Character Care

Character Care With locations in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast; Character Care is a vibrant support network, pass

Thank you for being with us. 🫶💚🫶
28/04/2023

Thank you for being with us. 🫶💚🫶

23/03/2023

Self care with the SETTLES approach. We have touched in this previously, but we would like to revisit it with a varied look at it. 🫶💚

It is important to find an approach that SETTLES the mind. Here are some suggestions:

S: • Stay focused on the here and now and avoid thinking too far into the future and take each day one step at a time.
E • Engage and stay connected to friends, family and support networks.
T • Thoughts are thoughts, not necessarily facts. Be alert to negative thoughts and don’t give them power.
T • Treat people with kindness, support others through this time of uncertainty.
L • Limit information and time on unhelpful media. Constant exposure to anxiety-fuelling stories drives panic and uncertainty.
E • Exercise is key, research shows that good physical health is critical for a healthy mind, focus on good sleep, eating well and working out.
S • Seek help if you are concerned about yourself or others.

Contact Character Care for support - 3189 7234, [email protected] or book online through our website, www.charactercare.com.au.

13/03/2023

Breathwork is an active form of meditation that allows us to disconnect from the mind and be guided by our body and heart. As we breathe out thoughts, beliefs, memories, actions that do not support our growth, we return to our wholeness and feel more equipped to handle stress, anxiety, and lingering trauma. There are many different breathwork techniques, and each one has a unique purpose and effect on the body. Here are three beginner techniques that deserve a spot in your repertoire and some recommendations for how and when to use them.

When you feel overwhelmed: The 4-7-8 breath.
The Relaxing Breath from Andrew Weil, M.D., also known as 4-7-8 breathing, helps to slow down and calm the body. It slows the heart rate, brings our consciousness to the present moment, and slows the nervous system, bringing a feeling of calm and peace. This breath is ideal when you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, angry, triggered, and have trouble sleeping. It has the added bonus of teaching the body to take in less (in a culture where we saturate the mind and body with external stimulation), how to create space between inhale and exhale, as well as how to release excess energy and thought from the body.

How to do it:
The traditional way of doing 4-7-8 breathing is to empty the lungs of air, breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, exhale out of the mouth for 8 seconds, and repeat at least 4 times.

As you breathe in, imagine the grounded and nourishing energy of the earth, mountains, trees, plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs coming up into your body. As you hold your breath, visualize the breath spiralling up the centre of your body (through the seven chakras) and pulling any energy or thought that does not serve you. Then as you exhale over 8 seconds, imagine that excess energy releasing out of the mouth, and visualise light pouring through the top of your head back down to your feet and the earth below you.

Did you know ... You tend to smile when you’re happy. It’s actually a two-way street. We smile because we’re happy, and ...
07/03/2023

Did you know ...

You tend to smile when you’re happy. It’s actually a two-way street.

We smile because we’re happy, and smiling causes the brain to release dopamine, which makes us happier.

We hope that by using some of our "happy & healthy habits", you find ways to smile this week.

03/03/2023

What are your plans this weekend? Busy one? Relaxing? Filled with a never-ending to do list?

Here, Character Care provides 5 easy tips for reducing stress this weekend (and beyond), so you can feel more productive. 🫶🥰

What are some more ways you reduce stress?

Accessing support when you or someone close to you needs it is important. Here we list some of the reasons you might see...
03/03/2023

Accessing support when you or someone close to you needs it is important. Here we list some of the reasons you might see a Counsellor, Mental Health Social Worker or Psychologist.

Anyone can have support - adults, adolescents, children, couples. Support is available in a wide range of areas (but not limited to):

🍀🌻 Behavioural activation
🍀🌻 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
🍀🌻 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
🍀🌻 Developmental concerns/delays
🍀🌻 Identifying and understanding emotions (emotional regulation)
🍀🌻 Learning difficulties
🍀🌻 General Mental health and well-being
🍀🌻 Sexual abuse/trauma
🍀🌻 PTSD, C-PTSD and Trauma
🍀🌻 Parenting interventions
🍀🌻 Depression
🍀🌻 Anxiety (generalised, social, panic etc)
🍀🌻 Stress (work related, personal, etc)
🍀🌻 Behavioural concerns
🍀🌻 Substance use and abuse
🍀🌻 Domestic and family violence
🍀🌻 Personality disorders
🍀🌻 Mood disorders
🍀🌻 Eating disorders
🍀🌻 Grief and loss
🍀🌻 LGBTQIA+ issues
🍀🌻 Gender dysphoria
🍀🌻 Anger management
🍀🌻 Burnout out
🍀🌻 Compassion fatigue
🍀🌻 Bullying
🍀🌻 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues
🍀🌻 Life adjustment
🍀🌻 End of life planning
🍀🌻 Mediation
🍀🌻 Self esteem

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲Forest Bathing is a practice as old as time in Japan called Shinrin-yoku. It is taking the opportunity to ju...
02/03/2023

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Forest Bathing is a practice as old as time in Japan called Shinrin-yoku. It is taking the opportunity to just be in nature and one with nature. It does not involve jogging, hiking or exercising in any way, in fact the opposite.

Forest bathers are encouraged to just be in the forest and take time to appreciate all of your senses, sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Outside there is opportunity to smell the flowers, taste the fresh air, look at the changing colours of the trees, hear the birds sing and feel the breeze on your skin. When we open up our senses we are able to connect to the natural world.

