Published by Elly Litvak
Mental Health Coach, Consultant & Public Speaker
The Who’s Crazy Now? News and Views provides information for
people recovering from a mental illness, their families, friends
and mental health professionals.
Website: www.whoscrazynow.com
Email: el**@wh**********.com
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September, 2008 Volume 1 Issue 9
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Please forward The Who’s Crazy Now? News and Views to your friends
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In this issue
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1. Welcome from Elly
2. Feature Article: 10 Tips for Striking the Best Work Life Balance
3. Now Who’s Talking: Telling Your Recovery Story
4. Now Who’s Crazy Now?
5. About Elly
6. Coaching and Mental Health Services
7. Subscription Information
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1. Welcome from Elly
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YIKES! Summer’s over and we’re smack into fall, a great time of
year for new beginnings. I’m ecstatic about going to New York City
and performing my one woman show ‘Now Who’s Crazy Now?’ at the
Performing the World International Conference
www.performingtheworld.org. The conference will be chock full of
performances and presentations that will address mental health,
healing/personal growth, theatre/improvisation, education,
medicine, poverty, violence, drugs, HIV/AIDS, and much more. You
might not be able to attend my NYC performance so check my website
for upcoming shows in your community or email me to book a
performance el**@wh**********.com.
I’m also very excited to tell you about my new workshop ‘Now Who’s
Talking: Telling Your Recovery Story. This workshop was created
as a result of the successful ‘Loonie Awards Show: Not Just
Another Recovery Awards Show’ which I produced and directed last
winter. Please read item 3 of this newsletter for more information
on this exciting new workshop.
And for those of us who are working or volunteering and are
challenged by balancing their work life activities there are tips
for striking the best work life balance in this month’s feature
article.
Your feedback and suggestions are always appreciated
el**@wh**********.com
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2. Feature Article: 10 Tips for Striking the Best Work Life Balance
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Work related stress is on the increase in Canada. More people are
on disability due to stress related disorders. In fact the
Canadian government pays out 16 billion dollars a year for
disability claims due to loss of work due to stress related
disorders.
Many of us may not be ready for work. We may be volunteering,
working part time or full time. Whatever jobs we’re doing it’s
critically important to maintain balance between our work and
personal life which can be challenging at times. Here are 10 tips
for striking the best work life balance.
1) Keep track of your time
Keep a log of everything you do for one week. Have a good look at
those activities and eliminate anything that you don’t enjoy and
that aren’t absolutely necessary. You should delegate tasks that
can be done by family members, friends or coworkers. You might
have to discuss it with an authority at work.
2) Set boundaries
It’s up to you to create the boundaries between work and life.
Make a conscious decision to leave your work at work. Turn off
your cell phone and put away the laptop. Evenings and days off are
work free days.
3) Learn your options
Rework your schedule to reduce your stress. Find out what the
policies are at your work in terms of flexible hours, job sharing,
working from home or part time.
4) Manage your time
Make the most efficient use of your time. Rather than save up your
laundry and errands for one day, do a little each day. Your days
off should be relaxing and free of as many routine chores as
possible. Keep a calendar of important dates and events and a
daily To Do list. If you have an opportunity to take a time
management course take it.
5) Get enough sleep
Sleep deprivation leads to costly and dangerous mistakes. People’s
needs for the proper amount of sleep range anywhere from 7 to 12
hours. Become aware of the amount of sleep you need to feel
refreshed and awake. There’s a plethora of resources for getting
the right amount of sleep on the internet and at your local library.
6) Say NO
Don’t feel guilty about saying no. Whether it’s your employer
asking you to take on a task or friend wanting to go out for
dinner, it’s OK to say no. Learning to say no respectfully will
free up time for doing the things that give you the most joy and
meaning in your life.
7) Nurture yourself
Set aside time each day to unwind and reconnect with yourself.
Choose an activity you enjoy like walking, going to the gym, doing
yoga, a candle light bath, listening to music or reading a good
book.
8) Schedule time for recreation
Making time for recreational activities each week will rejuvenate
you. Take the phone off the hook and turn off the computer. Enjoy
doing activities with your partner, friends or family like biking,
golf, hiking or going fishing.
9) Reach out
If you’re feeling stressed talk to the people you can trust the
most like your partner, your friends or other members of your
support network. Communicating your concerns with someone who has
a good listening ear can reduce a lot of stress.
10) Talk to a mental health professional
Mental health workers are experts in the field of coping with
stress. Be resourceful and choose someone you can trust that will
support you in attaining the best work life balance
3. Now Who’s Talking: Telling Your Recovery Story
Writing and sharing my recovery story has been the most empowering
experience in my life. The Now Who’s Talking – Telling Your
Recovery Story workshop fulfills a two pronged purpose. One is to
provide participants with the opportunity of exploring their lives
in terms of recovery. Another is that sharing our stories
‘normalizes’ our experiences. It also helps the community
understand the issues related to mental illness, and the recovery
process which plays an important role in breaking down the stigma.
The nuts and bolts of this workshop are adapted from the highly
successful Loonie Awards: Not Just another Recovery Awards Show, a
play where people told their personal stories of recovery in the
context of theatre. Through the process of writing and telling our
stories we regain control over our lives. Close attention is paid
to building a supportive, safe, environment where humour is used to
lighten up an often heavy subject. Here are some other things
participants will learn:
– An overview of the 7 R’s of Recovery
– Using the 7 R’s to understand the Arc of Recovery
– Using the Arc of Recovery to develop a story outline
– Using these tools to tell their recovery stories
This workshop is perfect for people at all stages of the recovery
process and synchronizes well as a follow-up to the Recipe for
Recovery Workshop. For more info and bookings email
el**@wh**********.com
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4. Now Who’s Crazy Now? One Woman Show
What is mental illness? Is it a health condition characterized by
dramatic alterations in mood, thinking and behaviour? Is it a
chemical imbalance? Or is it the common euphemisms we hear tossed
about daily like ‘out of your mind’ or ‘nutty as a fruit cake’.
What is recovery and how do we achieve this elusive goal?
In this fast paced, one-woman play ‘Now Who’s Crazy Now?’ I
chronicle my experience living with and recovering from a serious
mental illness. ‘Now Who’s Crazy Now?’ is highly entertaining and
educational, with a message that there is hope for recovery for
everyone.
Some audience feedback:
“…thank you for an uplifting, poignant, funny, sad, thought
provoking and above all inspiring evening.”
” …an inspirational real life story that demonstrates Elly’s
ability to turn her pain into power.”
“Brilliant, fun AND, most importantly, entertaining education.”
More info at www.whoscrazynow.com
For bookings contact: el**@wh**********.com
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5. About Elly
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Elly Litvak is a mental health coach, consultant and public
speaker. She is driven by the passion, the knowledge, and the
experience that recovery is possible for everyone. Elly is
committed to supporting people in recovery, as well as the
families, friends and mental health
professionals of those in recovery.
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6. Coaching & Mental Health Services
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Who’s Crazy Now? Provides mental health coaching, consulting and
public speaking services to people in recovery, their families and
friends and mental health professionals.
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Privacy Policy
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You’re privacy will always be respected. Your name and email
address will never be sold or given to anyone.
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Pass It Along
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7. Subscription Information
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Copyright Elly Litvak 2006. All Rights Reserved.
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Who’s Crazy Now? Mental Health Services, 603-1949 Comox St., Vancouver, BC V6G 1R7, CANADA