2020 is here, and it’s that time of year when we traditionally look to the future and set ourselves resolutions in the hope of living a happier, more fulfilled life. This is a tradition which dates back to the people of ancient Babylonia, who at the start of each year made promises to their Gods … Read more
Alcohol is a big part of our culture, and it can have a significant impact on our wellbeing. Alcohol Awareness Week takes place from 11th to 17th November, with this year’s theme being ‘Alcohol and me’, so this is a good opportunity to reflect on your drinking and how it may be impacting on any … Read more
In last month’s blog on ‘overthinking’, I explored how depression and anxiety are closely linked to the thinking traps of rumination and worry. October is OCD Awareness Month, so I thought it would be interesting to explore the thinking traps which are particular to this anxiety disorder. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, known as OCD, is characterised … Read more
We’ve all been there – you just can’t switch off, your head feels like a washing machine on the fast cycle, thoughts are spinning round and round like a carousel. You struggle to focus, you can’t sleep properly and you may start to feel quite low, stressed and anxious. Overthinking is quite natural. Our brains … Read more
I’ve wanted to do a blog post on my friend and fellow therapist Liz Thompson, ever since I first met her and now we’ve finally gotten around to it! Liz runs Fresh Thinking Therapy, and specialises in working with children and young people. I love her enthusiasm for her work and her personal commitment … Read more
‘Body Image’ was the theme of this year’s recent Mental Health Awareness Week. Around this time I delivered a presentation on the topic at a wellbeing evening organised by Hearts Health Club in Crosby. The ladies who attended found this subject really interesting, so I thought it would be good to share the information with … Read more
1-7th June 2019 is Volunteers Week. This brings back fond memories for me as my first job after graduating was with Volunteer Centre Sefton. I ran a project to help young people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and physical health problems to get into voluntary work. At the time my manager was Laura Hamilton … Read more
I’ve been interested in the links between creativity and emotional wellbeing ever since I worked on the Creative Alternatives project 12 years ago. The project delivered creative workshops and outings as a ‘treatment’ for depression and anxiety. Through this I saw the dramatic impact that creativity can have on people’s lives, how it brought them … Read more
Gardening and being out in nature, have long been recognised as good for our souls. So much so that in the 1800’s patients in mental health institutions were being encouraged, as part of their therapy, to work on the grounds and farm. Since then scientific research has shown that gardening reduces depression and anxiety, improves … Read more
