Blog - Page 4 of 62 - Healthy Minds Philly®

The Graham’s Example of Service for Community and Personal Well-being

Janine Monico2025-01-29T08:39:07-05:00January 28th, 2025|Community|

Bonnie and Gary Graham are two busy retired Philadelphians. They always knew their retirement would be anything but sitting around. With their professional responsibilities behind them, they have dedicated themselves to a life of service. Their missions? Supporting gun violence prevention in Philadelphia, and building homes for Native Americans living on reservations. "Volunteering gives our lives meaning," Bonnie explains, her voice strong with passion. “It is very important for me to connect with people who have different experiences because they enrich our lives." Garry agrees, "There is something incredibly fulfilling [...]

Recovery from Opioid Use: How John Did It

Janine Monico2025-01-29T08:51:49-05:00January 23rd, 2025|Addiction & Recovery, Lived Experience|

John, a 73-year-old man, lives a comfortable family life in one of Philly’s great neighborhoods. He is healthy, funny, loves the Eagles and Italian restaurants. His neighbors appreciate his willingness to help and love chatting with him when he walks his dog. But John didn’t always live this way. His long-healed injection scars tell the story of his recovery. “I started using heroin as a teenager in the 1960s,” John said. The high helped him avoid stressors. “I didn’t need to care about anything. It made me feel calm in [...]

A Journey to Well-being through Gardening

Janine Monico2025-01-21T12:28:01-05:00January 17th, 2025|Mental Health, Self-Help|

Daniel, a passionate gardener, knows about the healing power of gardening for the body and the soul. He started gardening when his kids were born. “[My wife] was big on making sure the kids ate healthy,” he said. He did not know at first that he was so good at it, but soon it became clear that Daniel had a green thumb. “I failed a few times. It was frustrating because I didn't know the things you can do to make something great.” So Daniel watched YouTube videos and asked [...]

Meditation Tips for Beginners

Janine Monico2025-01-10T15:26:40-05:00January 10th, 2025|Self-Help|

Meditation involves training the mind to focus and redirect thoughts. It can help with negative thoughts by redirecting or quieting them. Meditation is often used to cultivate mindfulness, awareness, and an overall sense of calm and well-being. Through regular practice, meditation can reduce stress, improve concentration, promote emotional health, and enhance self-awareness. Types of Meditation Transcendental meditation involves silently repeating an affirmation or mantra. Transcendental meditation mantras are always personal statements, such as “I am loved” or “I am calm.” Repeating the mantra helps achieve a state of relaxed awareness, [...]