Beyond Medicine
12 Days of Reflection | Day 10 | October 2024
During the Autumn, I spent a lot of my time in West Wales. Â On one particular weekend, I was nestled near to crashing waves and the invigorating sea breeze near St Davids, immersed in a transformative experience. Â I had been invited to host a therapeutic journaling workshop to a group of dedicated health practitioners at a lifestyle medicine conference.
It was a sanctuary for those seeking alternative paths towards holistic wellbeing. Amongst discussions of unconventional lifestyle medicines like therapeutic journaling, art therapy, music therapy and cold water therapy, the quest was clear - to empower healthcare providers to prescribe not just remedies but genuine healing experiences to their patients.
In the heart of this gathering, I witnessed the eagerness of health practitioners delve into the realms of these alternative practices. Â The doctors, consultants and district nurses had a hunger for knowledge. Â It mirrored the pressing need within the NHS - a need for unconventional approaches to bolster the mental and emotional resilience of both patients and caregivers.
It was my absolute privilege to guide these health practitioners through the practice of therapeutic journaling, to witness the spark of realisation as they unearthed its potential to supplement traditional treatments.  I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to the GP’s as they eagerly shared their revelations and their commitment to holistic wellbeing.  It was rather refreshing.  One male GP even asked if he could join my 'rage on a page' program, "hell yeah, why not" I said!
Following on from the positive impact of this weekend in October, I’m anticipating fostering deeper collaborations with the health sector in 2024.  My aim is to support and empower healthcare professionals in embracing therapeutic journaling, to help them recognise the transformational power of ‘writing it all down’.
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe xxx
Sounds amazing! Where was this Tanya?