Connecting with nature is a biological need and fundamental to our health. The term for connecting with nature is biophilia which is Greek and means ‘love of life and the living world’. Shinrin-yoku is viewed as a bridge in which we can bring our own rhythms back in step with nature. When we are in harmony with the natural world we can begin to heal, be refreshed and restored.

A two-hour forest bathe will help you unplug from technology and slow down. It will bring you into the present moment and de-stress and relax you. The research into forest bathing has found that it can help in the following ways: reduce blood pressure, lower stress, improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, improve concentration and memory and lift depression.

Most importantly you don’t need to go far to forest bathe. Whilst many of us would like to find a wonderful forest we could just pop too, it is not always practical. So, the effects of forest bathing can also be achieved in your local park, botanical garden, your own garden, a near by golf club, beach or reserve. The idea is that you just get into and connect with nature for a couple of hours and relax, re-energise and heal.

How do I know if I’m unwell or need support?If your beliefs , thoughts , feelings or behaviours have a significant impac...
27/02/2023

How do I know if I’m unwell or need support?
If your beliefs , thoughts , feelings or behaviours have a significant impact on your ability to function in what might be considered a normal or ordinary way, it would be important to seek help.

Call Character Care for support, we are here for you. 07 3189 7234 or email us at [email protected]

23/02/2023

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are a few lifestyle choices that can also help in managing stress. Some of these include:

🧘🌿🫶 taking breaks from the news
🧘🌿🫶 taking breaks from your devices (computer, phone, TV)
🧘🌿🫶 getting adequate exercise and sleep
🧘🌿🫶 taking breaks to allow your body to rest
🧘🌿🫶 increasing nutrient-rich foods in your diet
🧘🌿🫶 doing deep breathing exercises
🧘🌿🫶 meditating
🧘🌿🫶 avoiding excessive substance use
🧘🌿🫶 talking with friends, a trusted therapist
🧘🌿🫶building community though faith-based organisations or activities you enjoy

If you feel overwhelmed from stress and aren’t sure what to do, please reach out to us here at Character Care. Contact us on 3189 7234, [email protected] or you can easily book online through our website: https://charactercare.com.au/book-online/

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today."~ Chinese Proverb ...
22/02/2023

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today."
~ Chinese Proverb

Building Mental Wellbeing 🌿🫶 Get healthy: be active, eat well, and get enough sleepA healthy, well-nourished, and rest...
21/02/2023

Building Mental Wellbeing
🌿🫶 Get healthy: be active, eat well, and get enough sleep
A healthy, well-nourished, and rested body provides the foundation for your mind to function at its best. A balanced diet, making sure you get regular exercise and a consistent bedtime go a long way to helping.

🌿🫶 Keep learning: challenge your mind and seek out new things
Stimulate your brain and keep it engaged with new ideas and experiences – it could be as easy as doing daily sudoku, taking an online tutorial or listening to an informative podcast.

🌿🫶 Show kindness: give back, show gratitude, and bring joy to others’ lives
Studies have shown when you do good, it delivers a bigger happiness boost to you than the person you’re helping! Volunteer, help a neighbour or just send a thank you note to someone.

🌿🫶 Connect more: develop relationships, stay connected, and care for each other
Feeling connected to groups of people and having social interaction is hardwired into our DNA – without it we don’t feel as good. Try spending more time with family and friends, having lunch with co-workers, or just chatting with the person serving you at a café.

🌿🫶 Take notice: be mindful, stay in the moment, and experience the world around you
Daily life can be busy and stressful. Take a moment to stop and focus on the present. This is called mindfulness and has a powerful effect on your mental wellbeing.

🌿🫶 Embrace nature: Step outside, connect with the natural world, and take care of the planet
Research proves that spending time in nature has big benefits for your wellbeing. Not to mention other health benefits like building your immune system and lowering blood pressure.

CHARACTER CARE: Offices on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane 3189 7234

Here are some suggestions how you can generate the courage and determination to create hope in your life:Limit your news...
17/02/2023

Here are some suggestions how you can generate the courage and determination to create hope in your life:

Limit your news intake
When was the last time you read the news and ended up feeling upbeat, elated and positive? It’s up to you how much news you let into your life and by limiting that down as much as possible, you should notice a more positive outlook.

Look for meaning in the most challenging moments
When things get tough and too much for us, take a step back, take a breath and look at the reason behind what you are doing.

Don’t be too hard on yourself on the tough days
Everyone has bad days. Be patient and kind to yourself. Bad days don’t last forever.

Speak kindly to yourself
Give yourself some credit. Stop negative self-talk and limiting beliefs of yourself.

Spend time in nature
We sometimes forget that we are human beings and are not built to be plugged in all the time. Spending just 20 minutes a day in nature could change your outlook on life, improve creative flow and help awaken your brain.

Summary
Hope isn’t easy, the world may feel like a dark and difficult place to be in right now. The news and media flood us with stories of violence, greed and scandals, lacking hope and compassion. We can sit by and wish for a better world, or we could make it our moral obligation to act on hope in order to confront pain and despair. For hope to succeed, we must do more than just apply hope to our thoughts. Hope is an active process that we can control when everything feels out of control, it is the process we can trust when trust itself is uncertain, and it is the necessary action to take when all else seems unnecessary.

Address

5 Discovery Court
Birtinya, QLD
4575

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+61731897234

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Character Care posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share