Not just for today
Category: Health
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Anxiety and Covid-19. It might surprise you.
Some alarming statistics where nearly 20% linked to anxiety based disorders.
Get this quote from the paper :
Anxiety and fear-related disorders were a prevalent condition in our sample; they were also the second highest risk factor for death among the underlying conditions considered in our study.
Of course it doesn’t have to be like this. We as individuals, groups even societies can do something about this.
However we need to be honest with ourselves and take the intelligent first step towards action and seek out the help needed.
I’m sure you will agree it is in all our best interests to do so. Agreed?
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Amazingly Simple breathing technique to try right Now.
Breathing to relax Have you ever found yourself feeling stressed or anxious and you are literally gasping for air , struggling to breathe?
This is scary, right?
Probably you have found the more you try to breathe the harder it becomes,true?
Well now you can use this amazingly simple breathing technique that will instantly relax you, letting both your mind and body settle .
The best thing is , as it is so simple, all you have to do is remember 3 numbers : 4-7-8
Simple right?
So this is what you do:
1- Breathe in through your nose to the count of 4
2- Hold that breathe to the count of 7
3- Breathe out through your mouth to the count of 8
When you breathe in just focus on your breath breathing in calmness, love and relaxation.
When holding your breath just visualise this calmness, love and relaxation flowing through your mind and body.
Finally when breathing out imagine you are blowing out through a straw all the while releasing any tension, fears and worries.
Notice and feel how you begin to relax and calm down just by using this simple conscious breathing technique.
This will allow you to begin to breathe normally again.
3 numbers: 4-7-8.
Amazingly simple,right?
Further information can be found at http://anxietyclinicdublin.com or feel free to contact me at anxietyclinic@dublin.com
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10 things stopping you being awesome
Awesome - Stop worrying about what others think of you, as they probably too consumed with worrying about the same thing.
- Spinning too many plates. Stop. No one can do it all by themselves, start delegating or outsourcing to free up time.
- Hate your job? Do something about it as it won’t change itself.
- Too many energy vampires in your life? Ditch them, spend more time with those who help and motivate you.
- Lacking motivation, no.4 above will help, then set a small manageable goal and build from there.
- No direction? Like motivation it’s time to plan what you want in life and set goals.
- Putting other’s happiness before your own? Time to be positively selfish and let the happiness in for yourself first.
- It’s not your fault? Maybe so but don’t let circumstances dictate your life take responsibility and you’ll feel better.
- Ditch the comparison trap, focus on what you already have how more awesome you can be for you and others.
- Stop living in the past or too far into the future. We all only have this present moment. Make it count.
Feel free to contact me for further information.
David Mcallister
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World Obesity Day
World Obesity Day Key facts (according to WHO World Health Organisation)
- Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.
- In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese.
- 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese.
- Most of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.
- 38 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2019.
- Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016.
- Obesity is preventable.
I see anxiety tied in with weight issues but it doesn’t have to be like this.
Time to change these facts. Time to change our lives. Times starts today.
anxietyclinicdublin.com
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Memento mori (we all must die)
Memento Mori Remember we all must die. I’m in my 50s and here I am just listening to some old records(vinyl to those too young to know what a record is) after talking to old friends in the modern communication via Zoom. We are middle aged and beyond, yet I don’t see who we are now but the children we were. To close my eyes, just to listen and it takes me back. Not men, not fathers, not husbands, but just us.
As a student of the social sciences many years ago I discarded the views of ageing as it was put to me then. For youth would of course never die, or at least , have an appreciation of an end. But then those held dear, close, go, gone. It hurts. Perhaps only for a short time and we move on. Youth remains strong. But not forever.
We never can be sure when it happens, when the first cut of age takes it’s quota- a wrinkle, an ache, thoughts of the past more prominent than the future, who can be sure other than to know it just happened beyond our control. Then what?
Do we continue down the path we’ll worn by those who came before us or challenge ourselves to greater glories or wait, just wait for something, anything to change our course?
I come across far too many people who dream and hope that things will improve but like the ancient Romans are willing to leave their fates to the Gods of fortune( Fortuna spinning her wheel of fortune).
This alarms me as I see an abundance of talent and potential just dreaming or wasting their lives away not realising everyone including you has something to offer through being alive.
Sure if you’re content with your life and don’t feel the need to do anything differently, then that’s fine, it’s your choice. You probably don’t need to continue reading but for those who don’t feel that way then please stay with me.
In the long run we are all dead.
John Maynard KeynesI’m not going to preach, that’s not what’s this is about. I just want you to understand, no mortal being lives forever, not you, not me , not the generations past or indeed yet to come.
We all have to start somewhere, no matter your current age or circumstances, if you want to change where you are then do it and do it now.
