Kristine Hoestermann on LinkedIn: RARE. (X) Cabana (2024)

😬Navigating Work Anxiety with Invisible Illness🦓For years, I battled an invisible rare & chronic illness while working in an elementary school. Every day was a rollercoaster of uncertainty - would today be the day my body gave out on me? The anxiety was overwhelming. 😰 Colleagues couldn't see my struggle, expecting 100% when I barely felt 10% human some days. It was a constant battle between my health, work expectations, and crippling anxiety. It's a version of mental warfare I wish on no one.However, I've learned some powerful coping strategies along the way that I still use today despite being fortunate enough to work remotely. Here are four simple yet effective ways to manage anxiety during your workday, especially when dealing with invisible challenges:1️⃣Create Your Sanctuary🏞️Carve out a personal space, even if it's just a corner. This becomes your anchor, helping you feel grounded and organized amidst the chaos of symptoms and stress.2️⃣Master the Art of Redirection 🎭When anxiety strikes, practice controlled distraction. It's like changing the channel in your mind, shifting focus away from what's triggering you.3️⃣Embrace What You Can Change 🌱List your concerns, then identify what's actually in your control. Take action on one thing—it's amazing how this can reduce feelings of helplessness and anxiety.4️⃣ Root Yourself in the Present🌳Use grounding techniques like paced breathing. Feel the floor beneath you. This prevents anxiety from spiraling and brings you back to the now.Remember, it's okay to prioritize your health. You're doing your best, and that's enough 🦓 #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllness #WorkplaceAnxiety #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCareAtWork #FindYourRAREStudies show that 90% of chronic illness patients report having some level of anxiety. That is a huge number & it's time we started to talk about it. Share your experiences or tips below; together, we'll bring the invisible visible.

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The truth is that failing is uncomfortable but incredibly powerful. ❌The fear of #failing creates a prison that limits our ability to be creative, take chances on ourselves, and reach new potential, but if you can fail, you are given the gift of realizing that your fear of failing is worse than the failure itself. We aren't taught this, but we can change this now by choosing to normalize failures and talk about them without judging ourselves or fearing others will judge us. Failure cultivates creativity, learning, change, and growth. ❌The key to failure is having a #growth #mindset and being open to the idea that failure doesn't define who you are. A lesson, I find myself consistently learning, but I think it's a good thing; change and improvement come from the lessons learned from failing. The thing is, you have to be open to hearing them.❌Over the last few years, I have sat with the discomfort of that failure, and the biggest takeaway was that failure is a necessary part of growth. A harsh reality I had to process was that I hardly ever failed because I hardly ever did things that I wouldn't be GREAT at, and that created a ceiling I didn't even know existed. So, if you have always succeeded, here is your sign to reflect and consider whether you are taking enough risks. Are you living life in your comfort zone? Does your fear keep you hostage? If so, take action, go out there, and bravely fail for yourself. ❌Failure may feel like the end of the world, but the reality is that failing at something important to us—whether it's a job interview or learning a new skill — is just the first step toward something much better in life.#MentalHealth #Failure #Grow #KeepFailing #GrowthMindset #Wellbeing #RARE #FindYourRARE #PersonalGrowth #KeepGrowing

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If Only I Knew Then What I Do Now! 🌴Vacation used to be a HUGE stressor for me. I'd book a trip, let it sneak up, and end up stressed before, during, and after. Here are my 🔑takeaways from episode 17, “Vacation State of Mind”:1️⃣ Vacation is a 3-Phase Experience:Prepare: Start early, stay organized, and tie up loose ends.Transition: Shift to vacation mode slowly and take travel days easy.Vacation: Be intentional and flexible, avoid over-scheduling, and embrace relaxation.2️⃣Flexible Mindset:Adapt and have backup plans.Embrace unexpected changes.3️⃣Transition Gracefully:Buffer day post-vacation to unpack and ease back in.4️⃣Unplug Smartly:Set tech boundaries, prioritize urgent matters, and communicate availability.Creating an organized system has been game-changing for me. I use a Notion template to keep everything in check. Interested in the template? Comment VACATION & I’ll send it over 🙌For more tips, catch the full episode of "You're Always Fine" on your favorite podcast streaming app or at https://lnkd.in/gjX9jRXZUntil next time, remember, you’re always fine! 🌟#MentalHealth #VacationMode #Mindfulness #TravelTips #SelfCare #WorkLifeBalance #RARE #YoureAlwaysFine

