Blog Page 15

The title might seem unusual since we generally expect children to be thrilled during Christmas. As a mother of two, I’ve noticed my kids’ excitement for the holiday season, but it’s essential to acknowledge that not every child shares this sentiment. While Christmas brings joy, it can also bring heightened stress for some children. In my role as a Clinical Hypnotherapist specialising in child anxiety, I’ve observed common concerns children face during this festive period. Let’s explore these challenges and discuss coping strategies to support parents throughout the season.

Many of us wish we’d chosen the perfect ...

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We’ve all probably experienced denial in some form  or another during our lives. Maybe we’ve seen it in others, or maybe we’ve been ‘guilty’ of it ourselves, but whatever our experiences, most of us would agree it’s far from uncommon – and it takes on a myriad of forms.

Denial is ignoring that lump in the breast or developing mole on the arm, and pretending it’s nothing to worry about.

It’s throwing money at a lost cause in the misguided hope that you can recover a bad situation. Maybe it’s that ‘one last bet’ to get back what you’ve lost at the bookmakers, or maybe it’s the failing business that you keep pumping money into in the belief that tomorrow will be different.

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Do you find yourself tossing and turning when you go to bed, unable to fall asleep? Do you wake up in the middle of the night and then spend ages tryingto get back to sleep. Do you often wake up feeling groggy and unrefreshed? Ifso, you’re not alone.

Insomnia is so common, it affects millions of people every night. According to the NHS, it’s a problem that regularly affects around one in three people in the UK.

As a sleep specialist, I know poor sleep is more than just frustrating. It can havea significant impact on both physical and mental health. It can causeheadaches, muscle pain, and other physical symptoms and can lead to fatigue,irritability, and diffi...

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Fertility:  a word that has the potential to ignite a wide range of emotions for so many, especially for those struggling to conceive. Whilst society empathises with women on this matter men still tend to be sidelined. Many are uncomfortable expressing their sadness, pain or frustration and therefore don’t tend to seek help, they often feel obliged to stay strong to support their partner and are rarely asked how they feel about this unknown, strange, previously uncharted and often baffling world of needing help to make a baby.

In today’s world we invariably expect to be able to be in control of our lives, our plans and our timelines. The latest technology is on hand to help navigate daily demands and we’re continually told...

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They fuck you up, your mum and dad.

They may not mean to, but they do.

They fill you with the faults they had

And add some extra, just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn

By fools in old-style hats and coats,

Who half the time were soppy-stern

And half at one another’s thro...

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The importance of a healthy level of self-esteem cannot be underestimated:  it determines our worth, value and right to have our legitimate needs met.  It is the ability to set boundaries, attract and maintain healthy relationships, and recognise that we will not abandon ourselves simply for the sake of belonging.  It is a sense of being rooted in ourselves, and recognising intuitively when someone,  or something, is not in our best interests coupled with the ability to act on this gnosis and withdraw if necessary.

Self-esteem becomes our guidance system, our inner compass, to navigate our way through life as well.   We cannot control what happens to us in life but with good self esteem we can learn to sail in high seas.

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You’ve probably never heard of Joseph Weizenbaum, a German American computer science professor at the world renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). You’ve probably never heard of ELIZA, either – the computer programme he created to demonstrate that machines could not replicate talking mental health therapy.

At least, that was the intention. But as students of his work would be quick to tell you, that’s not quite how things worked out.

Let’s rewind a little. The Sixties is now recognised as having been a hothouse of new trends and new ideas. Not just around fashion, music and film, but also in social consciousness (this is the age of peace and love and antiwar sentiment, after all) and in technological advancement.

L

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In a world increasingly dominated by dating apps and swiping right, we often forget to look within our own circles for potential romantic connections. Friends of friends, colleagues, neighbours, or even familiar faces from the local shop or train can hold the key to unexpected connections and blossoming love stories. Shifting our perspective and seeing the people around us in a new light can yield many benefits and open up avenues for genuine connections.

Exploring the Uncharted Territory

Seeing someone you already know in a romantic light may seem daunting, but it can lead to beautifully unexpected outcomes. Before you embark on this journey, consider a few crucial points:

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When the news of Sinead O’Connor’s death broke in the evening of the last Wednesday of July, it was a painful reminder that fame – even when the height of it is long distant – comes at a high emotional price.

Her death will be processed no differently to the sudden and unexpected death of any other UK resident: a postmortem followed by a coroner’s investigation. 

The autopsy will already have been performed. If the cause of death is found to have been natural, she will be laid to rest in accordance her expressed wishes within a matter of just a few weeks.

And it is, of course, entirely possible that the singer succumbed to some sudden illness or catastrophic health event.

But as any journalist will tell yo

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If you have come across this blog, you may be looking for some answers to ongoing sexual challenges or unmet sexual needs. Or you may be curious about what sex coaching actually is. If so, read on, because we are going to dive into what exactly sex coaching is and how it could support you in your journey to sexual satisfaction.

As a sex coach, I see clients who are at different stages in life, from people who have been married for 20 years to single people wanting a partnership to those dating and wanting to improve their sexual performance. For some, they may not have had any therapy before and are wanting to start with a practical approach from the onset. For others, they may have already had talk therapy, and although they have come

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