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Helping Teens Find Their Calm (Even When Life Feels Like A Lot)

Helping Teens Find Their Calm (Even When Life Feels Like A Lot)

Teenagers today are navigating more than ever, academic pressure, social comparison, friendship shifts, identity exploration, tech overload… and all of it while their brain and body are still developing.

It’s no surprise that many of our young people feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. What is surprising is that so few of them have ever been taught what’s actually happening in their nervous system when stress hits or how to calm it down.

That’s exactly what my new school-based workshop aims to change.

“In Control. A Toolkit for Stress, Overwhelm, Focus & Feeling Better” is a workshop I’m now delivering to high school students.

It’s practical, empowering, and designed to help teens feel steadier, not through lectures or overwhelm, but through hands-on experience and science-backed tools they can actually use.

In this workshop, students learn:

  • What happens in the brain and body when stress, anxiety, or overwhelm hit
  • Why common reactions like shutdown, avoidance, or irritability make sense
  • How they can actively calm their nervous system in moments of pressure

We then explore practical, body-based tools that can be used anytime, anywhere, from long exhale breathing and grounding exercises to tapping sequences, cold water resets, and affirmation practices. Students are invited to try each tool, reflect on what resonates, and build their own ‘Calm Kit’ to take away.

This isn’t just about coping in the moment, it’s about giving young people lifelong skills in emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience.

Because language and support at home matter, too, I’ve created a follow-up Parent Seminar to accompany the student session.

It’s called “Supporting Teens Through Stress. What to Say, What to Do, What Really Helps” and it equips parents and carers with insights into their teen’s nervous system, practical ways to co-regulate, and a deeper understanding of the exact tools their child learned. That way, the language of calm isn’t something teens carry alone, it becomes a shared conversation.

If you’re an educator, wellbeing lead or parent who wants to bring this practical wellbeing offering to your school community or home, I’d love to connect. You can contact me here.

Let’s help our young people and us as the adults who care for them feel more in control, supported, and steady. There is no more important job.

Megan x

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Supporting Your Teens Through Exam Stress

Supporting Your Teens Through Exam Stress

As assessment and exam time approaches, many teens are quietly carrying an invisible burden. You might notice a change in their mood, snappiness, withdrawal, tears, or complete shutdown. 

Beneath the behaviour is often a mix of fear, pressure, and comparison, things they might not have the words for yet. And as parents, it’s hard. We want to help. We want to fix it, but what they usually need most is presence, not pressure.

They might be wondering:
• “What if I can’t do it?”
• “What if I let everyone down?”
• “Why am I the only one feeling this way?”

What’s really going on

Teen brains are still developing the skills needed to manage stress, things like emotional regulation, time management, and handling uncertainty. When stress peaks, the thinking part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) can take a back seat, and the survival part (amygdala) takes over. That’s why your teen might snap at small things, feel foggy, or shut down altogether.

Stress isn’t always a bad thing, in small doses, it can help with focus and motivation. However, when it builds without support or recovery, it can lead to anxiety, poor sleep, and even physical symptoms. The key is balance: steady routines, small moments of calm, and feeling seen and supported.

What Actually Helps

Here are some simple, ways to show up for your teen in the lead-up to exams and assessments:

  1. Keep perspective in the room

Remind them (gently and often) that exams are just one part of life, not the whole story. They’re learning how to try, how to cope, how to bounce back.

  1. Offer support, not pressure

Instead of “Have you done enough revision?”, try “Is there anything I can do to make today feel easier?” or “Do you want to talk something out?”

  1. Help create a rhythm that soothes, not spikes
  • Sleep matters more than late-night cramming (aim for 8+ hours)
  • A short walk or 20 minutes outside can do wonders for focus and mood
  • Start the day with a protein-rich breakfast
  • Keep evenings calm: warm lights, soft cues to wind down, less screen time before bed
  1. Model rest and boundaries yourself

Let them see you pausing, saying no to overload, and making time for rest. It gives them permission to do the same.

