Alastair Gibson - Wellness Coach

24/10/2023

What beliefs about yourself would you like to change? What might be possible if you let some of them go?

The way we view ourselves is often very different to how the rest of the world sees us. While we would never dream of telling a friend about their faults, we don't hesitate in telling ourselves just how damaged we perceive ourselves to be.

Repeated thoughts eventually feel like facts. But here's an actual important fact:

You CAN change your thoughts and beliefs. You CAN rewire your brain to begin living a more positive life. And if you can do that, the possibilities are endless...

17/10/2023

Everyone deserves a life they love. The first step towards it is in making a decision. The decision to aim for change.

"Better the devil you know" is an old phrase, but one which hits on why we often resist change. We fear what we don't know.

But this is why I am here. I am your trust-buddy. I am someone who has been where you are now, and changed my life. I took the first step, and the second, and the every step after that to arrive at a better place - so I know it can be done, and I know that you can do it too.

Start your journey to wellbeing today - simply by recognising that you want to. Then start taking the next steps, like reaching out to people like me who can help you find your path.

You have the power. You are amazing. I can help you realise it.

https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/

12/10/2023

10/10/2023

Part of being able to weather what life throws at us is in having a solid foundation. Think about reeds in the wind - they bend and move with the breezes that surround them, but they are firmly rooted in the earth, keeping them from spiralling away.

Today is World Mental Health Day. Take a moment to consider what roots you. If you feel like you haven't found a way to connect to your strength yet, perhaps today is when you decide to change that...

If you need support with mindset coaching, resilience training or navigating how to restore your vitality, reach out to me. Together we can identify your foundations, and ensure you have the tools to always find them going forward.

03/10/2023

What if "relaxing" is a stress trigger in itself?

If we grow up in an environment that feels unsafe - where, if we relax, we put ourselves in danger - the very thought of relaxing in later life can cause us real anxiety.

So, when we are told to simply "relax more" in order to feel better mentally, it can feel like an insurmountable obstacle.

Neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change with experience, means that we can acknowledge our past experience, but not be defined or controlled by it. We can learn how to stop our stress responses from being triggered, and from there, the idea of relaxing doesn't seem so far away.

Reach out to me if you have any questions about Neuroplasticity and how it can support you.

26/09/2023

Chronic pain is real. And when we say that the brain plays a big part in it, we are not saying that the pain is imagined.

When we have a traumatic experience - be it a chronic stress experience or an illness and injury experience - it can change our brains in ways that make life very difficult.

Our brains are always protecting us, and when our bodies are deeply threatened, our brains can go into overdrive. And sometimes, they don't know when to stop.

Very physical and real processes start firing inappropriately because the brain and nervous system have been altered through the experience. Even when the threat has passed our brains, having been rewired by the experience, now stay in an overprotective state all the time.

Rewiring the brain to let go of this overprotection is what the Lightning Process helps us to do, and by doing so we can start relieving the strain on our bodies and changing our future.

Get in touch with me if you have questions, I am only an email away.

19/09/2023

🍂 As autumn starts to peek around the corner, do you feel a shift in your moods?

Shifts in light and temperature can lead to feelings of fatigue, low energy, and mood change. If you find your mood altering with the changing seasons, know that you're not alone. Seeking support, maintaining a balanced routine, and embracing natural light can help to navigate the challenges you might be feeling as autumn and winter kick in.

Prioritising self-care during these transitions, and equipping yourself with the mental tools to adjust ahead of time, can help to sustain your mental wellbeing.

Get in touch with me for mindset coaching, vitality integration, resilience and lightning process courses - and go forward feeling empowered.

12/09/2023

A consistent sleep routine isn't just about how many hours you clock in; it's about the quality of rest you get. We all need different amounts to feel good - so don't feel like you have to aim for a set amount of hours in order to be "succeeding at sleep"!

