Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey there, welcome
back to the Telewellness Hub
podcast.
I'm Marta Hamilton, your host,and if you've been feeling
anxious, exhausted or just plainoverwhelmed by everything
happening in the world right now, you're not alone.
The news cycle has beenrelentless From Trump,
(00:20):
deportations, wildfires, theeconomy, wars, trade, relations
with other countries.
It's a lot, and for some of us,this isn't just something
happening out there, it's deeplypersonal.
I'm a first-generation UScitizen with Mexican citizenship
and the conversations in myhome have shifted.
(00:43):
And just the other night mykids asked me at the dinner
table mom, what happens if youaccidentally get detained?
And I thought how do I evenanswer that?
I was not prepared for thisconversation, I didn't
anticipate it to come, but mydaughters, you know we live in
Texas and we live in an areawhere there are license plates
(01:10):
from Mexico and at their schooland in our neighborhood and in
our communities.
So I realized this is animportant conversation and this
question made me think about anopportunity to share with
everyone through this podcast.
I had been meaning to recordand I just didn't even know
where to start because my plansthat I had intended on in terms
(01:35):
of our launch, of our newplatform and different topics
just seemed out of touch withthe reality that was going
around at the moment and realissues that clients are bringing
up in sessions.
So today we're going to talkabout how to protect your peace
(01:57):
when the world feels like it'son fire.
How do we stay informed withoutdrowning in fear?
How do we stay informed withoutdrowning in fear?
How do we navigate toughconversations, especially with
our kids?
And what do we do when even thehelpers, the providers, the
(02:19):
advocates, the caregivers arefeeling exhausted?
You'll have to forgive me forgetting over some kind of virus
and my throat will be scratchy,but I think this is bigger than
just self-care.
It's about community care, it'sabout connection, it's about
knowing where to turn for realsupport.
So let's take a deep breathtogether and let's get into it.
(02:42):
And let's get into it.
I think first, it's reallyimportant to talk about and
address why everything feelsheavy right now.
Right now, it feels likeeverything is happening at once.
For example, the legal chaosaround Trump, deportation,
crackdowns with families beingtorn apart, climate disasters,
(03:07):
economic instability, globalconflicts and even just
conflicts in relationships formaybe having opposing views.
And the truth is, our nervoussystems weren't built to handle
this much information, this muchcrisis at once.
(03:28):
So our ancestors didn't wake upto a flood of bad news from
every corner of the world everysingle day, the constant influx
of trauma from social media,breaking news alerts and endless
analysis can leave us numb,anxious and emotionally
(03:50):
exhausted.
For those of us who belong tosome of these underrepresented
communities, the disadvantagedcommunities, the oppressed
communities, the stakes feeleven higher.
For me, I realized it's notjust about stress, it's about
safety, it's about identity andit's about the future for
(04:13):
families.
If you've been feeling likeyour emotions are running high,
please know it's not just you.
It's a real, valid response towhat's happening.
So here are three shifts thatI've recently had to make that
have helped me, my family and mycommunity stay engaged without
(04:33):
feeling like, okay, we'recompletely overwhelmed.
I think the first and mostimportant one to stay grounded
without ignoring the reality issetting boundaries with the news
.
You do not need to be pluggedin 24-7.
A friendly reminder that I needto hear from myself.
You do not need to be pluggedin 24-7.
(04:56):
The world will keep spinning ifyou don't check the news every
hour.
Perhaps a a recommendation forthis is to set a news check-in
time Maybe once in the morning,maybe once in the evening.
Create limits like time limits.
Literally set a time limit.
(05:16):
Put a timer.
Ask whatever device that youmight talk to that sets timers
for you.
I don't even want to say hername because there's one in this
room, but yes, I think, settimers for yourself and set a
news check-in time, because it'svery easy for us to be engaged
(05:36):
on our phones and really lost inthe news and in doing so we're
also not being present with ourfamilies, right?
We're not present with ourpartners.
Or, if you live alone, there'sstill an opportunity to get on
the phone and call somebody.
See how they're doing.
What do they need?
Spending time outside, spendingtime with nourishing yourself,
(06:02):
with food, with getting thingsdone in your home to tidy up?
I think checking the newsbecomes an all never-ending
available thing.
When we had newspapers, youcould start the newspaper and
you'd finish the newspaper right, there were designated news
(06:22):
hours.
