Beginning in 2010, Bell launched a “multi-year charitable program dedicated to the promotion and support of mental health across Canada.”

One goal of the program is to reduce the stigma attached to those suffering from mental illness, including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia. Fully two-thirds of those suffering from one of these conditions never seek help due to the stigma attached to mental illness.

Improving access to mental health care is another goal of the Bell Let’s Talk program. So far, Bell has awarded grants and contributions of more than $12.5 million to various mental health organizations, as well as implementing the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund in 2011 which will “focus on improving access to care in local communities.”

Beyond these initiatives, Bell is focused on improving access to mental health care in the workplace, sighting mental illness as the leading cause of workplace disability in Canada.

The program also seeks to help fund research into mental health, community outreach programs to promote mental health initiatives, and has enlisted many partners, both corporate and non-profit, to participate in the program.

Lack of access to mental healthcare, the stigma attached to mental illness, and the lack of funding for research into mental health treatments are not unique to Canada. Communities worldwide suffer from the same conditions relating to mental health care. It behooves all of us to work to improve the attitudes of our fellows, and the funding of mental health care programs throughout our communities and the world.What does it mean to have good mental health?

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Becoming quiet (and even just unplugging from every day life) can create an opening for finding what is missing.  This might include doing something outside your regular routine. Anything that makes you stop and smell the roses can evoke that sense of quiet inside yourself. It halts the mind chatter and negative thoughts.

Meditation is an obvious way to become quieter and closer to hearing your inner truth. But there are other ways too. Taking time out for yourself can also allow you to reconnect with yourself. Many people are so busy taking care of others that they have no idea what they need. Spend a day getting to know your own needs, desires, and feelings. If you don’t have a day, spend an hour, or even just a few minutes. Everyone has a few minutes, right?

Let go of what you think you “should be” doing and instead do what calls to your heart. If you aren’t sure where to start, sit down with a journal and start writing. If words don’t come to use, draw or paste pictures into your journal that call out to you. Even just a few focused minutes in this state can create a sense of quiet and calmness. This can be carried back into your regular routine.

Journaling can also help you to know what is really on your mind. It’s surprising what comes out with a pen and paper. Listen to these truths. If you need additional help with quieting your mind, read my book, Just Give Your Head a Shake.

These laws can cause us to experience things like “miracles” and extraordinary events. But when you dig deeper, these are actually the Universal Laws at work. These include:

The Law of Perpetual Transmutation, which means that energy moves in and out of form. This is how all things are made—including you and me. It also includes our thoughts and actions. The phrase, “what you think about, you bring about,” ties strongly into this law.

The Law of Vibration (also known as the Law of Attraction) says that things that are alike will vibrate at a similar level. This is how we attract people, events, and circumstances in alignment with us. This law determines what you draw into your life.

The Law of Rhythm is about cycles in life. Like the tide going in and out, everyone experiences positive and negatives events. Life is not meant to be 100% rosy all the time. By understanding this law, we can learn to “go with the flow” and keep suffering to a minimum.

The Law of Reciprocity (also known as the Law of Karma) says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction—or consequence. In other words, this is why thinking positively elicits more positive things, and vice versa. The same goes for practicing kindness and treating others the way we want to be treated.

The Law of Relativity states that everything is perceived as to how it relates to something else. For example, you cannot know you’re inside if there wasn’t also an outside. Our perceptions are tied to this law—such as labeling things as difficult or simple.

The Law of Gender says there is a masculine and feminine energy in everything. These energies need a balance. This law also ties into a gestation period for all things to grow. This includes all of our thoughts, beliefs, and desires.

To read more about the Universal Laws, read Chapter nine of my book Just Give Your Head a Shake.

In fact, being grateful can turn the ordinary into extraordinary. This is because you’re paying attention to the moment and the small things that make up the fabric of the world.

Here are some more ways to express gratitude:

Say thank you. Life is a richer experience when you look people in the eye and give thanks. Try to notice opportunities for these kind of exchanges with people. Send thank you cards and appreciation emails. If you haven’t expressed your gratitude to someone in awhile there is a great joy in being the giver; it’s usually even more pleasing than being the receiver.

Count your blessings. Each day we are so lucky to be alive. Yet, it’s easy to get stuck in a routine and take our blessings for granted. Try making a list of everything that is good in your life. Remember to focus on the positive and those things that make you feel delighted and at ease. This stirs up the energy for more good to grow.

