http://www.mindgardenhypnotherapy.co.uk/

Mind Garden Hypnotherapy UK, Leeds, Leeds (2026)

16/01/2026

GO SHAWTY, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAYS 🎂

It’s my birthday tomorrow.
I’m off to one of my favourite places, Whitby – and tonight I’m celebrating another friend’s big birthday amongst friends.

And the bit I become most aware of is how loved I am. How thoughtful people can be. How lucky I am to have good humans around me.

But birthdays are funny things, aren’t they.

They can hold joy and gratitude and a bit of weirdness all at the same time.
They remind us we’re getting older. (I've lost count of the greys and wrinkles now)
They remind us of who isn’t here anymore.
All the things that have changed since last year.
They can bring up expectations, spoken or unspoken and that quiet pressure to “enjoy it properly”.

Not having my mum here still shows up more loudly around birthdays. I also remind myself that getting older is a privilege not everyone gets… even if it feels bittersweet sometimes.

For a lot of neurospicy brains, birthdays can feel especially uncomfortable:

All the attention suddenly on you

Being watched while people sing

Social rules you didn’t ask for

Unmet expectations

Old childhood stuff quietly tapping you on the shoulder

The pressure to feel happy on cue

There’s science in this too. Anticipation ramps up dopamine, social attention can activate the threat system, and when our internal experience doesn’t match how we think we should feel, the brain can read that as “something’s wrong”. Even when it isn’t.

So if birthdays feel awkward, heavy, flat, or confusing, you’re not broken. Your nervous system is just doing its thing.

The bit I really want to say today is this:
you’re in control of how you do birthdays.

Big plans. No plans. People. No people. Cake. No cake. A seaside escape. A quiet day under a blanket. No pressure to feel grateful, joyful, emotional, or anything else on demand.

I’m choosing Whitby, good company, and letting the day be whatever it needs to be.

And if birthdays bring mixed feelings for you too, you’re not alone.

13/01/2026

Meet Tabasco 🌶️🐶

Not quite a therapy dog just yet… but very much a professional snuggler already.

She’s settling in beautifully and discovering all the good stuff she missed out on before, sofas, warmth, company, and most importantly… the heated blanket. Absolute scenes of joy. She's a horizontal girly, like me.

She used to live in an outdoor kennel at her old home where she was bred from, so watching her relax, stretch out, and properly switch off has been a bit emosh. Turns out she was always meant for soft blankets and indoor life.

Who knows what the future holds, maybe one day she’ll be joining me in sessions but for now her main job is feeling safe, loved, and very cosy. And she’s smashing that role already 💛

Welcome home, Tabi.

12/01/2026

HYPNOTHERAPY & PERFORMANCE - MORE THAN JUST “MINDSET”

Hypnotherapy isn’t just for anxiety or sleep… it’s genuinely brilliant for performance, physical, mental, and everything in between.

Over the years I’ve worked with:
⚽️ Footballers and other sports people tuning up their focus
🏋🏼‍♂️ HYROX and gym athletes wanting that extra edge
🧠 Clients rehabbing after MS flare-ups
🧱 People recovering from falls or strokes
💫 Those working on healing, pain, coordination and confidence
… and plenty who simply want to feel more in control of their body again.

Here’s why hypnotherapy helps;

✨ Your brain can upgrade patterns faster than your muscles can.
Hypnosis helps you access the subconscious motor programmes that control timing, coordination, accuracy and flow. Studies show visualisation in trance activates the same neural pathways as physical practice — meaning you’re literally rehearsing success in your brain before you step on the pitch, track or stage.

✨ It reduces performance anxiety.
That fight-or-flight response? Great for running away from a bear, not so great when you’re about to take a penalty or walk into a gym class. Hypnotherapy helps shift you back into your prefrontal cortex, the part that handles decision-making, accuracy and calm — instead of the panic-y “oh no I’m messing this up” loop.

✨ It boosts neuroplasticity.
Research shows hypnosis increases neuroplastic changes, basically, it helps your brain rewire more efficiently. That’s why it pairs so well with injury rehab, MS, stroke recovery and chronic pain work. We’re helping the brain rebuild confidence, strength, communication and movement pathways.

✨ Your body follows your mind.
If your inner dialogue is saying “you’re going to fall again” or “you’ll mess this up,” your nervous system reacts accordingly. But when we shift that narrative into one that’s calm, confident, focused and regulated, your body follows suit. A calmer nervous system heals better, moves better, and performs better.

And the best bit?
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to benefit from it. You just need a goal… and a brain. Luckily you’ve got both.

08/01/2026

NEW YEAR, STILL ME
I don’t really do resolutions.
Living with chronically debilitating ADHD, they tend to turn into another stick to beat myself with by about day four.

One thing I do know I did better last year though?
I was kinder to myself.
My inner monologue is softer. More understanding. Less “why can’t you just…”.

And my clients have helped me massively with that.

When you spend your days gently reminding people they’re human, not lazy, broken, or failing, it starts to sink in.
Now when I catch myself spiralling, I pause and think:
What would I say to a client right now? Or one the kids or friends?

Consistency is hard with ADHD.
So, instead of pressuring myself to be consistent every day, I focus on being consistent in the intention, doing things that support my goals, even if it looks different day to day.

✨ Systems, not routines. ✨

I’m just trying to look after my physical and mental health a bit better.

Hydration is a big one for me and yes, it really is an ADHD thing.
Many people with ADHD struggle with interoception (our awareness of internal body signals), so thirst cues can be weaker or get drowned out (not in the water I'm not drinking obviously)
My body will happily accept pints… but plain water? Apparently not.