So I think it's important torealize that you can have a time
that you check the news and youdo not need to be plugged in 24
7.
A third tip with this is tocurate your sources.
Stick to credible journalismand I know that's a subjective
thing now for many but crediblejournalism, not reactionary,
(06:46):
fear-based takes, and rememberthat, unfortunately, the media
works by getting attention, bygetting clicks, by getting likes
, by being shared, by gettingcomments in there, and
technology is incredible.
I mean, that's why I madeTelewellness Hub to just be able
to share mental health andwellness, to make a bigger
(07:07):
impact through health tech.
But the reality is technologyalso without constraints, can
grow wild right, and it'simportant to be aware of that
and to curate your sources.
Also, be aware that socialmedia, for example, while
wonderful for connecting withothers I've connected with a lot
(07:29):
of people through social media,for example while wonderful for
connecting with others, I'veconnected with a lot of people
through social media I thinkit's important to also remember
that you are an algorithm.
You are an algorithm to socialmedia platforms.
The information you are fed isalgorithm-based, not always
based on what is clinicallyimpactful or credible for you.
(07:50):
So do think of that whenchecking social media as a
source of information.
The second thing in terms of howto stay grounded without
ignoring reality is parentingthrough fear.
I want to talk about somethingthat's been really heavy on my
heart.
I think this has been thebiggest challenge for me is how
(08:11):
do we talk to our kids about allthis.
When my girls asked whathappens if you get detained and
they started crying Like theyreally did, I just the question
surprised me.
Um, my parents immigrated tothe United States legally.
They US citizens.
They were residents prior tothat.
(08:32):
But they were crying, sayingwhat if someone detains?
Well, they didn't use the worddetain.
They said what if I get?
Here's Gigi and Jojo that'swhat they call my parents
speaking Spanish, and they takethem.
My heart absolutely shatteredand I knew they must have heard
(08:56):
some children stating real fears, real concerns, because I heard
that they also asked me whathappens if I go to school and
you're not there when we finish?
When we come back home?
What happens when it's pickuptime and you're not there when
we finish?
When we come back home?
What happens when it's pickuptime and you don't pick us up
(09:17):
because of ice?
And I knew I had to find calmand be honest.
So I basically told them youknow, the most important thing
is that they are safe.
They do not have to carry anyfear on this.
No matter what, we are notalone and we have a plan, just
(09:39):
like we do for anything.
And the fact is that anytime wehave needed to share a plan with
them and we thought it wasimportant for them, like a fire
drill, any kind of safety plans,right, even plans for something
exciting like here's what'sgoing to happen, here's our
(10:00):
itinerary for our vacation,anytime we have needed to share
a plan with them because wethought it was important we have
and that we will share anyplans if they ever need to.
And I realized and this thatseemed to calm them and I
realized in that moment my heartshattered, not just because
this was going on in my kids'brains, but I knew what was
(10:23):
likely happening for so many andunfortunately not all, not all
parents can say well, you know,I have my passports, I have a
plan, I'm a US citizen, it wouldbe a mistake, I cannot be
deported.
You know, I thought my heartshattered for those parents who
are coming up with those plansright now and for the children
(10:45):
who are wondering what the planis and for those that we know
who that are having to havethese tough discussions.
So if you're parenting throughthis moment, you are not alone
either.
I think it's important to beopen and honest, because I do
believe this information isbeing talked about at school,
(11:06):
and I think it's always best asa parent to be able to talk to
them in an informed manner, butyou don't have to pass your
anxiety onto them.
But I think offeringreassurance that they're safe
and they're loved, and beingokay with if children ask hard
questions, it's okay to say youknow, I'm not sure, I don't know
, but we'll figure it outtogether.
(11:29):
That brings me to my third tipon this is taking care of your
nervous system.
This is taking care of yournervous system.
I mentioned in the beginning ofthis segment I've been taking a
break from recording, focusingon the launch of our new
platform and just preparing alot of tech side of things.
But also I just I needed timeto gather my thoughts and I
(11:53):
think in doing so I realized,you know, that I was feeling a
little stressed.
So the stress that we'refeeling, it's in our bodies.
You can now.
You know my immune system wasclearly low.
I caught some kind of virus, butit's stresses typically in our
bodies and there are three quicktools that we know from
(12:16):
research that help movement,breath work, joy and connection.
