Mental Health

Ride the waves and tap into self-care with these tips Have you ever had an emotion that felt ‘too much’, or feared that your feelings would overwhelm you? While emotions have an adaptive purpose – to help us stay safe, make decisions, communicate, and build social bonds – there are times when they become so

As dog owners, we often think our dogs truly understand us. And it turns out, science thinks you’re right too From the adorable head tilt to the excitable bark, our furry friends have long shown their abilities to understand human behaviour. And researchers have now discovered fresh data that suggests dogs are far savvier than

Could group therapy be right for you? Here’s what really goes on during sessions Doing what it says on the tin, group therapy is a psychological therapy that takes place in a group setting, rather than one-to-one. Available on the NHS and privately, these sessions bring together people with similar problems, to create a supportive,

Victoria struggled with self-harm and an eating disorder for years. But with the help of a strong support system, she learned to live alongside her depression, and a new hobby ignited a sense of hope for the future Content warning: this piece include details of self-harm I will never forget the very first time I

A report has found that the rates of suicide in England and Wales dropped ‘significantly’ in 2020, but is that the full story? Content warning: this article contains a discussion on the topic of suicide. A new report, released 2 September 2021, from the Office for National Statistics, has found a ‘statistically significant’ decrease in

Do darker months dampen your mood? Spot the signs that you could be experiencing seasonal affective disorder It’s anything on a scale from a drop in mood to bouts of depression – and with the autumn and winter months drawing in, research from the Weather Channel and YouGov predicts that as many as 29% of

A Leamington Spa charity is developing a multi-purpose space to support women and families in the region For those escaping domestic abuse and dangerous environments, local safe spaces are vital – and with the rates of domestic abuse and mental health problems rising throughout lockdown, they have never been more needed. Helping Hands Community Project,

See the world around you in a new light with these tips for introducing romance into your day Not just something connected to love and relationships, romance can be as simple as harnessing feelings of mystery, excitement, exoticism, and appreciation of the day-to-day things that make life a pleasure to experience. Deeply connected to gratitude

As World Alzheimer’s Month begins we share some helpful articles for those caring for someone with dementia Every September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a month to raise awareness, start conversations and signpost support for those living with dementia and their loved ones. Dementia is the term used to describe a set of symptoms that include

Learn how to let go of self-deprecation, and instead talk positively about your achievements Most of us have been there: you are introduced to someone new as, “A talented writer/accountant/marketer/musician” etc. Rather than accept the compliment, chances are you swiftly downplay your strengths, and feel a little embarrassed. But why are we so quick to

What is it that makes a simple jigsaw puzzle such an effective mindfulness practice? It’s the rainy day classic that became a lockdown essential, and while there’s nothing new about puzzles (the first jigsaw is thought to have been created in 1762), many of us are just starting to realise the potentially mindful boost that

Family bonds often run the deepest, which is why it’s all the more painful when they break down. Here, with the help of a counsellor, we explore how to navigate difficult family relationships Families: they’re not always easy. Separation, blended households, addictions, mental illness, money problems, betrayal, expectations, communication, or simply clashing personalities – there

Sort the facts from the fiction when it comes to the sensitive topic of self-harm Content warning: this piece discusses topics and details relating to self-harm. Names have been changed for privacy. A Lancet Psychiatry study found that, in 2014, 6% of 16–74-year-olds living in England had self-harmed, which is equivalent to more than one

Self-doubt and social anxiety ruled Sheena’s world, until her children became her motivation to push past the fear and step into the next phase of her life Throughout my childhood, I always felt a sense of loneliness and insecurity. Changing cities and then school a few times, I struggled to make good friends and I

The first children’s book launched by the NSPCC, ‘Pantosaurus and the Power of PANTS’ hopes to help families have simple conversations about sexual abuse Following a crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than £46,440, the children’s charity NSPCC has now launched its first book, set to help families have conversations with their children about difficult topics

Step back in time, with these feel-good tracks from across the decades 60s 1. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Gerry & the Pacemakers (1963) A classic, soothing reminder that we don’t have to go through things alone. [embedded content] 2. ‘Feeling Good’, Nina Simone (1965) This is one song guaranteed to put a swagger in your

To support more adults, children and young people struggling with their mental health, The Help Hub are seeking volunteer therapists When the pandemic began, life, as we knew it got, turned upside down. For many, this affected their mental health, leading to a surge in demand for support. NHS services became overwhelmed and for some,

Spend some quality time together, with these five mindful activities for couples Offer a sensual massage You don’t have to be a master masseuse to take your partner on a relaxing mind and body journey. YouTube has a huge selection of tutorials for basic massage techniques that you can try out. Just remember, take it

Something on your mind? Why not produce, publish, and distribute your own magazine about it? All that creativity is therapeutic, empowering, and fun Lots of us love getting creative, as a way of supporting our wellbeing and expressing ourselves. And alongside more notable artistic outlets, such as painting and poetry, is the world of zines.

We’ve rounded up some everyday actions you can take to help fight the current climate change crisis We know that climate change is happening, and there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting the rate of the crisis is speeding up. In recent weeks, the threat to our environment has been gaining traction in the media,

Carve out some time to reflect on where your happiness lies, with these practical tasks Whether it’s to celebrate a milestone, or if you just want to take some time to reflect, there are lots of creative activities we can do to revisit our memories. The following are great ways to explore the things that

INFJ, type 2 – ‘the helper’, high agreeability… There are lots of personality tests out there, each promising to give us more insight into the people we are. But what do the results really mean, and how can we use their findings? As humans, something that sets us apart is how unique we are. Like