How long to hug for? Google says 20 seconds, but I couldn’t find any research to back that up. What is important is that you have the time YOU need to relax into the hug. If you are hugging a …
Tag: Wellness
Yoga Practice
I have been practicing yoga intensely for about 20 years, but not the kind of yoga you think of when you think of yoga. Not the asanas (the postures). Sure, I practiced Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) before meditation for years, …
Getting Started with Therapy When Affordability is a Factor
Therapy can be expensive. But I have always thought of it as a vital part of my own self-care. At times I have gone without some things in order to prioritise my mental health, and it has always paid off. …
Boundaries & Mental Health
Let me say it again – you are not responsible for someone else’s mental health. To be clear, I am not talking about abuse. If you are verbally, physically, mentally or emotionally abusive, then you ARE responsible. If you are …
Notice What’s Already Okay
Sometimes I notice that I’m over-focused on what isn’t working or what I think is wrong. It seems that all of the okay things vanish from my awareness in those moments. When I bring them back, even one small thing, …
Are You Stuck in Pattern Repeat?
When we are growing up, we get used to the relational distance between us and our caregivers. We chose a distance that feels safe. We do whatever we need to do to maintain the ‘safe distance’, close enough where I …
Reversing The Cycle of Anxiety
At its core, anxiety is worrying about something that MIGHT happen. We scan the environment for threats and gauge ourselves to see if we will be able to cope with the threat. When you feel your anxiety, you decide that …
When You ‘Act Out’, It Might Be Your Inner Child Trying To Protect You
If it wasn’t safe to connect with your parents when you were a child, it makes sense that connecting with people as an adult will be scary to your inner child. One part of you might feel safe, but …
Why Therapists Go To Therapy
I went to see my therapist yesterday to do some work around the birth of my two children. They are now 10 and 12 years old, but I still feel a queasiness in my stomach when I think about my …
Signs Of Emotional Exhaustion
We have all been there. When we feel like there is no more to give, to ourselves or anyone else. We are burnt out, and emotionally exhausted. When this happens for me, I know it is a big shout out …