So hydration has to be conscious.
Smaller glasses have helped.
Leaving water where I can see it helps.
And a lot of gentle self-talk.
(And no, it’s not weird. Your therapist said it’s fine.)

Walking every day isn’t realistic for me either.
Transitions are the hardest part.
So instead of creating a whole new routine I’ll lose interest in, I walk around the park when I arrive at work.
Same transition. I’m already out of the car. I just take the long way to the door.

Flowing with what’s already happening, rather than fighting myself, is where things actually stick.

No perfection.
No pressure.
Just a bit more care, a bit more compassion, and a system that works with my brain, not against it.

If this resonates, you’re not doing life wrong, your brain just needs a different approach 🤍

02/12/2025

PUBLIC APOLOGY

I break the rules 🤫🫣

Therapy with me isn’t cold or clinical, and it’s definitely not the “sit quietly while I nod” vibe.
My sessions aren’t perfectly scripted. They’re human. They’re responsive. They’re tailored to you because that’s how people actually change.

On an overstimulated day, I’ll be in casual clothes.
If something in my own life helps you make sense of yours, I’ll share it.
If you need a gentle push, I’ll give it to you straight.
If a meme reminds me of you, I’m sending it.
If a “hot topic” is relevant, we’ll talk about it.

Small talk matters.
Laughing matters.
Honesty matters.
Connection matters.

I’m not a textbook therapist.
I’m not pretending to be neutral and blank.
I’m a human who shows up with skills, experience, intuition, and a huge heart for the people I work with.

So yes, this is my public apology.
I’m a rule breaker.
But that’s exactly why my therapy works for the people it’s meant for.

💛 If you want cold and clinical, that’s not me.
If you want real, tailored, grounded, and actually helpful?
I’ve got you.

14/11/2025

YOUTUBER

Apparently I’m a YouTuber now… 😂
Honestly, if this doesn’t finally impress my kids, nothing will. I showed them my channel and they shrugged like, “Yeah… but have you got a million subscribers though, Mum?” 💀

Anyway, I’ve popped my deep relaxation sleep recording on YouTube so you can drift off while I whisper about the brain (in a soothing way, not a weird way). If you struggle to switch off at night, this one’s for you.

I’ll be adding more recordings soon, so if you fancy supporting me on my accidental influencer journey…

👉 Like, subscribe, leave a comment, all the YouTube-y things.
It genuinely helps more people find the recordings.

And who knows, maybe one day my kids will stop roasting me and say, “Mum’s actually kind of cool?”
…probably not, but we can dream. 😂

04/11/2025

ARE YOU A HUGGER?

Some people go for the handshake. Some do that awkward half-pat, half-hug thing (you know the one 😅).

Me? I’m a hugger.

And not the quick “thanks, bye!” kind, I mean the proper, heart-to-heart, hold-on-until-your-nervous-system-catches-up kind of hug. The ones that make your shoulders drop, your breath slow, and your whole body sigh in relief.

Here’s the thing: hugs aren’t just nice. They’re medicine.

They lower stress, boost your immune system, and tell your body, “You’re safe now.”

In my latest blog, I talk about:
🤍 The secret behind the “Disney hug” (and why it feels so good)
🐄 What a cow hug can teach us about calm
🧠 The science of why hugs literally heal

It’s one of those reads that might just make you text a friend and say, “I owe you a hug.”

👉 Head to the website to read the full post or click the link in my bio; https://mindgardenhypnotherapy.co.uk/confidence-its-not-just-about-killer-heels-cloned/

And before you go — how many hugs have you had today? 🤗

02/10/2025

🍂 TIS THE SEASON

I know most people dread this time of year. The darker nights, the weather, the sheer lack of sunshine. But for me, autumn and winter are my favourites. Twinkly lights, listening to the rain wrapped in a blanket, big jumpers, hibernation mode, my birthday, Halloween and Christmas, all the things that make me feel cosy and alive in a different way.

But if you’re one of the many people who feels the slump creeping in, it’s worth remembering this: we’re mammals. We are meant to slow down right now. To sleep more. To eat more grounding food. To nurture our roots so we’re strong enough to bear fruit come spring.

Think of a tree in winter. It doesn’t waste energy forcing out leaves when the light and warmth aren’t there to support it. Instead, it builds stability in its roots, anchoring deeper into the ground, so when spring rolls around, it has the strength to blossom again. We’re no different.

Some ways to survive (and even thrive) through winter if Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is biting:

✨ Light therapy lamps – these mimic daylight and can help balance the body clock and boost serotonin. I know people who swear by them.
✨ Cosy up your environment – make your home somewhere you want to be. Soft blankets, candles, fairy lights, your favourite mug.
✨ Movement (but gentle) – walks in daylight hours if you can, yoga, or even a dance around the kitchen. It doesn’t need to be hardcore.
✨ Nutrition that grounds you – warm soups, slow-cooked meals, foods that feel like a hug.
✨ Rest unapologetically – you’re not lazy; you’re seasonal. Animals hibernate for a reason.
✨ Connection – it can feel easy to isolate, but even one warm chat with a friend can change the tone of a whole day.

If this time of year feels heavy for you, please know you’re not broken. You’re seasonal, like the rest of us. And your roots might be quietly growing stronger right now, ready for the next season of bloom. 🌱
T

Mind Garden Hypnotherapy UK

16/01/2026

13/01/2026

12/01/2026

08/01/2026

02/12/2025

14/11/2025

04/11/2025

02/10/2025

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