Take time to be friendly this February.
If you are already a friendly person then great, keep it going.
If not, then why not give it a go. Day by day, step by step.
We are all on the same journey, and it’s later than you think.
Category: Beauty
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Remember to switch off but read this before you do
Non digital mindfulness The irony is not lost that I write on a digital device reminding people to switch off their digital devices!
Our dependence on them is so commonplace for business, leisure and connection that doing without is such anathema to many.
So why not make a point of doing this today even for a few minutes or hours.
Then focus on what is going on by bringing all your senses to the present, dial down the internal chatter and just:
1 see what you see
2 hear what you hear
3 touch what you can touch
4 smell what you can smell
5 taste what you can taste
Enjoy your day.
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Our anxiety perception
Our perception of anxiety
Our perception of anxiety is as personal as the colour of our eyes. It is sourced from our very existence such as : individual experiences, personality traits, cultural background and social support systems.
Anxiety is a natural human response to stress or perceived threats and it serves as a protective mechanism that helps us cope with potentially dangerous situations. However, when anxiety becomes excessive or overwhelming, it can negatively impact our daily life and well-being.
Here are some common aspects of how anxiety might be perceived:
1. Emotional experience: Anxiety is often associated with feelings of fear, worry, nervousness, or unease. You may even experience it as a sense of impending doom or a feeling of being on edge.
2. Physical sensations: You are probably familiar with the physical symptoms of anxiety , such as increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort and shallow breathing.
3. Cognitive effects: Your racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, excessive worry about potential negative outcomes and a heightened focus on perceived threats is feed by your anxiety.
4. Behavioral responses: Common behaviours are avoidance, which involves avoiding situations or activities that trigger their anxiety. Also you might seek reassurance, engage in repetitive behaviours, or have difficulty making decisions.
5. Time perception: When experiencing anxiety, time may feel like it’s passing slowly, and you might feel trapped in the moment or feel like the anxiety will never end.
6. Social interactions: Anxiety can impact social interactions, leading to feelings of self-consciousness, fear of judgment, and avoidance of social situations. This can be exasperated during the holiday season.
7. Impact on functioning: Severe anxiety can interfere with a your ability to carry out daily tasks, work, or maintain relationships.
It’s important to note that while some level of anxiety is normal and can be adaptive and a source of energy, excessive or chronic anxiety can be detrimental to your mental and physical health.
Therefore just as your perception of anxiety is unique so should be your solutions and seeking the correct professional help is essential to effectively understand and manage your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
As a member of the CHPA, my qualifications , experience, continuous professional training, peer support and supervision can reassure you that I will provide the highest possible level of service to your unique needs.
Feel free to contact me: Contact
David McAllister BSc(Hons),Dip App S.S.,ADCHP, MCHPA
Phone: 085 843 5939
Email: anxietyclinic@dublin.com -
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2025
St. Patrick’s Day 2025 image Wishing everyone, everywhere a very happy St. Patrick’s Day 2025.
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Spring time fairy garden
Spring time fairy garden Came across this little spring time fairy garden on a walk today. Needs a little bit of love but it gives life to a small piece of grass which otherwise l would not of stopped to take a picture and share with you.
Little things can make a big difference, just like this little garden made to me today.
Notice what’s going on around you, acknowledge other people’s efforts and share the appreciation.
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Happy New Year gift from me to you
12 tips and habits to improve self esteem My gift for you to boost your start to the new year .
All you need to do is go to this page:
https://anxietyclinicdublin.com/e-books/
Click on the link on the page and use the code: Happy 2024
Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2025.
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A Quantum of Solace
Grey Crane bird resting on a branch by a pond Just taking time to enjoy a quantum of solace.
No coming
No going
No after
No before
When moments are just moments… -
A mindful start to the day
Swan and duck in a pond in St Stephens Green Dublin A mindful start to the day. Just me and nature. The blessing of St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin.
Have a nice day.
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Time for less tricks and more treats
Trick or treat With Halloween fast approaching it can often evoke themes of fear, making it a prime time for the spotlight on various phobias. Here are some of the most common phobias associated with Halloween (incidentally there is nothing funny about no. 6):
1. Samhainophobia – Fear of Halloween: Named after Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival that Halloween is based on, this phobia refers to a fear of Halloween itself and the associated symbols, events, and customs.
2. Nyctophobia – Fear of the Dark: Halloween activities often take place at night, and many people with this phobia may feel heightened anxiety as darkness is a central element of the holiday.
3. Phasmophobia – Fear of Ghosts: Ghosts are a common theme during Halloween, making people with this phobia especially uncomfortable around the imagery or discussions of spirits and the supernatural.
4. Arachnophobia – Fear of Spiders: Spiders are a frequent Halloween decoration, and people with this common phobia may feel anxious or disturbed by the appearance of spiders, real or fake.
