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In Just 10 Minutes You Can Be Kind to Yourself and Others
Karen Hemmings • 21 May 2020
Look for the Person Behind the Mask
On Mental Health Awareness week there are easy things we can do, to help ourselves and to reach out with kindness and support someone else. The main thing is to understand that many people struggle with poor mental health in the UK, in fact 1 in 4 of us do every day. People you may think are confident, funny, or supportive of others, may also be struggling as much as anyone else. So, the easy answer is be kind to everyone and that includes yourself.
Our brains have positive psychological reactions with each act of kindness. Chemicals released during the act of helping someone else help us reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, decrease blood pressure, protect our hearts, lessen aches and pains, strengthen our immune system and slow aging.
A quick way to support yourself, is by taking just 5 minutes to write down all of the things that give you self-nurture. Try it now, think of your senses, what do you like to smell, taste, touch, listen to or see? Maybe the smell of bread, or the sea, listening to music or birds, feeling the sun on your face, taking time to enjoy the flavours of a great meal, the feeling of giving a gift or even some time to someone else; list as many as you can. Then aim to be kind to yourself and enjoy at least one thing on your list each day.
For someone else, imagine them sitting in the chair opposite you or walking towards you and as you do; imagine stepping into their shoes or sitting in their chair. Don’t think from your mind, think as if you are that person and then run through the same nurturing thoughts in your head, think like they do, use their senses see, hear, feel, smell and taste as they would. And you can wonder what small things would help them to feel nurtured, supported, involved or even just recognised that they exist in our world. Out of the list of things, what one small thing could you do to be kind today or tomorrow or both?
It maybe to say hello to someone you wouldn't normally acknowledge, or just smile at them. It could be the only acknowledgement they get today.
It could be pinging a message or an email or it could be starting a conversation to ask how they are doing, and that one conversation helps them to get help.
You may be suprised how quick it is to help someone and you could also be surprised how genuinely happy it makes you feel to give the gift of kindness, lifting your own mental and physical health and that of others. Maybe tomorrow you will be kind to two people and you never know they may also be kind to two people, who may be kind to two more.....
The Healing Mind provides a range of hypnotherapy services in Chester, Cheshire and the surrounding area, as well as Reiki, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
If you are feeling low or suffering with poor mental health, there are always people that are available for you. If you need help, then please ask for support; there are many organisations with people that can help you including:
https://www.thesamaritans.org call 116 123
https://www.thecalmzone.net call 0800 58 58 58
http://www.actionforhappiness.org
https://www.mind.org.uk
https://youngminds.org.uk
And for people affected by addiction
https://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk
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Each of us is a unique individual with distinct experiences, challenges, and paths to well-being. Understanding this uniqueness is essential when seeking mental health support, as different therapies resonate with different people. I offer a range of services, including counselling, hypnotherapy, emotional freedom therapy, and Reiki Healing, to cater to various needs and preferences. Counselling provides a safe space to explore thoughts and feelings, offering clarity and strategies for managing life's challenges. It is ideal for those who benefit from talking through their issues with a trained professional who can offer insights and coping mechanisms. Hypnotherapy taps into the subconscious mind to address deep-seated issues and alter negative patterns of thought and behaviour. This method is particularly effective for clients who are open to exploring their inner mind and harnessing the power of suggestion to facilitate change. Emotional Freedom Therapy focuses on processing and releasing pent-up emotions, stresses and traumas that can hinder personal growth. This approach is suited for individuals who recognise the impact of unresolved emotional pain and are ready to confront and heal these feelings. Reiki Healing, an energy-based practice, promotes relaxation and reduces stress through gentle touch. This therapy is perfect for those who seek a holistic approach to mental health, valuing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. During therapy you are encouraged to choose the therapy that best aligns with your personal preferences and needs. Some people may find a single approach sufficient, while others may benefit from a combination of therapies to achieve holistic well-being. By acknowledging your unique differences, you can each find a path to mental health that truly resonates with you. If you would like to find out more about how therapies could help you , then you can book a free 30-minute telephone consultation at a time that suits you here.
