I started writing this a week ago standing in a voting line in West Chester , Pennsylvania. I still had a little bit of optimism that I might not have to record it the day after the election.

But here we are.

I have experience accepting seemingly unacceptable outcomes, including:

• Finding out my husband of twenty years cheated.
• Learning my fiancé was never going to survive his massive stroke.
• Being laid off after my company’s owner spent $28 million shooting himself up into space (that one was over twenty years ago).

And every time, those early days and weeks are rocky.

In the beginning of a big hit, loss, or change, you don’t want to follow any cute “New Age” healing steps.

You just want to survive the shipwreck that has hit your life.

Normal self-care, like a massage or night out, is impossible in the early days. For one thing, you probably don’t feel like leaving your house, and the idea of small talk with others is impossible. The loss and pain are so acute you can’t imagine anything will help. And you may even feel guilty desiring any sort of relief

You just want to breathe normally again.

When facing a difficult outcome, it’s natural to experience frustration, anger, and disappointment. And to go through the stages of death, including:

• Denial,
• Anger,
• Bargaining and
• Sadness

If you are having these feelings, try to be curious about what they are trying to teach you. And talk with your therapist about them. If any of them lead to thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out to your nearest emergency room or dial 988.

Understandably, as part of the stages above, you may question the part others play in your misery. If possible, please try to remember that no one took their actions to hurt you. They didn’t die to hurt you, they didn’t vote to harm you, they didn’t even make decisions to lay you off to hurt you. They are acting out of their own needs and path and possibly suffering.

You are hurt, but rethinking the instinct to blame - or the belief that something was done to you - might alleviate some of that pain.

Even in my rawest, most tender states, I want to travel through the uglier parts of my being and get to the peaceful person as soon as possible. To do this, I find it helpful to lean on yoga and Buddhist philosophy so I can navigate these moments with some semblance of grace.

Here are six ways I have found helpful...

“The horse I fell in love with, Claret, was very, very spooky, and he had a trauma history of his own. And it didn’t matter; I loved him. I just loved him. And I would see him, so afraid. And in helping him face his fears, it knocked me out of my own. Teaching him to be brave taught me to be brave."

In this week’s episode, we explore the subject of panic attacks and the journey to finding calm with Rita Zoey Chin, the award-winning author of Let the Tornado Come. Zoey shares her insights on how her childhood experiences as a runaway shaped her, what she’s learned from panic attacks, and how she’s embraced healing through a horse named Claret, EMDR therapy, and self-compassion.

Whether you’ve experienced panic and anxiety or need a dose of inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.

For more information about Rita Zoey Chin's books and events visit ritazoeychin.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #33 – “Feeling Stuck & Frustrated? This Walking Meditation’s For You,” or Episode #13 – “Find Happiness After Loss with Maria Sirois.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To learn about Donna’s coaching services and events, visit donnayferris.com.

Follow Donna on Instagram and YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #DonnaFerris #RitaZoeyChin #PodcastEpisode #HealingJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #PanicAttacks #HorseLover #HorseTherapy #ChildAbuse #HealingTrauma #SelfCompassion

“The lack of communication about and around mental illness in general and depression specifically is really quite striking in this day and age.”

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris speaks with Garry Cosnett, author of Everything Slows Down, a book chronicling his lifelong battle with depression and his eventual journey to peace. Garry offers a raw and candid look into how depression has shaped his life, the vital role his relationships have played in his recovery, and how his experiences have become part of the curriculum for Johns Hopkins psychiatry students.

Garry also discusses the unique ways he diagnoses his mental state, including his “Abbey Road test,” and shares the three practices that have helped him break free from the grip of depression. Whether you or a loved one are battling mental health challenges, Garry’s story will inspire hope and show that recovery is possible, even after decades of struggle.

To learn more about Garry and his book, visit garrycosnett.com.

If you found this episode helpful, listen to Episode 50 – “Why Talking About Mental Health Builds Stronger Kids” with Sandra Lau, or Episode 29 – “Moms, Memoirs and Mental Health” with Mira Bartok. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To learn about Donna’s coaching services and events, visit donnayferris.com. You can follow Donna on Instagram and YouTube: @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

#BounceBackStronger #MentalHealthAwareness #DepressionRecovery #GarryKosnett #Resilience #MentalHealth #Podcast #abbeyroad #johnshopkins #psychiatry