🛏️ Create a peaceful sleep environment by dimming lights, minimising screens, and embracing relaxation practices.
🌞 Aim for consistent wake-up times to help sync your body clock, leading to steadier energy levels and heightened mental clarity.
👍 Give yourself permission to rest and prioritise your sleep routine. It is part of your self-care, and impacts both your mental and physical health.

Adequate sleep cultivates sharper focus, brighter moods, and better stress resilience.

If you want to cultivate healthier routines, but need a bit of support to start, get in touch with me.

https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/

05/09/2023

What if you could learn to reset your body’s health systems back to normal by using the well-researched connection that exists between the mind and body?

The Lightning Process applies this sound scientific principle, so you can get back in charge of two very important processes in your body –
🔶 The Physical Emergency Response (PER)
🔶 Neuroplasticity

I offer three different lightning process course options that vary in support and training given, specialising in 1-to-1 training sessions and group courses.

⚡️ Join me for my next Lightning Process course - get in touch for dates and details, or explore more here: https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/lightning-process-1

29/08/2023

Your email inbox should be a safe space, and that's why, each month, I send a newsletter which aims to calm, motivate and encourage. Together, we can find more peace, more resilience and more roads to recovery.

My newsletter introduces you to the transformative world of Lightning Process courses, mindset coaching and shares helpful and supportive wellbeing tips to ensure you know you're not alone.

🌿 Take a Moment for Yourself: Sign Up Today
- https://bit.ly/3yvJEph

15/08/2023

The journey to feeling better is about more than simply "relaxing" more. Relaxation is often done as a response action - as a way to soothe ourselves after stressful encounters - but what if we could learn how to need relaxation techniques less?

We don't need to turn our stress response off if we can stop our stress from being triggered in the first place.

Neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change through experience, means we have the tools to do just that. To learn more about it, and how it can support you, get in touch with me.

