The wisdom of knowing when to unplug

The wisdom of knowing when to unplug

by | Aug 1, 2025 | Balance, Growth, Mindfulness, Self-Awareness, Self-Care, Wisdom

The wisdom of knowing when to unplug


Finding peace doesn’t always come easily. The world is noisy; full of opinions, obligations, and information overload. Shutting it out, even briefly, takes effort. It’s not passive. It’s a practice.

Even my new 9-week-old granddaughter Evelyn seems to sense this. When she’s had enough, she simply closes her eyes, shutting out the world. It’s remarkable, really. Long before she has words, she knows how to take space.

Lately, her parents have been test-driving a pair of sound-reducing headphones in preparation of an upcoming social gathering.  They want to make sure she is not overwhelmed by the noise. 

It makes me wonder: when do we give ourselves permission to unplug? Do we wait until we’re overwhelmed? Until irritability, fatigue, or sadness push us into retreat? Or can we begin noticing the signals earlier; the tightness in our chest, the mind that won’t stop spinning?

At Landing Strong, we often talk about learning to listen inward. The goal isn’t to escape life, but to create rhythms that allow us to stay grounded within it. That might mean a walk without your phone, a moment of stillness before the next conversation, or simply breathing before you respond. The challenge isn’t knowing we need peace. It’s allowing ourselves to seek it before we reach our limit.

Take a page from Evelyn’s book. When the world gets too loud, you’re allowed to soften your gaze, put on your metaphorical earphones, and rest.

It’s not too early to sign up for our Community Connections program Monday August 11th.  Shawn from New Scotland Fly Rods will be guiding us on a fly-fishing excursion!  Spaces are limited.

Please contact us to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972


Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Spaces that soothe

Spaces that soothe

by | Jul 4, 2025 | Anxiety, Balance, joy, Mindfulness, Recovery, Resilience

 Spaces that soothe

I recently visited the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts in Sackville, New Brunswick, and found myself unexpectedly moved by the student lounge. It wasn’t extravagant or flashy…quite the opposite. The space was calm, inviting. What caught my attention most were the pillows: textured, varied in shape and weight, clearly chosen with intention. They weren’t just decorative. They were designed to soothe.

In a setting where students often carry the weight of deadlines, expectations, and social demands, this space offered quiet reassurance. It said, You belong. You’re allowed to rest here.

It made me reflect on the environments we create, for ourselves and others. So often, we power through our days without noticing the subtle stressors in our surroundings. Noise, clutter, harsh lighting, or even the absence of softness can wear on us over time. But what if we thought differently? What if we gave ourselves permission to design spaces, physical and emotional, that comfort and calm us?

At Landing Strong, we talk a lot about self-regulation and nervous system care. But it isn’t just about internal coping strategies. It’s also about our external world: the textures, sounds, and settings that either support or strain us.

The student lounge reminded me that caring for ourselves doesn’t need to be complex. Sometimes it starts with a soft pillow, a quiet corner, or the courage to make room for calm.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Beauty is a form of resistance

Beauty is a form of resistance

by | Jun 27, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Creativity, Gratitude

Beauty is a form of resistance  

 

The world feels heavy lately.

It’s easy to get swept up in the noise: the grief, injustice, and constant stream of bad news. As people who care deeply, we want to stay aware. But there’s a difference between being informed and being overwhelmed. And when we lose our footing, it becomes harder to show up for others in the way we want to.


A recent walk through a waterfowl park in Sackville N.B. reminded me of this. The world hadn’t changed, but something within me had. The air was quiet. A heron skimmed the water. Blackbirds rose from the reeds in a flurry of wings and song. For a moment, I was still. And I remembered: beauty heals.


At Landing Strong, we often speak about the importance of grounding. That process doesn’t always come from deep internal work. Sometimes, it starts with stepping outside, softening our gaze, and noticing what’s good. The natural world has a way of reminding us that peace is possible, even when things feel chaotic.


Seeking out beauty isn’t indulgent. It’s essential. It reminds us of what’s worth holding onto. It helps us breathe more deeply, listen more fully, and lead with compassion instead of reactivity.


So, if the world feels too loud today, go outside. Notice the breeze. Watch the trees move. Find something beautiful, however small, and let it anchor you. The steadier we are within ourselves, the better we are for others.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Are you taking time for you?

Are you taking time for you?

by | May 30, 2025 | Balance, Challenge, Mindfulness, Recovery

Are you taking time for you?

Often people think of recovery as an active process…which it is. Equally important though, is allowing ourselves time to rest and recover. Many people will say they feel guilty when they’re not working or doing something productive. I would argue that being unproductive, at times, is essential.

I have a little trick I do with myself to determine if I’ve rested enough. When relaxed, I can assemble jigsaw puzzles quite quickly. When stressed or my mind is racing, my thoughts are too disorganized to see the natural pattern before me.

How do you gauge when you’ve rested enough?

How do you know if it’s time to work or play?

We’re only good to others to the extent that we’re good to ourselves. Having healthy pastimes and leisure pursuits is an important component of recovery.

We have two opportunities to engage in healthy pastimes with us next month. We have Community Connections coming up June 9th and Maintaining Health coming up June 19th.

Contact Julie to sign up. 902472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com We hope to see you soon.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Double date square day

Double date square day

by | May 2, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Self-Care

Double date square day

Today was a little rough. I got through it, with the help of friends but I have to confess it was double date square day. You know them. We’ve all had them, those day that once the adrenaline has settled, we want nothing more than to load up on carbs and sugar.

I know at such times I should take my sugar cravings as a cue that it’s time to go for a walk.

Change the scenery.

Change the pace.

Change the perspective.

You’ll be happy to know that’s exactly what I’m going to do next. Shake off the cobwebs with some fresh air, activity and a dog walk.

We’re currently loading our Healthy Living group program which will be on Tuesdays May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th. Join us as we work together to develop healthy routines and curb harmful habits. It’s not too early to get on the list.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

When life gives you lemons

When life gives you lemons

by | Apr 25, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Gratitude, Growth, Resilience

When life gives you lemons 

 

A couple years ago I wrote a blog about surviving the dreariness of Covid isolation by growing lemons and limes indoors.

One of the trees has done well. The second, a scraggly rag-tag bush, has struggled. This past summer, I almost threw it out, convinced I had killed it. Instead, I poured love into it, doing my best to nurture it back to health.

The photo above shows what one of the branches produced this week; three glorious lemons.

How is it possible, you might ask, that something so little can produce something so big? Ah, isn’t that the picture of resilience!

Like the lemon tree, you too might at times have felt less than the best version of yourself. With love, care and nurturing, growth is inevitable.

We’re currently loading our Healthy Living program: May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th. We also have just a couple spaces left in our Surviving to Thriving retreat: April 27-May 2. Call us today to sign up. 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong