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Tag: stress

One Mission Caring for the Caregiver Retreat

Emery Farm – Durham, NH

November 7 @ 4:00 pm – November 9 @ 4:00 pm

A unique weekend of self-care for parents. Create space for yourself and find community amongst people who have been in your shoes. 

Sponsored by:

In collaboration with:

At this retreat, we will bring together parents of children with cancer and other chronic illnesses to recharge their spirits and dive into a few deep healing techniques. Psychosocial support, that given to help meet the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families is shown to be one of the most effective strategies for processing the trauma of raising a child with cancer or other similarly treated illness. Coming together, we will foster a community of parents who are medical caregivers for their child and individually work through emotions in ways other than traditional talk therapy.

You may attend as a single parent or couple. Single people may need to share a room with another person of the same gender if not attending with their spouse. The lodging and grounds at Emery Farm is exquisite, although you may also choose to attend this event just for the day. We also will offer overflow rooms at the equally beautiful Shilo Farm that weekend.

We are thrilled to welcome back Justin Wilford
from MaxLove Project and the Yes Collective!

On Saturday, dads will meet with Justin to participate in a day of therapeutic healing techniques including Internal Family Systems and Psychedelic breathwork. Moms will get their chance on Sunday to work with Justin. You can read more about these well-researched, innovative modalities below. On the opposite days, parents will have the opportunity to get a massage, take a hike at the beautiful Wagon Hill trails across the street, and participate in a yoga class.

A group dinner will be offered on Saturday night, and light breakfast and lunch is provided on the day you work with Justin. You can also purchase food at Emery Farm’s farmstand, each participant will receive a gift card.

Bereaved Parents – Apply Here
Parents of Survivors – Apply Here

About our Facilitator

We are so excited to have Justin Wilford join us again for this retreat. Justin is the father of Max, a 15-year survivor of Glioblastoma, and Maesie. He holds doctorates in public health (UC Irvine) and cultural geography (UCLA). He co-founded the childhood cancer nonprofit MaxLove Project with his wife Audra. He is also a cofounder of an emotional health platform called Yes Collective that focuses on Internal Family Systems-based therapeutic programming. He is a health program designer, Internal Family Systems practitioner, psychedelic medicine guide, and conscious dance DJ. 

Internal Family Systems is an evidence-based, paradigm-shifting psychotherapeutic approach that today is practiced by thousands of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists around the world. IFS sees our minds as a system of various parts, or sub-personalities, each with its own unique perspective, emotions, and role to play in our lives. The goal of IFS is to foster harmony and healing within this internal system by establishing a compassionate and curious relationship with each part. By understanding and engaging with our internal parts, we can improve our mental, emotional, and spiritual health in profound ways.

Psychedelic breathwork (which does not use psychedelic substances) is a unique practice based in holotropic-style breathing. It opens up the body, heart, and mind to help us witness what we’ve been holding on to, compassionately release what is not ours to hold, and open us to our deeper wisdom and clarity inside. Justin will help you do this by first guiding you through meditation practices inspired by an Internal Family Systems framework. He’ll then lead you into the psychedelic breathwork, followed by an integrative journaling and processing session to close the experience. Psychedelic breathwork sessions are safe but powerful experiences for individuals who are ready for breakthroughs of greater clarity, self-compassion, and self-expression. 

Free This event is free to parents that have or had a child with cancer or similar chronic illness.

Details

Organizer

Emery Farm, Durham, NH

147 Piscataqua Rd
Durham, Maine 03824 United States + Google Map
(603) 742-8495
View Venue Website

Staying positive during scary, uncertain times

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When our son, Everett, was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, it was a shock beyond most people’s comprehension–kids don’t actually get cancer do they? And my child? How? We held onto hope like it was all we had ever known. And although there were times of complete despair, we never let that hope dwindle during those scary months of uncertainty. That’s what you do. That’s all you CAN do.

During the current global pandemic of COVID-19, our whole world is reaching for some inkling of hope. When will this end? How bad will it get? Will someone I know become dangerously ill? Or god-forbid, die? What will happen to the economy, to my savings, to my job? It’s very scary and uncertain, and I wanted to draw some parallels to what we went through as a family that experienced childhood cancer and child loss.

The first seed to plant in your mind is, “This too shall pass.” It’s a mantra that you can repeat throughout the day as you struggle to homeschool your kids, as you worry about your stock of toilet paper (or more importantly, food), as you question your sanity without social interactions. We have to nurture that seed of intention because it will grow, and bloom into gratitude…

And while “This too shall pass” doesn’t technically apply to a family that lost a child–that grief will never end–the feelings of grief do come and go, and we don’t take for granted our surviving child, this extra time with family, and the beauty of the world around us. Speaking of which, have you been outside?

If I were to give my #1 piece of advice on how to stay happy during this time, it’s just that, get outside, stay 6′ away from others, and breathe in the gorgeous spring air. Walk swiftly or slowly and just be in nature, which is actually healing during this time of lower productivity. See dolphins, swans and satellite images.

Not only that, but it will also help to…

♥ Limit your news intake. It’s everywhere, we are bombarded with fear and questionable facts online. Find a trustworthy source (preferably one based on science) and just check it once or twice a day to stay in the loop.

♥ Laugh. During stressful and serious situations, comedy helps. All the coronovirus memes going around are certainly good for a chuckle, although too much of a good thing isn’t good, so watch your time on social media too.

♥ Look after your neighbors. The act of checking in on them (keeping six feet apart, of course) will not only make them feel good, it will make you feel good and remind you that there are others for whom this predicament may be even more stressful.

♥ Support your favorite local businesses. You can buy a gift card to help the business owner now, and many restaurants are offering food pick-up options. Sign up for a paid online yoga or exercise class–most studios and gyms are doing this.

♥ Practice random acts of kindness. Send gifts & cards in the mail. Unexpected treats can be a huge pick-me-up-in times of stress. This is especially valuable to the elderly who are now in isolation in nursing homes. If you are worried about receiving germs through the mail, grab your chlorox wipes or sanitizing spray and clean it off first! Think of those who could benefit from your thoughtfulness and generosity. Then act.

♥ Take advantage of extra time. Canceled activities give us an opportunity to focus on the things we haven’t had time for. Marie Kondo your house! If you are working from home, use that commuting time to start a meditation practice.

♥ Practice gratitude. Close your day, every day, with a positive acknowledgement of something you accomplished, learned or are grateful for. It will help dilute some of the negativity you’ve absorbed and remind you that not everything that’s happening right now is bad or depressing.

♥ Remember to breathe. Put gratitude front and center. Put care into everything you do. Excess fear, stress, and worry cause harm to your system. Stay home if you can and support those in your community that can’t stay home because of their job doesn’t allow it. Stay in touch with your loved ones, stay as relaxed as possible, stay in joy whenever and for however long you can.

In closing, believe in the hope of this…