Bye bye February, hello March!
I love March with the yellow optimism that the daffodils bring as they open their cheery little petals.
January & February was all about the physical side of our health focussing on gut health and nutrition. March and April’s focus is on our emotional health. Both are required in equal measure in order for us to ‘feel well’.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting information, ideas and products which can help our mental wellness. I’m convinced that the root of my illness all those years ago (glandular fever during teenager years) was a physical manifestation of the PRESSURE COOKER PERFECTIONISM I lived with. I lacked confidence yet was always striving to be the best, to get the A* grade, to be chosen for everything (from the first correct answer in class to being the starting shooter on the netball team) and to always be involved. I did this as every pat on the head I received gave my validation that I was doing the right thing which was very important to me….although why and to what end I did not question.
I did not understand what I now consider essential which was to pace myself, to rest and even to share. We’ve all heard the expression that you cannot pour from an empty cup yet I constantly fought this and just carried on and on and on.
People often ask me what was the key to recovering from M.E./CFS and although I desperately wish I could wave a magic wand for everyone, my overriding answer would be acceptance and understanding. Both of the physical elements of the illness (e.g. foods that triggered an inflammatory result and stressed my body) and the emotional (with my mind always switched on and learning to identify my self-sabotaging thought patterns).
I am currently pulling together a workshop for the Easter holidays to help teenagers and young adults with CONFIDENCE & CALMING, to treat their rising anxiety levels with their exams approaching. We will briefly cover aspects of physical health to support their wellbeing but the focus in on understanding and controlling their emotions, learning to name and amend their feelings, quietening the chimp mind and stepping into confidence and control.
So March….the month of yellow…daffodils….hope…new life….spring awakening, we welcome you.
I look forward to sharing bundles of information and tips to support your emotional wellbeing just as much as you have been focussing on the physical side.
Hi I’m Sarah and I’m a total stress head. There, I’ve said it! As it’s #stressawarenessday I wanted to admit to it and share some ways to help manage the overwhelm.
Here are some (not so helpful) things I’m really good at. How many of these relate to you?
- I’m very good at beating myself up and saying unkind things to myself
- I excel in unnecessary anxiety
- I overanalyse and procrastinate over the smallest things
- I always try and do too much and fit in ‘just one more thing’
- When I stand in front of a mirror, my first thought is to see how far my tummy is sticking out
- I keep trying to be perfect. I strive to do well in everything I turn my attention to – work, home life, friendship, being a ‘good military wife’.
Does any of this sound familiar?
I know my mental state has directly contributed to my physical symptoms. Learning to let go of striving for perfection has been a huge journey. Most of the time I can manage this but sometimes I’ll wonder why things are building up again and I’ll realise I’ve set unrealistic and unattainable expectations. *DEEP BREATH* Cue some tapping and repeating various phrases such as “It’s OK to be me” and “My best is good enough”. Of course, I’m only human and sometimes it gets too much and only a good cry/rant/long hot bath will do.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
Stress levels, anxiety and pressure affect us all and I share this list because I am well qualified to help you in your own unique and wonderful way.
Working both physically and emotionally I can help you, your children, your friends & family be truly listened to. Using kinesiology we can find out what the body says is going on (it often isn’t what you’d expect) and what is needed to rebalance.
Let me help you unpick what’s going on in your life, mind and body and work with you to create a personal plan back to wellness and feeling back in control.
THINGS THAT CAN HELP
- Remembering to practice self-care – taking a moment, deep breaths, affirmations, quietening the monkey mind
- Reminding yourself that THERE IS NO PERFECT! You cannot be all things to all people so start focussing on the things YOU want to do the most
- Scribbling down thoughts in a diary
- Having a long hot bath (my husband practically runs up the stairs to draw me a bath when he knows I’m feeling stressed bless him)
- Talking to someone – whether it’s a friend or a therapist, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel once it’s out there and you can work through it
On Stress Awareness Day, take a moment to put yourself first. Think about what’s bothering you the most – is there anything you can do about it, anyone to talk to about it or anything that can help? If you’ve found yourself nodding to anything written above, get in touch to find out how I can help you feel stronger again.
Here’s a link to a previous article with some more practical advice to help: www.thrivehealthwellness.co.uk/stress-and-adrenal-fatigue/
EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique
Have you ever suffered with anxiety? I struggle with having irrational anxious thoughts at times and have been really focussing on self care techniques including EFT.
EFT techniques – watch this video
Do you struggle to control your thoughts? Do you ever feel the anxiety build and feel out of control? Learn about how to Silence the Chimp and use tapping (EFT) techniques to break negative thought patterns & worries, turning them into a strengthening, positive affirmation.
Watch this EFT video here: https://youtu.be/-q2yyU8cDoU
Hands up if you like using Bach Flower Remedies? They are simple FABULOUS at helping us manage our emotions. Over the next few days, I’ll post about the most commonly used remedies and how they can help you.
Bach flower remedies show up as helping in the majority of sessions and I thought it would be helpful to share the most popular ones. Read below to see which fits with how you’re feeling and give them a try.
Each of the 38 remedies discovered by Dr Bach is directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state. They are not necessarily a personality test answer but do help with how you’re feeling at a particular moment.
How to use:
Suitable for use with babies and children as well as us grown-ups, you can squeeze 3-4 drops under your tongue or pop in a glass of water. Adding them to a bottle of water you drink throughout the day will be a great way to provide ongoing support.
If you would like any advice on choosing a Bach flower to help you, please pop a question below or email me [email protected]