I’m reading a book at the moment which has been on my to-read list for SO long; The Body Keeps the Score by Bessell Van Der Kolk. At the moment I’m reading a section about safety and reciprocity, about how being able to feel safe with other people is “probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives”. Numerous studies have found that social support is the…
Recently I’ve been asked by a few mums whether I work with teens. The answer is yes. ✅ Back in my early 20’s I was a mentor for youth at risk of being expelled from a school in Peckham, a low socioeconomic area in South East London. Each week I’d turn up for a chat with them and they seemed so relieved to talk to me. 🥹 I wasn’t their parent, teacher or friend. …
Recently I was listening to Joel on the Lived Experience Podcast and he was sharing what it was like to grow up with a mum with bipolar disorder. In this interview on the Lived Experience podcast I chat to Joel about my “past life” experience of being a partner/carer of someone with bipolar disorder. It triggered a lot of memories for me of a “past life” relationship in London starting when I was 26 years old, and I…
The benefits of exercise for physical and mental wellbeing are well documented. But the benefits of connecting with others in a training environment for the purpose of competing can be even more meaningful. Highland Games WA (HGWA) brings together athletes for training and competing at events like the upcoming Swan Valley Highland Games – 21 November 2021. I’ve been to a few of their events over the last year or so and something that has really…
In the West we say “panic panic! Everything is out of control!” In the Buddhist world they say “relax relax! Everything is out of control.” I heard this quote on a podcast recently where they were talking about the current pandemic and increased fear and anxiety globally. While of course there are things that we can control, like our own personal hygiene, there is much we cannot. So instead of joining everyone else in panicking, do…
Around 80% of our thoughts are negative. Does that number surprise you?In my twenties I did some volunteering as an Appropriate Adult for vulnerable adults being interviewed by the Police.(Side note: a lot of my mates will have a giggle at me having the title “Appropriate Adult”) 😆As part of that training we learned about mental health and anxiety provoking thoughts that can lead to behaviour change during interviews.As homework we were told to pay closer attention to our thoughts over a…