Practical Ways to Support Their Wellbeing

  • Keep a calm, quiet space available for study
  • Stock the fridge with easy, nourishing snacks
  • Suggest a screen-free walk or quiet reset together
  • Run them a bath, light a candle, and let the world pause for a while
  • Sit beside them with no need to talk, your calm presence matters
  • Say, “I’m here if you need to talk it out. No pressure.”

From one parent to another

I’m walking this path too, my daughter is sitting her HSC, and I’ve learnt that the best support isn’t perfect or polished. It’s the quiet presence. It’s running a bath, a hug, sitting beside her, or just listening without trying to solve it.

It’s not about pep talks or productivity hacks. It’s about being steady when things feel wobbly, letting them know without a doubt that they’re more than the sum of their results.

Being there, lovingly and calmly, without condition. That’s what they’ll remember most.

Megan x

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Sleep, Screens and Mood Swings: What’s Really Going on with Your Teen?

Sleep, Screens and Mood Swings: What’s Really Going on with Your Teen?

If your teen seems constantly exhausted, emotionally up and down, and glued to their screen, it’s not a sign you’re failing as a parent. It’s a sign they’re human… and going through one of the most complex and misunderstood developmental stages of life.

Adolescence is a time of massive brain and body changes, and many of the things that frustrate us as parents, like late nights, morning meltdowns, screen habits, mood swings, actually have solid science behind them. When we understand what’s going on beneath the surface, it becomes easier to respond with empathy, not just react in frustration.

This blog unpacks what’s really going on with your teen’s sleep, screen use, and emotional wellbeing, and offers practical, realistic steps to support healthier rhythms at home.

The Sleep Shift: Why Teens Stay Up Late

During puberty, your teen’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) shifts by 1–2 hours, meaning they naturally feel sleepy later at night and want to sleep in longer in the morning. This isn’t about bad habits, it’s biology.

However, school start times haven’t shifted. So, they’re stuck in a cycle of chronic sleep deprivation, which affects mood, focus, memory, learning, and emotional regulation. Teens need around 8–10 hours of sleep per night, but most fall short, especially during the school week.

What Screens Are Really Doing

It’s not just about blue light. The content and stimulation from screens, rapid scrolling, gaming, TikTok loops, late-night group chat, keep their brains alert when they should be winding down.

Screens before bed suppress melatonin, delay sleep onset, and stimulate the nervous system. Add the pressure of social media and the “just five more minutes” mindset, and it’s easy to see how sleep gets derailed.

Research shows that even 30 minutes of screen use before bed increases sleep latency and reduces sleep quality, making teens more irritable, anxious, and foggy the next day.

Why Mornings Feel So Hard

Teens often hit deep sleep just as their alarm goes off. So when you’re trying to wake them, you’re interrupting a brain that’s not ready to function yet.

Try this instead:

  • Gently open curtains for natural light
  • Avoid abrupt wakeups 
  • Let them reorient with calm 
  • Build in a “buffer zone” before demands begin

These small changes reduce cortisol spikes and ease them into the day.

How to Encourage Healthier Sleep & Screen Habits (Without the Battles)

When your teen is up late on their phone and struggling in the morning, it’s tempting to go straight into shutdown mode, “Give me the phone!” but this usually backfires. Instead, try these practical, connection-based strategies that may actually work:

Start with a conversation, not a command

Rather than setting a hard rule, open a two-way chat:

“I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling tired and flat lately. Do you think changing anything around sleep or screen time might help?”

This keeps them from going straight into defensive mode and helps them feel part of the solution.

Frame it as an experiment

Invite them to try something different for a week, like turning screens off 30–60 minutes before sleep, and see how they feel.

“What if we gave a no-phones-after-9:30 plan a go just for a week and see if it helps?”

Small changes are less overwhelming and more sustainable.

Make screen-free wind-down time appealing

Replace the scroll with something soothing:

  • Warm shower or bath
  • Herbal tea or hot chocolate
  • Reading or a chill playlist
  • Low light and comfy surroundings

Help them find what actually works for their nervous system, not just what you think should.

