Cultivating Resilience to Deal with Stress and Difficulty
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Dear Friend,
As you may recall, California suffered catastrophic and devastating wildfires this past summer and fall. As a regular teacher of webinars for the
California Naturopathic Doctor’s Association (CNDA), they approached me about participating in an effort to help people cope with the devastation, stress and trauma so many were experiencing.
My offering to the afflicted communities was to record an interview and guided meditation on dealing with stress and trauma and the importance of building resilience. The hope is that it would be of help in the recovery process that many in that region are going through.
I’ve included the videos of the interview on trauma and resilience and the video of a 30 minute guided meditation.
For that retreat, one of the resources I worked with was an excellent book, “
Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being,” by Linda Graham, MFT. It is a treasure chest of practical exercises and, at the same time, provides an excellent explanation of the neuroscience behind neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, experience or following injury.
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I’d like to share one concept from her book that I found particularly helpful. She calls it the
5 C’s of Resilient Coping. Each of these qualities is needed in order to work with the storms of life that inevitably come our way. When challenge comes along, we are asked to meet them with resilience: not to bend or break but rather to adapt and adjust, roll with the punches and to ultimately to “Bounce Back.”
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I'd like to add a 6th C to her list. I encourage us to embrace “Compassion” for ourselves and others, as we acknowledge the shared humanity of facing challenges and the universality of weathering life's storms.
Mindfulness and compassion practice support cultivating and enhancing our ability to be resilient. These practices help us to face challenges and respond appropriately and wisely.
The simplicity of living the Serenity Prayer is a wonderful resource for building resilience:
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At the heart of resilience is the knowledge that the brain can change (through neuroplasticity), and that our power, liberation and freedom from suffering comes from how we choose to respond.
I would like to share two videos with you to support you in cultivating resilience.
CNDA Interview - Trauma, Stress & Resilience:
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CNDA - 30 minute Guided Meditation on Compassion:
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No matter what's happening, no matter what has happened, we can cultivate and enhance our resilience. We can choose to respond with wisdom and compassion. We can come to view pain, suffering and challenges as an opportunity for learning and healing.
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Paul Epstein, ND
Mindful Healing: Mind-Body Integrative Medicine
(203) 226-3923
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Make sure and check my
event calendar
regularly for details on all my upcoming classes, lectures, workshops and Webinars.
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Patient Appointments Available via Skype
In addition to my local, private practice in Westport, CT, I also see patients from all over the world via Skype. Distance and time zone differences don't need to be a barrier to getting the help you need to facilitate your healing journey!
Take the first step towards your optimum health and healing: Call today to set up a Skype appointment!
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Mentoring Sessions Available via Skype
An important part of my work is to mentor health care practitioners, students and physicians to become more fully Integrative in their approach to caring for their patients and clients.
Skype is a wonderful way to hold these sessions - convenient and easy!
If you are interested in learning life changing Mind-Body Therapies to add to your practice, call today to discuss a mentoring session, or mentoring program!
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Serenity is not freedom from the storm,
but peace amidst the storm...
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Paul Epstein, ND is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), specializing in Mindful Healing and Mind-Body Integrative Medicine. He has more than 30 years experience in private practice successfully treating patients with powerful, life changing therapies.
Dr. Epstein is currently accepting new patients into his practice. He also works with healing professionals as a Professional Mentor to teach practitioners how to work in a truly integrative fashion in their own practice.
He is a pioneer and leading voice in Mind-Body Integrative Medicine lecturing internationally to both general and professional audiences.
Dr. Epstein is an extraordinary teacher who presents compelling topics that inform, educate, motivate and inspire. His work is helping create a much needed paradigm shift in the practice of medicine and the healing arts.
Don't ever miss the opportunity to experience Dr. Epstein!
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42 Richmondville Ave
Westport, CT 06880
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Connecting the Cell and the Self
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