Category: blog

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… Continue reading Our anxiety perception

One Liner- Resolutions (revisited)

A funny take on New Year’s resolutions; In response to; Linda’s One Liner Wednesday and JusJoJan #Keepitalive #JusJoJan One Liner- Resolutions How is your New Year’s resolution going? As we near the end of January this can be a crucial time in the : Make or break” Have you already given up or is it… Continue reading One Liner- Resolutions (revisited)

Mental Self-Care for Young Professionals

In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, mental self-care has become essential, especially for young professionals. Navigating career responsibilities, social expectations, and personal goals can be overwhelming, leading to burnout, stress, and even mental health issues. Prioritizing mental self-care isn’t just beneficial; it’s necessary for maintaining productivity, emotional balance, and overall well-being. First, it’s important… Continue reading Mental Self-Care for Young Professionals

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… Continue reading Opportunistic Optimistic October

Happy World Mindfulness Day 2024

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… Continue reading Happy World Mindfulness Day 2024

Mindfully walking with Robert Louis Stevenson (and a donkey)

Just returning from delivering Mindfulness Meditation with the wonderful team at CHI Temple Street. Today’s inspiration was: Robert Louis Stevenson’s, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, 1878 Well worth a read as you walk mindfully focusing on nothing but each footstep. “…And when the present is so exacting , who can annoy himself about… Continue reading Mindfully walking with Robert Louis Stevenson (and a donkey)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGThe spider who came to dinner

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s usually the scream that alerts you. There is uninvited guest to dinner.  A moving shadow on the wall, the floor or God forbid the actual dinner table! It’s that time of year again, the seasons are changing, but for the common garden spider it’s business as usual. Well fed on a summer bounty… Continue reading AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGThe spider who came to dinner

5 steps to ease my social anxiety (social phobia)

  Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is much more than shyness.  It is an extreme fear that won’t go away. It can touch on your: • Everyday goings-on • Self-confidence • Relationships • Work or school life Most of us will worry about social situations from time-to-time. However someone with social anxiety feels worried before, during and after events. I have been dealing with people with anxiety… Continue reading 5 steps to ease my social anxiety (social phobia)

I started smoking at 14 – and reached 40 a day. A single therapy session changed my life | Smoking | The Guardian

For years I had been trying to quit, without success, when I decided to take a new approach. It helped me achieve the previously unthinkable — Read on http://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/20/i-started-smoking-at-14-and-reached-40-a-day-a-single-therapy-session-changed-my-life A good article on the power of hypnotherapy to help you quit smoking. Great opportunity if this is what you want. If not for you then… Continue reading I started smoking at 14 – and reached 40 a day. A single therapy session changed my life | Smoking | The Guardian

The weather’s variable – so are you. But I can’t do a thing – about the weather

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.… Continue reading The weather’s variable – so are you. But I can’t do a thing – about the weather

Of course I’m scared it’s a six foot mouse!

Of course I’m scared, it’s a six foot mouse! These were the words of someone I knew suffering from Musophobia, the fear of mice. Now the mouse in question was not a real mouse , l think we all would have a reasonable expectation to be scared if it was. Like something that has escaped… Continue reading Of course I’m scared it’s a six foot mouse!

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… Continue reading A to Z of phobias (Y is a new one to me! )

Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day

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… Continue reading Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day

Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day

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… Continue reading Lá Fhéile Bríde / Happy St Brigid’s Day

England captain Owen Farrell announces break from international rugby | UK News | Sky News

England captain Owen Farrell announces break from international rugby | UK News | Sky News — Read on news-sky-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/england-captain-owen-farrell-announces-break-from-international-rugby-13018975 Important that this message is well received, for him, his family and those feeling the same way. It’s never easy to make a call like this, as you are well aware, however the more we can… Continue reading England captain Owen Farrell announces break from international rugby | UK News | Sky News

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… Continue reading Fast Fix Fears and Phobias Workshop

5 ways hypnosis can help people with autism to cope better with challenges

Always interesting to work with and learn from ASD clients. This article below will give you an insight into five ways how hypnosis can help. Well worth a read. — Read on http://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/understanding-hypnosis/202209/hypnosis-the-treatment-autism

Fear by Kahlil Gibran

Read and reread this fantastic poem until you realise what fear really is. It is said that before entering the seaa 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… Continue reading Fear by Kahlil Gibran

10 benefits of a day off. What’s your favourite?

Taking a day off from work or regular responsibilities can have several benefits for your overall well-being and productivity. Here are some of the key advantages: Remember, the benefits of taking a day off can be maximized when you use your time intentionally. Engaging in activities that bring you joy, practicing mindfulness, and avoiding work-related… Continue reading 10 benefits of a day off. What’s your favourite?

National survey reveals high rates of anxiety and depression

Three in five people experience depression across the country while four in five experience anxiety, according to a recent survey. — Read on http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/national-survey-reveals-high-rates-of-anxiety-and-depression/a965429193.html

Welcome to Joyful June

30 days and 30 ways to make life a little bit more positive. Try out the daily tasks see which ones work best for you. Keep going until the end of June. If you miss one or two, that’s okay, the tasks are small enough and doable enough to double up on any given day.… Continue reading Welcome to Joyful June

3 Mistakes when feeling anxious

www-psychologytoday-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/202109/3-mistakes-we-make-when-we-feel-anxious 3 good points highlighted in this article about anxiety. We can all do them. Remember to walk away, don’t engage until later, you may surprise yourself with your own different perspective. It’s about managing our thoughts, feelings and behaviours so we are prepared more when anxiety comes calling again. You are more supported than… Continue reading 3 Mistakes when feeling anxious

Holland & Barrett promote Hypnotherapy for anxiety

http://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/the-health-hub/conditions/mental-health/mind-and-body/how-to-deal-with-anxiety/ Good to see hypnotherapy suggested as a positive way of managing your anxiety (number 7). Taking action is imperative when dealing with anxiety, seeking out help from a well trained hypnotherapist such as all the members of the CHPA (chpa.ie) can make all the difference. Don’t leave it to chance, if you or someone… Continue reading Holland & Barrett promote Hypnotherapy for anxiety

Look into my eyes: A look at the online hypnosis phenomenon

Interest in hypnosis soared during the pandemic, largely thanks to social media and video conferencing. Is it a fad, or does going into a trance-like state help relieve stress and anxiety?  — Read on http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-41019341.html As the current Chairperson of the CHPA I would like to thank Aidan and The Irish Examiner for this excellent… Continue reading Look into my eyes: A look at the online hypnosis phenomenon

Young people to be prescribed surfing and dancing by NHS to help anxiety | Mental health | The Guardian

Study to assess if ‘social prescribing’ such as surfing or rollerskating can stop conditions worsening while on waiting lists — Read on http://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/25/young-people-offered-surfing-dancing-nhs-help-anxiety A good article about how the medical profession can utilise different approaches to assist their patients with anxiety.