5. Claustrophobia – Fear of Enclosed Spaces: Haunted houses and Halloween attractions often involve cramped, dark spaces, which can trigger feelings of claustrophobia.
6. Coulrophobia – Fear of Clowns: Halloween often brings out people in clown costumes, which can provoke extreme anxiety for those who suffer from this fear.
7. Necrophobia – Fear of Death or Dead Things: Halloween’s association with death, including skeletons, graveyards, and depictions of the undead, can be overwhelming for those with necrophobia.
8. Thanatophobia – Fear of Dying: Related to necrophobia but more focused on the individual’s own mortality, Halloween’s death-related imagery can exacerbate this fear.
9. Hemophobia – Fear of Blood: With many costumes and decorations featuring fake blood or gory themes, this phobia may be heightened during Halloween.
10. Masklophobia – Fear of Masks: Halloween costumes often involve masks, which can trigger fear and anxiety in people uncomfortable with concealed faces.
These phobias are intensified by the themes of horror, death, and the unknown that are central to Halloween celebrations but it doesn’t have to be all trick and no treat.
These phobias can be dealt with and managed effectively if you are willing to give up what you are holding onto.
If any of the above affects you emotionally then feel free to contact me to discuss how you can best get the help you need.
Time for less tricks and more treats
David McAllister BSc(Hons),Dip App S.S.,ADCHP, MCHPA
Phone: 085 843 5939
Email: anxietyclinic@dublin.com -
Opportunistic Optimistic October
This October why not follow the action for happiness calendar and be optimistic?
Remember you don’t have to be optimistic all the time only when it matters.Check out the daily assignments and challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself .
Small steps can lead to big changes.
No need to get hung up on not getting everything done, just focus on what you can do and get it done.
Optimistic October calendar -
Happy World Mindfulness Day 2024
Serene lake and trees World mindfulness day September 12th.
Give yourself permission, regardless of what is going on, to stop spinning the plates and just focus your attention on one thing.
Perhaps it can be one part of your body, your breathe or somewhere in the location you are in.
No need to force it just let it flow and if your mind wanders, which it probably will, then just say to yourself, “Return” and refocus again.
Try it for two minutes, then another two, then another two until you feel the time is right to come back to conscious awareness and continue with the rest of your day. -
The weather’s variable – so are you. But I can’t do a thing – about the weather
Cloudy weather over a green area Wise words from the band Magazine in their song “About the Weather” however I wonder how many of us get stuck on the weather and how it affects our mood.
As the summer solstice fast approaches here in the northern hemisphere, it is fair to say that the weather hasn’t reflected this much so far. Certainly here in Ireland autumnal coats and hats are still in fashion and retail shops will soon be selling off their unwanted summer stock.
However let’s put things into perspective worrying about the weather is pointless for several reasons:
- Uncontrollable Nature: The weather is a natural phenomenon that cannot be controlled by individuals. Worrying about something you have no control over is generally unproductive.
- Forecast Accuracy: Modern weather forecasting is relatively accurate, and being prepared based on forecasts is more practical than worrying.
- Inevitability: Weather will happen regardless of concern. Accepting and adapting to it is more beneficial than stressing over it.
- Emotional Impact: Worrying can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety, which can affect mental health negatively.
- Focus on Action: Instead of worrying, it’s more useful to focus on actions you can take, like dressing appropriately, planning indoor activities, or rescheduling events.
In essence, while it’s important to be aware and prepared for the weather, worrying about it doesn’t offer any practical benefits.
So let the weather be and focus on what you can deal with, your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Remember the sun always shines even behind the clouds.
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Do you fear heights or flying or both?
View from an airplane window I am sometimes asked if a fear of heights (acrophobia) and a fear of flying (aviophobia or aerophobia) are connected as I have came across many people happy to get on an aeroplane to cross an ocean yet can’t climb a ladder to clean a window and vice versa.
Like most phobias the psychological and physical responses are the same such as:
• increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, and panic attacks.
• negative thinking patterns and previous experiences, can influence both fears.
However the triggers are different :
• Acrophobia: This fear is triggered by situations where an individual is at a high elevation and can see the drop, such as being on a tall building, a ladder, or a cliff. The fear is often related to the potential for falling(basiphobia)
• Aviophobia: This fear is specifically related to the act of flying in an airplane. It can be triggered by various aspects of flying, such as takeoff, turbulence, or the confined space of an aircraft, and may include fears of crashing or lack of control.
Yet there are overlaps and differences:
• People with acrophobia may also experience fear when flying because airplanes are high above the ground. The thought of being high up can trigger anxiety even if the context is different.
• However, not all people with acrophobia have a fear of flying. Some might feel safe within the enclosed environment of an airplane, where they do not perceive the height in the same way as being on an open structure.
• Conversely, some people with a fear of flying do not have a fear of heights. Their fear may be more related to the specifics of being in an aircraft, such as claustrophobia, turbulence, or the inability to escape the situation easily.
