"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” — Aristotle
As we are all too aware, Covid numbers are increasing by the day and with being back in level 3, the oncoming winter seems like a very bleak prospect, even for the most positive of us out there. We have endured months of uncertainty, stress and anxiety around Covid, and all this takes a toll on us. We maybe finding it hard to laugh or find joy in our lives where once it came so much easier in the more carefree days of pre-Covid.
As human beings we all go through dark periods in our lives where we have felt that we were in a dark hole that we could not get out of. We pass through many emotions when in this dark place where we may feel fear, isolation, loneliness, sadness or even grief. There maybe a sense of hopelessness especially when there is no end to the bad news on the media surrounding us at every turn. We worry about ourselves, our families our friends and at times feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. But when we feel the darkness surround us know that we can trust ourselves to find the light....
The uncertainty of Covid creates all these feelings and more but its how we overcome them and stay resilient in the face of such apocalyptic news and overwhelming feelings that is the key to getting through this and maintaining our mental health and wellbeing. We can find new meaning and joy in different ways than before.
We need to remember that emotions are temporary, they move, shift and change. By reframing our thoughts in a positive way has a knock on physiological effect on the body, by focusing on what is good in our lives, by remaining present and not ruminating or worrying about the future, by being grateful for the small things and seeking new ways of thinking and doing to get us through times of anxiety and stress.
We have had a taste of lockdown and we all know how hard that was but we came through it with positive new ways and forming our new normal. There is always a silver lining to the dark clouds and that this state we are in is temporary and that through an inward process of self-reflection and self-awareness we use this time as a transformational process.
We have already shown our resiliency and moving out of our comfort zones through the last few months by getting more creative, by remote working, shopping online, family and friends zoom parties and online entertainment as we know the importance of keeping our social circles and connecting with others for our mental health and wellbeing. We are social beings and we need to feel connected to other people. We need to laugh, love and create memories with others. There are ways in which you can help yourself navigate the next few months...
Stay connected with family and friends in new ways through phone, text, online video chat, outside when permitted at social distance.
By having a Self-care plan in place to nurture your mind, body, and spirit through healthy eating, taking regular exercise, getting into nature and implementing relaxation techniques, doing some meditation and developing and deepening your spiritual practice.
Journaling is a fantastic tool to help you through difficult times and also gives you an insight into your subconscious mind. A gratitude diary is also another way to keep us positive and appreciating what is working and good in our lives.
Few people realise that the most important element to health is Sleep. Sleep is a vital, often neglected, component of every person’s overall health and well-being. It is important to have a proper sleep routine each night. This is an important process of healing, repairing and rejuvenating your body during the deep sleep process.
Here are some tips for better sleeping:
Keep your circadian rhythms in sync by going to bed at the same time each night and not sleeping in but get up at the same time each day even at weekends.
Make your room an inviting sanctuary, a place you look forward to going to, a place of calmness and peace.
Start your bedtime routine a few hours before you good to bed, maybe have a bath, dont drink coffee, tell yourself you are going to bed at a certain time and that you will have a wonderful nights sleep, so that your mind is primed to sleep well when you go to bed.
Do not have a TV, phone or lab top in bed with you as these disturb your sleeping patterns.
Pay attention to your dreams because these are insights into what is going on for you and your subconscious mind.
Please remember its important to talk to family, friends, therapist if you are feeling low and in need of help. Help is out there for those who need to talk, learn tools and techniques to help you through times of stress and anxiety.
Counselling and hypnotherapy in all forms has gone online. Its ideal for when you need to stay at home and self isolate. Its convenient, easy to access and the research shows that its just as effective as working face to face. It is very effective online and is a convenient alternative to face to face sessions. Studies have shown that it is as effective as working together in the therapy room and follows the same structured approach. A systematic review in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (Vol. 14, No. 4) stated that results “indicate that e-therapy seems to be at least equivalent to face-to-face therapy”. It is proving very useful if you are restricted by time, location, family commitments or medial conditions, making it accessible to all. Online therapy gives you the comfort of working from your own home. Using Zoom or Skype for virtual hypnotherapy or counselling sessions couldn’t be easier. All you need is a laptop or device, a reliable internet connection and a quiet comfortable place to relax. If you have earphones it will enhance your experience but its not necessary.
I am an integrative therapist which means I use different approaches to therapy. I am person centred, CBT, psychodynamic and transpersonal approaches to my sessions which are tailored to meet the unique experiences of my clients.
I want to offer you a 30 min FREE initial online consultation via Zoom, which provides a safe and secure connection and gives us the opportunity to see if this process is for you before committing to future sessions. If you are interested in talking to me to see if this would work for you, call me now on 085-8779480