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5 Ways Support Your Depressed Partner
Depression can be tough on relationships

While depression can cause strain on a relationship, it can also strengthen the bond. We have gathered some ways in which you can help a depressed partner and yourself so that you can get through the tough times together.

Signs your partner may have depression.

Looking for the early signs may seem like a game of ‘Wheres Wally?’ -The subtle signs are there but hidden behind the daily noise and grind.

This is where proximity comes in. You see this person daily, so you have to be aware of the small changes that take place over time. They will be things that you’ll recognise, something that will make you pause, hmm over and question that seems out of character.

Signs of depression may include changes in:

Communication: Are they keeping their distance or pulling away? Do they seem more on edge?

Substance use: Has their use of alcohol increased? Are they hiding their consumption? Or are they experimenting with or using illicit substances.

Mood: Are they more irritable or snappy than usual? Are they crying more?

Sleep: Have their sleep habits changed? Are they sleeping more or less?

How to help a partner with depression

If you suspect your spouse is dealing with depression, we recommend these five actions:
1. Encourage them to seek professional support
Depression is a treatable condition. Rather than ignoring or trying to solve the problem yourselves, enlist the help of a professional such as your GP or a therapist.

People can find depression hard to talk about. Using assertive terms such as “I” statements instead of blame will help open conversations. “I notice” or “I am worried” are far more open to discussion than “why are you in a mood?”
1. Work as a team
Relationships are a team effort both during the good and bad times. Showing unconditional support during challenging times will not only help your partner but strengthen your bond. Phrases such as I am in this with you and I am not going to allow you to push me away are strong statements of support and teamwork.

If your partner decides to speak to a therapist, accompany them to the appointment for the first few sessions. Should your partner ask for you to sit in or participate do so, they trust you and are seeking support and comfort from your presence.

Being depressed can be scary, and by having their partner by their side can help them relax and open up.
1. Practice Self-care
To maintain your health and wellbeing, you may also benefit from some therapy sessions. This is not you being selfish; this is making sure you have enough in your tank to support your partner and family. Create time and space for yourself and allow yourself not to feel guilty for doing so.
1. Do Not Take It Personally
Depression is not anyone’s fault. Give your partner a sense of support and security, even when they are acting out. Try to remember to use assertive language with phrases such as “I see that you are angry/sad, but I am here you”. It will be hard at first, but with patience and commitment, your efforts will be rewarded.
1. Educate Yourself
Your partner needs patience and unconditional love. Having a depressed partner and learning about the condition and treatments available will make it easier to speak from a place of knowledge.

Strengthening Your Relationship

Performing small activities together, such as cooking a meal, seeing a movie or tackling a DIY project can enhance the relationship and is something that does not directly involve depression.

Attending couples counselling can be a favourable decision as these sessions provide a safe and secure space to discuss thoughts and situations that may have triggered an adverse reaction outside the sanctuary of a therapy room.

Depression can be like a leaky basement. Work on repairing the cracks and strengthening the foundation to prevent irreparable damage.

It is possible to protect and strengthen your relationship in the face of mental ill-health.
20/03/2020
79% Of Women Lack Confidence At Work
My Confidence Matters surveyed some 2,500 individuals. It concluded that 70% of individuals admitted to regularly lacking in self-confidence when it came to speaking up at work. This lack of confidence came from across the board regardless of sector, position or business size.

The most notable disparity was that 79% of women compared to 62% of men admitted they lacked confidence in their role. Adding to this, only half of those females felt they would get enough managerial support if they asked for it.

Another survey regarding ambition, confidence, work-life balance and self-belief revealed that women (85%) are more keen to reach a more senior role than men (76%).

Top Five Notable statistics
1. Women who want to reach senior roles note the top three obstacles as juggling work-life balance, lack of internal opportunities and confidence in their ability.
2. Over half said, asking for a pay rise made them the most scared and nervous (54% women, 37% men respectively).
3. 61% Cited they appeared confident but did not feel it. 55% noted this as managing a negative mindset (i.e. symptoms of imposter syndrome).
4. Almost half commented that health and wellbeing had the most significant impact on their career choice.
5. A lot of attention on flexible working hours with some 74% stating their organisation offers this. Of those where their organisation does not 80% would like to see this introduced.
Joy, founder of My Confidence Matters, explains: “It is clear that many lack confidence in the workplace and our research suggests its impacts women the most. Not only is this holding them back from their aspirations, but it is demotivating too.”

