Denise Schonwald | Critical Care Nurse to Holistic Healing: Empowering Emotional Wellness

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Welcome to another profound episode of Grieving Voices, where we explore the emotional intricacies of dealing with loss and healing.

Today's guest is Denise Schonwald, a registered nurse turned nationally licensed therapist. With her holistic approach to care that encompasses mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, she offers insights into nurturing both body and mind.

In this episode:

• Discover how Denise transitioned from critical care nursing into mental health support.
• Understand why honoring commitments is crucial for personal trust and self-care.
• Learn about the high burnout rates in nursing - especially post-COVID - and how self-care can prevent it.
• Explore the importance of emotional intelligence in recognizing when you're inflicting suffering on yourself through poor self-care choices.
• Gain strategies for managing anger effectively without damaging relationships or your own well-being.
• Delve into people pleasing: why we do it, its impacts on our lives, and how to establish healthier boundaries.
• Hear about grief's "waiting room" – what keeps us there and how to move forward.

Denise's journey from a nurse fascinated by the intricacies of human anatomy to a spiritual teacher and family mediator is nothing short of inspiring. She has woven her experiences into a tapestry that offers comfort and guidance to those navigating emotional turmoil.

Through her narrative, Denise uncovers an essential truth: honoring personal commitments is pivotal. When we falter on these promises to ourselves, trust erodes, leaving us vulnerable to self-inflicted suffering. 

Self-care isn't just about indulgence; it's preventative maintenance for our souls—something Denise has embraced through meditation and mindful practices like Reiki. These practices have been instrumental in managing stress levels after witnessing patients' crises firsthand as a critical care nurse and mental health professional.

Denise sheds light on how emotions like frustration are precursors to anger—an emotion many grapple with yet struggle to manage effectively. 

RESOURCES:

• Book | Insightful Self-Therapy - Increasing Your Awareness about Mental Health and How to Live a Happier Life
• Book | The Four Agreements

Support the Show.

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

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