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Mindfulness and Practical Life Skills- Tips for Getting Through the Current Covid-19 Climate and Beyond, by Erin Lotz and Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny

May 5, 2020 Melissa Meyers
 
Photo Credit: Kelly Fogel. SHIFT Mind, Body, Soul Wellness Retreat, Four Seasons Maui.

Photo Credit: Kelly Fogel. SHIFT Mind, Body, Soul Wellness Retreat, Four Seasons Maui.

During this stressful time with the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ve found myself clinging to my mindfulness and gratitude practices more than ever. Perhaps it’s because these two things help me to pause and better choose how to approach the many things that are out of my control at the moment. When I think of the word mindfulness, common suggestions such as being more present, focusing on one thing at a time, and taking time to meditate come to mind. But in conversation with my friend and Psychotherapist, Erin Lotz, I also realize mindfulness isn’t just about these things, it’s also about validation, acceptance, and sitting with any opposing feelings we may be experiencing. 

I met Erin at the Shift Mind Body Soul retreat last September, where she taught a fascinating workshop and gave us some tools to help improve our overall mental health. Erin and her co-founder, Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny, run a psychotherapy treatment center, Westside DBT, with two locations in the Los Angeles area. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) combines both cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness approaches that help people understand, accept, and change patterns of living that cause distress. 

This month, I'm pleased to welcome this guest contributor duo to my platform. Read on to see how Erin Lotz and Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny take us down a path less traveled when it comes to sharing a different way to look at mindfulness and some great suggestions on how to apply this practice. 

Photo Credit: Kelly Fogel shot at the SHIFT Mind, Body, Soul Wellness Retreat. Pictured above Nicole Fogel, Erin Lotz, Peter Crone, moi, Lauren Roxburgh and Janet Gunn.

Photo Credit: Kelly Fogel shot at the SHIFT Mind, Body, Soul Wellness Retreat. Pictured above Nicole Fogel, Erin Lotz, Peter Crone, moi, Lauren Roxburgh and Janet Gunn.

For several years, the concept of mindfulness has been researched, discussed, and promoted in many different areas. Healthcare workers, mental health clinicians, nutritionists, and others have sought to implement mindfulness in their work with their clients. Mindfulness retreats have become coveted events all over the world. What was once a buzz word, is now widely used in several different fields. However, with this emergence, mindfulness can sometimes feel more complicated than it is and perhaps unnecessarily confusing. 

Now, in 2020, the entire world is facing a physical and mental health pandemic, Covid-19. Regardless of where you are in your acceptance of this enormous life challenge, mindfulness is the most relevant practice that can get us through these times. Jon Kabat–Zinn defines mindfulness as, “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, and in the present moment taking a nonjudgmental stance.” That’s it. Think about that elegant simplicity. The emphasis is “on purpose” as opposed to being on “auto-pilot”. This simplicity allows for individuals to embrace mindfulness anywhere and anytime. It can be simple, practical, and helpful.

A friend once asked, “Why would I want to pay attention all the time? Who wants to do that? I’m good with the way things are. Besides, life kind of sucks sometimes.” Many of you must be thinking that right now and, to be completely honest, our friend has a good point. Nevertheless, the other side of this dialectical dilemma is that when we pay attention on purpose, we allow ourselves to increase the quality of our lives. Also, we get to take hold of how we create and respond to whatever is right in front of us, whether it causes us joy or pain. We become the drivers in our own life, allowing us to metaphorically take hold of the wheel and steer. Choosing to ignore our realities can cause more suffering than confronting them. Paying attention to our internal and external experiences empowers us to make an actual choice. 

As clinicians using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we hold the philosophical stance of dialectics. A dialect is two opposing forces both being true at the same time. An example of this is the concept of acceptance and change. We can accept life on life’s terms and our current circumstances but also want things to change at the same time. Dialectical dilemmas and tensions are what we experience when we are pulled in the two opposing directions. This can feel very distressing at times, however, it is actually a very natural and common phenomenon that most individuals experience but do not talk about. It is not good or bad, black or white, happy or sad. It is both at the same time. If we do not acknowledge the dialectical dilemmas that we face daily it results in our living in the extremes and failing to find a cohesive synthesis. Through mindfulness, we can observe these opposing forces and try to purposefully walk the middle path between the two. Doing so without imposing judgment, personal interpretations, and opinions is also helpful. 

During this pandemic, a common dialectical dilemma that we have been observing is wanting to live our lives as normally as possible while having to accept the new shelter at home guidelines that are keeping us physically distant from our loved ones. Both of these ideas are true and both can be held at the same time. This can cause an immense amount of stress and research illustrates how stress or anxiety affects our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone and an increase in cortisol levels can, in turn, compromise our immune system. 