Do You Want To Increase Your Confidence and Life Balance?

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02/03/2020
Rises in mental health problems linked with Universal Credit
A recent study has linked a spike in reported mental health problems amongst the unemployed with the continued rollout of government welfare reforms such as Universal Credit
- The numbers reporting psychological distress rose some 6.6% between 2013 and 2018.
- The percentage represents an extra 63, 674 individuals in England, Wales and Scotland.
- Some 21,760 became clinically depressed during this period.
- The government highlighted that no casual link could be found.
Mounting Evidence

Co-author of the Lancet Public Health Journal Study said it had found observational associations rather than cause and effect. She went on to say that the spike in mental health cases could also be influenced by the broader changes in the welfare system and not solely those on Universal Credit.

But the study has added to the mounting evidence of substantial psychological harms related to universal credit.

It is crucial the government need to take into account the sudden and prolonged impact these changes are having on the mental and physical wellbeing of claimants. It has been recommended that health-impact assessments should be given to applicants and claimants, but as of yet, these have not come into fruition.

Delays and Debt

First launched in 2013, Universal Credit combined six benefits into one monthly payment. It was an attempt to simplify the welfare system and get more people into work.

With the average wait time for the first payment being five weeks, many have little choice but to accept an advanced payment. This advanced payment or loan is to help claimants manage until they start receiving their regular monthly payments. But, once those payments begin, the advance is taken out of their Universal Credit. And this is where many struggle with managing their money.

Housing charity Shelter says:

Deductions for rent arrears and loan repayments are now double what they used to be under the old system. Many are struggling to cope.

The long delay in receiving payment is increasing debts, including rent arrears. The advances are putting people into further debt before giving them a chance to pay it back.
02/03/2020
Hypnotherapy For Eating Disorders
Finding websites for hypnotherapy for eating disorders is easy with a quick Google of key terms such as hypnotherapy for weight loss, hypnotherapy for food addiction and gastric band hypnotherapy. You can also search terms such as hypnotherapy for bulimia, binge eating and anorexia.

What might not be so clear is how the treatment works. Hypnotherapy is a treatment in which a trained practitioner uses hypnotic suggestion to aid an individual in overcoming an addiction or fear. It does not use conventional medicine; there are no tablets or side-effects.

How does hypnotherapy work for eating disorders?

A question asked many times over, and for a good reason. Hypnotherapy’s overall public perception is quite dismissive, and this is in part to two main reasons: history and television. Both portray a show of wonder, entertainment, bemusement and trickery. These displays are called stage hypnosis and do not relate to clinical hypnotherapy.

When undergoing hypnotherapy for therapeutic reasons, you remain entirely in control of yourself and the situation. There is no acting involved and no audience to please.

Hypnotherapy for eating disorders works by promoting an overall positive mindset. The suggestions and goals vary from person to person but can include motivation and reduction in fears and anxieties. The goal is to change negative thinking patterns and behaviours into positive “can do” thoughts and actions.

While the NHS does not endorse hypnotherapy, you can find narratives on their website with suggestions of when it can be useful. For example, you can find it mentioned under quitting smoking and losing weight.

What is an eating disorder?

While we all need food to survive and maintain our health, it is often a lack of understanding or development of unusual habits that affect our relationships with food.

Some develop emotional relationships often referred to as disordered eating, comfort eating, binge eating, anorexia and bulimia, to name just a few. Often these are linked to emotional and or mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

Eating disorders are a range of mental health conditions that see a build-up of habits surrounding food. Physical effects co-inside with psychological issues. These issues can include dramatic weight loss/gain, a strain on organs such as the heart and liver, low blood pressure, nutritional deficiencies, hair loss/gain, gastro illnesses and infertility. Quite often, these seemingly small initial choices create a devastating impact on our bodies long-term.