Pass it on. Gratitude is not something to keep to yourself. So, if you’ve gotten a lucky break, by all means share your excitement. If there is something you are passionate about that would make a difference to the world, jump in. A good rule of thumb is that if it evokes a positive good-feeling emotion, it’s probably a step in the right direction. The more you feel grateful and appreciative in what you do, the more this energy will be transmitted to other people and the world as a whole.

Remember, the more gratitude you feel, the more good you are allowing into your life—and into the lives of others. So, practice expressing it easily and often.

For everyone, I advise some steps you can take to overcome depression, whether you take medication or not:

1. Get moving. Exercising for just 15-30 minutes per day will make a difference. Even just 2-3 days per week in your routine is sufficient. Plus, an increase in activity provides a mental health boost and the physical benefits.
2. Be positive. It might sound simplistic, but having a positive mindset is a huge lifeline to overcome depression. Many people struggle with this concept because they don’t realize that being positive takes work. It can be hard at times to be optimistic, but the more you can practice, the easier it gets to stay positive.
3. Fuel the body. Food helps the brain as much as it helps the body. Choose the dark, green leafy vegetables and things like fish oil. Also, balance your diet, so you’re not eating too much of one food. You may also require extra vitamins and minerals, so Vitamin B or a multivitamin may also be required.
4. Talk it out. Counseling or therapy is a major aid to depression—and one of the best methods. A good therapist can help you uncover the deeper roots of your depression and help change your energy.
5. Healthy shut-eye. Most people don’t need more than 9-10 hours of sleep per night. If you’re getting too much or too little, it’s important to get some help. After a week or two, disrupted sleeping patterns disrupt mental health.

These strategies have been proven to work because they stimulate the brain chemicals that overcome depression. It is very important to notice any changes in how you are thinking, feeling, or acting—and appreciate those moments of feeling good, so that you get more and more of them.

Be sure to download my ebook, How to Overcome Depression Without Medication as my gift to you.

When you love yourself this sets the tone for the Universe to bring more love to you. It’s like a musical note that sends a wave into the ether (remember, thoughts can travel!), drawing more of the same kind. How this shows up in your life is your current relationships get even better and your capacity for loving others naturally draws people who are easy to love to you.

Love is the highest form of thought. If you simply practice loving more, it won’t take too much effort for big changes to happen in your life. To quote a saying, “Fear knocked on the door, love opened it, and nothing was there.”

Anything faced with love can be transformed. Keep giving it and practice every day of your life and you will see a difference. People will be magnetically drawn to you. You’ll have a vibrant energy surrounding you. You can even lift yourself and others out of suffering with divine loving energy.

For more love tips, and ways to use the Law of Attraction to transform your life, read my ebook, Just Give Your Head a Shake.

One of the most important things you can during the season is change your perspective. This means seeing the holiday from a different viewpoint, one in which everything is just as it should be. This can be hard to do, especially if you’ve had a recent loss, but the acceptance of grief has a strong healing component.

Here are a few more ways to help you cope this season:

1. Honor loved ones who have passed. If you haven’t grieved the loss of a loved one, allow yourself the time to honor the person and remember him or her. Talk to a therapist or counselor if you need help coping. Also know that getting past difficult emotions of loss will open the door for a rebirth in your own life.
2. Practice acceptance. Many people feel alone during the holidays, so some loneliness is normal. Seek out company if you need it. If you need alone time, give this gift to yourself as well. Accept what is and appreciate it.
3. Reach out and give. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Saying a few words of kindness or giving an unexpected gift can be very rewarding. Giving isn’t just about material gifts, but about the energy behind it.
4. Practice feeling compassion for others. This includes people you see on a regular basis and even strangers. Remind yourself that you have more in common with other people than differences. This can help stir up more compassion for yourself
5. Focus on what you do have. Think of what you have right now instead of what you don’t have-whether it’s health, your job, friends, loved ones, pets, good memories, your house, food to eat-anything will do! Gratitude is a powerful force that promotes healing.
6. Ask for support. A weekly support group or therapy sessions can be extremely beneficial. Don’t think that just because it’s the holidays, you should wait-ask for help now. Check out this article on Grief and Loss for more hints.
7. Forgive. Let go of resentment. It’s a great time of year to practice forgiveness and move on. This includes forgiving others AND yourself.