There is no doubt that we are all feeling a sense of heightened uncertainty specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. Likely, most of us have now gone into survival mode which is a natural instinct that is meant to be temporary. Living our lives to simply survive is not living. So, how do we shift from survival to living? The answer is mindfulness. 


Here are a few suggestions that can help in your own mindfulness practice.

  • Pay attention to how you are talking to yourself and others about COVID-19. How we talk to ourselves affects how we feel and how we behave. You can empower yourself and stay mentally healthy by reframing distressing thoughts to embrace a sense of calm and not spiral into catastrophic fear or panic. 

  • When we are practicing Mindfulness, we become curious, nonjudgmental observers on purpose. We notice and put words to our experience. “I’m noticing fear. I’m noticing that I am focusing on my negative self-talk.” Our worry thoughts can be intrusive but when we learn to pay attention deliberately, we become more aware of how our thinking is affecting us. We can hit pause and “take hold” of our mind as opposed to allowing our mind to take control of us. When you are feeling anxious, stressed, or fearful ask yourself “is this thought helping or hindering me?” If it is a hindrance then practice reframing the thought. 

  • Think of a more adaptive thought, even if you do not fully believe it. Acting “as if” often helps change your cognitive process.  

  • Validation is another effective strategy. It creates a sense of safety and belonging. When we practice validation, we acknowledge that our internal experience makes sense. It makes sense that most people are feeling unsettled and wanting to gain a sense of control right now. Identifying that it is normal to feel this way and understanding that we are not alone are helpful self-validation strategies.

  • Radical Acceptance is another DBT skill that relates to mindfulness. This is acknowledging our reality instead of wishing it was different. When we practice radical acceptance, it is important to know that accepting our reality does NOT mean we must agree and approve of it. It is simply reminding yourself that it is happening. We can only move forward and change when we accept what is. 

  • Radical acceptance allows us to live with our eyes wide open, not live in the dark or in denial. Suffering is the non-acceptance of pain. In essence, suffering becomes optional and when we acknowledge what is happening we become empowered to do something about it. 

As we move through this time as a community, remember mindfulness is a skill that needs to be practiced daily. You can do it with awareness. When we exercise this skill, we are choosing to calm our central nervous system and keep our immune system strong. We can create new neural pathways in the brain and increase the quality of life. 

As each of us practices common mindfulness suggestions that we frequently hear and read about, we also encourage you to consider practicing validation, radical acceptance, and dialectical thinking strategies. 

Melissa Meyers Erin and Sasha edited.jpg

Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny and Erin Lotz co-founded Westside DBT, a comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy outpatient clinic in August 2010. They were intensively trained as a team, through Behavioral Tech, and have extensive experience in the field of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), with a combined 27 years experience.

Sasha and Erin currently treat families, adolescents, and adults in West LA and Studio City locations along with a team of 16 therapists. They have provided clinical training for the UCLA psychiatry residents for the past four years and are also trained in the newest application of DBT; launching a novel program to bring DBT to children between the ages of 6 and 12, as well as their families.

Sasha, a USC graduate, received her training from Harbor UCLA, a DMH facility in Torrance, California. She currently specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and DBT, working with adults and family members. Sasha lives in Santa Monica with her husband and 6-year-old son. She also has two step-daughters in college.

Erin Lotz is a USC graduate as well, holding a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. She was first introduced to DBT while providing psychotherapy at Optimist Youth Homes, working with adjudicated youth and she participated in her first two-day DBT training with Marsha Linehan in 2000, the founder and creator of DBT. When Erin worked at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, she helped integrate DBT into Thalains’ Dual Diagnosis and Adult Intensive Outpatient programs, while training the psychiatry residents and clinicians. Erin currently resides in Pacific Palisades with her partner, son, and two dogs.

Erin Lotz, LCSW and Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny, LCSW
Co-Founders of Westside DBT
West LA and Studio City
www.westsidedbt.com

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Best of The Glow Girl 2019

December 23, 2019 Melissa Meyers
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It’s hard to believe that in a handful of days, we will be entering a new decade! As I reflect on this past year and how grateful I am for each of you and this glowing, growing community of amazing women we are building together, I want to take a moment to say thank you. None of this would be possible without all of you. Thank you for following and helping me to build this platform that empowers us to live, look and feel fabulous inside and out. I truly love advising on the best products and services in beauty, wellness, style, and travel; sharing information from my own research and experiences to save you time, money and legwork. I know this isn’t a one-way street and I appreciate your tips, lifestyle hacks, and engagement too!

Photo snapped at the Shift, Mind,Body, Soul Retreat in Maui Hawaii.