How are they caused?

It is almost impossible to pigeonhole individuals or groups and say that one specific trigger will start a negative relationship with food. But there is always a trigger, and it is typically an emotional one.

The hypnotherapy directory some of the causes:
- A family history of eating disorders or depression.
- Someone criticising your eating habits or weight.
- Internal pressure to stay slim for work or a hobby.
- Having certain characteristics, such as an obsessive personality or a tendency to be anxious.
- Experiencing upsetting events, such as a death or abuse.
- Relationship difficulties with friends or family members.
- Being under a lot of stress, for example at school or university.
Can hypnotherapy cure eating disorders?

Hypnotherapy shouldn’t claim to be able to cure eating disorders because results of treatment differ with individuals, and such statements will bring dishonour to the therapist and damage the industry. This isn’t to say that hypnotherapy cannot be used as a multi-pronged approach to treatment. Often hypnotherapists are cross-trained in other therapies and see extremely good results.

It is important to note that for some further treatment is required several months or years after initially completing a treatment plan.

A clinical diagnosis is not a requirement before seeking hypnotherapy, but it can be helpful for some.

The difficulty with supporting those with eating disorders is that treatment often goes backwards and forwards more than once before a suitable recovery is found. Early intervention gives a person the best opportunity, so the sooner they seek support, the better it is for them.

As previously mentioned, a multi-pronged approach is appropriate when treating eating disorders. Below are some treatments and therapies that work well alongside hypnotherapy.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy known as CBT.
A type of psychological therapy aimed at changing the way you think and behave.
- Family Therapy.
An individual or group talking therapy focusing on relationships in and around the family. Eating disorders tend to put a considerable strain on family dynamics.
- Interpersonal Therapy.
A talking therapy that focuses on relationship-based concerns.
- Medication.
Some individuals may be prescribed mood stabilising medications to aid the recovery process. You mustn’t replace talking therapies with your prescribed medication.

Hypnotherapy for eating disorders

A hypnotherapist needs to understand the real root cause of the issue behind persons eating disorder. To do so, they use a technique call regression. The therapist will take you through relaxation techniques to access your subconscious mind, revealing the trigger event. The event may have been a person, a comment, a situation, a sensation, an item, event or a feeling. Any one thing small or large may have contributed to the development of the disorder.

The goal is not to drag up past traumatic memories leaving them raw; it is to use the power of suggestion to change the thought process. This change in the process allows new positive habits for form around the eating disorder facilitating change in the daily routine and relationships with food.

By using positive suggestion during hypnosis, practitioners can enable you to change the way you feel about yourself. Increase self-esteem and learning to feel positive about yourself it a large part of recovery. Coupled with a new levelled understanding of food, hypnotherapy for eating disorders provides the psychological support required to move forward and avoid being stuck or falling backwards.

If you or someone you know would like further information please contact us today.
27/02/2020
Depression And The Effects On Your Body

Depression is both a physical and psychological condition.

Everyday tasks become difficult feats of endurance though people around you may not notice. Most think the only symptoms of depression is chronic sadness; they overlook the physiological symptoms.

Here are a few signs that your body is warning you about your mental health:

1. Fatigue

We all feel burnt out sometimes, but if you feel inexplicably tired every day, this can be a sign of chronic depression. A study conducted by the National Medical Library of the United States found the most common symptom of major depressive disorder is fatigue.
You may not notice the physical lack of energy or exhaustion. These symptoms tend to appear after you try to solve the issue mentally. The body begins to act, yet the situation has not been resolved. It is here that lies the discord between what you think and what you do.

2. Pain

Alongside depression, most experience pain and discomfort. Doctors confirm that spinal pain is the most common which can be seen through movement. Other generalised pain includes the neck, shoulders, back and joints. In many patients, this is due to unconscious breath-holding and muscle tensing.

3. Trouble Sleeping

Sleeping too much, too little, restless sleep, waking only for meals or tossing and turning can indicate problems with the mental state. It is advisable to see a specialist, especially if they persist for longer than two weeks.

