As the government sets out its roadmap to start easing lockdown restrictions, many of us embrace the thought of seeing friends, family, returning to the workplace and doing activities we used to enjoy.

However, for some the long-awaited changes and return to ‘normality’ can bring very real challenges and anxiety.  Again, it’s more adjustments, more changes to comprehend, the fear of exposure to the virus once more, the return to real life pressures, time pressures, social expectations and ongoing uncertainties. 

For many, this may be a potential trigger for panic attacks, social anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, depression and many mental health conditions.

Each of us have had our own experience of lockdown and we will have our own unique experience of re-integration. We are all experiencing different levels of uncertainty and challenges and have varying levels of resilience and coping mechanisms.  So, I would strongly suggest not judge yourself too harshly or compare yourself to others and just focus on how best you can adjust.

Here are a few things to consider and some tips to help you cope:

I’m sure many of you are experiencing increased anxiety, stress, worry and fear as a result of this latest lockdown. It feels as if the challenges from last year are taking their toll and so much feels out of our control.

There are currently so many changes, anxieties and pressures to cope with - maybe you’re working from home, home-schooling, shielding, feeling increasingly isolated, facing financial challenges or job-loss, have business worries, relationship issues, health issues, feel all freedom is lost and of course many are unwell with COVID-19 or have sadly lost someone they love.

Whilst we can’t change the global situation, we can try to take control of our world and a good place to start is to manage our own health and wellbeing.  It’s more important now than ever to look after ourselves and be kind and supportive to others.

Here are my 10 top tips to help you manage your anxiety and stress levels ...

The answer is most definitely yes!

Hypnotherapy can be an effective therapy for many issues and provide long lasting and life changing results.

However, lots of people can ‘shy away’ from this transformative therapy, having false misconceptions of what is involved and many can feel sceptical about results.  This is totally understandable, as stage hypnosis and hypnosis techniques are often portrayed in an entertaining light and give the impression of not being in control of thoughts and behaviours.

So let’s address a few myths …

Insomnia, or the inability to sleep, seems to be a real issue of today. All of us can experience periods of disturbed sleep, but sometimes our sleep patterns become irregular and over time this can become an exhausting problem.

Often, sleep issues coincide with difficult times in our lives, such as following a grief or loss, during relationship or work issues, or times of increased anxiety and stress; thus, magnifying the difficulties we are already experiencing and making each day seem even more challenging.

There are many emotional and mental health reasons for disturbed sleep, but if getting restful sleep is an issue for you over a period of time it is advisable to get a health check to ensure there are no underlying medical issues causing your Insomnia.  Sometimes sleep issues can also be a side effect of medication, so it’s worth considering this too.

So, what can we do to help regain a healthy sleep pattern and regular restful sleep? Here are just a few areas I would explore with clients:

In today’s technological age, online counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are becoming ever more popular, with many taking advantage of the convenience to accommodate busy lifestyles.

As I am writing this blog, online therapy is currently our only choice, due to imposed ‘social distancing’ and ‘self-isolating’ at this challenging time. But, you may ask … is online therapy effective? Is this for me?

I’ve always felt ‘face-to-face’ therapy to be the preferred modality, but online therapy certainly does have value and a place in helping people and offering support - non more so than now. I’m referring to online therapy where client and therapist can still see and communicate with each other using such platforms as Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp Video Call or Zoom etc and not live-chat/message/email platforms.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of online therapy?

‘Social distancing’ and ‘self-isolating’ - such new, yet now so familiar turn of phrase.

It’s been an unprecedented week, with the world and people’s lives being changed hour by hour.  Most people’s stress and anxiety levels will have risen considerably, with health, family, food and financial anxieties being real and major concerns. Sadly, illness and grief are also currently a real part of life for many. The words ‘social distancing’, ‘self-isolating’, Coronavirus or COVID-19 are now firmly imprinted in everyone’s mind.

It’s an extremely worrying time so it’s difficult to stay calm and positive.  However, it’s so important to realise how stress and anxiety affects the body; it triggers your flight-or-fight response, releasing stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which can weaken the immune system.

Now, it’s more vital than ever to look after your well-being, support each other and try to remain calm.  Here’s a few ideas and strategies you can try to help maintain your mental and physical well-being:

Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday can be a wonderful day for many, but it can be such a difficult day for some, especially those who are grieving a related loss. Since writing this original blog, Mother's Day will be different for many, due to 'social distancing' and 'self isolation'.  So now is the time to think of anyone who may be struggling, through a grief or through these uncertain times.

Of course such a day touches so many - adults/children who have lost their mother, mothers who have lost a child, women who have suffered a miscarriage or are struggling to conceive, those in estranged families, adopted children/adults who maybe don’t know their biological mother, children who have lost a grandmother, grandmothers who have lost a grandchild, husbands and fathers who have lost a wife or daughter, the list goes on. The actual day and the build-up beforehand can be incredibly difficult and evoke powerful memories, emotions and feelings which are truly personal to each individual and each relationship loss. 

Just like Father’s Day, Christmas Day and Valentine’s Day, the day is publicised widely many weeks beforehand, appearing on social media, advertisements on TV and radio, with cards, flowers and gifts filling the shops, all of which makes it extremely difficult to avoid or ignore.

So, if you are amongst those who are simply ‘dreading’ the day, what can you do to help survive the day and minimise stress, anxiety and upset?

Sadly, the answer to this is yes they can!

A recent BBC News article recently highlighted the current lack of therapy regulation - I must say this is an area I feel passionately about and one that seriously needs to change.  As current regulations stand, ANYONE can call themselves a Therapist, Counsellor or Psychotherapist.

Statutory Regulations URGENTLY need to change so that such professional titles can only be used by therapists who are professionally trained to a regulated standard, are registered with a professional regulating body, are fully insured, receive regular supervision, are practicing ethically and continuously developing their practice.

It's the time of year when many of us make new year’s resolutions - typical ones being; losing weight, quitting smoking, stopping drinking, joining the gym or promising to make time to de-stress/relax etc.

But how many of us commit fully to our promises and succeed in making lasting changes?

I’d like to explore with you some useful tips and the types of support you could access to help you succeed in achieving these goals:

So, what do I mean, 'the A word'?

I mean a word which can feature in all our lives, at any time, and is often explored in the therapy space… the word ANXIETY.

Anxiety is a normal feeling and a part of everyday life, but like anything that gets out of balance, it can have a real and detrimental effect on our very existence.  Feeling anxious can affect us all at different times, to different degrees, causing unpleasant physical and mental symptoms.