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Some people might even dread the dark winter months because it can cause depression and difficulty coping. This year, consider approaching the season change differently—and maybe you can even learn to enjoy it. By anticipating that depression symptoms may appear, there are some changes you can make right now to take better care of yourself.

Fall and winter happiness tips include:

Ÿ  Commit to finding exercise you enjoy. Make time for exercise just as you make time for any priority in your life. When you sweat and get your heart pumping you release healing chemicals in the brain, along with chemicals that make you happy. Put your exercise dates on the calendar now and plan on keeping up!

Ÿ  Spend time outdoors. Try embracing the winter weather by including outside recreational activities like skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, winter hiking or skating into your life. Just as long as you’re dressed properly for the weather and activity you’ll start to embrace the winter and you’ll be happier and healthier too!

Ÿ  Take a cooking class. While it sounds obvious, many people put their diet on the backburner and don’t eat right, especially during times of the year when they’re too busy. If you have a lull in the fall, consider taking a cooking class or planning some healthy dinner parties. This is also a great time to see a nutritionist and make sure you’ve got a healthy diet.

Ÿ  Improve your sleeping area. Just as animals hibernate in the winter, many of us need more sleep during this time too. Of course, sleeping too much can be detrimental to your health. If you are having any sleeping patterns outside the norm, address them with your doctor. Doing something to make your bedroom more comfortable and sleep inducing can be a fall project. Invest in some candles, a new bedspread, calming artwork on the walls, or simply do some cleaning and remove the clutter.

For more tips, read my ebook, How to Overcome Depression Without Medication.

This is similar to taking a seed, planting it into the soil, watering and caring for it, being patient as it grows, and then watching it bloom. It probably won’t happen overnight, but there are ways to “plant the seed” and become a love magnet. These include:

1. Notice what life is reflecting back. The world is your mirror and will reflect to you exactly what you give. This can be incredibly frustrating if you’re feeling needy, desperate, or depressed about your love life or an unfulfilling relationship. This state of mind actually repels love and does exactly the opposite, leaving you with more of the same. Instead of allowing this to continue, stop and notice the reflection. If you don’t like what you see, know that it’s time to make a change.
2. Realize you have the power. Most people find that they cannot find love in another person until they find love in themselves. This can be difficult if you weren’t loved enough as a child or haven’t been in a relationship in awhile (or ever). So, the next step to becoming a love magnet is to realize you have the power. You have this power simply by being alive—so use it!
3. Be true to yourself. If you are kind and loving to others, but extremely hard on yourself, this sends a mixed messaged to the Universe. And one that says you’re not worthy of love. Notice what you say to yourself on a daily basis and how you treat yourself when you are alone. Start giving yourself the love you want and you will become a love magnet.
4. Let go of your expectations. Love often happens when you least expect it. The wonderful part is that once you start living as if you have the love you want, you can relax and know it will be fulfilled. That means you can focus more on enjoying life. Let the Universe worry about when and where and how it will happen.
5. Stop reliving the past or projecting into the future. In the same respect, let go of the past and of your perceptions of the future. These thoughts can weigh you down and tamper with your emotions—keeping love at bay.
6. Know what you want. Taking a class, engaging in talk therapy, or reading books about love and relationship can help you heal and prepare for a healthy partnership. Once you know what you want, it becomes easier to draw in that love. You’ll be able to recognize it immediately, and also know when to move on.
7. Remember who you are. When you want to attract love, remind yourself of your spiritual nature. Your Spiritual Centre connects you to all of life on the planet, including all of the love, joy, and abundance. When you’re centered in this place there is no worry, guilt, depression, fear or shame. Instead you have access to a greater force and field that contains your inner essence. Things like yoga, meditation, and prayer are reminders of the truth.

These techniques can be done anywhere at anytime and they are absolutely free. What’s even better is that they work immediately!!

I have used these techniques not only with myself when I had my panic disorder but also with people who were undergoing anxiety and panic attacks.

Deep breathing and PMR techniques only take a few minutes to implement but give huge benefits to you, not only with bringing down heart rate and respirations which are a part of heightened stress but also increase blood flow and oxygen to vital organs and extremities which promote circulation and better overall health.

So just give these two easy techniques a try and see for yourself how well they work. Be diligent in using these techniques and you will definitely see a huge improvement in your stress levels!!

Cheers to being stress free!!