4. Digestive Problems

Stomach problems are widespread in those with depression and anxiety. This is most clearly demonstrated from a young age as their abdominal pains are generally caused by issues surrounding peer pressure. Nausea, gut inflammation and diarrhoea can be provoked by depression, producing a wide array of digestive imbalances.

5. Blurred Consciousness

People who suffer from depression often report memory problems and an inability to concentrate. For healthy people experiencing brain fog, rest is enough to restore their functionality. If the condition lasts for an extended period and rest or sleep does not alleviate symptoms, then it could be a sign of a more serious problem and support should be sought.

6. Cycle Changes

Gynaecologists say many factors can affect the menstrual cycle. Depression can alter duration and increase pain. Studies have shown that menstruation can worsen symptoms of depression. 64% of women report feeling worse 5-10 days before their period.

7. Diabetes

People with diabetes have a high risk of developing depression. Those suffering from depression are at a higher than average risk of developing diabetes. Symptoms include an unhealthy attitude towards food and weight gain. This disease also impacts the immune system, which worsens the symptoms of depression and other related mental health conditions.
Anxiety causes the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases insulin release. This reduces the level of sugar in the blood, making the individual want to consume sweeter related foods.

8. Headaches

Depression affects neurotransmitters and neurohormones that regulate response to stress, inflammation, and body systems. Those with a permanent migraine are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from depression than the general population. Both migraine and depression have common roots in the brain, and they can develop due to environmental or genetic reasons.

If you would like to book your consultation for just £10, please telephone us on 01803 500300 or complete the form below.

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31/08/2019
Anxiety Induced Procrastination
Five commonly misunderstood types of procrastination

Anxiety and procrastination go hand in hand. Often when we feel anxious about something, we put it off. This can be obvious to some, especially those experiencing it. For example, you might put off taking that driving test because you are scared of failing or getting hurt whilst driving. However, the link between anxiety and procrastination is not always clear to sufferers and those around them.

Below are five types of anxiety-related procrastination often misunderstood and or overlooked. While reading each, think about any tasks you are putting off and see if they fit into one of those categories.

At the end, we will explain the importance of acknowledging them and how it can help you with your anxiety.
1. Blaming someone else for your inaction
Typically anxiety manifests in two ways; anger and hopelessness. If there is something you are putting off due to anxiety, you may find yourself blaming others for your inactions instead of acknowledging the anxiety.

To an extent, there might be others contributing to your problem, but honing in on this can obscure your responsibility providing you with the ultimate excuse of not being proactive. You still need to partake in active behaviours even if they feel stressful and anxiety-inducing.
1. Anxiety surrounding a task you have successful experience performing
People can get anxious completing tasks they have done successfully many times before. This mainly happens when they have not done those tasks for some time; the stakes are higher, there is an audience, or the evaluation process has changed.

If this happens to you, notice when you become anxious and ask yourself what makes it feel different this time? To aid identification, think about the basic skills involved such as filling in a form, your surroundings, preparation, the journey, studying for a test/exam, the people, and domain.

To support yourself and overcome the feelings of anxiety, you can reel off the objective evidence of your skills and past successes. Often proving to yourself that you have achieved this many times before will outweigh the negativity.
1. The anxiety of a small aspect blocks you’re entire progress
You may not feel edgy, nervous or anxious about all aspects of a task; it could be one element or little point. For example, you want to make a phone call. Talking itself isn’t particularly nerve-wracking but dialling that number and waiting for the person to answer is.

It is scenarios like these where people label themselves as being anxious about specific tasks when, in fact, it is only 10% of the process they find anxious. Being able to see things clearly, it can help create balanced thinking enabling empowerment.
1. Feelings of strong resentment about having to do the task at all
Anxiety can get camouflaged when other strong emotions are more dominant. Anger and blame, as mentioned earlier, are common. Another is resentment about having to do something because you need to that isn’t about a specific person.