Set up a tech-free sleep environment

Make it easy for them to unplug:

  • Create a shared charging station in the kitchen
  • Use “Do Not Disturb” or night mode from 9pm
  • Keep bedrooms dim and screen-free where possible

Do it as a family, so it doesn’t feel like a punishment.

Use collaboration over control

You could try:

“I know sleep affects everything, from your mood to school to sport. What’s one thing we could tweak this week to help you feel better in the morning?”

This helps them take ownership instead of reacting against you.

Keep your cool

They might push back. That’s normal. Stay calm, hold the boundary, and come back to the why:

“I’m not trying to be the phone police; I just want you to feel your best.”

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. This is about meeting your teen where they’re at, building trust, and creating a rhythm that works better for everyone.

Sleep is foundational to your teen’s mood, mental health, and ability to cope. Supporting better habits around rest and tech isn’t about control, it’s about helping them feel more balanced, calm, and capable.

Keep showing up, staying consistent, and remain curious. Every small shift makes a difference.

Megan x

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Mother’s Day, Expectations & the Mum Who Keeps Showing Up

Mother’s Day, Expectations & the Mum Who Keeps Showing Up

A quiet kind of pressure can sneak in around Mother’s Day.

We might tell ourselves not to expect too much.
We remind ourselves that they’re teenagers, that they’re busy, and that they show love in their own awkward ways.
We say we’re fine with whatever the day brings.

But underneath? We might still feel the ache.

An ache for a moment of recognition.
An ache for a warm hug.
An ache for someone to see just how hard we’re trying, even when we’re stumbling our way through the mess of parenting teens.

If that’s you, you’re not alone.

Like so much of parenting, Mother’s Day can be a mix of emotions.
Love, gratitude, pride, tangled with exhaustion, disappointment, and the ever-present question: Am I doing this right?

Some years it feels joyful. Other years, you’re scraping yourself together just to get through it and that doesn’t make you ungrateful, it makes you human.

What You Can Expect This Mother’s Day

It might not look like a breakfast tray with fresh juice and a handwritten card.
It might look more like a muttered “Happy Mother’s Day” on their way out to work or sport

And still, you are worthy of love, celebration, and rest.

Whether your Sunday is noisy, quiet, lonely, messy, or magical…
Whether you’re celebrated or barely acknowledged…
Your worth as a mother is not defined by how they show it.

It’s defined by how you show up.
Day in, day out.
Through slammed doors, silent drives, school stresses, and all the “I’m fines.”

A Few Things to Remember this Weekend

You’re allowed to want more.

Wanting to feel seen and appreciated doesn’t make you needy. It makes you human. Let that be okay.

You’re not doing it wrong if it feels hard.

Parenting teens is messy, unpredictable, and deeply emotional. It’s not you, it’s the stage.

Your effort is never wasted.

Every chat, every lift, every packed lunch, every gentle nudge to keep going lands somewhere, even if they don’t say it now.

There is no perfect way to do this.

You’re learning as you go, just like them, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay, it’s real.

It’s okay to make space for you.

You matter, too. Try to carve out a little moment of peace for yourself this weekend. A beach walk, a book, a nap, a coffee in the sunshine, whatever feels good.

So This Mother’s Day…

Go gently.
Lower the bar.
Take the pressure off.
Let the day unfold however it unfolds.

And if you’re feeling a bit wobbly, tender or teary, you’re not alone there either. 

You are raising a whole human. You’re shaping a life.
You are holding the emotional weight of a family and still managing to show up with love.

You’re doing so much more than you realise.

You are seen. You are valued. You are doing enough.

With love this Mother’s Day. 

Megan x

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When it’s tense at home: how to steady yourself and support your teen

When it’s tense at home: how to steady yourself and support your teen

You’re not alone if you’re feeling tension at home right now.

Whether it’s holidays, the general pace of life, or just the nature of raising a teen, things can feel stretched. Conversations spark too easily, patience wears thin, and you can feel that no matter how much you’re doing, it’s never enough.

