It’s Friday, So Why Not?
It's the end of the week and so time for a little light relief.
How to Still Your Mind and Calm Mental Chatter
The easiest way to think about not thinking is to start doing. Taking steps to become more aware of our physical experience is one way, which is why mindfulness training starts with focussing on breathing. If that doesn't appeal to you there are many other ways to interrupt that background noise.
Depression and the Lightbulb Moment
They say that depression is like being in a darkened room. You know there must be a light switch, but you can't find it.
Depression Isn’t a Picture
People who suffer with depression (or any other mental illness), are not necessarily in despair, and most are walking, talking, fully functioning members of society.
How to Tame Your Inner Critic
If your Inner Critic is too bolshie you can do something about it. Many people worry about low self-esteem, but the more you worry about it the worse you feel. One of the features of low self-esteem is the tendency to make harsh judgements about oneself. I've found that it is more productive to focus on what you want (the solution), than it is to worry about what you have (the problem). After all, the more you worry about a problem the bigger it can appear. If harsh self criticism...
Depression Needn’t Mean Dysfunction
'Depression' is a concept, not an illness. The need to blame is a personal issue, and blaming a concept is about as sensible as blaming the weather. Depression happens. In most cases it can be fixed, and in all cases it can be adapted to. Blaming is a choice, depression isn't.
Therapy vs Coaching – Similarities and Differences
People often ask about the difference between therapy and coaching. Differences these tend to be more about coaches and therapists themselves, than about the skills or processes that each uses. A good therapist can certainly act as a coach, and an effective coach as a therapist. So how do you choose?
Taming the Black Dog
The Black Dog is an equal opportunities mongrel. To put it another way, depression has no demographic preferences, it can reach anywhere. I've reposted this video because it's provides such great insight. In this short video, made in collaboration with the WHO, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone tells the story of overcoming the 'black dog of depression'.
Mental Health – “I’m not crazy, I’m mad”
This is a great example of how to convey a complete message in about three minutes.
Automatic Thinking Doesn’t Mean All-Powerful Thoughts
There's no need to be ruled by unwanted thoughts. If you are – though it may seem that you have no control – there are ways to change the habit. Like most things, it takes a little practice, and the first and most important step is to lose the idea that you can't.
