How to take care of your mental health during pregnancy
So, you’re pregnant, you’ve got that BFP (big fat positive), you and your partner are having a baby…
Feed your mind – Top 10 healthy brain foods to include in your diet regularly
Dr. Lorna Doyle, Lecturer and Research Supervisor in Nutrition and Sports Nutrition in Waterford Institute of Technology tells us why eating healthy fats are a necessity for a healthy mind
I thought motherhood was not meant for me. I was broken, unreliable, a risk. After having a mental breakdown in 2003 and living with depression ever since, the idea of becoming a mother seemed irresponsible
Most parents would agree that what children need to develop into their true potential is a strong family unit, one where their beautiful and vital souls can take root and begin the journey towards healthy adulthood
An introduction to mindfulness for young people
I’ve noticed mindfulness has been cropping up a lot in the media recently. Some people have even referred to it as the latest fad. However mindfulness is over 2,500 years old
Putting a stop to your inner critic
When you see your inner critic doing its usual thing, catch it before it gets a hold of you. You could say something like ‘I see you’ or ‘where does this belief come from’, or find your own way of noting it
Helping a shy or anxious child engage more with the world around them
Even though I work with children every day, they never cease to amaze me
The effects of acne during adolescence
If acne is seriously affecting your mood, self-esteem or relationships it is important that you tell someone how you feel
If children were taught early on in life the symptoms of anxiety and how to manage them, then our world would be a much healthier place
Give your body and soul a gift and step off the treadmill
We humans aren't machines, yet many of us live as if we are. So many people I talk to these days are consumed by busyness and time pressures.
Self-Care is a part of everyday life. Without it we would not exist. Often we take our selves and our actions for granted and we ‘self-care’ without even noticing
How to help a child who is feeling anxious
We all experience fear. It is a natural response to threats to our safety. The oldest part of our brains is called the amygdala and its job is to help us survive
We all experience stress during the course of our lives. It seems as though there is no escape from it.
Options to consider if you didn’t get the college course you wanted
Didn't get that college place you wanted? Try not to stress too much, you have options, lots of them
The role of massage therapy in mental health
Massage therapy is becoming more and more recognised as an effective way to assist in the management of a variety of mental health problems
What is longer term Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a talking therapy used to treat emotional and mental health problems individually, in couples or in groups
The importance of peer to peer social support
Having normalised conversations amongst each other about something they have disguised is a powerful therapy
Eating Disorder, disordered eating or just a diet?
One of the questions many people have is how do you diagnose an eating disorder?
How to handle bullying in the workplace
For many people, including myself, the word ‘bullying’ may spark unpleasant memories from the school playground. When I left school I imagined a life free of bullying
The link between nutrition and mental health (TEDx Talks)
We are what we absorb. A key message in this must-watch Ted Talk from Julia J Pucklidge, PhD
Quite a few people have mailed us for advice on medication, when it comes to depression and anxiety
For the next few blogs I will be introducing methods of expressive writing which have been shown to have a positive effect on wellbeing, starting with Free Writing
The healing power of Art Therapy
If we suppress our creativity, it may lead to depression. Humanity has always found creative ways to communicate how we feel, what we have witnessed, who we are and how we worship
Self-compassion : The mind’s unsung hero
As a nation, we are known for our strong character and compassion, yet when it comes to the individuals that collectively make up our society, many of us seem to find it virtually impossible to have compassion for ourselves
Why we need to demystify meditation
People who meditate regularly report an improved sense of emotional steadiness, a reduction in stress levels, clearer thinking, increased creativity and better sleep
What I have learnt from life is that the greatest gift in life that you can give yourself is self-acceptance.
The healing benefits of Mandalas and Zendalas
Mandala is the Sanskrit for ‘circle’ or ‘completion’. When somebody creates a mandala it becomes a window for exploring one’s inner self
Positive Environments Create Positive Attitudes
Exactly 14 days after my injury, I set the alarm on my phone for the horrendously inhumane time of 5.30am, as my triathlon coach and physiotherapist, Mark was due to pick me up, to drive the long five hour spin to Schull
Feeling fed up? Maybe you need a retreat
We all need time out now and then, time to gather our thoughts, and get away from the pressures of today's busy world
Everybody on this planet could benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help them cope with all that life throws at them
On average we check our device 150 times a day and a vast majority of users admit to being addicted to their smart phones
What to limit if you have anxiety
Alcohol, Caffeine, Processed food, Toxic People/Environments and Late nights
10 great songs to lift your mood
A collection of songs to help lift your mood. From The Beach Boys to Bill Withers
Exam relaxation techniques and tips
I am not going to be that condescending gobshite that tells you all that it will be grand, and sure the exams are not the be all and end all
“To me the power of acupuncture is highly underrated and I have peace of mind in the thought that it is not addictive, not expensive and most of all that it has really worked for me”
Here is an essay from one of our followers Brid O’Riordan, on the power of music on regulating and improving mood, highlighting the science behind the thinking
Finding meaning and purpose for your own wellbeing
Having purpose in your life is so important. Purpose provides motivation and direction on a daily basis and in our medium to long term life journeys
Discover your passion and dare to dream
Growing up, my friends dreamt of driving new cars. I dreamt of finding a worn out wreck and bringing it back to life. I was given a book called “The history of Ferrari”. I fell in love
GP’s – The gatekeepers on your road to improving your mental wellness
Having a good general practitioner that you trust is at the absolute foundation of your mental health journey
The ‘Forest Gump’ technique – a tool for panic attacks
Having struggled with crippling periodic insomnia throughout the years, I have always had an interesting relationship with sleep
Here is an article from one of my favourite websites outlining how running and physical health in general can have massive benefits on your mental health
