Tag: Wellbeing

Anxiety, Autism specific, general health, Health, neurological disorders, Wellbeing10 Comments

Weighted Blankets

Change Therapy

What Is a Weighted Blanket? Occupational therapists have been prescribing weighted blankets to help manage sensory-related symptoms for decades – especially for children and adults on the Autism spectrum. A weighted blanket is a specially made therapeutic blanket with some additional weight, generally weighing between 5 to 30 pounds. They come in different weights to accommodate the user’s size. The idea behind weighted blankets is to make them a little heavy so they can apply a firm pressure on the user’s body. Depending on the manufacturer, these blankets are filled with different weighted materials, including barley, glass beads or even some kind … Continue reading Weighted Blankets

Health, Inspirational, meditation, mindfulness, Nature, Self Help, Wellbeing2 Comments

Online Therapy too stressful?

Change Therapy

Fed up with screen freezing or poor Internet connections? No closure at the end of a session? Missing the personal interaction? Eye contact is just not the same on Zoom or Facetime. Consider a socially distanced meet-up with me, and feel free to wear a mask too. Walk-and-talk therapy has also proven to be a stress reliever for people who don’t consider their home a safe space for online therapy — whether they can’t find enough privacy to feel comfortable opening up, or their family or partner disapproves of therapy, or someone they live with is the reason they’re seeking … Continue reading Online Therapy too stressful?

general health, Health, Self Help, Wellbeing2 Comments

The first Self Help book

Change Therapy

On the days we all experience at one time or another, when one hundred and one things have to be attended to immediately, if not sooner, try keeping the following words in mind: “The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.” Written by Samuel Smiles, a doctor, writer and social reformer. He was born in Haddington (my hometown), Scotland in 1812. His book, Self-Help, was published in 1859 and was a best seller book, selling a 1/4 million copies, to the British public. In the book, he proposes knowledge as one of the … Continue reading The first Self Help book

Inspirational, mindfulness, Nature2 Comments

Sow the seeds

Change Therapy

I remember reading a story about a woman who goes into a shop and finds God behind the counter. She asks what they are selling and God replies “Whatever you want you can get here.” Proving herself worthy of this opportunity, the woman asks for peace, love and happiness, adding that she wanted this not just for herself, but the whole world. She is expecting great things and can’t help but be rather disappointed when God hands her a small packet. God explains ” We don’t sell fruit or the finished article, only the seeds.” In other words, the whole … Continue reading Sow the seeds

Inspirational, meditation, mindfulness, Wellbeing8 Comments

The Complete Picture

Change Therapy

A man had four sons. He wanted them to learn to judge things carefully, so he sent each of them on a quest to look at an apple tree far away. The first son left in the Winter. The second son left in the Spring. The third son left in the Summer. The fourth son left in the Autumn. After they all returned home , he asked his sons to describe what they had experienced. The first son said that the apple tree was ugly and twisted. The second son said the apple tree was covered with buds and full … Continue reading The Complete Picture

Inspirational, mindfulness, psychology, Wellbeing1 Comment

Each Day

Change Therapy

Each day is a fresh beginning For yesterday has gone, Another chance to start anew To change things and move on. Another opportunity To love and smile and give, And act with generosity To look up and laugh and live. Each morning is a fresh, clean page As yet unwritten on, The threshold of an unlived day But not yet walked upon. So choose how you will live this day As on your way you go, For through our acts we all leave tracks Like footprints in the snow. (Kathleen Gillum) Continue reading Each Day

Inspirational, Nature, Wellbeing5 Comments

Time is like a River

Change Therapy

“Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of your life!” “For what it’s worth… it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you … Continue reading Time is like a River

general health, Health, Wellbeing3 Comments

Balance and Dizziness (vestibular) Disorders

Change Therapy

Originally posted on View from Over the Hill:
Since Dr. Graham Bryce and I started the B C Balance & Dizziness Disorders Society (BADD) 15 years ago, I’ve talked with hundreds and hundreds of members dealing with vestibular disorders. When our first Board met around my kitchen table, we discussed a name for our fledgling support group. I noted that “Balance and Dizziness Disorders” which was chosen, would probably have the acronym BADD, which might not look good. The response? “Well, it IS bad.” So “BADD” we became. Balance and Dizziness Disorders ARE bad Through the years, members complain that… Continue reading Balance and Dizziness (vestibular) Disorders

