How did Kerry Ashby embrace the reinvention offered by a new career? Starting out as a florist, Kerry plodded along in her role, unfulfilled and frustrated, until, at 30, she swapped flowers for bandages and a career in nursing, retraining from scratch. Rising through the ranks, she found herself as head of paediatrics at a …
How you can find exercise motivation in repetition Physical training can feel daunting if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. ‘It can be hard to force ourselves into uncomfortable situations in pursuit of a future good feeling that can feel quite far off,’ says Eloise. In addition, anything new might feel intimidating, and …
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Why do people downplay their achievements? Fear of being considered a show-off often means that personal achievements and milestones aren’t shared, even when friends and family would love to hear about them. Rosalind Miles, a BACP-accredited psychotherapist and therapeutic counsellor based in Kent in the UK, notes that self-doubt or low self-worth often feed into …
Read moreWhy you shouldn’t be afraid to sing your own praises
How can we define true belonging? Rather than just being about social networks, true belonging is a prevailing sense of connectedness. It’s a belief in being part of something meaningful and trusting that you’re right where you’re meant to be. And, ultimately, it begins with yourself, because belonging, as social researcher and author Brené Brown …
Read moreWhy cultivating a sense of belonging is good for your mental wellbeing
What are glimmers and how do they affect your body? Shortcuts to moments of joy, peace and other positive emotions are glimmers – a term coined by Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant and lecturer specialising in complex trauma. While triggers are widely understood as signals to the nervous system of a potential threat, fewer people …
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Do cold showers improve mental health? In theory, exposure to cold can increase the neurotransmitters in the brain that are known to improve mood, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Research as to whether this translates into reality, however, is limited. One very small study, published in the journal Medical Hypothesis, showed improved mood after …
Read moreIs it really true that cold showers are good for you?
How to reframe exercise to follow your values One way to reframe ideas of exercise is through the idea of values-driven living. As Christine says, this means ‘living a life that is guided by our values’. In this sense, you use those things you value to guide your long-term decision making. This is instead of …
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Top tips for planning a Yes Day Focus on feelings. Thinking about how you’d most like to feel is a good place to start. Do you long for real relaxation or are you pining for adventure? Mulling over what’s been missing from your average day could provide clues about the most fulfilling way to spend …
Breathe will be attending The Mindful Living Show and the co-located Sleep Show at the Business Design Centre in London on 6–7 March 2020. It’s a great opportunity to learn how mindfulness can benefit your life, health and work. You’ll also be able to explore potential solutions and get guidance for any sleep issues affecting …
How do you think and feel about your body? This year, Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19th May) focuses on a theme that affects (or has affected) most people at some point in their life: how they see themselves when they look in the mirror. Body image issues are a common problem in a society that …