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🌟 Exciting News! 🌟I’m thrilled to share that I will be speaking at the Mental Health Marketing Conference this October in Franklin, TN! 🎤✨You can catch me leading a breakout session titled “Leveraging Your Clinical Skills (or Clinical Director) to Deepen Your Sales Funnel and Close Deals.” 🧠💼📅 Date: October 2nd, 2024🕔 Time: 5:40 - 6:20 PM During this session, I will discuss how your clinical expertise can be your company's most powerful sales tool.Discover how to:•Create trust through your clinical background 🤝•Identify and address customer/buyer pain points with precision 🎯•Deliver upfront value that resonates and engages 💡Learn how to translate your strong client relationship skills to potential buyers, expand your sales funnel, and close deals more effectively by applying your clinical insights to the sales process. 💬📈The#MHM24conference lineup is jam-packed this yearwith innovative thought leaders and awesome content. I truly don't know how I am going to choose breakout sessions! If you are a mental health professional trust me, you want to have #MHM2024 on your conference schedule! There is still time to save your spot ➡️ MHMarketing.orgA huge shoutout to the incredible team at MHM for putting together such an amazing event. 🙌 Connecting, chatting, and collaborating with Steve Turney, Daniele Kimes, Rosemary Radford, and Shayna Vance has been outstanding. I'm over the moon to have the opportunity to continue working with this incredible team and creating new connections and networks with the community.#MHMbrings together.See you there! 👋#MentalHealthMarketing #ClinicalSkills #SalesFunnel #MarketingConference #PublicSpeaking #FranklinTN #MentalWellness #MentalHealthTech #ProfessionalGrowth #Therapist #FindYourRARE Cabana

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At the #SHRM24 conference in Chicago, we at Cabana introduced a simple yet impactful exercise at our booth: writing a letter or affirmation to our future selves. The idea was to mail these letters from Chicago so they’d greet us back home when we were back in the grind. 🔨After my trip to Chicago & the #SHRM conference, I knew I was heading straight to Europe for a ten-day adventure, culminating in the Eras Tour. Traveling with chronic illness is no easy feat, and being away from my computer and desk for nearly two weeks was sure to bring some stress upon my return. 😬So, while writing letters for others, I slipped one in for myself, knowing I’d need a reminder of encouragement when I returned.⏩Fast forward to today: I’ve been home for about nine days, finally sorting through all the mail, packages, and whatnot. Like that, there was my letter when I needed it the most. I had long forgotten about writing it, but its arrival was a simple yet powerful reboot for my mood and mindset.💯To everyone who stopped by our booth at #SHRM24 and received a postcard, I’d love to know how it impacted you 🙌#SHRM2024 #MentalHealthMatters #FutureSelf #EmployeeWellbeing #HRCommunity #ChronicallyIll #TravelWithChronicIllness #MindsetMatters #LettersToSelf #CabanaApp #WellbeingInTheWorkplace #Resilience(the first photo is Cabana's CEO David Black dropping 170 postcards into the USPS box in #chicago & the second photo was my late-night adulting when I found my postcard, I wrote to myself)

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A Safe Space to Share & Connect…🌟 This Week on Cabana: Live Support Groups for the Chronically Ill 🌟TODAYJuly 16th, 2024 - Double Feature!🕕 11:30 AM EST: Meditative Resilience: Chronic IllnessModerated by Bri L.Through gentle guidance and introspective practices, we navigate the complexities of our health journeys with grace and resilience. Together, we cultivate a sense of inner peace, harnessing our innate strength to navigate challenges with mindfulness and compassion.🕕 12:00 PM EST: Spoonie Support GroupModerated by Jenni Weaver and Meg from My Spoonie SistersOur mission is to provide a safe and supportive space where everyone can connect with like-minded individuals passionate about personal growth and mindset development regardless of their condition. Whether you seek motivation, inspiration, or a place to share your experiences, our group empowers and uplifts you. Join us for engaging discussions, valuable insights, and practical tips on cultivating a positive mindset.Thursday, July 18th, 2024🕒 3:00 PM EST: Rediscovering Who You Are After Chronic IllnessModerated by Jake MayersJoin our unique and supportive community as we embark on a journey of rediscovery after chronic illness. Through the power of shared experiences and empowering conversations, we navigate the complexities of reclaiming our identities beyond our health challenges. Together, we embrace resilience, redefine self-worth, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.Friday, July 19th, 2024🕕 12:00 PM EST: The Unspoken Truths of Chronic IllnessModerated by Bri L.Join us for a safe space to share, reflect, and discuss the often-unspoken realities of living with a chronic health condition. In this supportive and understanding environment, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with others who truly understand what you’re going through. Together, we’ll explore the emotional, physical, and practical challenges that chronic illness can bring, and provide each other with the tools and strategies to better communicate these experiences to loved ones, healthcare providers, and the world around us.🌈 How to Join:You’ll need a Cabana account for these amazing support groups. Thanks to the RARE. Cabana's Community sponsorship program offers free accounts on its mental health support platform. Grab your account by heading to https://lnkd.in/g3P96GuE 🔗If you’re already a Cabana member, you can save your seat for these group sessions by logging into your Cabana app on your iOS device or web browser.#MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #CommunitySupport #MentalWellness #MeditativeResilience #SpoonieSupport #RediscoveringSelf #UnspokenTruths #CabanaSupportGroups #FindYourRARE #Wellbeing #SupportGroup #Mindfulness #SelfCare

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Guess the cats outta the bag 🤭 beyond excited to be speaking at the Mental Health Marketing Conference in October - stayed tuned to hear more about my break out session & how innovative and helpful #MHM is in this new era the mental health industry is in #mentalhealth #findyourrare #ownyourvoice #sociallyworking #therapistsintech

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