Agape Therapy Institute, Corp. and Project 7 Yoga partnered to bring the Yoga & Meditation for Mental Health series to the community, while also raising funds for Agape's COVID-19 financial assistance program.
August 19, 2020
Blog post by Britt McKinney, RMCHI
This is the third post in our series exploring Yalom’s “ultimate concerns.” If this is the first one you’re reading, here’s what you need to know: we can identify things about who we are by considering the meaning we ascribe to death, freedom, isolation, and meaningless in our lives.
Reading that for the first time may be intimidating, so don’t hesitate to earmark this post and read the ones that led up to this section of the discussion.
This post is the one promised last time to explore cultivating joy, which is a catchy way to say that we have the ability to create positivity in our lives. These are 4 tools you can use to increase your agency in enjoying life more fully.
1: When we discuss the concept of death, it gives us an opportunity to consider what it feels like to be alive. Since life and death often trigger anxieties, it is beneficial to take things one breath at a time, literally.
We can be present in the moment by using breath meditation, which can lower heart rate and blood pressure.
2: Freedom is paramount on this topic of joy and that’s because we have the freedom to influence our own outlooks and attitudes. That being said, why not focus on pleasurable thoughts?
Laughter is typically pleasant,,, but sometimes it feels forced. That’s okay! According to Dr. Madan Kataria, when we choose to laugh, whether it is genuine or contrived, and it can lower the cortisol (stress responses) inside us.
3: Isolation is the hot topic during “social distancing”... Right? So try looking at it creatively.
The words we use reflect the things we believe and at times the opposite is true. Either way, it is powerful to consider changing the words we use to describe this specific COVID-19 precaution toward the use of the term “physical distancing” and see what happens as a result.
4: Meaninglessness and joy is the interesting combination and the trickiest challenge to present.
We can consider the core emotions that are at the root of all things to work through this connection. There are a few primary emotions: joy, sadness, fear (some consider anger and disgust core emotions too). Considering ‘joy’ is a deep-rooted and motivating feeling, it is the one we can see when considering what is and is not meaningless. In other words, getting in touch with the things that bring us joy can be a compass for navigating through the way we pursue certain things instead of others.
This discussion of joy may not be a perfect fit for all. The beautiful thing: each person is free to create their own priorities.
Take what you need from this post and leave what’s left.
**Pronoun “their” used to encompass all people.
Britt McKinney is a master level therapist at Agape Therapy Institute. To book an appointment with Britt, click here.
"Man Holding Silver and Black Camera" Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Blog post by Brittney McKinney, RMCHI
Continuing our exploration of who we are, we’ll consider the same topics from Irvin D. Yalom, MD--but this time, as they relate to our wellness.
Remember Yalom’s 4 “ultimate concerns”: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness? Here’s the questions related to each topic to ask when considering our wellness.
1: Death
Am I being active? How am I sleeping? What am I eating?
2: Freedom
Do I choose constructive perspectives? Can I cultivate joy? Am I caring for my spirit?
3: Isolation
Am I helping others?
4: Meaninglessness
Do I have social support to help me live my best life? Am I working on coping skills with my therapist?
Cultivating joy is, by far, the coolest freedom we all have. Stay tuned for another post related to what Yalom’s concepts could have to do with the notion of joy.
Be well within! You’re working toward that every time you access resources that support your mental health.
To book an appointment with Britt McKinney, RMHCI, click here.
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
Blog post by Brittney McKinney, RMHCI
It’s easy to feel pressure to survive the pandemic a certain way. Here are tools focused on your mental health that let us take a look at ourselves while we are surviving these unprecedented circumstances.
Irvin D. Yalom, MD has 4 concepts that he suggested we think about when examining our lives: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. He called them “ultimate concerns” and here are some core questions to consider:
1: Death
What pressures am I putting on myself to live my life perfectly?
2: Freedom
I choose my attitude, so what can that teach me about my personal responsibilities?
3: Isolation
What have I learned about myself that I can share with the people that matter to me?
4: Meaninglessness
How will the future me answer the following questions: What did I find pleasure in last week? Last month? Last year?
Take your time considering which of these questions (if any) are important to you.
And remember to stay encouraged! You are awesome and you focus on your mental health whenever you take the time to read posts that you trust.
To book an appointment with Brittney McKinney, RMCHI, click here.
Blog Featured Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio
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