Tag: Featured
For quite a long time I avoided spending any time alone at all costs. Part of the reason was depression – I simply couldn’t spend time alone without becoming lonely – but once the depression faded away I was still reluctant to be alone
Opening the front door: Overcoming agoraphobia and severe anxiety
Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety that can grow so severe that you can’t leave your home. At its worst, my agoraphobia didn’t let me leave my bedroom
You are never alone, no matter how lonely you feel
When 2020 came to a close, I was going through one of the most difficult periods of my life. Not only were we in another lockdown but I was writing my dissertation from home while also experiencing my first ever ending of a serious relationship
The meaning of open-water swimming
With the first wave of the pandemic, there was a resurgence in the popularity of swimming in natural bodies of water. Irish coastal swimming areas became dotted with colourful dryrobes, marking this occupation as “trendy”
Two years ago, united as a country, we were thrown into the unknown – a global pandemic. For months on end, we saw no-one but our own four walls and family members
Learning i’m worth getting help
I make no secret that I’ve suffered from depression; it’s something that snuck up on me in the form of negative thoughts that chipped away at my self-esteem until I was left feeling worthless. By the time I realised I needed help, I had decided I was not worth it
Mental health routines and the real meaning of self-care
A mental health routine is a list of daily activities and tasks that you do to ease and improve your mental well-being. If it sounds like a strange notion, that’s because we’re used to thinking of health as a solely physical characteristic
In the space of five days, I heard seven of my school classmates say that they wanted plastic surgery/botox when they were older. Their explanation: they didn’t like their bodies. These girls were only sixteen
Honest, Educational, Real and Human…An insight into the mind, heart and spirit of the youth. We are delighted to introduce you to "The Selfie Show" in collaboration with South East FM Radio
A Lust for Life’s Hunt for Hope: Gallery of hope
This pandemic has been tough. Being in a lockdown with restricted movement for twelve months has hit us all really hard. Everyone has experienced this pandemic differently
Grieving the Leaving – The Student Perspective on Leaving Cert 2021
In this A Lust for Life live webinar, Niall Breslin chats with Cian Costello, Leaving Cert student and host of The Student Perspective Podcast, about what the Leaving Cert students are going through
An Evening With Professor Luke O’Neill and Professor Ian Robertson
A Lust for Life’s ‘Hunt for Hope’ campaign officially launched with an online event ‘An Evening With’ Professor Luke O’Neill and Professor Ian Robertson hosted by Paula McLoughlin
Coping with coronavirus: How to stay calm and protect your mental health
The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged us in many ways: the illness itself, the anxiety it provokes and the impact of restrictions
To help us through this winter lockdown, Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist, Author and member of our Mental Health Advisory Panel brings us this special broadcast ‘lockdown support for parents’
We caught up with Jerry Fish for an intimate evening of conversation about life, music and what inspires him. This one really inspired us. Jerry Fish is a 'True Friend' to A Lust for Life having re-released his famous single 'True Friends' with RTE Concert Orchestra
How I came to love myself and challenge the chaos in my head
That night when I arrived home, I thought to myself if I can’t even do this right, then what is the point? What do I have left to offer?
I still remember the day that we first started our journey. It was a winter’s evening in early January. I had to escape the toxicity of city life’. I needed a moment away from the fake smiling, laughing and the facade of happiness
Maria Lynn @Pinch_of_pos is a student paediatric nurse who is passionate about lifting the stigma around mental health. She has created this video to bring people together in a hope that others realise that they are not alone
Where is my Mind? is a podcast about how we can navigate the manic, always-on, and head-melting world we live in. Our lives are changing so quickly, it’s hard to keep up
The not-so-age-old question: What does a panic attack feel like?
What does a panic attack feel like? A question I get so often but words fail to give an appropriate answer. I always try but have never given it justice
Walk or run the women’s mini-marathon for A Lust for Life
Run, walk, jog, skip, however you like to cover your 10km distance; do it for A Lust for Life in the Women’s Mini Marathon this May 31st
This Winter has hit me harder than any previous year. Previous to this college year I had spent the past year and a half abroad, so when I came back to reality I knew it would take me a lot of mental effort to get through the Winter season
An Open Letter to My Brain: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Is Just a Tumour
I used to think you were defective, demonic; evil personified. A fantastical beast plucked from the vividest imaginings of hell
“You must be having the best time ever”. The same words said to me from each conversation from relatives at home as they look at my life through the screens on their phone
There have been many moments in my life where I’ve asked myself, “Would anyone miss me if I was gone?” I’ve struggled with my mental health for quite a long time
I spent two years fighting for inpatient treatment. Two years trying to get the specialized care I knew I needed because outpatient treatment just wasn’t working. It was like I was swimming against the current
Life through Sunglasses: My First Experience with a Psychologist
I often ask for help. I look for it in family, friends and romantic partners. When all those options failed me, it was healthcare professionals’ turn
I wrote this letter after the passing of my family dog, Sadie. It happened just one month ago and hit our family in ways we couldn’t have foreseen. In truth, we always knew Sadie was special, but it wasn’t cemented in our minds
“I need to recognise the Donald Trump in me”
I’m currently in my second year of my Masters in Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and some of my deepest learning has come through the group discussions
After hitting rock bottom I realized the only way was up!