So movement, walk, stretch, getout of your head and into your
body.
Breath work.
You know a classicpeer-reviewed method, the 4-7-8
method Inhale for four, hold forseven, counts and exhale for
eight.
(12:36):
That's a really powerful tooland you'd be surprised how often
we go throughout our day withreally shallow breaths.
So even if you're listeningright now and you can just
purposefully and intentionallytake a deep breath in and take a
deep breath out, and eveninhale for four, hold for seven,
exhale for eight you'd be doingyour nervous system a huge
favor.
You'd be taking care of it.
(12:57):
And joint connection.
You know it's important tobalance having these with things
that make you feel humanlaughter, music time with loved
ones.
I also think it's important tothink about how getting help
looks different for everyone.
Okay, we talked about how tostay grounded without ignoring
(13:18):
reality, why everything feelsheavy right now, and I think we
also need to talk about gettinghelp.
It doesn't have to mean therapy, although that's a great option
.
There are many ways to getsupport right now, and so here
are some ways that you can carefor yourself that don't require
a huge commitment.
If you're like you know what, Ican't even wrap my head around
(13:40):
getting therapy right nowbecause of my financial
restraints, because of my timerestraints, because of my just
the mental load of what's goingon.
I'm in survival mode.
So something you can do you cansign up for newsletters from
organizations that provideresources and education.
I will be sharing some of theshow notes Join a virtual
workshop to connect with others,learn new tools, find a support
(14:01):
group.
Sometimes, just knowing thatothers understand is healing in
and of itself.
Follow community leaders andadvocates who are actively
working towards solutions andtake a break when needed.
Staying informed is important,but so is protecting your
well-being.
Some resources that I'll sharethat I want to share a few
organizations that are activelysupporting underrepresented
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communities right now RAICES forImmigration, legal Aid.
The National Alliance of MentalIllness, also known as NAMI, has
an amazing collection of mentalhealth resources, including
workshops.
They have local chapters,informative resources, education
(14:44):
there's a lot.
United we Dream forundocumented youth and advocacy.
Mutual aid networks in yourcity.
Local health can be the mostimpactful, and if you have other
specific organizations in mind,please share with me.
I want to add them.
The more we can add, the better.
I think that brings me to thissupporting the helpers, because
(15:07):
we need it too.
This is um.
I want to acknowledge somethingvery important and near and
dear to me many, many of thepeople who normally offer
support are struggling right nowtoo Mental health providers,
advocates, caregivers, socialworkers.
We're all caring so much and,honestly, it started during
(15:29):
COVID, I would say.
The weight of helping otherswhile also processing our own
fears is demanding, and that'swhy I'm working on something
special through Telewellness Hub.
I really am working on acommunity designed for us to
support and empower providers,advocates and clients without
(15:52):
the burnout, and a place wherewe can share resources, process
emotions and take care of eachother, because really healing
doesn't happen in isolation, ithappens in community.
So if this resonates with you,stay tuned.
We're building somethingpowerful.
We're building somethingamazing, affordable, free for
(16:13):
many.
I'm in the process of building,so that's sort of my
opportunity to be called toaction right now, where I've
been dedicating my time.
My attention is really onbuilding this, so that one day I
can do this segment and say, ifyou're looking for support,
(16:33):
there is something for you,whether a session, a workshop, a
download, a YouTube video ontelewellness hub.
That's my goal, but in themeantime, I think it's important
.
If this episode spoke to you,I'd like to invite you to take
one small step today.
Set a news boundary, have areal conversation with someone
(16:57):
you trust and you love and couldshare a laugh with.
Look into one of the resourcesI mentioned and, if you need
more support, know that you'renot alone.
If this episode helped you,share it with a friend.
Let's spread calm and communityin the chaos.
Take a look in the show notesfor some resources.
Ross, take a look in the shownotes for some resources.
(17:20):
Please message me.
Feel free to message me.
You can find me on Instagramand Facebook at telewellnesshub,
and you can also find me onLinkedIn.
Rhonda Maria Hamilton.
Truly honestly, I invite you,please.
I check messages.
Send me a resource.
Send me a thought of how you'vebeen feeling, how I can best
support you, how I can buildtele-wellness up, whether you're
(17:40):
a client or provider, becauseI've been a client before too.
So until next time, take care.