Thus , while there is a potential connection between a fear of heights and a fear of flying, they are distinct phobias with different triggers and may or may not co-occur in the same individual. Yet other phobias such as basiphobia and claustrophobia may be more connected and play a part in the fear triggers and responses.
Hypnotherapy is a powerful proven therapeutic method for dealing with the emotional responses to these fears and phobias and can easily be applied to anyone who wants to get on with their lives. Perhaps visiting people in far away places or getting on the rollercoaster rides with the kids.
You see you don’t have to succumb to your fears and phobias and miss out on the pleasures in life.
There is always a choice, a choice to live your life on your terms and seize the opportunities that fear can rob you from.
David McAllister
++353(0)858435939
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A to Z of phobias (Y is a new one to me! )
I was recently asked if there is a phobia for everything. There’s certainly potential for this to be true and over the next few months I’m going to focus attention on specific phobias. So just to get started, here is an A to Z of phobias some of which you may be more familiar with than others. I have certainly not come across “Y” yet but there again who has?
A – Acrophobia – Fear of heights.
B – Bibliophobia: Fear of books or reading.
C – Coulrophobia: Fear of clowns.
D – Dentophobia: Fear of dentists or dental procedures.
E – Emetophobia: Fear of vomiting.
F – Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders.
G – Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking.
H – Hydrophobia: Fear of water.
I – Ichthyophobia: Fear of fish.
J- jangelaphobia – fear of jelly.
K – Katsaridaphobia: Fear of cockroaches.
L – Lepidopterophobia: Fear of butterflies or moths.
M – Mysophobia: Fear of germs or dirt.
N – Nyctophobia: Fear of darkness or night.
O – Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes.
P- Pogonophobia :Fear of beards
Q – Quadraphobia:fear of the number four
R – Trypanophobia: Fear of needles or injections.
S – Scopophobia: Fear of being stared at or watched.
T – Thanatophobia: Fear of death or dying.
U – Uranophobia: Fear of heaven.
V – Venustraphobia: Fear of beautiful women.
W – Wiccaphobia: Fear of witches and witchcraft.
X – Xenophobia: Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Y – Yokai-phobia: Fear of Japanese supernatural creatures.
Z – Zoophobia: Fear of animals. -
My Meaningful month of May
May calendar with daily actions of happiness Make this month of May be the chance to make a different for yourself and others.
Start today with an act of kindness towards someone else in your life.
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Shake it off with active April
Action for happiness active April calendar Follow me and others on a journey of activity this April.
Get outdoors, enjoy the longer days, move more, exercise a little bit more, even just relax more.
Commit today and your mind and body will thank you for it.
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Help is just around the block away
The Guardian article a quick walk leads to bright ideas A great article on the benefits for getting outside and moving. That bright idea that has been alluding you might just be a few steps around the block away.
Give it a go today you might just surprise yourself. -
A helpful guide to a mindful March
Mindful March Enjoy every day of Mindful March.
Allow all the daily tips to connect .
Feel the benefits grow exponentially.
See you at the 31st.
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Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day
artwork by @talesfromthewood Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day everyone
In Gaelic tradition, today was the first day of Spring.
The Celtic Goddess Bríd -goddess of healing was revered on this day a day that signaled renewal, new growth, and movement towards light.
Time to renew ourselves- our thoughts, our feelings, our behaviours.
A Spring clean for the mind.
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Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day
artwork by @talesfromthewood Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day everyone
In Gaelic tradition, today was the first day of Spring.
The Celtic Goddess Bríd -goddess of healing was revered on this day a day that signaled renewal, new growth, and movement towards light.
Time to renew ourselves- our thoughts, our feelings, our behaviours.
A Spring clean for the mind.
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Happy Mindful New Year
Wishing everyone a mindful New Year, taking time to start at your present place, doing the best you can with the resources you have.
Have a mindful New Year -
Fast Fix Fears and Phobias Workshop
Fast Fix Fears and phobias workshop A big thank you to CHI Temple Street for facilitating my Fast Fix Fears and Phobias workshop today. Super condensed version but still produced great results. I really want to congratulate the participants for taking the brave step to face their fears/ phobias and for the effort they put in today. Wishing them all well on continuing the progress they made today.
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A Reminder that today is World Mental Health Day 2023
Today is a further opportunity for all of us to become more aware that mental health is as important as physical heath and requires as much maintenance.
Indeed to borrow a phrase from President Truman they are:
“Two halves of the same walnut”
So today of all days put your mental health first and take action as nothing changes without it. Also here’s a nutritional tip why not try eating a few walnuts as they just happen to be a superfood for the brain.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071526/
World mental health day 2023 -
Fear by Kahlil Gibran
Read and reread this fantastic poem until you realise what fear really is.
It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.
She looks back at the path she has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of her,
she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.
Anxiety Clinic Dublin 