Category: Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation

Doom & Gloom FM to Happiness FM

The image above is of an old-fashioned car radio. Today, just like in the old days, if you were listening to the radio and did not like the music, commentary or news…what would you do? You would change channels from ‘Doom & Gloom FM’ to a more pleasant station such as Classic FM, Gratitude FM, Positivity FM, Happiness FM etc…you get the idea!  Just like you can change frequencies on a radio to a more pleasant channel, so too can you change the frequency of your thoughts to a ‘higher-more-pleasant-frequency’ such as: Gratitude FM – thoughts of appreciation & gratitude where you Read More

Healthy Living, Mindfulness Meditation, Stress Management

How You See Yourself Is Extremely Important!

who are you

How You See Yourself Is Extremely Important! Change is hard. You’ve probably noticed that! We all want to become healthier people but even if we get really inspired and start doing things better, it’s tough to actually stick to new behaviours. James Clear  in his famous book, ‘Atomic Habits’ says that the following can make change easier: Believe in a new healthy identity and then prove it to yourself.  To change your behaviour for good, you need to start believing new things about yourself. You need to build identity-based habits.  Many people mistakenly begin the process of changing their habits by focusing on what  they want Read More

Mindfulness Meditation, Stress Management

Do You Worry? Try This!

Do You Worry? Try This! - two worried lookng hen eggs

Do You Worry? Try This! We have mentioned before in these 1-minute emotional well-being snippets that your mind is not always your friend!   For example, many of us may think in the following ways: ‘what-if’ type worries, worst-case scenario thoughts, self-critical thoughts, ruminating & dwelling on the past etc.  This is what most minds do which can lead to feeling irritable and tense, often even experiencing anxiety or sometimes panic attacks. In order to manage the mind in as helpful a way as possible, try the following suggestions: Accept whatever you may be thinking or feeling. There is tremendous power and decrease in anxiety when embracing the state of acceptance. Read More

Mindfulness Meditation, Stress Management

Growth Mindset

Rather than becoming disheartened and sad because of one’s health difficulty, instead, try and accept the challenge as an opportunity. An opportunity to grow and harness all the wonderful inner resources that are beneath the surface. We all know of many stories of how adversity has led to greatness. Or those who may have hit ‘rock-bottom’ which led to an awakening. Often the ‘fall’ is followed by a period of growth and upliftment. It is a bit like the seasons, where following the dark dormant winter months, spring and summer follow.   Whatever your health challenge may be, including being overweight or obese, this Read More

Mindfulness Meditation

The Wizard of Oz

the wizard of oz

The Wizard of Oz Remember the story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’… After a tornado hurls through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are swept away from their home to the colourful and vibrant Land of Oz. To find their way back home, they must embark on a journey to the Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz lives. On the way, they are joined by a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. They are hopeful that the Wizard will be able to fulfil their wishes, but not Read More

Mindfulness Meditation

How Do You Respond to Rain? The Power of Acceptance

acceptance

How do you respond to rain? The Power of Acceptance   It rains a lot in Manchester, where I live. There are two choices about how to respond and react when it is raining:   Option 1 would be the following thoughts: “I don’t like rain. I wish it was not raining and then my day would be better! My day is now ruined. It is so horrible this long dark winter. Why am I living here? I can’t exercise because its such bad weather. When will spring arrive? My mood can’t improve until then.   Option 2: “Yup, it’s raining”.   Which Read More

Couple Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation

The Story I Tell Myself

what is your story

The Story I Tell Myself   “He obviously does not care about me because if he did then he would contact me more often during the day”. This, or something similar, is a common frustration I may hear in my therapy office when working with a couple.   At this point, I may pause the couple and invite the one sharing to rephrase that sentence starting with, ‘The story I tell myself is that…he obviously does not care about me…etc’. It may be true that he does not care or it may not be true at all or perhaps partly true. I invite couples to be Read More

Healthy Living, Mindfulness Meditation

The Magic Of Gratitude

magic of gratitude

  A book came out a few years ago, called ‘The Magic’ and it was all about Gratitude… …specifically, how Gratitude can have a magical effect on one’s life!   If there is an opposite of gratitude, it might be complaining and negativity which as we all know, makes us feel worse.   Gratitude is an essential mindset for general emotional well-being. There are so many advantages regarding gratitude and appreciation…especially true when it comes to appreciating one’s own body and health.   Many of us may not look favourably upon ourselves, especially regarding how we look. Due to media pressure and fashion icons, Read More

Healthy Living, Mindfulness Meditation

The Awesome Power of Affirmations

The Awesome Power of Affirmations   Guess what…we use affirmations all the time…   We are constantly thinking and telling ourselves a story…   Much of our thinking is automatic and unfortunately quite negative…worries, planning, rumination, dwelling and self-critical thinking.   Given that thoughts are powerful, why not take a little time to focus on how you would like life to be.   Hence…Affirmations.   “Daily affirmations offer a constant reminder of what you’re capable of and what you deserve. Staying focused on your wants and desires can help turn those ideals into reality.” ( Institute For Integrative Nutrition ) Try out the following Read More

Mindfulness Meditation, Stress Management, Therapy

Don’t Give Up

Don't Give Up - like a shattered light bulb

  Much can be learnt from Thomas Edison, whose birthday it is today… We learn about never giving up and that ‘failure’ is part of the normal journey towards success. Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He was fired from his first two jobs for being “non-productive.” As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps!” Other famous people have also had difficult starts, overcome Read More