Mental Health Awareness Day

Today is Mental Health Awareness day and according to World Health Organisation depression will be the leading illness globally by 2030. if we do not act to combat this disease.

In the UK we have 615 million people suffering from Anxiety and Depression and 1 in 4 people will experience one diagnose Mental health condition, statistics that are higher in Ethnic minorities.

So If we live in a society that caters to our every need why is it that Mental health especially in Young people and those from ethnic backgrounds are on the rise?

Well most answers point to our lifestyle, the breakdown of communities, debt, the breakdown of families, racism, sexism thatall contribute to our mental and emotional distress.

I have candidly explained my own struggle with anxiety as a young woman here

Every year there is a theme for Mental health awareness day and this year the theme is Psychological First aid, and the support people can provide to those in distress.

The World Health organisation has listed tips and ways to support and donate to this cause on their website

I have listed 5 tips on how to cope with Panic attacks and anxiety.

1.  Anxiety and Panic Attacks are normally about an underlying problem so the first step is finding a counsellor or therapist (through your GP or support group) that will help you work through any issues.

2. Exercise or yoga classes will help Anxiety and if your mind is racing then Astanga or Power Yoga will help you because of the active style will encourage you to focus on the postures that will occupy an anxious mind..

3. Complimentary therapies were invaluable to me and my clients when I worked as an Aromatherapist/Healer.  Oils that help Anxiety and depression such as Frankincense will encourages deeper breathing which is hell to somebody hyperventilating due to Anxiety.  

Frankincense - Great for relaxing and slowing your breath and calming the mind.

Geranium - Good for balancing and uplifting your mind.

Bergamot - One of the best oils for Depression (please be careful of sunlight).

Rose essential Oil -  A workshop participant who had severe depression used pure Rose essential oil and found this lifted the depression, excellent for grief also.

4.  The practice of mindfulness ; Being in the present can help, I use my art to help with anxiety or meditation.  Art journallingor working with colouring books can help.

5 The practice of gratitude - Listing small accomplishments of your day, week or life is said to help and improve your mental health.

We also have essential oil sets available in our store or join one of our workshops or courses.

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Prince Rogers Nelson and the 'Currency' deception.

On April 21 2016 we lost another great Pioneer and Supernova the Artist Prince.

It has taken me weeks to write this blog as I digested the news of his death.  Looking at the catalogue of Prince'swork is a never ending process, and reading about his Philanthropic endeavors are astounding.

However one of the most important messages that Prince's life and death represented (apart from damn good music ) was that we cannot compromise ourselvestoo much with our creativity and how we put it out in the world.  We are sold a story that success is attained through social media popularity, or belonging to a specific company/label/agency/establishment much to the detriment of our soul and livelihood.

I have conversations daily with people young and old who are trying to '"make it " struggling to be discovered in a complicated paradoxical social media dominated environment.   Success is now based upon reaching 15k fans and selling pee-packaged,reconstructed material that has no real longevity.  We no longer fight against a system that kills authentic expression,  because we are tired,  passive andconditioned due to 'Burnout' and the Age myth.  The most precious currency we can attain as human beings is from the energy we maintain and use to produce a product or a service that is authentic and unique to us. True currency is about our creative and authentic expression, and Prince Rogers Nelson left Earth as a very rich soul who lived out his design in the most uncompromising fashion.  Prince created a currency so vast and full that his mere existence will affect us for years to come energetically, creatively and in terms of ownership of product.     Prince Rogers Nelson's existence on this planet has taught us how to kick arse and do 'your way' which is   another alternative to just existing.

How do you plan to move forward with your gifts? Leave a comment below.  Let us start a revolution!

RIP

Self Care for Therapists

I remember my first encounter with Burnout I was working as a Beauty and Holistic Therapist at Bliss Clinic in Portobello Road in early 2001; After four years practicing I had to give up bodywork for a long time due to a lack of self-care. I had a good number of regular clients but I could no longer physically work at the level I was used too. I believe my need for external validation of making others feel better was the driving force of allowing my own resources to become dry.

Eventually I moved into Coaching and Training others to become Therapists which again led me to Burnout.  So in 2012 I retired from over-giving and I changed my way of working.

During this time my mentor/therapist would remind me that I have been a classic rescuer so over giving is in my nature.

Over giving is often in the nature of Healers, Artists, Therapists and can be linked to the Karpman Drama triangle ‘PVR’ triangle, where one becomes the Rescuer and gives tirelessly and eventually collapses with exhaustion or become either a victim or persecutor (see video).

“Work is Love made Visible” – Kahlil Gibran

We love our work but there needs to be some exchange because as a Creative Healer our work is our life, but we need to be able to tap into other sources so we can work better.

I like to use the percentage model with my clients; How much percentage does your work take? for example if it is 50% what are the percentages for other areas in your life? for a Healer therapist I believe rest should be very high on your list unless you have a specific project.  This model comes from a more complex model used by the Aztec healers explained by the now departed Healer Elena Avila in her book Women who Glows in the Dark. The Author explains the Aztec model for Healers in more detail.
It is really important for you to have a plan or an ethos for living as a pioneer because anything less would be detrimental to your growth.

Six ways to bring balance and self-care into your life.
1 Community (Partner /Friends/ Family)
2 Rest and Relaxation
3 Exercise
4 Going out in nature
5 Mediation, Prayer, Gratitude, Creativity
6 Healthy Food

If you would like to know more or have some support on self-care, please sign up for our newsletter and join our free course the Creative healing coaching course.