef

Activities:

1. Simple Daily Rituals. I always start my day with tea. I enjoy mindfully blending and steeping many different brews that I sip slowly and appreciatively throughout the day.

2. Reading and Study. I usually have a couple courses and books on the go, so I have been enjoying having extra time for learning and reading. There is so much educational material online. Yale is offering its most popular class for free: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being

3. Movement and Stillness. Practicing yoga and then sitting quietly, gazing inward and focusing on my breath is a sure way myself feel better. Creating a space in my home devoted yoga and meditation has helped make these practices part of my daily life.

4. Family, Food and Fun. I have been savouring the simplicity of our days and just being together as a family. We all love to cook and eat, so much of our day focuses around delicious and nutritious meal planning and prep. We usually have a scrabble game and a puzzle going and often cuddle up to watch an inspirational documentary or funny movie together in the evening.

5. Pleasure and Beauty. I love baths and pampering myself and others. I give my family haircuts and facials in exchange for massage. I make fragrant and nourishing oils to anoint myself and family with regularly. Making our home space clean and beautiful also helps me relax.

Tips:

1. Gratitude. There is nothing too insignificant when in comes to gratitude. Join the birds in singing praise daily. When I need inspiration, I go outside, attune to my senses and let the beauty and the wonder of life in.

2. Loving Kindness and Acceptance. As everything around us is constantly moving and changing, it is supportive to keep a soft and steady gaze, cultivate compassion and trust in the mysterious unfolding of life.

Kennedy Kinghorn, Structural Health Specialist

Kennedy - Holistic Exercise Kinesiologist

5 activities:

Reading something enriching not just news!
Outdoor activities! Garden, games with family, walks etc.
Indoor games or puzzles
Dig deep & downsize/deep clean!
Exercise! Indoor or outdoor: move & stretch!

Tips:

Meditation daily
Gratitude journal!
Victory list for the day: ‘I exercised, gardened, & cleaned out the garage.’

Laura Babnik, Director Assistant

5 activities to do as a family:

Board games.

Some fun ones we’ve played are: Apples to Apples, PayDay, Escape Adventures

(downloadable…try searching groupon for a 99 cents special), MadLibs

Have a contest: make up some jokes
Get in a circle and take turns adding a word or phrase to tell an outrageous story

4. Work together on a project you now have time for with some fun music…celebrate afterwards when the job is done (pick an activity out of a hat from shared family suggestions)

5. Be sure to make some family favourite meals and take this time to try a new recipe.. if the kids contribute in some way, it will whet their appetite

On your own:

Read or study in the sunshine
Play some music while doing a favourite activity
Try connecting online with someone playing a fun game..there are just so many

Tips:

Make a list of things to get accomplished, make sure to tend to it each day so you are not just being idle
It will give you a sense of satisfaction
Make sure to get exercise, sleep, and fresh air each day.

Nicole Berns, Yoga and Meditation Instructor

Most days I don’t notice how much this self-isolation is affecting me until I’m asked. I’m relieved to take a break from teaching at this time. I realized through the absence of teaching that I was burned-out. These past 18 months have been financially challenging since taking a step back from serving to pursue yoga and guiding. To address this financial fear, I took on more classes and contracts than I had the energy for.

Without classes to expend my creative energy, I’ve been able to channel that energy into other artistic projects. I’ve built a driftwood sun mirror and started a youtube channel. Even though I’ve truly enjoyed taking a break from teaching, I recognize how beneficial this practice has been for my body, my mindset, and in managing emotions; so, I’ve put together a 20-minute hatha yoga video that you can access on thewestcoastgypsy.com. I may decide to put on a live event; so, if you wish to participate make sure to follow and like thewestcoastgypsy on facebook and instagram. Finally, I’ve leave you with a blog post recounting my last and latest adventure, my introduction to backcountry skiing. See you when you see me!

A SAD SOUL CAN KILL YOU QUICKER THAN A GERM
– JOHN STEINBECK

Sandie Sparrow, Colon Hydrotherapist and Program Director

5 Activities:

The most effective and quickest way to lift yourself out of depression is to help others with generosity and no thought of reward for yourself. Check if that isolated widow with the broken foot needs her yard work done, or if a single mother who has to move needs your vehicle and muscle to transport her possessions. Perform the tasks with gratitude for the opportunity of being of service to someone in need.

2. Nourish your connections – reach out via phone or electronically to connect with and have that kind of long, relaxed conversation that you would over a campfire. This is the time to explore the attics of your elder relatives’ experiences and ask those questions that someday you will regret not asking – what was it like to grow up in their time, how did they meet your grandfather, if things were different – what would they have wanted to grow up to be, etc. Maybe record those precious memories for savouring later with future generations.

3. Finally, finally, finally, you don’t have the excuse of “not enough time” to learn to meditate. It is a proven immune booster, depression reliever and clarity giver. There are many tools available and many ways to meditate… start with any and find the one(s) that suit you. It will develop your powers of discernment which are so vitally needed in this time of conflicting information.

