I had to break the cycle of violence, seek professional help, and embrace self-discovery to heal and reclaim my life.
How do I tell when it’s time to make a change or get help?
When they come out, be the rock they need. Learn the dos and don'ts of providing love, acceptance, and understanding.
Waking up to who I really was, finding my own true self and more importantly - accepting my own true self, was one of the biggest pieces of work I've ever taken on. It’s also one of my proudest achievements.
Yoga Nidra translates as “sleeping yoga”. It is practiced lying down, in comfort and stillness. As the name suggests - it is a wonderful meditation to support sleep.
The realisation that you may have feelings for someone of the same sex can create a whirlwind of worries.
We often think of meditation as somebody sitting serenely cross legged, but you can engage in meditation through activities too.
Can you take a couple of minutes now to pause, be still and engage in a short meditation? This meditation utilises the power of breath, soft focus vision and visualisation.
Meditation has been around for thousands of years, and it has only been in recent years that science has proven what many have always known - meditation works. Even with only a few weeks of a consistent practice, many of the benefits of meditation can be experienced.
Eat That Frog takes the idea that if the first thing you do each day is eat a frog (important/difficult tasks), then you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that it's probably the worst thing you'll do all day.
As parents we want the best for our children, and we can spend a huge proportion of our time worrying about what they are doing especially when it comes to screen time and shutting themselves away in their bedroom.
With the rising cost of food, energy bills and our everyday expenses we have all felt the impact on our finances. You may have found yourself spending more than usual on your credit cards or taking out loans to cover everyday costs. You are not on your own.
The current cost of living crisis affects us all in some way but the impact is especially felt by those of us who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“As long as I can remember my mother has been this strong, proud, courageous woman and now all I see is a shadow of who she was. It terrifies me and makes me think about things I wish I didn't have to think about. I'm irritable with my mother, my children and I don't like myself most of the time.”
This gratitude practice is really quick and effective! It can promote many aspects of positive mental and physical health. Try this for a few minutes, a few times a week.
We are a species of storytellers. Stories are at the centre of human existence. This is one of the reasons that this gratitude practice using the power of story has been seen to be one of the most powerful and effective gratitude practices.
Can you find something to be grateful for even on the grey days? While taking this video, I was grateful for seeing flying ducks, hearing the crashing waves, and how you can hardly tell where the sky stops and the sea starts.
We absolutely know that an effective and consistent, gratitude practice can have huge long term positive effects on mental and physical health.
Find a quiet spot and take a few minutes to just breathe fully using these three basic principles.
There are many potential benefits associated with this breathing technique including heightened immunity, enhanced focus and an increase in energy.
Catherine Wells, Occupational Therapist, show us how to use your breath to initiate a relaxation response in the body.
This is a fast, effective, way to get our bodies out of the stress response in real time.
This simple breathing exercise which has been seen to lower, stress & anxiety and improve memory & focus, give it a try!
Breathwork practices can have a profound effect on our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Addiction is a craving for a substance or behaviour, finding temporary relief or pleasure in using or engaging in it, while suffering negative consequences or harm as a result and still continuing, unable to give it up.
You may be considering counselling or therapy for the first time and we understand what a daunting process it can be making the first steps to reach out for help.
Beat provide support services for anyone affected by an eating disorder, including those caring for somebody.
In simple terms, the menopause is when our hormone levels begin to change and we stop having periods.
Stephen Maginn shares his thoughts and advice on how and why it is important that we look after ourselves and our relationships, especially given the added pressure at this time of year. He shares some fabulous services & online resources that can help get your relationship back on track.
I’ve come up with a simple low cost meal plan for a family of 5. We based it on a food shop at ASDA using mostly ESSENTIALS RANGE of food items.
Dancing is clinically proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and releases dopamine, which is a natural mood booster, and endorphins which are a natural painkiller.
As a counsellor I spend time exploring with guys what self-help might look like and especially practical tools that can be used daily.
Like most people I have experienced my fair share of loss, each death has affected me differently and through utilising support networks available to me, and my training as a counsellor, I have come to realise that there are no rules, and that grief is personal.