For instance, you may feel resentment about doing part of a task because to you, it feels like a complete waste of your time, or you have to comply with a system that doesn’t feel fair, logical or caring. When an anxious person feels like a system doesn’t work for them, it can trigger senses of not fitting in. Another anxious person may feel they need to comply entirely with all the rules and procedures of the system, which can trigger anxiety about achievement and perfectionism.
1. Your anxiety is manifesting as perfectionism
Anxious people sometimes respond to anxiety with perfectionism. When there is something they want to get precisely right, they might design it so detailed that it is way over the top. This turns a perfectly manageable task into one that feels completely overwhelming, thus triggering procrastination. However, the anxious person does not see their approach as overly complicated. They do not realise that the basic task given to them is not nearly as complicated as they have turned it into.

Why acknowledging anxiety can help

If you have diagnosed anxiety, you probably have some coping strategies to help you move past the moment. If you do not have any strategies, then we can support you in creating a custom plan. There are also books and online resources which offer support and guidance.

Anxiety management strategies, for instance, may take the form of breaking down a task into smaller pieces to make it more manageable. You may still feel anxious, but by doing smaller parts of the job allows you to manage your levels more effectively. Many find exercising or listening to music beneficial when completing tasks they find particularly challenging.

If you find yourself blaming others for your procrastination, acknowledging the role of your anxiety can help you take self-responsibility. Talking about your anxiety can help you have productive conversations about issues that need resolving, such as when you are making joint decisions with those closest to you. Expressing vulnerability can trigger others to respond in more caring ways so long as you do not overuse the strategy.

Acknowledgement is empowering and can enable you to become self-compassionate. Instead of beating yourself up for procrastinating, treat yourself kindly over what works well for you. There are times when asking for support to get you through anxiety-provoking tasks is appropriate, especially in areas you tend to shy away from.

The Devon Clinic offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, often known as CBT, Counselling, Coaching and hypnotherapy to support those with anxiety. For further information please complete the form below or contact us directly on 01803 500300 | email: reception@devonclinic.co.uk.

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14/08/2019
The Problem With Sleep Trackers

Tracking your sleep can lead to slumber induced anxiety

For many fantasising about that perfect night’s sleep is just that, a fantasy. The hashtag #weekendgoals trends across social media as we all battle to get those precious eight hours.

What happens when this fantasy turns into a fixated habit of meticulously checking smart wearable devices?

The problem has become so widespread that it now has a clinical term: Orthosomnia.

The term came from observations after increased reports of sleep disorders. Clients were convinced that the data from their smart devices was an accurate indicator of the quality of their sleep.

One such case from Ireland cited a 45-year-old man referred for treatment of insomnia. He reported light and broken sleep resulting in irritability and low concentration levels. When asked to complete a sleep diary, he presented a graph from his sleep tracking device showing “undeniable” evidence of his poor sleep. He stated that if he could reach eight hours of sleep as opposed to the seven hours and forty-five minutes, currently achieved; then he would be okay.

Further questioning about his activities surrounding sleep discovered that he worked until he went to bed and once in bed awoke during the night to check his phone. His job stress, combined with anxiety was the cause of his irritability and low concentration levels. He was unable to switch off.

Unconvinced by this, he continued to track his sleep in a bid to “win” a higher score on his sleep device.

Despite studies stating that sleep trackers are unable to discriminate the various stages of sleep and wakefulness accurately, many seeking professional support present these charts as fact. For professionals, it is hard to explain to clients that these “facts” are not diagnostic tools.

Sleep Diaries VS Sleep Trackers

In 2018 a study compared four wearable sleep trackers. Seventy-nine individuals were given the task of keeping a written sleep diary and wearing one of these devices over three days.

When compared the trackers did a good job at detecting when they fell asleep. However, they cannot be considered valid when it comes to identifying periods of waking during sleep. In other words, your sleep device may be telling you about broken sleep that never took place. A point to note when using these devices is to determine mood and energy levels in the morning.

Conclusion

The problem is that today we are glued to our devices. A 2017 survey found that a third of us check our phones within five minutes of getting into bed and 40% within five minutes of waking. A staggering half of us admit to checking them during the night.