4. Keep a journal of these days – it will help keep you grounded and centred in uncertain times. Even the smallest details will help paint the picture of your experience, and strive to give rich expression to all the feelings that are passing through you. We learned so much of history from the journals that people of former times kept – think of the Diary of Anne Frank or Victor Frankl, for example!

5. Develop a gratitude ceremony for the end of the day. Instead of listening to the tension and fear in the mainstream media, gather with your family and talk about what you are grateful for in the hours since you woke up. Reflect back to others the beautiful qualities that you witnessed in them that day. What receives attention will grow!

2 Tips How to Boost Joy:

Finally we can take the time to create at least one beautiful and well thought out, nourishing sit-down meal for the family every day. Set the table like it’s a holiday celebration, arrange the salad like it’s a work of art, dig out those special recipes and create food that is nourishing both visually, physically and socially.
Frame your time as a wonderful gift and permission to finally do all those myriad things you could never justify doing – give yourself a foot bath; read those books that you never got around to reading, go on an electronic diet and turn everything off for 10 days; learn to knit… if the kids upstairs are noisy, start learning to play the violin and practice your scales when they are howling….

Vasili Kastashchuk, Founder | Senior Program Director | IT Specialist

5 activities that people/ families can do at home during their self-isolation and/ or slow economy time:

If you at home, look around and focus on Clean ups, completions, deletions. You’ll feel great to have much cleaner space.
Touch base with people you have not spoken for years. You’d be surprised how much you’ll learn.

3. Plan your life forward: review your past 10 years, write down what you are Proud of, and what not so. Review what dreams, plans have come true, analyze how and analyze which ones have not. Be realistic which skills are you lacking and see how you’d like to move forward with life. Hey, just because the government is giving us all “relief” funds, they expect mature attitude on our part also, and improve our world “collectively” better.

4. Look around how much we have, as a family, nation, global community and start acknowledging it. Roads are built, stores and supply chain built, communication channels built…well, stupidity/selfishness mindset had not been addresses yet…well, we are doing crash course now, so, what else we’ve got… less then a 100 years ago it would not be possible to address global issues in the manner we do now.

5. Read a good book, take an online course, schedule work out routine…do not just read the news, instead beef up to be ready to step up to more refreshed and give a break to those that worked during this pandemic.

2 tips that may help people go through this time with humour and joy:

Life is what you chose to see. If you actually stop for a moment and observe what glasses you’ve been wearing, take them off and ask yourself, why when there is so many wonderful people, events, opportunities around me I was the opposite. Who the heck imposed this belief on me?

Look around and see the beauty, step outside and feel cold air on your face, feel life. Do not just lock yourself behind the doors and tremble in fear. Chose to create a better, safer world for yourself and generations to come.

Kathleen Moser, Emotional Wellness Specialist

We are living in uncertain times right now, and naturally this crisis has created extreme stress anxiety for everyone. Now, more than ever it is important that we take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger–but recognize the opportunity.” ― John F. Kennedy

This quote really resonates with me because this crisis has given my family, and I an opportunity to slow down, be more mindful, and cultivate more joy, love and playfulness in our home. Any activity that involves movement, can help calm the nervous system, and decrease anxiety. Have a party, and turn the volume up! So far we have had a dance contest, karaoke night, singing our favourite songs, playing “name that tune” one person hums a tune, or says a line from a song, and others try to guess the name of the song.

Spend time in nature, while practicing mindfulness, like picking up a flower, and smelling it. Plan your summer garden together. Go for a walk with your dog, and then find a recipe to make dog cookies. Plan a games night. Plan a meal together. Work on a family project. Watch a spiritual movie, and then discuss it. Have a theme for the week where you are going to learn everything about a country of your choice. Learn the language, ethnic dishes, population, culture etc. Do a check in, and ask each other what they are grateful for. Share stories of hope, and help that have come out of the current crisis. Staying connected with family, and friends even if it is virtually.

Jeremy Unwin, DTCM

5 activities that people/ families can do at home during their self-isolation and/ or slow economy time

1. Move your body

Ok , so many of us have had the chance to binge watch our favorite shows, and two weeks on we might find ourselves watching content that is not on our top 10 lists and a sense of boredom may percolate its way into our minds.

Our bodies require a certain amount of daily movement in order to assist the organs (including the brain) to be healthy.

Taking time to clean our house and tackle those things we have put off due to being ‘too busy’ can be very therapeutic. As I find myself digging through receipts from 2006 onward every little pile sorted, file completed and task taken off of the list, there is a sense of light relief and space. The subtle sense of a accomplishment of doing my own housekeeping is quite satisfying.

The human body needs up to 10,000 (ish) steps every day. So going for a walk, gardening, moving around the furniture for the new Feng Shui idea, or any other form of self guided ‘work’ gets us up off the couch and starts that blood circulating in our hearts and minds.

2. Listen to music and dance

In a book called Pathways to Ecstasy the author mentions in her masters work the positive health effects of listening to music, and especially moving our bodies to the tunes of choice. Listening to music that uplifts us, makes us want to wiggle our bottom and perhaps even giggle, is a sure winner for all ages.

3. Sing
4. Learn a thing or two
5. Watch, read or listen to comedy