COVID Special Offer
I am conscious in this stressful time that we need to take our mental health into consideration as well as our finances.
In this instance to make counselling as easily affordable to all I have reduced my session fee to £40 for 40 minutes
(excluding smoking cessation)
My promise and commitment to you is that this rate will not change,
it will stay £40 until your journey is complete.
This offer is valid until 31st May 2021 for anyone starting their journey with one to one ONLINE counselling sessions
and FACE to FACE counselling sessions.
Session fee for Children under the age of 16 years old
£25.00 per 40 minute session
ONLINE SESSIONS
WhatsApp Video / Skype / Messenger Video / Zoom
FACE TO FACE SESSIONS - suspended until further notice
Location: Starbank House
Looking after your mental health while you have to stay at home
The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) is worrying and can affect our mental health. While it is important to stay informed, there are also many things we can do to support and manage our wellbeing during such times.
Here are some tips that could help you, your friends and your family to look after your mental health at a time when there is much discussion of potential threats to our physical health.
We are living a different life rhythm, a time to be in touch with loved ones and friends in a different way than usual. Social media, e-mail or on the phone, all of these are good ways of being close to the people who matter to you.
You Personally, start to create a new daily routine that prioritises looking after yourself.
You could try reading more, watch your favourite movies, write up stories and memories about your life, plan an exercise routine, try out relaxation techniques, or explore the internet to expand your knowledge on things you are interested in.
Looking after your mental health while you have to stay at home – other things to consider
Plan your day
We are all adjusting to a new, rather strange, way of life. This can be a risk to our mental wellbeing.
As tempting as it might be to stay in pyjamas all day, regular routines are essential for our identity, self-confidence and purpose.
Try to start your day at roughly the same time you usually would and aim to set aside time each day for movement, relaxation, connection and reflection.
Move more every day
Being active reduces stress, increases energy levels, can make us more alert and help us sleep better.
Explore different ways of adding physical movement and activity to your day and find some that work best for you.
Even at home, there will be lots of ways to exercise and keep your body moving. Alternatively look online for free workouts.
Try a relaxation technique
Relaxing and focusing on the present can help improve your mental health and lighten negative feelings.
Try some different meditation or breathing exercises to see what helps. For example, sometimes we can be so tense that we do not even remember what being relaxed feels like. Progressive muscle relaxation teaches you to recognise when you are starting to get tense and how to relax.
Try this NHS link https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/resource-library/relaxation-techniques/
Connect with others
Explore ways of connecting that work for you, whether that’s by post, over the phone, social media, or video-chat. This could be anything, from sharing a cup of tea over video, playing an online game together, or simply sending a supportive text message.
Take time to reflect
Make time every day to reflect on what went well. It’s important to recognise your successes and the things you are grateful for, no matter how small. Consider keeping a gratitude journal each day where you could write two or three of these things every night before you go to bed.
Improve your sleep
Feelings of uncertainty and changes to daily life may mean you have more difficulty sleeping.
There is a lot you can do to improve your sleep. Aim to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, even at the weekend if you can, and try to get some natural sunlight (by opening your curtains and windows) where possible. This helps to regulate your body clock which can help you sleep better.
Wind down before bed by avoiding using your phone, tablet, computer or TV for an hour before bedtime.