Remember:
- Dreams and hopes don’t come true without action
- Waiting doesn’t change anything or get things done
- Memento Mori (we all must die) make it a life worth living
David McAllister BSc(Hons), ADCHP, MCHPA
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Covid-19 vaccine today
Received my first vaccine today. Thanks to the wonderful team at Temple Street Hospital. Received my second vaccine. Once again thank you Temple Street Hospital
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Supporting men’s mental health week 2020
Anxietyclinicdublin supports men’s mental health week 2020 Proud to support men’s mental health week 2020
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Dingle’s WWII survivor: ‘People need to relax’
Dingle’s WWII survivor: ‘People need to relax’
— Read on www.rte.ie/amp/1132874/Wise words from a patient lady on her 90th birthday.
It’s not easy at the moment, which is understandable , we all feel uneasy, we are restless, we want to get back to our lives.
But we can’t, not just yet. This is the message on a global scale. Stay patient we will get through it together.
Let’s respect the wisdom.
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You might not live forever but you might just be a nicer, happier person before you go.
www.facebook.com/290974401588395/posts/545124699506696/
Another great article from BBC future. You might not live forever but you might just be a nicer, happier person before you go. #bbcfuture #behappy #positiveaging #anxietyclinicdublin
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Redundant sanitised hand
The hand of a working man…wasted
Sourced from David Sylvian let the happiness in
This is my right hand (Righty) , it’s not quite redundant, but it’s very clean. Very Very clean, so is it’s partner Lefty. Righty likes to be busy, but doesn’t work as hard as Lefty, who is the dominant one.
At the moment both are not as busy as they should be, Righty can live with this , but Lefty can’t, so he took this photo of Righty, to keep himself busy, he is typing these words also.
Our hands are important, however when they have too much time they can get mischievous, “Devil and idle hands and all that”, never a good combination.
So to occupy Lefty and Righty, they have been set tasks:
- chopping, stirring, flipping and cutting in the kitchen, Righty’s fingers have a few nicks, naughty Lefty.
- filling the washing machine, hanging out clothes, ironing clothes
- stretching, pulling and lifting to help the middle aged body move
- massage the aching body
- hold and flick the pages of a new book
- holding a biscuit and dunking in a nice cup of tea
Who knows they might even teach each other a few tricks so Righty can take more of the leading role and Lefty can take a more supporting role.
Both are looking to the future when the invaders have gone so they can get back to doing the work they love, being helping hands to those in need.
One thing is for sure they will not be redundant and will be very very clean.
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When social distancing anxiety hits home
Social distancing anxiety ”You’re far too close, stand back from each other, six feet people , two metres. I’m being serious, this is serious, very serious.”
It’s the reception area in a part of a Dublin hospital, small groups of health care staff are busy doing their jobs as they would every day, but the words stop people in their tracks. The words hit home, the mood changes, anxiety rises, just in case we weren’t aware- social distancing is a new reality.
The consultant doctor, whose words are above, is a respected, calm, erudite senior member of this team. He doesn’t scare easily, this is not his first rodeo, so just in case anyone was in any doubt, the corona virus Covid-19 , is not to be discarded as a bad cold or flu, his team is down 50% and the surge hasn’t arrived in Ireland yet. If they are anxious about social distancing then we all should be mindful of social distancing.
The words resonate with my experience , I travel to the hospital by public transport, the bus is usually packed, standing room only. But not at the moment, 100,000’s have been laid off work or working from home, caring for children who’s schools or crèches are closed. The bus is sparsely filled people observing seat distancing, trying not to get too close. It’s eerily quiet, the usual multilingual chattering has gone, transferred to internet chat rooms.
But not everyone has switched onto the need for social distancing, a young man sat behind me on the bus the other morning, more concerned with his mobile phone than being aware of the seat distancing all us other commuters were observing, not through any conscious pact on our parts or bus company policy , moreover just through common sensibilities about the current situation we all find ourselves in.
I chose to get up and get off the bus, I had a few choice words with the youngster, he didn’t care, I cannot be responsible for other people’s thoughts and actions, only my own.
Walking around the city brings it’s own anxiety, I see too many people grouped together, sitting far too close (6 feet guys, 2 metres please), walking two or three abreast. This raises my own anxieties, I have to cross over roads to avoid groups, stopping in doorways, turning my back to allow others to pass by. As an anxiety management therapist I know the damaging effects of constant anxiety- https://anxietyclinicdublin.com/anxiety-test-results/
I’m fortunate enough to be able to regulate my own anxieties, but just like the corona virus Covid-19 , I don’t have immunity from them, but I have solutions such as conscious breathing and mindfulness. Likewise we have solutions to contain the corona virus Covid-1, hand and general hygiene, avoid unnecessary contact and SOCIAL DISTANCING.
I’m now doing more work over the internet via Zoom and VSee, it’s not quite like the real one to one or group settings I prefer but it’s our current reality. A reality that might change the way we think about how we work and live and what type of societies we want both locally and globally. But that’s for another post.
So let’s be conscious of our actions and the impact they have on others, we can all ease our anxiety by slowing down and listen to sensible advice. I know I have: “…I’m being serious, this is serious, very serious.”
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A little bit of creativity and health in Ireland
A big thanks to healthy Ireland and creative Ireland for an informative and interesting event. #healthireland #creativeireland #anxietyclinicdublin
Anxiety Clinic Dublin 