An Integrative Approach to Mental Well-Being
Learn why taking an integrative approach to mental well-being can be a productive route to a more optimal state of mental-well-being, and gain tangible ideas for different practices and modalities that can help you feel and function better.
Mental well-being — something we can feel both when we’re thriving and when we’re struggling— is well understood and researched. Yet despite its many effects between our ears as well as throughout our bodies, it’s not something that many of us prioritize.
Brie Vortherms, MA, LMFT, and Barbara Powell, MA, share why taking an integrative approach to mental well-being can be a productive route to a more optimal state of mental-well-being, and they offer tangible ideas for different practices and modalities that can help us feel and function better.
Brie Vortherms, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is also the director of Life Time Mind, an internal performance-coaching program at Life Time. She focuses on bringing relational health and holistic well-being to her clients.
Barbara Powell, MA, is a nationally board certified health and well-being coach. She received her master’s education from the Center of Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. She’s also a holistic performance coach for Life Time Mind.
Mental well-being is personal to each of us, and as a first step toward identifying areas where you might be needing some intentional action or support, Vortherms and Powell recommend asking yourself some thought-starter questions.
In general, Vortherms suggests thinking about your mind, your body, and your energy, and considering how are you doing and feeling in each of these three areas: Is there any self-neglect you can identify in them?
To further your introspection, Powell offers some more targeted questions you can also ask yourself:
- What feels like peace to me?
- Where do I feel energized?
- What or who helps me feel resilient?
- Am I safe? Where don’t I feel safe?
- What’s going on in my movement?
- How am I feeding myself?
- How is my rest?
- What is my sense of connection?
While it is unlikely that any of us will ever feel we’re perfectly caring for all areas of our mind, our body, and our energy, Vortherms suggests aiming for, at a minimum, a 60/40 balance. “If a little bit more than half of the time you can be in enough self-care, you’re going to probably be on the side of wellness versus dis-ease,” she says.
- What Is Self-Care, Really? With Brie Vortherms, MA, LMFT, and Barbara Powell, MA
- How Do I Rest — Really? Understanding the 7 Types of Rest With Barbara Powell, MA
- How to Support Your Mental Health
- Life Time Mind
- @barbarapowellruns on Instagram
- Barbara Powell on Linkedin
- Brie Vortherms on Linkedin
- relationaltraumarecovery.com
Transcript: An Integrative Approach to Mental Well-Being
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The information in this podcast is intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge of healthcare topics. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of advice from your physician or healthcare provider. We recommend you consult your physician or healthcare professional before beginning or altering your personal exercise, diet or supplementation program.
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