Anxiety, Diabetes, general health, Health, Wellbeing7 Comments

Beware of Shovelling Snow

Change Therapy

Every winter, about 100 people in the US die while shovelling snow. Why? A study looking at data from 1990 to 2006 by researchers at the US Nationwide Children’s Hospital recorded 1,647 fatalities from cardiac-related injuries associated with shovelling snow. In Canada, these deaths make the news every winter. Cardiologist Barry Franklin, an expert in the hazardous effects of snow removal, believes the number of deaths could be double that. “I believe we lose hundreds of people each year because of this activity,” says Franklin, director of preventative cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at William Beaumont Hospital, Michigan. His team found … Continue reading Beware of Shovelling Snow

general health, Health, Wellbeing7 Comments

Listening to your partner

Change Therapy

I was reading an article in a newspaper the other day, about a GP Doctor, who was enjoying his usual cup of coffee and cereal with his wife, one morning somewhere in the UK. His wife noticed that some cereal was dribbling down his mouth, and it was uncharacteristic of her husband not to clean it up immediately. She also suggested that his speech was a little slurred, but she was brushed off as being ‘silly’. He struggled a little bit with the keyboard on the computer, but again, he thought this could be anything. The Doctor went about his … Continue reading Listening to your partner

Anxiety, general health, Health, Wellbeing6 Comments

Coping with Fear

Change Therapy

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions; it has a very strong effect on your mind and body. Fear can create strong signals of response when we’re in emergencies; it can also take effect when you’re faced with non-dangerous events, like exams, public speaking, a new job, a date, or even a party. It’s a natural response to a threat that can be either perceived or real. Fear and anxiety can last for a short time and then pass, but they can also last much longer and you can get stuck with them. In some cases they can take … Continue reading Coping with Fear

general health, Health, meditation, Wellbeing7 Comments

Have a Nap

Change Therapy

In need of a quick shut-eye? Don’t ignore your body and take some time to re-energize throughout the day. Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep last night, or just feel lethargic and cannot be bothered. There are many positive reasons for finding some time during the day to have some ‘me-time’ by closing your eyes for a quick nap. Naps boost alertness and improve motor performance, which is why you should feel energized after taking one. The length of your nap determines the benefits. 10 minutes to 30 minutes, may make you feel groggy on waking, but your body will … Continue reading Have a Nap

Uncategorized, WellbeingLeave a comment

Nothing happens by chance

Change Therapy

Whatever happens, happens for the best… Story of Dr. Ahmed, Everything is Pre-planned Dr. Ahmed, a well-known cancer specialist, was on his way to another city for an important conference where he was to get an award in the field of Medical Research. He was really excited to attend the conference and to reach as shortly as possible. He had worked so long & hard on his research and felt his efforts deserved the award. However, after the plane takes off, within the next two hours, the plane made an emergency landing at the nearest airport due to some technical snag. … Continue reading Nothing happens by chance

Diabetes, general health, Nature, Weight and Diet, WellbeingLeave a comment

A good therapist

Change Therapy

  The talking therapies are a form of storytelling, where many conclusions are possible. A good therapist teaches you to get along with the world, not to blow it up. Mindfulness walks can help you get some peace and quiet in your mind, and help to offload some of the negativity surrounding your life. Come and join me for an hour that will start to change your life.     Continue reading A good therapist

Autism specific, general health, Health, Wellbeing3 Comments

How to deal with Quiet Stress.

Change Therapy

How to deal with Quiet Stress “Despite getting a bad rap over the years, expressing anger or frustration is far healthier than smiling sweetly while feeling quietly stressed.” according to Prof Cooper of Manchester University. “There is a growing epidemic of people who don’t voice their anger, and suffer just as much.” When she was growing up, Kate was aware her father had a temper. “He would fly off the handle very easily. My mother was forever telling him to calm down before he had a heart attack,” she remembers. “Growing up, if my brother or I ever lost our … Continue reading How to deal with Quiet Stress.

general health, Health, Nature, Weight and Diet, Wellbeing2 Comments

Can you train yourself to be more optimistic?

Change Therapy

  Can you train yourself to be more optimistic? In this current pandemic you may ask? With so much depressing news filtering in to our living rooms these days, the general mood of society is one of despair and sadness. Lockdowns restricting where we can go, and social distancing in place preventing us from human contact that we seek. If you want to change the way that you feel, try and learn one of, or all of the following: Widen your possibilities. Whenever you catch yourself expecting a catastrophe, stop. That is only one possibility. Imagine two other outcomes, one … Continue reading Can you train yourself to be more optimistic?

general health, Health2 Comments

Calls for ibuprofen sale restrictions after study finds cardiac arrest risk

Change Therapy

Over-the-counter drug linked to 31% increased cardiac arrest risk, with the figure rising to 50% for diclofenac, says research There have been fresh calls for restrictions on the sale of the painkiller ibuprofen after another study found it heightens the risk of cardiac arrest. Taking the over-the-counter drug was associated with a 31% increased risk, researchers in Denmark found. Other medicines from the same group of painkillers, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), presented an even higher risk, according to the findings published on Wednesday in the European Heart Journal. Diclofenac, available over the counter in the UK until 2015 … Continue reading Calls for ibuprofen sale restrictions after study finds cardiac arrest risk