Aurora Behavioral Health

Wake up in the morning and praise yourself! I know, I know, but hear me out. Many of my patients report to me that not only do they lack a consistent morning routine and structure (pre-pandemic and now things are even more erratic)...but they also wake up and within the first moments of starting their day, they begin THE ATTACK. The attack on the self starts early, sometimes while still in bed, sometimes while walking to the kitchen to get breakfast, or at the mirror while ...trying to get dressed. Negative thoughts and aggressive attacks on everything from appearance/body image, to weight, to food, to intelligence, to love-ability all comes under attack and sets the tone for the day. When we start the day attacking the self, it primes us to continue these criticisms throughout the day and can exacerbate symptoms and bad mood. If this is you, first, know that you aren’t alone. Healing from anything, including an eating disorder requires resilience to shame and development of self compassion. When we can start and end our day with self-love and appreciation, we move closer to a full healing. If you are one of the many who struggle with this, take the Aurora Morning Mood challenge. Make the first thing you say to yourself in the morning a positive statement you don’t have to start by saying you love your body if you don’t. Start with gratitude name one thing you are grateful for (go with basic biological functions if you can’t think of anything else like Hey lungs! You’re doing awesome right now! Thanks to all those alveoli for oxygenating me! I like to picture the cells in my body doing a little dance ). Put on music or a meditation to have as background sound while you go through your morning routines use what works for you! Sometimes I like to use very upbeat music, other times I like to listen to Deepak Chopra or Tara Brach if I’m feeling the need for more centering. I also say the Aurora Mindfulness Meditation every day! (You can download this on our website). There are many other therapy tools for helping you change the negative morning dialogue. Know that even on rough days, you have power over your emotional experience. I believe in you See more

I don’t know about you, but my personal five year plan is to just make it through 2020!! Many of us have been socially distant for nearly two months and it is taking a toll on our mental health. Today I encourage all of you to live in the moment of your present experience and ignore the pressuring messages about accomplishing MORE THINGS! Focus on things you can do today, that you can control, that make you feel good. Be easy with yourself. It’s okay if all you do is make it through the day. I believe in you

Let’s play a game it’s called, Survive A Pandemic. Who wants to play along? Comment below with which of the bingo squares you did today and which do you want to try tomorrow? Remember, we are all living through an ongoing trauma to survive we need to practice self-compassion and build resilience. I believe in you Photo Credit: @alyseruriani

It isn’t the end of the world. It is the most remarkable act of global solidarity we may ever witness. Look into the emptiness and marvel at all of the love. Let it fill and sustain you. * I am sending an extra dose of love and care to all of you tonight. I believe in you. I believe in us. Let us survive. Let us sustain

Join us at 5pm today, and every Tuesday for an active and energetic Livestream Yoga Session! Daily Mindful Movement is important for physical and mental health. Join us today! To register visit the link in our bio!

With this open time...observe this pause as an opportunity...become curious with this free time and just experience being...create for the sake of creating...allow yourself to rest and cry and laugh and play...get curious about what arises in you...remind yourself who you are...I believe in you

The thoughts I choose to believe right now are forming my experiences. I now listen to what I say, and I do not say anything that I do not want to become true for me. Today I will focus on speaking kindly to myself. Today I will allow my mind to fill with lovely thoughts, weeding out negative thoughts that add to my pain. My mind is my personal garden and I will choose what grows there. I believe in you

When you suffer from depression and somebody tells you to just cheer up is there anything less helpful? See also, having a panic attack and being told to just calm down! Clinical depression and anxiety are not things that you can just snap yourself out of. They require treatment (often for a lifetime depending on the severity), and support. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for having symptoms. Do tell others how they can best support you when you’re symptoms are at their worst. Reach out for help, journal, use DBT skills to manage through a crisis. Have a cope ahead plan for tough situations. No matter what, don’t let your inner light go out even a small flame can still light a candle. I believe in you

There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. Don’t let it be you. Now more than ever when many of us are alone and isolated it is easy for dark thoughts to creep in and amplify. Remember that no matter what you matter. You have value. You are worth. You deserve to exist. And even in the middle of a pandemic, you still deserve recovery. Never give up on yourself. Never lose hope. There is something on the other side of this. We will get through this together. I believe in you

Now more than ever connection matters. As we practice enhanced physical hygiene, we need to practice enhanced mental hygiene during this unprecedented time. Aurora is a place of community, connection and healing and we want everyone in our community to take good care. Here are some tips for maintaining your mental health during this time. Please reach out if you need support. We are here for you

You don’t have to be productive now. You don’t have to publish the next great American novel. You don’t need to write a symphony. During this time when we’re all sheltering in place, you are allowed to rest. You’re allowed to be sad. You’re allowed to have low energy. You can simply just exist. This is a time to be easy and gentle with yourself. Photo credit @hannahgoodart