Mental Health

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

How embracing our inner-child in the workplace can help us rediscover our passion What would you give to turn back the clock, and live a day as your five-year-old self? For many of us, the life of a child looks not just fun but easy, especially when compared with the pressures of adulthood. Instead of

Founder of The Alternative Limb Project, Sophie de Oliveira Barata, is a little shocked when I congratulate her on 10 years of her company’s existence. It’s not something she’d realised, she laughs, slightly baffled as to why she hadn’t noted her own anniversary, but as we chat it becomes clear why this milestone may have

If returning to the office is filling you with dread and anxiety, try following these tips Most office workers have spent the last sixteen months working from home, with little face-to-face contact with colleagues. The role of worker, manager, partner, parent, and teacher have all segued into one space, with less opportunity to interact with

It’s thought one in 10 women suffer with polycystic ovary syndrome, yet more than half may not have any symptoms at all. With PCOS awareness month taking place in September, Jenna Farmer shines a spotlight on the condition For those who menstruate, periods might be something we don’t take much notice of. Some may find

Join us as we step back in time and explore how harnessing a sense of nostalgia can support our wellbeing It’s in the scent of the perfume your mum used to wear, it’s mixed in with the taste of your favourite homemade meal, it sounds like that track that could be heard blaring from your

Looking for something to watch? We’ve got you covered Sometimes social media ads get my blood boiling, especially if they’re about dieting or weight loss (not interested, thank you), but sometimes… they get it spot on. Recently I’ve been seeing ads for Channel 4’s TV series I am… and I got intrigued. After looking it

We speak to Jenny Lewis, the portrait photographer who captured images of 100 people from ages 0–100, about the things ageing teaches us about life Aroko is a one year old, and doesn’t have much to say. “Daddy.” reads the quote next to his portrait – the second in a lineup of photographs spanning the

We share a variety of resources and information that can help you give support to Afghan nationals in a current state of crisis In just over a week, the world has watched together in horror as the Taliban advanced on Afghanistan, taking control of city after city until eventually seizing the country’s capital Kabul on

Take inspiration from earth, wind, fire, and water to discover the science-backed ways they can improve your mood, and boost your wellbeing Lying on a beach, strolling through woods, enjoying a blustery walk, or snuggling up in front of a roaring fire – these activities can instantly make us feel better. But have you ever

Whether it’s a friend who takes up all the room in a conversation, or a co-worker who keeps you late with their monologues, we explore how to kindly deal with an over-talker Usually, there is a predictable rhythm to the flow of conversation. One person talks, and then pauses to let someone else speak for

How well do you really know yourself? Making space to raise self-awareness can help you to find your direction in life, and notice red flags when they come up. Not sure where to start? Try these journaling techniques, and get reacquainted with you. 1. Try the ‘words to describe you’ exercise Sometimes there’s a disconnect

After we’ve spent what feels like forever in our homes, the promise of a festival set in 26 acres of stunning Dorset park land, with space to dream, learn and play, sounds like our idea of heaven. That’s why we’re heading to Wellbeing by the Lakes this September, and we’d love you to join us,

ADHD can show itself in many different ways. How many of these symptoms did you know? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that first appears in childhood, and which affects people’s behaviour – making it difficult for them to concentrate, and sometimes making them impulsive and restless. As ADHD is a developmental

Make sure you’re on the same page, and get the most out of counselling with these four key questions Beginning counselling for the first time can be daunting enough – but add ‘fear of the unknown’ into the mix, and that’s another worry to add to your mental load. With that in mind, it’s really