I get it. I’m not writing this from a place of theory; I’m right in it with you, as a mum and as a counsellor. And let’s be real: this season of parenting is hard. It’s relentless, often thankless, and it can feel like you’re navigating constant tension while trying to keep your own head above water.

The good news is, there are ways to steady yourself, create space for connection, and soften some of that tension, even in the hardest moments.

It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. Small, consistent actions matter more than you realise. Here are some ideas:

  1. Regulate yourself first

Before you engage, pause. Breathe. Even a few seconds of steadying yourself before responding can make all the difference. Teens feed off our energy, and so when you hold steady, you help to settle the whole dynamic.

  1. Remember: their reactions often reflect their internal storms

What looks like attitude or defiance is usually a sign of overwhelm, frustration, or fear. Try to separate their intensity from your response. It’s often not about you.

  1. Keep connection moments small and frequent

Look for simple, easy windows for connection. It might be a quick chat over breakfast, driving in the car, or while walking the dog… Not every conversation needs to be heavy or deep, small moments build trust.

  1. Prioritise listening over fixing

I know how strong the urge is to jump straight to solution mode. Often, what they need most is for us to just listen, without judgement, without advice. Curiosity over control.

  1. Model what calm looks like

Taking care of yourself is so important. Move your body, get outside, eat nourishing food, take proper breaks. When you look after yourself, you model healthy coping skills for your teen too.

  1. Acknowledge the tension

If things feel strained, it’s okay to acknowledge it: “I know things have felt a bit tense between us. I want us to work through it.” Naming it calmly opens the door for connection without blame.

  1. Respect is a two-way street

It’s a big one. Teens are more likely to respect our boundaries when they feel their own perspective is respected too. Even if you disagree, validate their feelings when you can.

I want to remind you that you’re not alone in this.

Parenting a teenager isn’t about getting it right all the time. It’s about showing up, staying steady, and keeping the connection open, even when it feels messy and hard.

These small, everyday actions matter. They ease the tension, open the lines of communication, and remind your teen (and yourself) that you’re on the same team, even on the toughest of days.

If today feels like a hard day, start with one small thing. Breathe. Steady yourself. Take the smallest window of connection when it appears.

You’re doing better than you think.

With you,

Megan x

I’ll be sharing more tools and resources for parents soon, simple, practical supports to help you and your teen navigate these years with a little more ease. Stay tuned.

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Teen Moodiness… or Something More?

When it’s tense at home: how to steady yourself and support your teen

You’re not alone if you’re feeling tension at home right now.

Whether it’s holidays, the general pace of life, or just the nature of raising a teen, things can feel stretched. Conversations spark too easily, patience wears thin, and you can feel that no matter how much you’re doing, it’s never enough.

I get it. I’m not writing this from a place of theory; I’m right in it with you, as a mum and as a counsellor. And let’s be real: this season of parenting is hard. It’s relentless, often thankless, and it can feel like you’re navigating constant tension while trying to keep your own head above water.

The good news is, there are ways to steady yourself, create space for connection, and soften some of that tension, even in the hardest moments.

It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. Small, consistent actions matter more than you realise. Here are some ideas:

  1. Regulate yourself first

Before you engage, pause. Breathe. Even a few seconds of steadying yourself before responding can make all the difference. Teens feed off our energy, and so when you hold steady, you help to settle the whole dynamic.

  1. Remember: their reactions often reflect their internal storms

What looks like attitude or defiance is usually a sign of overwhelm, frustration, or fear. Try to separate their intensity from your response. It’s often not about you.

  1. Keep connection moments small and frequent

Look for simple, easy windows for connection. It might be a quick chat over breakfast, driving in the car, or while walking the dog… Not every conversation needs to be heavy or deep, small moments build trust.

  1. Prioritise listening over fixing

I know how strong the urge is to jump straight to solution mode. Often, what they need most is for us to just listen, without judgement, without advice. Curiosity over control.

  1. Model what calm looks like

Taking care of yourself is so important. Move your body, get outside, eat nourishing food, take proper breaks. When you look after yourself, you model healthy coping skills for your teen too.