Before delving into the realms of sleep trackers, improvements to sleep can be made with simple lifestyle changes such as the usage of your smartphone. Researchers say the more interactive a device is before you sleep, the less quality of that sleep will be. Placement of these devices is also crucial as the temptation to check them during the night can be all too easy.

It is safe to say that to help support a good night’s sleep remove all temptations from reach.

Support

If you are finding it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, we have talking and physical therapies that can aid your journey into a restful slumber.

Talking therapies such as Counselling, Hypnotherapy and CBT are useful for when you have something on your mind. They are also very beneficial for when you need to relax, break the habit of waking up to check your phone or even smoke.

Physical therapies such as chiropractic and massage can help with pain and relaxation, which studies have shown promote restful sleep.

01/08/2019
Football Players seeking Support For Mental Health

Recent figures show that more players are seeking support for mental health from the PFA

278 more current and former football players than in 2018 have or are accessing therapy.

The President of the Football Association, Prince William has spoken out, criticising football clubs for their attitude towards the mental health of their players.

“Once you would never show any weakness, but they now realise it’s not weak to talk about things.” Michael Bennett, Director of Player Welfare.

Footballers have to deal with a lot, injuries, transitions in and out of the game, transfers, going on loan, isolation, rejection, financial worries, addiction, and so on. It isn’t a wonder their mental health takes a bashing and they need support. For far too long now players have fallen under the radar until they hit the tabloids all the while, suffering in silence.

Several high-profile players have spoken candidly about their battles with mental health, addiction and their path to recovery. They hope that by speaking out that others in their position feel able to seek professional support and remove the stigma once and for all.

Gambling

Most people think young football players earn £5000 a week, therefore it doesn’t matter. The truth is it’s more like £500 in leagues one and two.

Despite more awareness among clubs regarding mental health, other issues such as gambling are causing grave new concerns.

“It used to be betting shops and card schools but now it’s virtual casinos and gambling on your phone.” Michael Bennett

Gambling opportunities are everywhere, and it would be hard fast not to see an opportunity in every direction in which you turn. Sometimes you don’t even have to move an inch and yet you’ve seen 5 adverts in the space of 30 minutes just by watching television. Clicked on social media? Another goodness knows how many in a matter of seconds. How many gambling establishments-shops, casinos, corner shops offering the lottery-or advertisements for bingo did you see on your daily commute? It seems we cannot escape them.

Granted they cannot gamble in the traditional way of purchasing scratch cards, entering casinos and betting shops but they can play online. You only have to tick a box to say that you are 18 and you have instant access. The problem with online gambling is that it doesn’t feel or look like real money, so when you lose, you don’t feel like have lost anything in the real world.

December 2018, Brittan’s biggest gambling companies confirmed plans to ban television betting adverts during pre-watershed live sports.

Jeff Whitley, former Manchester City, and Northern Ireland Player and member of the welfare team at the PFA, says gambling provides a new challenge for the sport. Having himself struggled with drink and drug addiction: :

“With gambling, you don’t have to go to the bookies; it’s a very secretive addiction. People just need their mobile phones. It’s different from alcohol or drugs, which you can see or smell when players come into the club. With gambling, people can put a mask on. It can be months before anyone would know they’re really struggling.”

If you would like to talk about mental health or gambling please contact us.

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25/05/2019
From Diet-Obsessed to Body Positive

My unexpected but, oh so worth it, journey from being diet-obsessed to body positive!

I can’t recall exactly when my journey to becoming diet-obsessed began, but I know my journey to becoming body positive took me by surprise. There was a time around puberty where I began wondering what boys thought of me. Of course, I wondered and worried the most, what the other girls thought and said about me when I wasn’t in the room. Did they whisper and say nasty things about the way I looked?

Before that, I always assumed that adolescent girldom was the way I saw it in the movies. The normal/average size girl playing sidekick to the blond-haired model that had it all.

By aged 14, the word diet meant to me that you had to eat specific foods in a specific way until you reached your ‘goal weight’ and then everything would be ok. Of course, it never was, and I spent those formative years trying to balance my love of food with my hatred of exercise.