Photo snapped at the Shift, Mind,Body, Soul Retreat in Maui Hawaii.

This past year has been incredibly rewarding! The Glow Girl brand is spreading its wings and growing quickly. I think it all stems from building authentic relationships, first with you, my audience, and also with the brands and partners I love so much! While the majority of my content is editorial (not paid), I occasionally work with sponsored content to keep The Glow Girl going strong. When I work with sponsors, I approach many of my favorite brands directly requesting to collaborate. You will see these marked as sponsors within my blog or my social feeds and can always be sure that I am using and loving their products—I would never jeopardize my relationship with all of you to promote something that I do not support and use myself. That being said, I’ve had the joy of collaborating with so many incredible brands this year like KIND SNACKS, Ritual, Soothe, StriVectin Rachel Zoe Box of Style, Tru Niagen, AYR Skincare and more!

Photo Credit: Stefanie Marie

Photo Credit: Stefanie Marie

Collaborating on projects with other supportive women is also super important to me—it’s so rewarding to share accomplishments and work as a team, plus we are always stronger together! This year, I worked closely with Olie Biologique, “best in class” in the world of face oils, to develop the new Golden Ray Glow Drops. #obsessed! Another highlight for me was working with my blogging bestie Janet Gunn, The Grateful Gardenia. From doing some mini infomercials together to her inspiring me to create a few how-to tutorials on IGTV (more of these to come in the new year), I couldn’t ask for a more supportive friend and cohort.

Photo credit: Stefanie Marie, With Janet Gunn, The Grateful Gardenia

Photo credit: Stefanie Marie, With Janet Gunn, The Grateful Gardenia

I’m also grateful for my incredible contributing editors Elissa Goodman, Lauren Roxburgh, Suze Yalof, Janet Gunn and Anita Rosenberg for sharing their expertise and content on The Glow Girl platform. In addition, I’ve had the pleasure of co-hosting several events this year including a wellness Movement Medicine event with Lauren Roxburgh, educational skin/body care events with Dr. Ava Shamban, and events in NY and LA for the launch of the Golden Ray Glow Drops. One of my most special event highlights of the year was having the privilege to help promote and attend the Shift Mind Body Soul Retreat in Maui (full blog post coming in the New Year)!

Photo credit: Kelly Fogel. At the Shift Mind Body Retreat. Pictured here Nicole Fogel, Erin Lotz, Elissa Goodman, Peter Crone, Lauren Roxburgh, Janet Gunn.

Photo credit: Kelly Fogel. At the Shift Mind Body Retreat. Pictured here Nicole Fogel, Erin Lotz, Elissa Goodman, Peter Crone, Lauren Roxburgh, Janet Gunn.

From my first segment for Access Live on Age-defying Women to being an inspirational speaker at the FierceCon conference, I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone and as a result have grown from these experiences. Being featured on the homepage of renowned online style magazine Who What Wear, and being dubbed by them as “the most stylish 54-year-old on Instagram,” was another high point. In fact, four of the seven features I wrote for them in 2019 made my own top 10 list below!

As we bid adieu to this decade, I’ve pulled together my top 10 most popular posts of 2019 to share. In the coming year, I’m looking forward to providing more valuable information that helps us to continue glowing wiser together, leading more enhanced lives, and looking and feeling 10 years younger. Bring on 2020!

1. Who What Wear Feature: I’m 54 and Always Get Complimented on My Thick Shiny Hair- Here Are My Secrets

2. 8 Simple Ways to Boost your Metabolism with Celeb Nutritionist Elissa Goodman

3. Who What Wear Feature - A 54-Year-Old Shares 9 Beauty Products That Make Her Look 10 Years Younger

4. Introducing Golden Ray Drops

5. Who What Wear Feature: A Chic 54-Year-Old Shares Her Under $125 Vacation Wardrobe

6. Who What Wear Feature: I’m 54 and These Are the Trends I Will and Won’t Wear

7. The Best in Clean Skin Care and Beauty

8. What’s in my Makeup Bag Now

9. Meet “The Body Whisperer” Lauren Roxburgh

10. Trip to Rome and Southern Italy

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What is a Glow Girl?

“A Glow Girl is a woman who feels good in her own skin. She practices kindness, gratitude, and self-love. She embraces new trends that work for her and has a passion for style, health, travel, and wellbeing. She does what it takes to feel and look her best at any age!”

xxMelissa

Tags Best of, Year in Review, Fashion, Fashion Insider, beautyblogger, beauty, travel, style, street, whowhatwear, shiftmindbodysoul, Fiercecon, elissamgoodman, laurenroxburgh, suzeyallof, grateful, goldenrayglow, olie, howto, tutorials, accesslive, antiaging, 10yearsyounger, theglowgirl
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