Healthy Minds Matter Newsletter and Brochure (pdf)

Current Position: Financial PlanningAdministrator (Engineering)Duration: 3 ½ yearsFavourite Dish: Poorvangi likes a widevariety of beans, vegetables and fruits withher meals. Her favourite thing to drink iswater at room temperature. She drinks upto 10 - 15 glasses a day.PoorvangiRavalc i t y o f w i n d s o rP r o f i l ePoorvangi is well aware of the importance of practicinga healthy lifestyle. A lot of this can be attributed to herparents, who always encouraged her to be active and eathealthy foods when she was growing up in India. However, whenshe moved to Canada, she also became aware of just howimportant her mental health was to a healthy lifestyle.“When I moved here, I didn’t really know anyone. My family andfriends were not here. It was new and different here for me whichat times was hard to deal with. I found myself feeling stressed,alone and even depressed,” says Poorvangi. As of result of thesefeelings Poorvangi decided to take some courses from the Art ofLiving Foundation.The Art of Living Foundation is a non-profit organization thatfocuses on techniques to help reduce stress in an individual’s lifeand to learn to live in peace. It originated in India in the early1980’s by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and has since been adapted andoffered in over 140 countries. It involves deep breathing exercises(The Kriya), yoga and meditation, and resources/tools to helphandle every day problems that can lead to stress and depression.Currently, Kriya is practiced daily by millions of people aroundthe world.Poorvangi adds, “It was something I always wanted to try as it isvery popular in India. I didn’t have the time to try it until I movedto Canada. I thought it might help with some of the negativefeelings I was experiencing and help me to feel better physically.But as I became more involved with it, I realized how much it washelping with my overall mental health. It really was helping me puta positive perspective on dealing with my everyday problems andstresses. It has had such a calming effect for me.”Poorvangi believes that the Art of Living courses are easy toadapt and do not require any prior background in yoga. Shestrongly believes that we all should put just as much emphasison our mental health as we do on our physical health. “I foundvolunteering with an organization is great too, because helpingothers who are less fortunate really helped to put my own life inperspective,” she says. Another helpful tip to deal withnegative feelings is to do something calming after waking andbefore going to sleep. That way you always start and finish yourday the same way – relaxed.Poorvangi also believes that any kind of physical activity canhelp to release the negative energy and stress. “I try a newphysical activity with my husband each year. Last year we tookup running and competed in the Detroit Free Press Marathon”,she adds.When discussing the Wellness Program, Poorvangi says, “Iwould like to see more group activities. I also really liked thehealth screenings and resources that were available duringEmployee Appreciation Week. It was a great way to find outwhat I needed to do to keep taking care of myself.”For more information on the Art of Living you can contactPoorvangi at 519-255-6100 ext. 6343 or visit the website atwww.artofliving.ca. Please note that before trying any of theseexercises, talk to your health care provider and an instructorfrom the Art of Living Foundation.© 2011. Produced by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in partnershipwith City of Windsor Wellness. This newsletter may not be reproducedwithout written permission. Please keep in mind that this newsletter is notintended to diagnose or treat illnesses. Please consult your physician regardingpersonal health problems or major changes in diet or exercise.