The University Years

When I moved to university the scale range moved more. I constantly charted my weight, but I didn’t see it as a problem. Instead of losing the initial planned 5 pounds, I’d just have to lose 10 instead. Then came the months of fad diets; Keto, Paleo, Cambridge, Atkins-you name it, I tried it. I charted them all. At first, I used paper but then I got a Fitbit.

At 24, I reached my heaviest. I was two years into therapy at this time and one thing became glaringly clear: whatever ‘it’ was, I certainly did not have it together. This was abundantly clear when it came to my body. I consumed myself with day to day life-university, working part-time and the inevitable social life that comes with being a student. I didn’t realise my initial weight obsession started with sheer neuroticism. Controlling what I ate and how many steps I took made me think I was in control of my anxiety.

With my Fitbit by my side, I was constantly reminded of my daily goals. My daily achievement was to make that thing buzz and I could not rest until it had done so, even if that meant missing out. I recall times of jogging on the spot until midnight, excusing myself from events so I could take long walks, and having extra-long toilet breaks just to complete those goals.

There were days when I didn’t achieve it and I mentally scolded myself and guilted myself to make up for it the following day.

Awakening The Past

Before therapy, it had never occurred to me that my anxiety and eating were linked to something bigger. That gaining weight during this time was linked to reliving repressed memories.

When I looked through old diaries from my teenage years one thing became obvious: every few months I would start a health kick hoping that this was ‘it’. The content read the same: when I am X weight I will be happy; my anxiety will disappear, and I will not feel the need to binge eat my feelings.

Now at my heaviest, I have realised this bout of weight gain is different. This time I don’t hate myself for it. I’ve discovered that I am much more than my weight and for the first time I don’t feel exhausted from the cycles of weight watching. I know that being healthy is not about vanity. I was, without knowing it being ‘body positive’!

When I joined a gym but, this time on my terms. I did question whether I was being true to my new self as surely ‘body positive’ cannot go with working out, weight loss and eating healthy. Of course, it can. Body positivity for me is a mental state that involves, accepting my body the way it is today.

“It is not about the destination but the journey itself.”

Cheesy yes, but true. My journey involves swimming because I enjoy that, but I also enjoy the chocolate workshops I attend with my friend.

There is more to a healthy life than chasing something that is unsustainable.

For more information relating to talking therapies for subjects covered in this story please contact us using the form below.

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20/05/2019
Combining Beauty Treatments & Talking Therapy

Techniques to combine talking therapies with physical therapies to create wellness

Unsurprisingly our emotional wellbeing has a direct impact on our physical health. The world is increasingly aware of self-care and mindfulness, but we rarely see this in beauty treatments. We have a massage to de-stress or a facial to help with tired skin, but what if the root cause of our ails is our mental or emotional state? What if our physical ailments are symptoms rather than a cause?

Holistic wellness therapist Sue Francis has honed an approach to wellness through Light Touch Therapy. This incorporates combining Ayurvedic Kansa wands, healing, massage and talking therapy to help clients feel de-stressed, energised and lighter.

From a practitioner’s perspective: When treating a particular concern, holistic treatments treat the whole person. Stress can affect many aspects of the body including the mind but it may only manifest in physical ailments. By treating holistically, you can work at a deeper level treating the whole person, rebalancing and aligning both the physical and emotional.

Treatment sessions go far beyond what any spa can offer in that we have time to talk to clients. We ask them how they are feeling and what is happening in their lives that may influence their well-being. During this time, we ascertain which treatment is best suited to them. This allows the client to feel listened to, understood and lighter.

“The talking therapy part is to actively listen and understand what the client’s presenting problem relates to and the potential cause.”

It is different to be asked in such an in-depth way about your emotional state during a pampering treatment such as a facial or massage, but it does create a connection that ordinarily wouldn’t happen. Clients state that they feel lighter because they have not only received a beauty treatment but have off-loaded. They have gained an understanding of how their mental balance has affected their physical balance. The two need to be in alignment with each other for them to work in harmony.

To book your Light Touch Therapy Session with Sue Francis Telephone us on 01803 500300

15/05/2019