Over the last two years, the world has been filled with uncertainty hasn't it? I'd say that we've got used to living day to day but have we really? And each time it feels like some semblance of normality is returning, it's ripped out of our grasp...yet again. The world's gone mad! I'm being a little melodramatic here, but you know where I'm coming from, right? How well do you deal with uncertainty? Truth be told, some of us deal with uncertainty better than others. You know? Some people are quite 'chill' and just brush off uncertainty, and then there are those of us who have a tendency to feel anxious and whom feel really quite unsettled during periods of uncertainty. The reality Despite there being so much uncertainty in the world right now, the reality is that uncertainty is actually … [Read more...] about 7 ways to deal with uncertainty?
mental health
How to get rid of Post-Lockdown anxiety
Are you still feeling anxious and overwhelmed at the thought of going out and socialising again after multiple lock-downs? If you are, then you're not alone. I'm a clinical hypnotherapist and I have some excellent tips to help you get back out there, living the life that you want to live. Many of you who are newly struggling with leaving the house post-lockdowns might be wondering how something that was easy and just felt "normal" now make you feel so anxious". But you know, there's actually a very good reason for this anxiety - and it's not because there's something wrong with you. You see, what we do every day becomes our comfort zone - and it's simply that your comfort zone has changed. But, what happens when you try to leave your comfort zone is that your brain is hard-wired to send … [Read more...] about How to get rid of Post-Lockdown anxiety
3 ways to get out of a rut at work
If you feel as though you're stuck in a rut at work, or you feel that your work life is causing you to feel burnout, then this is the post for you. In today's post, we're going to suggest 3 ways that you can get out of that rut, or avoid burnout. If there's anything I can relate to, it's being in a work rut! Indeed, it's a funny place to be really, because on the one hand you're unhappy (or unfulfilled, or whatever), but on the other hand, you're not quite ready to bail. Maybe there's still enough parts of your job that still excite you, or maybe you're eternal optimist and you believe things will get better next week/month/year. Whichever of these sound familiar to you, I hope that you get something positive out of today's post. So, what can you do to get out of that work rut? May … [Read more...] about 3 ways to get out of a rut at work
5 signs of burnout
Here are 5 signs of burnout that we all must know if we want to prevent or resolve it: Sign #1: You feel the need to numb your stress This can be achieved by a number of escapism methods, such as food, illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sex, gambling etc. Generally, the method of escapism works "too well" for the person, causing the person to keep selecting that as a coping method. Without switching this effective (yet unhealthy) coping method with something just as effective (and healthy), progress is unlikely to be made. The key is to build a list of possible alternatives, which still achieve some kind of escapism, but which are healthy and not relied on excessively. Doing work on confidence and self-esteem, at the same time, can also help. Sign #2: Your memory is affected. Burnout … [Read more...] about 5 signs of burnout
10 hidden signs of depression
Everything might seem fine to yourself and others around you; you may even be meeting all of your goals and deadlines, but here are 10 signs that you could be depressed. You: 1. Feel overwhelmed generally. 2. Get easily irritated. 3. You feel tearful and sad frequently. 4. Feel less confident in conversation than you did. 5. Feel hopeless. 6. Loathe yourself. 7. Feel numb or empty inside. 8. Feel too anxious to relax. 9. Get frustrated easily. 10. Find that problems getting to or staying asleep make you feel exhausted. Don't guilt yourself into feeling that others have bigger problems, so you don't deserve help, because that's simply untrue. We all deserve to feel happy and fulfilled. Do I need help? If any of these strike a chord with you, you may be … [Read more...] about 10 hidden signs of depression
10 things that anxiety can make you do
Here are 10 things that anxiety can make you do: 1. Eat more than usual, either for comfort or energy. 2. Get lost in distraction activities. We're not referring to a healthy amount of helpful distraction here, but something that has become extreme and impacts life in a negative way. 3. Cancel plans at the last minute, if the anxiety is overwhelming. 4. Turn to alcohol or (non-prescription) drugs. 5. Require use of the bathroom more frequently. 6. Fail exams, due to going blank. 7. Eat less than usual, if your appetite is affected, or if you feel nauseous. 8. Avoid doing things because they feel overwhelming, even if you know you'll be in trouble. 9. Decline trying new experiences. 10. Check things repeatedly. Do I need help? If this is something that you … [Read more...] about 10 things that anxiety can make you do
Make May all about change
May is such a beautiful time of year...the weather is not too hot, not too cold...the trees are back in full bloom and everything just feels...lighter. So, in honour of celebrating this beautiful time of year, we'll be sharing a few top tips that should help you lead a more enriched life. Tip #1: Change somebody else's life This looks different for different people, but here's some ideas to get you started. Carry out a random act of kindness (R.A.O.K) such as: Pay for somebody else's shopping in the queue in front of you. Pay for the coffee order of the person in front of you. Give a care package to a homeless person. Donate time, money and/or goods to a charity that means a lot to you. Such as: Dementia UK Age UK MacMillan Dogs Trust Huddersfield … [Read more...] about Make May all about change
11 signs that your mental health needs attention
Here are 11 signs that your mental health needs addressing: 1. Reduced energy. 2. Appetite changes - eating too much or too little. 3. No longer finding pleasure in things that you once enjoyed. 4. Small tasks which you used to find easy, start to feel overwhelming. 5. Your to-do list is expanding as you start to avoid things that need doing. 6. Experiencing higher levels of stress or snaxiety, which makes it significantly more difficult to function. 7. You have become withdrawn from family and friends because sociliasing seems to difficult or overwhelming. 8. You are having trouble getting off to sleep and/or staying asleep and wake on multiple occasions for no apparent reason. 9. You're arguing with those around you more than usual. 10. You're having … [Read more...] about 11 signs that your mental health needs attention
Stuck in a “tug of war”, anyone?
If you're struggling with an unwanted emotion, it's like being in a permanent tug of war, where there's a monster on the other end of the rope and a massive hole in the middle. That monster represents all of the thoughts and emptions that you don't want to have. You expect that, if you just keep fighting harder, the monester won't win and you want fall into the pit. And the more you fight, the harder it gets, because you start to get exhausted...yet the monster stands there a strongly as he did at the beginning. It feels like you just can't win! So, you edge closer and closer to the pit in the middle and the more you try to control the monster, the more the monster pulls back. But what if there was another way? What if you just let go of the rope and just allow the monster to … [Read more...] about Stuck in a “tug of war”, anyone?
Is habitual comparison affecting my mental health
With filters getting easier to use and more numerous by the day, it seems easier than ever to filter images which you post online. A blemish here...deleted..."I need a different eye colour"...changed...a curve there...reduced or enhanced...and "I want whiter teeth, but without the cost"...your wish is my command. You get the picture. It's time-consuming, but is it dangerous? Well...yes, yet it is. Because when you look in the mirror and see the real you staring back at you, you can be filled with disappointment that you don't look like the filtered you. The same goes for your significant other; comparing them to unrealistic beauty and personality standards, can cause much disatisfaction in your relationship, despite you previously being happy with them. When you compare your home … [Read more...] about Is habitual comparison affecting my mental health