07/08/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Alastair was very helpful and he cared massively about my progress." - Anna, June 2023

~~~~~

Thank you for your review, Anna!

24/07/2023

It's International Self Care Day today (24th July) - so take a moment to really check in with yourself. How can you give yourself the support you need, not just for today but for going forward too?

Self care isn't about the grand gestures - it's about everyday little actions which can boost your mood and settle your heart. Write a list of few things which you can do each day - or at least each week - to bring you some peace. Here are a few ideas, but let your mind roam free!

📚 Ten minutes in the morning reading a book
🌱 Having a walk in nature
💃🏻 Moving your body - maybe dancing in your kitchen!
🎶 Singing a song, as loudly as you like
🛀 Soaking in a bubbly bath

Let me know what your favourite pastime is!

18/07/2023

Have you heard of SMART Goals? They are very useful in figuring out WHY you are seeking to change your life.

Making positive change in your life is within your power - but if you don't really understand why you are trying to do it, you'll find the process harder. Get to the bottom of what is motivating you and where you want to get to.

Writing down your goals for the future really helps to crystalise what's important in your mind - and by using the SMART parameters, you can start to build a framework for real change...

🎯 Specific - Avoid vague statements like "I want less pain" and be more targeted, such as "I want to increase my flexibility to help in reducing my back pain"
📏 Measurable - It's hard to spot slow changes if you can't measure how far you've come. Include ways to mark your progress, so you can see a clear finish line.
👍 Achievable - Goals don't need to be huge to make a huge difference. Setting goals which are not achievable will only knock your confidence later.
🖼️ Relevant/Realistic - What's the bigger picture for why you are setting this goal? Make sure you know the relevance of what this goal will achieve for you in a wider context.
⏱️ Time-Bound - Giving yourself a timeframe to work on your goal. Goals which are open-ended can feel overwhelming!

If you need support to dive deeper into the Whys of your journey, my coaching and training services can help you. Reach out at www.alastairgibson.co.uk

11/07/2023

Thoughts are not facts...and they are not set in stone. Remembering that is an important tool for navigating stresses. We do not need to be bystanders to our thoughts - we can be active participants in where they take us.

And we can re-route our negative thoughts. We all have the ability, we just don't always know how to access it.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s amazing ability to rapidly change just by being used differently. Research has shown that simply by using new ways of thinking, old nerve pathways are switched off and replaced by new, more useful, pathways. The Lightning Process Programme teaches you how to use Neuroplasticity to break out of any destructive unconscious patterns that are keeping you stuck, and learn to use new, life and health enhancing ones instead.

Read about the Lightning Process here:
https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/lightning-process-1

04/07/2023

When we are feeling low, one of the best things we can do to reset our positive energies is to step outside.

Even if all you can do today is stand on your front doorstep, take a moment to do so. Be still for that moment. Notice the air temperature on your skin. Listen to the sounds of the birds or the chatter of people - differentiate those sounds and think about how they make you feel. What scents are in the air around you?

And if you can go further, and take a walk, let yourself do it. Grant yourself the time to wander.

Read more about how walking can boost your mental health here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/how-walking-in-nature-can-help-wellbeing

27/06/2023

This coming Sunday 2nd July is - Across the UK individuals, neighbourhoods and organisations will be holding events to bring us all closer together and share what makes us thankful for our communities and the people we share our lives with.

Our mental wellbeing is often more vulnerable when we are isolated - letting ourselves be part of our communities, and making connections with those around us, helps us to feel part of something bigger.

This week, take a moment to notice the world on your doorstep - the people you live nearby to, the people who help you in the shops you visit, the people who sit on the bus beside you. Make an intention to really see them - say hello if you can, give them a smile. We are all in this together, and we are not alone.

https://thankyouday.org.uk/

20/06/2023

What things lift you up, rather than weigh you down? What inspires you?

Sources of inspiration are all around us - and life is about finding what inspires you. Inspiration fuels many feelings and emotions in life, such as creativity, imagination, and inventiveness. It is important to feel inspired, as inspiration is a motivator. If we do not feel inspired, we don't feel motivated to act. To think. To move forward...

So take a moment to really think about it - who, or what, inspires you and why?

13/06/2023

It's just like when we learn a new language. If we don't practise what we learn, and try to use it regularly, we'll easily forget.

We all have the tools inside us to make true change in our lives and nurture better mental health for the long term - but if you don't know how to access them, or have forgotten how, I'm here to offer you support.

I offer coaching for health, energy and vitality - because we all deserve to have a life we can love.

Visit my website or reach out to me in a message to find out more.

06/06/2023

We are halfway through the year, so take a moment to stand still, look around you, breathe in the warm summer air, and think about where you've been and where you're still to go.

If you have been carrying a heavier load through the first half of 2023, are there any parts of it which feel a little lighter now, or which you can leave behind?

Only carry forward the things which strengthen you - these might be lessons learned or memories made.

If you don't know where to start, I can help you to offload some of the things you no longer need to carry. I want you to love your life, and to look forward to the future that waits for you. Find out more on my website:
https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/

30/05/2023

That feeling when connections are made, when understanding rushes in, when we feel like things suddenly make a bit more sense...it's a wonderful moment.

Sometimes we don't need very much to hit on these types of moments. Sometimes it's the right words said at the right time, or waking up to a fresh day feeling rested, that kickstarts a change.

But sometimes it's talking to someone with a fresh perspective, and with lived experience of navigating mental health, which can bring about these moments of understanding.

Kickstart your own wellbeing journey with the Lightning Process - you can read more about it on my website:
https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/lightning-process-1

23/05/2023

I always love Snowflakes. Every snowflake that has dropped on the world is beautiful … and just like us, they are all unique.

You have more within you than you could ever imagine…

15/05/2023

Many people across the UK told that they feel anxious some or all of the time.

This week is and the theme this year is Anxiety. Let's help raise awareness of anxiety and the impact it has - you can find more information and support here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw

How do you cope with your anxiety? What methods help you feel better? Comment below so others can see they're not alone.

09/05/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I did a lightning process refresher with Alastair before Christmas, I already knew the lightning process is great and works. Alastair made setting up an appointment so easy, really good communication. Has a fantastic approach during sessions, very easy to get on with. The explanations of how the process works has come along so far since I first used 13 years ago which was wonderful to understand that side of it, Alastair explained it all so well. Having someone who's used the process for the same reasons, who can give first hand information on application and results means so much.

Looking forward to future appointments to give me the tools to keep works on myself and my health (using LP for cfs). Cannot recommend the Process and Alastair highly enough. The results will surprise you!!" - Stephanie, Jan 2023