The girl in the picture yeah that’s me. The girl that everyone thinks is bubbly and always laughing like she hasn’t a care in the world. But that’s wrong… I care too much
How the Buddhist metaphor of “the second arrow” can help you be nicer to yourself
The pessimistic phrase “shit happens” is often seen as a mantra for the disaffected, the apathetic, the cynical. But shit does happen in life, sometimes a lot of shit
I began my journey with Pieta House during the Autumn of 2016. I had heard of their amazing work over the years previous, but like most people with mental health disorders I never thought I was worthy of their support
Hiding in plain sight – The paradoxes of a suicide
In the majority of cases it's nearly impossible to make sense of a suicide. Unless you are in that place yourself, you would think why on earth would anyone do that?
How counselling and talk therapy can help
Counselling is one of the most powerful weapons we have against a whole range of mental health issues like depression, grief and anxiety
How to keep your worries at bay – Your step by step guide
Searching for certainty in an ambiguous world…Worry is the major feature of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and intolerance of uncertainty is the force behind worry
How anxiety can affect our attention and concentration at work and what to do about it
One place where you need to be able to concentrate, take in information, and decide the best course of action with a clear head, is in the working environment
The Volunteers – ‘Why are people allowed to be wounded everywhere except their mind?’
I lost five of my students to suicide in my first five years of teaching. I am marked. Darkened, lessened, wounded and numbed
What I learned from quitting social media for one month
The irony is not lost on me; sharing an article on social media about quitting social media! But it cannot be denied that the online world offers a wonderful platform
Tip 1 - Understand that anxiety is not your fault. Why are we collectively dealing with so much anxiety? Understanding the roots of your anxiety is essential and also realising that it is not your fault is the first step
Positive Psychology | Exercises for building happiness – Part 1
The pursuit of happiness has occupied humans for millennia – whether creating ancient Greek schools of philosophy, inspiring the United States Declaration of Independence
The benefits of going alcohol free
Drinking makes us feel bad. Many drink to feel good, but it actually makes us feel bad. It can also contribute to increased anxiety, depression and many forms of illnesses. We’re all heard of the saying ‘the fear’
Depression and relationships – What you can do to retain intimacy when depressed
If you are depressed your relationship can also become depressed. Depression can wreak havoc on your ability to experience and maintain intimacy within your relationship
A beginner’s guide to self-compassion
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We’re all familiar with The Golden Rule. It’s a great credo to live by, and its logic is sound: we should treat others the way that we would like to be treated
From distress to disorder: diagnosing mental health
A colleague remarked to me recently that she was struck by the number of people getting in touch with her to talk about and discuss their mental distress
Man walks into bar, orders an addictive depressant, becomes addicted and depressed
No joke. There’s no doubt about it, living alcohol free in Ireland is a radical move, particularly for an Irish person
Mindfulness Program: Week 1 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness
Welcome to Week 1 of this 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness, so whether you’re a complete beginner and curious about learning more
What I love about not drinking
NO MORE HANGOVERS: No more wasted days sitting on the couch too afraid to move or face the world. No fear, no anxiety, no depression. Saturdays and Sundays free to enjoy as I please
Learning self-acceptance to find happiness within
Regardless of who you are, you are going to be going through good times and bad, find things easy at times and hard at others
A Lust for Life Marathon tapering tips
Long runs are an essential part of Marathon training but with the Dublin Marathon getting closer it’s essential that you start to reduce the duration and frequency of your long runs
Joe Caslin and A Lust for Life unite to unveil giant mental health artwork in Waterford
Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine - We live protected under each other’s shadow. I clearly remember that Friday afternoon five years ago
Why random acts of kindness are important now more than ever
I’ve always thought that random acts of kindness are important. They may not be monumental or change the world but are significant in their own way
How gratitude revolutionised my mindset
I have spoken at length elsewhere about my battle with low mood and anxiety. One tool that I have embraced this year has been a gratitude journal. This simple technique has revolutionised my bedtime routine and mindset
Tactics to prevent rumination becoming your ruination
Rumination is ruination is a phrase I repeat to myself every now and then. Rumination means brooding over and over on negative events in the past, present or future
#IronmindTri – It’s about the journey, not the destination
So here we are, just a few days before many of you will participate in your first ever triathlon
7 Questions to ask when you don’t know what to do with your life
Every day is a new chance to make a change. Eventually, every person in this world will have to make a decision about what to do with their lives
A guide to enhance your flexibility
These days exercise is no more a luxury rather it’s a necessity, especially if your job demands sitting at a desk for hours at a stretch
Ways to ‘Ground’ yourself to inner calmness
In times of life’s inevitable ups and downs we often experience overwhelm and/or major stress. Sometimes, when we seek help, supportive friends or complimentary therapists talk about ‘Grounding’ as a good way to calm down
Excellence does not require perfection
Best-selling author and clinical psychologist Dr Harriet Braiker famously said “Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralising”
5 Tips for handling anxiety at work courtesy of my co-workers
