The start of a new year seems like the perfect time to take stock and make some changes – that’s why so many of us feel compelled to make New Year’s Resolutions. However, research shows that while we often get off to a flying start, by early February almost 50 per cent of people who […]
In recent weeks worried householders have been bombarding social media sites with images of unusually large spiders found in homes across Northern Ireland. This has fuelled fears that the long-legged creatures (the biggest have a 6inch leg span and can run at 30k per hour!) may be dangerous and has caused alarm among those with […]
The Walk In My Shoes Campaign run by St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin highlights young peoples’ Mental Health issues and aims to reduce the stigma surrounding common difficulties such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide and self-harm. Campaign Ambassadors include U2’s Adam Clayton, Tiger Woods, Brian O’Driscoll, Michael Flatley, Lulu Guinness and Cecelia Ahern. […]
While a lot of attention is paid to what we eat and how much we eat, we tend to neglect how we eat. Often grabbing something on the go, eating at our desks or while driving, we tend to approach eating as a task – to be completed quickly and efficiently rather than an experience […]
Since 2011, in Northern Ireland, 9000 young people under 18years have been referred for Mental Health Treatment. Issues treated included depression, eating disorders, trauma and bereavement. It can be difficult for parents to accept that a child may be suffering from a mental health issue and finding appropriate help is often stressful and confusing. […]
CBT Self- help for Depression Behavioral activation is a basic coping strategy that can have a tremendous effect on your mood. When people feel depressed, they may be less likely to do the things they enjoy or avoid other potentially pleasurable activities. A consequence of this is often a worsening of mood, feeling more detached from […]
It can be difficult to establish the practice of mindfulness as part of our daily routine, so begin by creating ‘mindful moments’: choose one mundane daily task, preferably something that you do several times a day like washing your hands/making a coffee /doing the dishes and commit to doing this single task mindfully for seven days. Each […]
These self-help measures will usually be enough to help people with mild degrees of SAD, but should also be used even with more severe SAD. Go outside as much as possible during the darker months so you can see more daylight. Carry on any regular exercise you do – best outside since this gives you daylight […]
This week Johnathon Trott who plays cricket for England and who is a highly talented sportsman had to stop playing for his country at the Ashes in Australia due to a stress related condition. Following this announcement a number of other sportsmen have spoken out about the personal difficulties they have experienced when playing a […]
There are many factors which contribute to poor sleep: doing too much; stress/anxiety; relationship difficulties; depression; poor diet; alcohol/substance misuse; lack of exercise and worry about lack of sleep. We can break the cycle of disturbed sleep by making some changes to our sleeping environment; to our behaviour and to our thinking. Change your sleeping environment: […]