  1. Acknowledge the tension

If things feel strained, it’s okay to acknowledge it: “I know things have felt a bit tense between us. I want us to work through it.” Naming it calmly opens the door for connection without blame.

  1. Respect is a two-way street

It’s a big one. Teens are more likely to respect our boundaries when they feel their own perspective is respected too. Even if you disagree, validate their feelings when you can.

I want to remind you that you’re not alone in this.

Parenting a teenager isn’t about getting it right all the time. It’s about showing up, staying steady, and keeping the connection open, even when it feels messy and hard.

These small, everyday actions matter. They ease the tension, open the lines of communication, and remind your teen (and yourself) that you’re on the same team, even on the toughest of days.

If today feels like a hard day, start with one small thing. Breathe. Steady yourself. Take the smallest window of connection when it appears.

You’re doing better than you think.

With you,

Megan x

I’ll be sharing more tools and resources for parents soon, simple, practical supports to help you and your teen navigate these years with a little more ease. Stay tuned.

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Why Parenting Teens Feels so Hard

Why Parenting Teens Feels so Hard

Parenting a teenager is one of the most challenging roles you’ll ever do. The emotional highs and lows, the push for independence, the moments of connection followed by complete shutdown…it’s exhausting, confusing, and sometimes heartbreaking. Understanding what’s happening inside our teenager’s brain can really help. 

Teenagers aren’t just being difficult for the sake of it. 

Teenagers’ brains are still developing well into their mid-twenties, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is the part responsible for reasoning, impulse control, and emotional regulation. This means their emotions take charge before their reasoning brain fully catches up, and they act on impulse, react instinctively, and often struggle to regulate big feelings. Their developing brain prioritises immediate responses over careful reflection, which is why they may lash out, shut down, or make decisions that seem irrational to us.

This understanding doesn’t always make it easier in the heat of the moment, but it does give us a new lens through which to see their behaviour. When we shift from frustration to curiosity, from reacting to supporting, we create the kind of connection that keeps the lines of communication open, which is something our teenagers need now more than ever.

Meeting Your Teen Where They Are At.

So how do we parent with more understanding and less power struggle? Here are some small but effective ways we can shift our approach and in turn, strengthen connection:

  • Be the calm in their storm – When emotions run high, try not to match their energy. Take a deep breath, pause, and respond with curiosity rather than reactivity.
  • Validate their feelings – Even if something seems small to you, it might feel monumental to them. A simple “I am hearing that’s really tough for you” can help them feel heard.
  • Pick your battles – Not every issue needs to be a confrontation. Prioritise connection when you can.
  • Encourage independence, but stay available – Teens push for independence, but deep down, they want to know we are still around. Let them know you’re always there without forcing a conversation.
  • Take care of yourself—Parenting a teenager is emotionally demanding and can also be draining. Prioritise your own wellbeing so that you can show up for those you really care about. This might look like a walk outside, a coffee with a friend, or simply a moment to breathe before responding.

The Small Glimmers of Hope.

In the messiness of adolescence, there are moments of connection that remind us that our kids still need us, love us, and want to belong. It might be a fleeting smile, a random text, or a late-night chat when their guard is finally down. These small glimmers of hope are worth noticing and holding onto.

Parenting through this stage isn’t about getting it perfect; it’s about showing up with warmth, presence, and a willingness to understand. If you’re finding this season overwhelming, you’re not alone. Parenting is usually really hard when you’re doing a good job of it. It means you’re trying, you’re engaged, you care deeply, and you’re working hard to guide your teen through one of the most challenging stages of life.

If you’re feeling stuck or want to explore ways to support your teen (and yourself) better, I’d love to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out. 

In the meantime, take care. 

Megan x

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What Should I Eat?

What Should I Eat?

Do you ever wonder what the heck you should be eating? Are you mixed up and confused about what healthy looks like? The sad truth is that much of what we eat has been processed within an inch of its life we may as well not even call it food!

The food we eat has a huge impact on our body and minds. A healthy diet is linked to a reduced risk of illness, improved mood, raised energy levels, increased productivity as well as better quality sleep. But you know all of that right? So why is it that we do what we do when we know what we know?

