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Insights
I like providing these Insights because they allow me to write from experience on things that are topical and greatly affect people - always looking for a better way through. If any issue isn’t covered, you can always request it. Happy reading!
What’s the best way to help someone in a crisis?
Have you ever been talking with someone about a problem you’re both facing, and you wonder if it’s the same problem? Could be anything: coronavirus, lockdown, social distancing, the loneliness of grief, McDonald’s being closed…? Of course, to you it’s blindingly obvious what they should do, but when you suggest it, they won’t have it. All they keep saying is ‘that’ll never work’. There’s a very good reason for that. It’s a bit technical but stick with me on this……
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Feeling anxious about going to University?
Last summer, we wrote about some of the common anxieties that everyone is likely to feel when taking a big new step like going to Uni. We’ve updated the piece to reflect the additional challenges of trying to make new friends in a world of coronavirus restrictions and face masks.
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My child is gaming constantly – should I be worried?
Are you concerned that your child seems to be spending far too much time attached to their games console? Worried how to help them stop?
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Is Lockdown putting pressure on your relationship?
Living with someone can be tricky at the best of times but the current lockdown is throwing difficulties into sharp relief! That’s because however much you love your husband/wife/partner, when they start doing something that irritates you, that’s all you notice. Even relatively small things can become super-significant and, if you’re not careful, it’s downhill from there!! That’s because, having become aware of them being irritating once, you’ll notice it the next time they do it and again and again,…
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BLAST Technique – a new method to offer our clients
BLAST Technique is a new way to overcome trauma and PTSD. I was feeling frustrated that some traditions methods can take time so I am very pleased that BLAST can see results for some sufferers after just one session.
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Coronavirus – a spanner in the works of my divorce
Getting divorced is one of the most traumatic events that most of us will ever have to go through, and the present situation is making it even harder. One of the unintended consequences of the current Lockdown is the disruption to divorce proceedings and you may suddenly find yourself in limbo, with any settlements or house sales thrown in to doubt. For many, this is causing even greater distress than the divorce did in the first place. So, let’s look…
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Coronavirus – how shall I ever pass the time?
Staying occupied during these difficult times is good for your wellbeing but it can sometimes be a challenge. We’ve become used to having activity provided for us and so need to reinvigorate our imaginations. But there’s also a danger of being overwhelmed by choice. How can we use our time wisely just now?
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Coronavirus: I’m so worried – what can I do?
For many people, the rug’s been well and truly pulled from under their feet – including where you work, where you can go and who you can meet – and that can be unsettling to say the least. People who find themselves stranded in the wrong place are desperate for ‘home soil’. This is enough to unhinge the most rational person. It’s unprecedented, and there’s a growing anxiety particularly among people who now fear being isolated for an extended period of time.
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Coronavirus and your wellbeing
What’s the best way to preserve your wellbeing in the current climate of worry? We think it all comes down to confidence and trust.
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Planting the seeds of success
One of the joys of being a parent is when your conviction in your child pays off and they are absolutely brilliant in the end of term play. ‘You’ll be brilliant’ you said to them, ‘You can do it’. And they did. Wahoo! What’s not to like? Do you remember seeing your child scan the audience, anxiously looking for you? And, seeing you there, they rose to the encouraging nod, all fear forgotten? [They’ll carry your reassuring look throughout their…
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Where’s all the confidence gone?
Interesting question that, and I ask it because even small babies are confident enough to noisily let their mother know they’re hungry – and I’ve known some very confident Toddlers in my time too! And when children play, they often try out brave or risky storylines that fearlessly put their confidence to the test. So, if you look at the glow of confident children, and compare that with the number of unconfident young people and adults, where did all the…
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Do you feel stuck in the carer trap?
There’s a huge worry about the lack of support for Carers and what’s happening to their mental health; with the emphasis on Social Care and particularly Dementia. It could equally be caring for a child with autism or learning difficulties or, heaven forbid, a child or adult with one of those terrible neurological or congenital disorders that just gets worse and worse and will end their life early. You may have had adaptations to your home which is now full…
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Mental Health for Carers
Is this all there is? Can life really get better? Care is required when talking to someone who’s in a pickle but, no matter how difficult it is, how your life is now is not all there is and yes it can get better. The next question is How? There are hundreds of blogs and videos telling you the mysteries of success – do this and you’ll be RICH they say. You can have it all – WEALTH, PROSPERITY, LOVE. …
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Do you need help with your anxiety about going to University?
First off, if you’ve got into University, WELL DONE! That’s a real achievement. Hopefully you’re excited by the prospect and have somewhere to stay when you arrive – whether in halls or in a shared house perhaps. But through all the excitement, are you also a teensy bit or even extremely anxious? If so, that’s perfectly normal. It’s your brain’s way of alerting you to possible danger. But what (about going to University), could possibly be dangerous? What can cause…
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Carer guilt
There was a lovely article in the Daily Mail the other day called “I reversed Mum’s dementia… just by moving her in with me.”, written by someone who’d sacrificed her business and financial position and was devoting her life to caring for her mother. The strapline was ‘She was in a care home but being showered with love at home has transformed her’. Then the next day, there was another article written by someone who ‘confessed’ that “all I felt…
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Hope for the working carer
As a business owner, Director or Manager, imagine an employee booking an appointment to see you, and when they arrive, they say: “I’ve got to resign because I’m a caring for my parents now, and I can no longer do that and fulfil my job too.” And imagine you being able to say to them, with confidence, “I can help you with that!”. Just how fantastic would that be? Because employers can really help employees in this position – not…
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Being a working carer is like a military campaign
ATTENTION! STAND BY YOUR BEDS: ONE-TWO, ONE-TWO, ONE-TWO… I’ve been watching programmes on the Normandy Landings. One interview was with someone who was in the Army. He was talking about the amazing feat of getting everything together at the same time. Thousands of planes and landing craft along with all the supplies they’d need: lorries, tanks, food, water, medical equipment. Everyone said it couldn’t be done – but it was. And it was managed with a precision that will define…
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Changing Behaviours
Through all the ups and downs of life, have you ever felt you are in a ‘Hopeless Situation’? Well, it’s true, that however hopeless, there are some situations in life you just have to get on with. You may be the only one to solve the situation, the right person for the job – and this can be very irritating because people do all sorts of things (that you would never do) that can make a job increasingly difficult! Caring…
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Siblings who suddenly find themselves in the ‘carer’ role
Here’s a story about two siblings who suddenly found themselves in the ‘carer’ role Very sadly, Father passed. He was in hospital after a nasty fall and only survived for a few days after. The doctors say that Mother has dementia – all the signs are there, and she doesn’t seem to understand that Father’s not coming home. The son thinks the most sensible thing is to move her to a flat that’s closer to him. She can look after…
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How do you react to Stress?
You may have heard that it’s Stress Awareness month, so I thought I’d share some insight on Stress. But what about carers? What are they stressed about? Because it can undoubtedly be a very stressful experience to be living with. But there are no deadlines to meet and they’re often in the comfort of their own home. CARER TYPES There are four sorts of people: CREATIVE, PEOPLE, SERVICE AND TIMING and LOGICAL – and, for each of them, elements of…
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Three ways to Wellbeing
I’ve been looking at knitting patterns today. Did that give me a sense of Wellbeing? Well no, it gave me a sense of guilt for buying all these patterns and never knitting anything! But, I do like acquiring patterns (it gives me hope that one day I’ll have the lifestyle to knit!). So, what is Wellbeing? Is it something you do? Can you buy it? Like having a massage or going to the gym. What if you haven’t got time…
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