A conversation with our children about mental health can be scary. We can’t ignore the problem or hope it will resolve itself – here’s how to start.
10 ways to beat the January blues
Think of these as suggestions, or permissions, to enable you to survive and maybe even enjoy this tricky time of year. What do you do to help you cope with the January blues?
The key to a Christmas that doesn’t disappoint
By Elli I love Christmas: I love a reason to celebrate, to eat good food and make a fuss. I love the full sensory experience, the smells and the decorations, lighting the candles and listening to the music. I’m no scrooge! But I’m looking for the key to a Christmas Continue Reading
Anxiety and panic attacks: a conversation
By Elli Last month, my friend Sri and I had a four-day break in Lisbon. We are old friends – we met in sixth form – and have not holidayed together since we were 19, a fabulous two-week adventure in Italy, as you asked. This break had been a long Continue Reading
Eight Ways to Lessen Your Anxiety Right Now
By Elli Not all the causes of anxiety can be rectified quickly or easily. I have found through personal (and often painful) experience, there are certain mindsets and patterns of behaviour that take months or even years to unpick. That may not sound very encouraging, especially if you are battling Continue Reading
For the strong and exhausted who struggle to find time for rest
By Elli A few weeks ago I wrote a letter to my strong, exhausted friend. (You can read it here.) At so many points in my life I have been the person who needed to read that letter, and often I still am. But I am re-learning how to live Continue Reading
When you try to be everything to everyone, and it’s too much
By Elli Hi, my name is Elli and I am a recovering people pleaser. I want to make other people happy, which always seemed like a good goal to have. However, this well-intentioned aim got me into hot water. I was trying to be everything to everyone. About ten years ago, Continue Reading
To the Capable and Over-Committed Carers of Others: Why You Must Love Yourself First
By Elli Committing one’s care to others is important to many, but being overly so is not possible, if you don’t first love yourself. I Was Hopeful For Some Wisdom to Help a Suffering Friend Eight years ago, I entered the cafe and waved to the woman I had arranged Continue Reading
The Problem With Anxiety
By Elli The problem with anxiety is that you never know when it will pop up. This is why, two weeks ago, I opened my notebook and wrote this to you. I was fine, then felt the signs of anxiety I’ll level with you. I’m feeling anxious. Right now as Continue Reading
On the daily battle to silence the shoulds, oughts and musts.
By Elli When the alarm went off this morning I was already weary. I am at the worst point of my period and I feel distracted and exhausted. My body is suffering, I have not slept well, and my belly aches. My mind is unable to settle, jumping from one Continue Reading
Three tips for when you are coming out of a time of depression
By Elli On either side of my driveway crocuses and snowdrops have started to appear. They have forced their way through the decomposing leaves; bursts of colour against the damp brown matting. I take a rake and gently pull it across the flowerbed, easing my way carefully through the flowers, trying Continue Reading
A key to living in the present
By Elli We have been in Anglesey for about eight weeks now. It has been fantastic. I’m living in the present here. Stopping time…for a while As I write this I am outside, sitting at the table under the parasol. If I look up I can see the mountains of Snowdonia Continue Reading