Well because in the busy lives we all lead, we are looking for a quick fix. The problem is we are being bombarded with the latest and greatest diet trends and this is confusing for people. Paleo, Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Dukan, 5:2, Vegan, Flexitarian…People don’t know what they should be eating! Then there is the healthy heart ticks of approval and claims on food labelling of being 99% fat free, low fat, high protein, no sugar….No wonder our heads are spinning!

I enjoy coaching people around nourishing their bodies with real, whole, colourful, simple food. I like a diet that comprises of lots of fresh fruit and vegies, legumes, wholegrains, seafood, a little meat, nuts and seeds. I hate the idea of people depriving themselves, having a blow-out then resentfully chomping on celery for the next two days. This is total craziness! Eating for good health can be simple and easy. It does not need to feel like rocket science.

Below are some really basic guidelines that are easy to follow when it comes to food;

Variety – Mix it up with different flavours, colours and textures. Aim to have a rainbow coloured plate at each meal.
Seasonal – Buy fresh locally produced fruit and vegetables. It is always the best choice for your health and your wallet.

Eat Unprocessed – Aim to buy the majority of your food fresh. Eat food the way it comes from nature as often as you can.

Watch Portion Size – Many of us simply put too much on our plate!

Hydrate Regularly – Drink plenty of water. Limit juice and soft drinks.

Don’t Skip Meals – Especially breakfast. Aim for three meals each day and a morning and afternoon snack to keep energy levels high.

Remove Temptations – Save party food for the party!

Buy Healthy Snacks – If we have our fridge full and our pantry stocked with nourishing food, we will eat nourishing food.

Relax – If you have a blow out and happen to eat the entire tub of ice cream (or whatever might be your vice) – don’t worry too much about it, just work towards getting back on track the next day. It suits me to be fairly disciplined throughout the week and then relax a bit on weekends.

For a busy woman who is time poor, preparing healthy meals for a family can be overwhelming and just another thing on our already ‘epic’ to do lists. If you are interested in learning how to create quick, simple, nourishing meals for you and your family please reach out and contact me here.

As many of you will know I am a Health Practitioner for Food Matters. I am a massive fan of the work they do and how passionately committed they are to transforming people’s health. I am thrilled to be able to share an amazing FREE resource offer with you. FMTV is like Netflix for Health. It is health inspiration anywhere, any time. You can stream hundreds of the latest docos, try a yoga class, be guided through a meditation, watch expert interviews or get some new recipe inspiration. It is brilliant! 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any queries, questions or just need a little support. I’d love to connect with you.

In the meantime, take great care.
Megan x

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Big Change Starts Small.

Big Changes Start Small

Hi there and Happy New Year!

There is something special about a New Year. It’s a new month, new beginning, new mindset, new focus, new start and new intentions. It’s full of hope and promise.

A lot of people begin the New Year by making resolutions. We’ve all been there. We make a promise to lose weight, exercise more, cut down on alcohol or spend more quality time with family. We start the year with great intentions, but then we quickly relapse into old habits. Why is it so hard to stick to those New Year’s resolutions?

For some of us, 2017 was a great year of health, wellness, enjoyment and fulfilment. Sadly, for others, this eluded them yet again. The reality is unless you do something you’ve never done, you are going to get what you’ve always got. A bit like Einstein’s definition of insanity;

“Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.”

To get new results you have to be open and willing to try something new. If you are sick and tired of nothing changing then take some action. So many of us make the mistake of embarking on a total life overhaul and then after a short time lose motivation or run out of steam and end up feeling hopeless and more overwhelmed. The key is starting small.

Below is a list of some small, simple things you can do today to improve your health; and when put into practice consistently will transform your wellness.

Top 5 Healthy Habits:

1. Move More. There is no superfood or ‘pill’ with as much holistic benefit for wellbeing as movement. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day will offer you massive benefits for both your body and mind. Maximise your success by doing an activity that keeps you motivated, interested and that you enjoy. Consistency is the key. Some is better than none and more is better than less!