Coping with anxiety is hard, but dealing with it at work can be a nightmare. There are a number of fast acting medications that can help in a pinch, but they can be addictive
Let’s highlight our collective empathy, not magnify the toxic minority
I wanted to let the dust settle regarding the online reaction to Sinéad O' Connor’s ongoing battle with her mental health, but felt compelled to write. Much has been made of this online reaction due to the fact that a small minority decided to use the distressing situation of Sinéad reportedly going missing in Chicago
How breaking down can save you
At only 19 I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, and more recently with an Anxiety Disorder. Breaking down recently was the best thing to happen to me: it made me stronger
I had a dream the other night. I was sitting beside a good friend of mine and we were chatting about life. I looked down to my left hand and I noticed I was holding a heart in it
Ironmind Triathlon 12 Week Training Program
Triathlons consist of a swim, cycle and run, consecutively and vary in distance depending on the particular Triathlon being undertaken
The battery life of a teacher – Top tips on how to keep your battery topped up
I recently began a discussion with a group of teachers about their ‘battery life’ as a teacher. I showed them an image that illustrated the ‘battery life of a teacher’ as being full on
My appeal to Ireland after devastation of losing my twin brother
Our drinking habits need to change. And fast. First of all let me start by telling you about myself. I am a regular 20 year old who has often gone out for days in a row, don’t remember getting home, the usual story with most young people in our generation
How positive thinking changed my life
I was doing a job I hated, there were no opportunities to find another and I started hating myself. In one sentence, this is what my life looked like one year ago. One negative thought led to another. I was in the vicious cycle of depression
10 Reasons why losing your sh*t can make your life come together
Being optimistic in life is a beautiful thing, but just like your weekend Fireball shots, it works best in moderation. Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, we often play the roles of happy
9 reasons why giving up alcohol is good for business and life
Two years ago I set myself a challenge, the ultimate social challenge - one year without alcohol. As a broker in the city of London, most people thought this an impossible task and others considered it terrible for business
Exercise adherence, weight-loss, health and well-being – From failure to success
Getting healthier and fitter shouldn’t be a totally hellish process. Ultimately putting your health and well-being first is a self-loving journey and should be always viewed and acted on in this way
‘See you in two minutes, Ma!’ A mother writes her story of losing her son to suicide
‘See you in two minutes, Ma!’ The words echoed in the hallway as the front door closed and re-opened in a burst followed by a trundling of long legs up the stairs and down again as quickly
7 Life lessons they won’t ever teach you at school
Every time we make a decision where we ignore our heart and go with our head, prioritising logic and reason, we can often end up having regrets
Obligation has a lot to answer for
We live in a world full of doing, always rushing around trying to get everything we need to get done in a day, working hard, doing errands, making sure everything is alright with our family, our friends, the world
Niall Breslin today addressed the Joint Committee on Health and Children about mental health and wellbeing at a meeting of the Oireachtas. Here is his opening statement
Over the past few months, a good friend of mine, Shane, made contact with me regarding an incredibly distressing position himself and his fiancé Cat, and her family found themselves in
Get a buzz without the booze – Destigmatising booze free socialising in Ireland
Three years ago, for the first time in my life and never previously considered, I decided to take a break from alcohol. I was a social drinker but it sometimes put a shadow over me that I never fully recognised until hindsight made me recollect
Helping children develop resilience, manage stress and strong emotions using the ‘90 Second Rule’
Research shows us that emotional regulation is one of the key factors for the development of resilience and wellbeing. This makes sense when you think about it
How to check in on someone you love
Even if you’re very worried about a loved one’s mental health, it can be very daunting to think about broaching the subject with them
Overcoming a phobia, learning to breathe thanks to swimming and the power of mating seals
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation
Some of us put so much focus on taking care of others that we neglect our own needs and desires. And some of us are so accustomed to giving our love away to others that we forget to save some for ourselves
When it comes to the grieving process, it can be broken down into five stages known as the five stages of grief. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, author of ‘On Grief and Grieving’, gave a detailed description of the stages
The societal impact of cyberbullying
Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group
Performance enhancing drugs and their psychological and medical impact
Sport is one of the greatest expressions of human culture and endeavours that we have. It lifts the normal to the extraordinary, the mundane to the sublime, be it rugby, GAA, soccer, cycling or athletics
Psychologists urge schools to make mental health and wellbeing a priority for pupils
Every school day more than 400,000 young people attend nearly 1,400 post primary schools across the country
A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 1
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Clare Kambamettu has very kindly developed an online CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) course exclusively for A Lust for Life readers
This 4-week Core plan is designed to help you sculpt an athletic, rock-solid six-pack that not only looks great but functions great also
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
Everybody on this planet could benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help them cope with all that life throws at them
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