Conflict in relationships is not always negative, if both partners are willing it can provide an opportunity for making change and can help identify and solve problems.
CBT can be accessed by someone with CPTSD, but this will often depend on where you have tried to access CBT and also on your individual situation.
Mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion.
People can experience disordered eating and eating disorders for a variety of different reasons, and sometimes feel ‘triggered’ to fall into unhealthy patterns with food.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that looks at how you think about yourself, the world and other people by looking at how your actions affect your thoughts and feelings.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. There are a lot of misconceptions around them, including what they look like and who can get them, and they can be extremely isolating.
Eating disorders affect not only those who are unwell but the people around them too.
In this blog, Cara Swanston answers an anonymous question on living with OCD.
If you’re self-harming, you don’t have to go through this alone, you can get the right support to improve your wellbeing.
Anxiety is a common condition affecting anyone at any age.
Everyone has moments of feeling down, and for some of us, these feelings are fleeting come-and-go emotions. But for others, this feeling of sadness is more intense than short-lived mood fluctuations.
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, you might be scared, overwhelmed or confused. But you’re not alone.
Starting a conversation about your mental health can be helpful in getting the support you need to feel better. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health problem or you don’t feel like yourself, talking to someone can help you feel less alone.
Living and studying in a new country can be challenging, and as you adjust to a new routine in a new place, it’s normal to miss home. But once homesickness settles in, it’s important to take care of your mental health so it doesn’t take a knock for the worst.
Living with caring responsibilities can be challenging, especially in how it can impact the wider family.
Have you noticed a friend or family member behaving differently? Are they not seeming like their usual self? It might be time to have a conversation with them about their mental health.
Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit fellowship of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
Play Therapy is a form of therapy which uses 'play' as a means of self-expression.
We run lots of different courses aimed at improving mental health and well-being.
I’ve been affected by cancer. How can Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Service help me?
AUTISM NI have a number of services that operate throughout Northern Ireland.
How to deepen your relationship and emotionally connect with your partner, including practical tips.
Art therapy can help you in many ways. Art therapists, Nina & Erin, explain how.
Starting a new life in a new country can be a daunting experience. YMCA are here to help.
“Mindfulness” is everywhere. But what can it really do to help your mental health and does it actually work?
Outdoor therapy can bring you closer to nature while helping your overall wellbeing. Ellie, founder of Wild Therapy, explains how.
Relationship therapy can help you & your partner work through difficult issues. Here’s what to expect in couple’s therapy.
Wild Therapy, based in Holywood, takes talking therapy out into the great outdoors. Here’s what their sessions involve.
Housing can be stressful when things aren’t working out. FSHubAND can offer support when you need it most.
A good night’s sleep helps us to be at our best during the day. But a bad night’s sleep can make us feel our worst. Here’s how to get better sleep.
Guest blogger, Ronan Hamiliton, shares their coming out experience and how it meant learning who their close friends are.
Orla shares the story of her sister’s passing, how it affected her and how she learned to cope with grief.
Connecting with your family plays a huge part in contributing to your overall wellbeing, including the wellbeing of your family.
Bullying affects lots of different people at any age and can happen anywhere: at school, travelling to and from school, in sporting teams, in friendships or family groups.
Georgia Ramm shares her experience of depression, how it made her feel and the impact it had on her life.
Your guide to EFT. Learn how EFT can help with anxiety, depression, fears, phobias, physical pain, PTSD and much more.
My name is Rebecca, 18, and I was introduced to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) because I get very overwhelmed and uncomfortable when I feel stressed
Rachael shares her experience of being admitted to hospital and diagnosed with schizophrenia.
If you’re an expectant or newborn Parent, you might have heard the phrase “the first 1,000 days”, which refers to a child’s life from the moment they’re conceived until their second birthday. During this time, a baby’s brain undergoes a significant period of development.
When it comes to wellness and feeling better in our minds, there are a few healthy habits we can adopt in everyday life which can make a big difference to how we feel.
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