EQness

24/07/2025

Join our 8-Week Stress Management Program for Carers at St Luke's Care

Designed to support those who care for others with practical, science-based tools for managing stress and maintaining mental wellbeing.

You will learn strategies to:
– Manage daily stress more effectively
– Improve mental clarity and focus
– Build calm and stability through mindfulness-based approaches

Location: St. Luke’s Clinic, Potts Point NSW
Dates: Wednesdays, starting 20 August 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:15 AM

Facilitator: Dr Olga-Lucia Gamboa-Arana
Cognitive neuroscientist and psychotherapist
Founder of EQness

What is included:
– Course manual and weekly handouts
– Access to guided mindfulness practices
– One-month access to MindApps Premium (plus 50% off annual subscription)

Limited spaces available.

To register click on the link below or feel free to send a DM for more information.

https://eqness.com/mindfulness-programs/mindfulness-for-carers/

27/06/2025

Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering a mini-workshop on The Science Behind a Resilient Mindset as part of Mindset for Success, hosted by Charles Darwin University and organised by the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to Vincent Lim, the HCC team, and Sascha Jenkins, PhD, GAICD, for making it possible. It was a pleasure to share the panel with

We explored:

• Why mindset is shaped by more than motivation, including stress, beliefs, and biology

• How chronic stress disrupts decision-making and focus

• Practical strategies to shift mental state and restore clarity

The audience was fantastic! Engaged, thoughtful, and curious throughout.

Grateful to Michael Thompson Photography for the photos, and to katewellnesscentre for helping capture some highlights from the session.
It is always encouraging to see small businesses supporting each other with generosity and professionalism.




with Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

06/06/2025

We breathed. We paused. We explored.

Grateful to the curious, open teams at equiladvisory and who took the time to explore what it means to be truly present, even in the middle of a busy workweek.

Contrary to what some might expect, we did not sit in silence to meditate. Instead, we explored simple, evidence-based exercises, practical tools you can use right in the flow of daily life.

Because showing up for our mental wellbeing is not about switching off. It is about switching on—with clarity and purpose.


Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

23/05/2025

With Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

Haymarket Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to join us for a stimulating workshop and discussion on The Science Behind a Mindset for Success, to be conducted by Karms Fung (Excel Purpose) and Dr. Olga-Lucia Gamboa Arana () - two professionals who offer complementary approaches to how mindset influences behaviour and change.

Many people think positively but still find themselves unable to take action or reach their goals. This is often not due to a lack of motivation, but to underlying fears and well-rehearsed mental patterns that operate automatically beneath the surface.

Karms Fung will share insights from her extensive professional and personal experience, including how belief, identity, and internal alignment can influence growth and change. With a background in accounting, coaching, and leadership, Karms brings a strategic and impactful understanding of mindset and transformation.

Dr. Olga-Lucia Gamboa Arana, a cognitive neuroscientist, psychotherapist, and mindfulness specialist, will explore what gets in the way when we try to shift our mindset but still feel stuck. Drawing from brain science and cognitive psychology, she will explain how automatic thoughts, internal belief patterns, and the brain’s capacity for change - known as neuroplasticity - shape our ability to move forward.

Our speakers will offer both insights and practical reflection - helping clarify how our mindset works, and what can help when motivation alone is not enough. This workshop is a must for anyone curious as to how our mind works and for those wishing to move forward and progress with greater clarity and intention.

Business networking over canapes and wines will also be held before and after the workshop. We would like to thank our Chamber members, Charles Darwin University and for their generous support.

To reserve your seat and join us for networking, scan the QR code or go to https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1407095

21/05/2025

Promoting Brain Health & Healthy Ageing – Free Community Event

Join me and a team of health professionals for an afternoon of expert talks, practical strategies, and hands-on activities designed to support brain health and wellbeing across the lifespan.

Topics include dementia prevention, mental fitness, movement, and nutrition—grounded in science and focused on what works.

Includes a live Q&A and time to connect with your community.

Free entry – Bookings essential

When: Thursday 26 June 2025
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Woollahra Library at Double Bay
Organized by: Holdsworth



https://eqness.com/venues/brain-health-and-healthy-ageing/

With Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

Learn practical strategies to support brain health and healthy ageing from experts in neurology, euroscience, nutrition and physiotherapy.