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The top picture is me, on a day off jumping out of an aeroplane to raise money for a local hospice. Normally I’d be helping clients to achieve their goals in life, whatever they may be. You too can unlock the power within you through person-centred counselling, it’s a transformative approach designed to help you achieve true happiness and self-fulfilment which places you at the heart of the therapeutic process, recognising your innate ability to understand and resolve challenges best. Imagine having the freedom to navigate your own journey to happiness. As designer Diane von Furstenberg wisely said, "You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness." With person-centred counselling, this powerful insight becomes your reality. You will uncover the strength within you to create meaningful changes and achieve profound self-acceptance. I support people with several transformational therapies including counselling, hypnotherapy and emotional freedom therapy, where I provide a understanding, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment so you can explore your thoughts and feelings freely. This safe space empowers you to discover your own solutions and paths to personal and career or business growth, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-direction. Imagine having the freedom to navigate your own journey to happiness, where carrying the passport to your own happiness becomes your reality. I will be by your side so you can uncover the strength within you to create meaningful changes and self-acceptance. If you would like to take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling future and unlock the true potential within you, then you can book a free 30-minute telephone consultation at a time that suits you here.
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Whether you play sport or run for fun, or you are a super-competitive sportsperson, in sport it's crucial to care for the mind as meticulously as the body. Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can significantly enhance sports performance by optimising your mental state. Hypnotherapy can help you enter a deeply relaxed state, allowing you to visualize success, reinforce positive habits, and reduce anxiety. This mental conditioning fosters confidence, concentration, and resilience under pressure. NLP techniques reprogramme the mind's responses to various stimuli. By changing negative thought patterns and reinforcing positive ones, you can overcome mental blocks, enhance motivation, and improve focus. Techniques such as anchoring (associating a specific stimulus with a positive mental state) and visualisation can create a more consistent and peak performance mindset. Combining these methods can help harness the power of your subconscious mind, leading to improved performance, better stress management, and enhanced overall well-being. You probably know that by integrating mental training into their routines, professional athletes achieve a harmonious balance, ensuring their mind and body work in unison for optimal performance. This holistic approach boosts physical capabilities while fostering mental clarity and emotional stability, essential for maintaining peak performance and achieving long-term success in sports. You may not know that it is available to you too, so you would like to find out more and experience growth in your performance, then please get in touch.
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing which offers numerous benefits for overall wellbeing. By channelling universal life force energy through the practitioner's hands, Reiki promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and alleviates anxiety. It enhances the body's natural healing abilities, aiding in pain management and accelerating recovery from illnesses and surgeries. Reiki also balances emotional and mental health, fostering a sense of peace, clarity, and emotional stability. Regular sessions can improve sleep quality, boost immune function, and increase overall vitality. Because Reiki's has a non-invasive nature, it makes it suitable for all ages and conditions, providing a gentle, holistic approach to health. This ancient practice supports personal growth and spiritual development, helping clients to connect with their inner selves and cultivate a positive mindset. Overall, Reiki offers a comprehensive, integrative method to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. If you would like to book a Reiki appointment, you can click the button below and book at an available date and time that suits you best. Or if you would like to find out more, then please get in touch.
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Photos by Majestic Lucaz and Caroline Veronez on Unsplash In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel invisible and unheard, where your presence and voice seem to fade into the background. This sense of invisibility can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, affecting your mental and emotional well-being. However, counselling offers a beacon of hope, providing a safe space where you feel seen, heard, and understood. This transformative process can profoundly impact your life, fostering recognition and understanding. Counselling creates an environment of empathy and support, where you are encouraged to express your thoughts and emotions freely. As a trained counsellor I listen attentively, validating your experiences and helping you navigate through your feelings. This validation is crucial as it acknowledges your struggles and triumphs, making you feel valued and important. The act of being heard can be incredibly therapeutic, alleviating feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of connection. One of the significant benefits of counselling is the development of self-awareness. Through guided conversations, we can explore your thoughts and emotions in a non-judgmental setting. This exploration helps you gain insights into your patterns and triggers, empowering you to make positive changes. Understanding yourself better can lead to improved self-esteem and confidence, as you recognize your strengths and work on your challenges. Additionally, counselling provides practical tools and strategies to cope with life's difficulties. Whether dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, I can offer you techniques to manage these challenges effectively. Learning coping mechanisms can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed, making it easier to navigate daily life. Counselling also promotes personal growth and development. Working towards your goals, can help you achieve a sense of accomplishment and purpose, fostering resilience and motivation, encouraging you to strive for a fulfilling and balanced life. Counselling can be a powerful tool that helps you feel seen and heard, transforming feelings of invisibility into recognition, understanding and confidence. It fosters self-awareness, provides coping strategies, and promotes personal growth, leading to a more fulfilling and connected life. If you ever feel invisible or unheard, consider reaching out to me, you can book a free 30-minute telephone consultation by clicking the button below. It could be the first step towards feeling valued and understood.