~~~~~

Thank you for your review, Stephanie. The Lightning Process is a brilliant tool to bring more Calmness & Kindness to Self. Enjoy the new you!

02/05/2023

It's National Walking Month and a great reminder that sometimes you can give your brain a rest and let your feet do the thinking.

Going for a walk is a simple but effective way to boost your mental well-being. Whether it's a quick stroll around the block or a longer walk in nature, taking time to clear your mind and enjoy the fresh air can have a positive impact on your mood and overall mental health.

As we head towards a longer weekend, as the Coronation begins, give yourself the gift of self-care. Where will your feet take you?

25/04/2023

We all do it. We "put a brave face on" and employ the "stiff upper lip". When someone asks in passing how we are, we say "I'm fine", sometimes without even thinking about it.

We often hide our feelings behind social habits, but we don't have to. Today, give yourself permission to let at least one of your feelings out - even if you're just by yourself, and you let out a scream to the sky.

To explore ways you can recognise your feelings, and learn the tools for living well with them, visit my website.

18/04/2023

Feeling low? Drinking water can be a first step towards improving your mood. Here's why:

💦 Improved cognitive function: Drinking water can help improve cognitive performance, including better memory, attention, and focus.

💦 Reduced stress and anxiety: Dehydration can lead to increased levels of stress hormones, while staying hydrated can help reduce stress and anxiety.

💦 Better mood: Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can negatively impact mood, while drinking enough water can help improve overall mood and feelings of happiness.

Take a sip - your body AND your mind will thank you for it!

12/04/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "It was great to do the Lightning Process with Alastair, he is enthusiastic, positive and fantastic fun to work with. I am hugely grateful to have my energy back after suffering with Long Covid. Thank you Alastair." - Jock, December 2022

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jock!

I love empowering my clients with The Lightning Process, a training program that educates on how to live a more fulfilling life. Using techniques based on awareness, movement and personal life coaching, we can change how the body deals with stress and make it have a reduced negative impact. And hearing about the difference it makes in people's lives is truly rewarding.

Want to find out more? Visit here: https://www.alastairgibson.co.uk/lightning-process-1

05/04/2023

April is Stress Awareness month and it's a reminder to take notice of the things we may be pushing down beneath the surface.

Life throws up lots of challenges, and stress is how our bodies react and cope. If we ignore the signs of stress, they can build up and grow bigger, until they weigh us down so much it's hard to get up in the morning.

Take the opportunity this month to look deeper - at yourself, at your friends, at your team mates. Talk about what you are experiencing and ask them to do the same. Talking lifts the weight - let's carry it together until we can put it down and leave it behind.

29/03/2023

This coming Thursday is World Bipolar Day, which is celebrated each year on 30 March, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was diagnosed with bipolar after he died. The vision of World Bipolar Day is to encourage understanding about what bipolar is – and isn’t – and to banish stigma from the face of the planet.

- What is Bipolar?
Bipolar is a severe mental illness characterised by extreme mood swings and changes in energy levels. Bipolar mood swings go far beyond most people’s everyday experiences of feeling a bit down or happy and experience a much wider range of moods.

To understand more about Bipolar visit: https://www.bipolaruk.org/