12/05/2025

Mental health myths are not just social, they often reflect our fears, life experiences, and the messages we have absorbed over time.

These six common beliefs can make it harder to seek support that truly helps.

Evidence shows that early access to the right kind of professional support can improve quality of life, increase resilience, and ease distress.

You do not need to wait for a crisis to take action. If something feels off, talk to your GP or a trusted health professional.

Reaching out early can make a difference.

Share to help replace myths with understanding.



with Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

08/05/2025

Why do I feel restless, like something’s wrong—but I don’t know what?

That feeling is often anxiety.
It is your brain scanning for danger, even when there is none.

Your nervous system is on alert—
and your body is listening.

This is what anxiety can feel like.

Anxiety may feel different for different people.

For some, it is racing thoughts. For others, a tight chest or constant restlessness.

There is no wrong or right way to feel anxiety.

But if I speak up about my mental health… what will people think?

They might not understand.
But you do: your brain is wired to survive.

https://youtube.com/shorts/VSXd0Lew08I?feature=share

That feeling is often anxiety.It is your brain scanning for danger, even when there is none.Your nervous system is on alert—and your body is listening.This i...

24/04/2025

In moments of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm, your nervous system can become so activated that staying present feels nearly impossible.

Anchoring techniques can help you reconnect with your body, regulate emotions, and return to what matters.

These are practical tools, grounded in mindfulness and neuroscience, that re-establish presence through attention, movement, and gentle action.

If you want to know more, reach out to learn how we integrate this work into our mindfulness-based psychotherapy sessions in Sydney and online.


Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

Disconnection from the present moment is a common response to psychological stress, sensory overload, or emotional overwhelm. This video introduces five evid...

16/04/2025

Mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 Australians each year.
This is not just a statistic—it is someone you know. The ability to respond with calm, confidence, and care can make all the difference.

Join our upcoming Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course this May in Marrickville.

Course Details

Dates: Saturdays 17 & 24 May 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Marrickville Town Hall – Sydney Fringe Offices
Cost: $183 AUD

Includes manual and certification. Accreditation valid for 3 years upon course completion.

Facilitated by:

Clayton Hamilton
Dr. Olga-Lucia Gamboa

This course is organised by Clayton Hamilton and sponsored by Sydney Fringe Incorporated, whose support helps keep the course accessible to the community.

Take the step toward creating a more supportive, informed community.

https://eqness.com/mhfa/

with Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana, Lucia Aran and Clayton Hamilton

08/04/2025

Self-care should feel simple—but often, it feels heavy.

In this short blog, I explore why we feel guilt when we try to care for ourselves, and how those early beliefs affect us today.

You will also find a recorded talk and a 10-minute guided meditation to support your reflection.

https://eqness.com/when-self-care-feels-wrong/



with Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

Explore the quiet guilt that arises when caring for yourself feels wrong, and soften it through a short guided self-compassion meditation.

28/02/2025

Mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 Australians every year. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s reality. The ability to support someone in need can make all the difference.

Join our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course this March and gain the skills to:

- Recognize early signs of mental health challenges.

- Provide compassionate and practical support.

- Guide individuals toward professional help.

When & Where:

Dates: 12–13 March 2025

Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Venue: St Luke’s Clinic, Terrace Room, Potts Point NSW

Cost: $310 AUD

Certification: Earn a 3-year accreditation as a Mental Health First Aider upon course completion.

Take the first step toward creating a more supportive community.

For more information visit: https://eqness.com/mhfa/

25/02/2025

Sometimes, people find it difficult to do breathing exercises while remaining still due to body discomfort, emotional resistance, or simply preference. In this blog post, we talk about stress, the importance of managing it effectively, and explore practical strategies to expand your stress management toolkit.

Take a look and join our short practice to see how these techniques can work for you and feel free to share with us what is your go-to method for managing stress or calming down

https://eqness.com/stress-management-through-movement/



with Olga Lucía Gamboa Arana

Enrich your stress relief toolkit with simple techniques to integrate into your daily routine, enhancing your mental wellbeing.