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The Importance of Regular Self-Care Check-Ins

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  In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of taking care of yourself. Amidst the hustle and bustle, a regular self-care check-in can be a game-changer for your wellbeing and health. This practice not only allows you to reflect and pause but also empowers you to make necessary adjustments for a healthier lifestyle. Why Self-Care is Essential for a Balanced Life In an era where deadlines, responsibilities, and digital distractions reign, self-care has emerged as an essential practice rather than a luxury. Prioritising self-care is integral for maintaining a balanced and healthy life, impacting not only your wellbeing but also your productivity and relationships. So how can it help and how can you achieve it? 1. Boosts Mental Health Self-care is a powerful shield against stress and burnout. Taking intentional breaks, enjoying your hobbies, or simply meditating can significantly enhance mental clarity and reduce anxiety. These practices act as p...

How your environment can affect your mental health

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Surroundings can have a profound impact on your mental health. The environments that are inhabited daily, such as workplaces, social places, and homes, can significantly influence your mood, stress levels, and overall well-being.  Workplaces can drain the energy of both mental and physical aspects and as simple as  layout and design can have detrimental affects.  A cluttered, poorly lit office can increase anxiety and reduce productivity. Conversely, open, well-organised spaces with natural light can boost creativity and reduce stress. Ergonomic furniture further enhances physical comfort, improving mental focus. Offices that include plants, low lighting and regular screen breaks can support a more relaxed environment. High noise levels can cause distraction and elevate stress. Quiet zones and noise-canceling headphones can mitigate these effects, fostering a more conducive working environment. Positive workplace culture, characterised by supportive colleagues and constru...

Grief and loss

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Bereavement is an intensely personal and universal experience. It is a profound, complex journey that each of us will navigate differently. Rooted in the loss of a loved one, bereavement encompasses the emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual responses to such loss. While the pain of loss is universal, the process of mourning and healing is as unique as the individual. The Dual Process Model of coping with bereavement, developed by Stroebe and Schut, offers a valuable framework for understanding how healing can unfold. This model suggests that healing involves oscillating between loss-oriented and restoration-oriented activities. Loss orientation encompasses dealing with the direct emotional pain of the loss, such as crying, yearning, and talking about the deceased. Restoration orientation involves stepping back into life, adapting to a world without the deceased, and finding new roles or identity. The grieving process is traditionally categorized into stages, initially proposed ...

Triggers and what they are.

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Understanding Triggers. So what exactly is a trigger? A trigger is an external stimulus, whether it's a sight, sound, smell, or situation, that can evoke a strong emotional reaction based on past traumatic experiences. While seemingly trivial to others, these triggers can instantly bring back the pain, fear, or distress associated with prior trauma. Recognising and understanding triggers is crucial for emotional well-being and healing. PTSD  and CPTSD are both trigger related and can a tumultuous way of living. Triggers can be powerful reminders of past traumatic events, often causing intense emotional and physiological reactions as if the event is happening again. The role of memory and the brain.The Amygdala is part of the brain that processes emotions and is critical in the formation and storage of emotional memories. During trauma, the amygdala becomes highly active, creating strong associations between sensory inputs (smells, sounds, visuals) and the traumatic experience. ...