2. Drink More Water. Not only will you feel better, you will look better and perform better. Many of us do not drink enough. There is a simple formula .04 x weight (kg) will give you an idea of how much you should be consuming each day in litres. More than you think and you will need to drink more than this is you are exercising. You will know if you have consumed enough throughout the day because your urine will be clear or straw-coloured.

3. Ditch the Diet. They don’t work and can in fact harm our health. A healthier approach to weight management is to not diet but to realise our body wants us to be healthy and comfortable. Strive for plenty of fresh, colourful and unprocessed food. Ideally we should be aiming to eat 5 serves of vegetables per day and around 2 serves of fruit. Combining this with lean protein, legumes, wholegrains, nuts and seeds makes an excellent choice.

4. Go to Bed Earlier. Sleep affects our mental and physical health enormously. It assists our ability to function well and make good decisions throughout the day. Lack of sleep is a very common problem for ‘busy women’. We need to be aiming for between 7 – 9 hours each night. Research suggests that for sufficient deep, restorative sleep we should be in bed no later than 10:30pm.

5. Practise Gratitude. When we are ‘busy’ it is easy for us to get bogged down, complain a lot and feel sorry for ourselves. Being grateful can put us in a very different state of mind. Taking some time out to be mindful of things we are grateful for (big or small) can really help us appreciate what we have. Start a new ritual of writing down or saying out loud each day three things you are grateful for. Watch your perspective change.

So rather than ‘eating the elephant’ start by breaking it all down into small, manageable and bite sized chunks. Build with baby steps. If you start to doubt yourself, remember that this year has never happened before. It is a blank slate. A fresh start. Make it exactly what you want and don’t look back.

Wishing you a healthy and happy start to the New Year. x

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Mindfulness. What is it?

Mindfulness. What is it?

We find ourselves in a heightened state of stress, anxiety and overwhelm more and more. We are multi-tasking, chaotic role-juggling and flitting from one thing to the next at a crazy pace. With our minds being pulled in so many different directions every day, it becomes almost impossible to focus fully on what we are doing in the moment. Lack of sleep, inability to focus, less time to connect both with ourselves and with others and rushing…always rushing! For so many of us, this has become our version of ‘normal.’

Mindfulness. What is it?

You’ve probably heard of mindfulness, but what is it really? Basically, it is the act of paying attention, in detail and on purpose to what is going on in the present moment. It means waking up out of autopilot and taking the steering wheel of our attention again.

Science says.

Even though the effectiveness of mindfulness is underpinned by neuroscience, we continue to resist slowing down and taking time out. But science states that when we practice mindfulness our brains change. The frequency of waves shift from a heightened state of fight or flight and into a frequency that supports creativity, problem solving, clarity and calm

The impacts of an unsettled mind have an enormous impact on our bodies. When our minds are out of balance, our bodies will follow and an unbalanced mind will compromise our ability to experience optimal health, no matter how well we eat or how much we move.
Modern day life has caused us to deviate from our natural state of mind. The natural mindset is still, present, calm, aware and focussed. For us to return towards this way we have to consciously, deliberately and mindfully choose to live another way. With mindful awareness we have the ability to nurture our minds, slow down our thoughts and experience a much greater sense of wellbeing.

Mindfulness can be practised by anyone.

Thanks to research, mindfulness is no longer considered ‘hippy woo woo’ or confined to health retreats and ashrams. Today, mindfulness is practiced by millions of people all over the world. Now there are so many ‘mindful’ activities that we can try. These activities aren’t complicated or time consuming. They don’t require you to sit cross-legged on the floor. In- fact mindfulness can take the form of a completely informal practice like going for a walk, brushing your teeth, stretching…Any routine or activity can be made into a mindful practice when you bring your full attention to it.

The quality of our thoughts are fundamental to all aspects of our wellbeing and our life and therefore it’s so important to carve out space in our busy lives to take care of our minds like we do the other parts of our body. If you haven’t already, why not find out for yourself what it’s all about? If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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