by Dee | Feb 22, 2016 | Featured, General
As the nation comes together to create awareness for Mental Health in children, we are also at risk of sweeping everything under the carpet where our own psychological health is concerned.
The majority of us in the Western World are under enormous pressure to deliver unrealistic goals, whether at home or at work. We rarely have time to kick back or even know when to stop, and we all know the outcome of constant high pressure and the demands of everyday life.
Stressbusters come in many forms, and you may be surprised that they are easily accessible and completely effective. They don’t necessarily mean long treks to the gym or expensive holidays, but available on your own doorstep and may not cost anything at all.
Doing what you love is our first recommendation and music our first choice. Music is loved by most, and listening to your favourite band or composition, even for five minutes of any day will lift your spirits and regenerate your batteries.
If you think you don’t have time, then put on your headphones and listen as you are doing your housework or making your breakfast. You will be surprised at how different you feel. Such a simple tweak to your daily routine can make all the difference.
If you want to take it a step further, join a local choir or singing group, there are many throughout the UK, and there should be one in your area. So many people are singing the praises (excuse the pun) of being in a choir, some saying that it has transformed their lives, so if you love music and singing in the shower, take it to the next level and investigate your local group.
There is a wonderful group in West Bridgford Nottingham called the ‘tuneless choir’ who have come together for the sheer love of music and are blasting out in spite of sometimes hitting a bum note. One of its founder members Nadine says “The benefits of singing are well documented, it releases endorphins – the brain’s feel-good chemicals. And singing in a choir has been shown to have an even greater effect – it can reduce anxiety and depression, and increase life satisfaction.”
If you are in the same boat, why not form your own group – perhaps just with friends and family. You could have a whole heap of fun, and the laughter would certainly de-stress you.
Music therapy has been recognised as a health activity for a number of years, and more and more groups are springing up all over the UK in all areas of mainstream learning and for people suffering with stress or those with learning difficulties.
If you want something a bit different, Bell Ringing is a brilliant activity that reaches body and soul, one that is both emotional and physical, and it is an ancient art that is still enjoyed by thousands today. The Bell Ringers Society are aiming to officially make Bell Ringing a sport, because of its highly physical factor. For more information contact them on www.cccbr.org.uk.
If you are doing something you love and having a bit of fun, you will function so much better throughout the day.
After all, we all know that happiness is a great healer, and we are here to remind us all and hopefully make a difference to each of our lives.
by Dee | Feb 18, 2016 | Featured, General
As someone who has experienced therapy in adult life, it has been a relief to know that the endorsement of dealing with mental health difficulties in early childhood is now so readily recommended.
The Royal Family still have the strongest influence in our Society today, certainly in the UK, and similar to her own spiritual mentor and mother-in-law Princess Diana, Kate Middleton has chosen a ground breaking subject, Mental Health Issues in Children as her global debut.
For anyone who has experienced therapy or dealing with mental health issues in adulthood – you will know the pitfalls of addressing issues so late in life. It is known that if mental demons are not dealt with in childhood, they are put ‘on ice’ and left to manifest and grow bigger in later life. This is why it is imperative to tackle them at an early age.
As we deal with our own demons in life as grown ups, and they can present themselves in many ways. Perhaps as a self image issue or as bulimia itself. We blame the airbrushed photographs of models wearing size zero frocks, and of course this is a source, but it goes a lot deeper than that.
As National Eating Disorder Awareness week is coming up, I will give you an example. I have heard recently of a girl as young as ten who suffered from bulimia as she hated the way she looked. A beautiful young girl whose mental health was in question, but remained undetected by the parents for quite a while, who in this case were both loving and intelligent. It was her cry for help, but as soon as they had cottoned onto the fact that their daughter was in trouble, they then took action and dealt with it immediately.
Now, several years later, she is a stable healthy young woman who assists other kids and teenagers with similar issues. Her symptoms were recognised and dealt with early on, and the source identified. In her case it was bullying at school, having moved to a new area, but there are many other manifestations of mental problems in kids, and now it is something we will no longer sweep under the carpet.
The key to it is not to ignore any change in the behaviour of your little ones, and then be aware of any changes in your own family or home. A divorce, house move or change in circumstance can trigger a mental health issue, but that is not to say that you should or could avoid any of these life changing events.
On the contrary, it can be more damaging if you remain in an abusive relationship or are frustrated in your career, and are afraid to move because of affecting your kids education or surroundings. If you include your kids in your plans, they will feel part of the change and adapt more quickly. If you are honest with them, however difficult that is, and some parents hide the truth as protection for their offspring. But kids are canny and pick up on everything around them, make them feel part of what you are doing, and they will feel nurtured and valued.
Eliminate any elements of guilt from your own agenda. Just do the best you can to ensure the strength of your environment, and be as honest as you can with yourself and your kids, however painful.
I am not saying it is that simple, and many mental health issues in children stem from a host of unexplained origins, some of them biological. None of us are experts on the subject, not even the most revered mental health specialist knows all the answers.
All that we do know is – the earlier we tackle mental health issues in our children, the more chance they will have in recognising and dealing with problems in later life.
www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.ug
by Glotime | Jan 29, 2016 | Featured, General
Several years ago when going through a breakup and major self image crisis which comes with the territory, a close friend advised me to look at the situation as a new beginning. She also guided me in the direction of luxurious lingerie, to help make me feel special even though I had nobody to share it with – but to look and feel sexy – for my own self esteem.
I was guilty of the usual suspects with Tshirt bras from Primark or throwaway knickers from Tescos, and so decided to up my game and look into some of the more glamorous labels so that I would feel less frumpy and far more fabulous.
I had like many of us been brought up on the Bridget Jones style of knickers from my Mum, who to this day when I stay with her overnight puts out a pair of like style pants together with my towel and looks disapprovingly at anything less that 12 inches in diameter in the underwear department.
Talking of Departments, whilst exploring this new world of undies, my first port of call was John Lewis, where I was advised I could be measured for a good fitting bra, and that they had the best range of gorgeous lingerie.
The assistant was a delightful lady in her late seventies or more, who went to great lengths to make sure that she provided me with over an hour of complete one to one dedication – insisting that she show me all of the ranges of lingerie available, after telling me about the wonders of underwear. She felt so strongly that she blamed the lack of care in this area to all the breakups and divorces as she said ‘women had in recent years disregarded this little secret’. Bless her heart, I was so taken with her that I came out with a beautiful Bravissimo pink bra and pant set I still have in my possession after five years, and so quality really does prevail.
Another amazing find is Design Also in St Paul’s Road, Islington. The staff will take great care in fitting you for your perfect bra, and ensure that you are completely satisfied with the shape and design. Ignore the immediate chaos as you enter the shop, as the service outweighs the décor, and makes it all worthwhile.
If you want to go for ultra glam, then Rigby and Peller has the most exquisite range of basques, bras, bodies and garters. You can also book an appointment with a representative who will point you in the right direction with your selection and you will come out feeling a million dollars (without spending as much).
If you are going for the ultra sexy, Agent Provocateur is high in distinguee. Their exceptional range is guaranteed to make you feel fantastic, and ranges from the more demur to the outright steaming hot designs.
Don’t be deterred by your shape if that has been an issue – lingerie comes in all sizes, and can only help to release your inner beauty so that you can start loving yourself again.
Images via vogue.co.uk
