NHS East Cheshire Talking Therapies

22/12/2025

Christmas can be stressful, and this can impact our mood and mental health. Whether you'll be spending Christmas with family, with friends, or just spending it alone, it's important to think ahead to ensure your mental wellbeing is protected at every turn.
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The school holidays can be a particularly daunting time as we want to make sure our families are enjoying the festive period, even at the expense of our own mental health.
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Here are some tips for managing your wellbeing during the Christmas holidays.
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Make a Plan - Before the school holidays begin, have your children brainstorm some activity ideas that you can do together as a family. Involving your children in making plans for the school holiday not only helps them feel involved in decisions but it gives them something to look forward to.
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Prioritise Self Care - It might help to think about what's best for your wellbeing during Christmas, and prioritise what you need.
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Schedule Downtime - Remember that you don’t have to be doing exciting things all the time during the holidays for it to be a well rounded and nourishing time for you and your family. Even if it's just half an hour, give yourself time to recharge.
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Set Boundaries - Try to say no to things that aren't helpful for you.
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Digital Detox - Take breaks away from your phone and social media and focus on being present in the moment.
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Here are some crisis contacts you can access during the Christmas period if you feel you need extra support:
Call NHS 111
Press 2 for mental health support
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Samaritans
Call 116 123 (open 24/7)
Email jo@samaritans.org
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12/12/2025

What Loneliness can look like
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Loneliness isn’t about being on your own. It’s the experience of feeling disconnected; unsupported, unheard, or simply out of sync with the people around you. This is why noticing the small shifts in someone’s behaviour matters. It’s often the people who seems “fine” who isn’t.
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For some people, this time of year is something to look forward to. For others, it highlights what’s been difficult: pressure to appear upbeat, memories of people who aren’t here, social events that feel draining, or just the sense that everyone else is managing better.
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How can you help someone who is feeling lonely?
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It’s mostly about paying attention: Checking in with someone who seems a bit quieter or more distant than usual.
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Making space for regular, friendly conversations
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Offering low-pressure connection: a coffee, a short walk, or simply sitting together without expectations.
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Listening without jumping straight into solutions. Sometimes being heard is enough.
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Noticing small shifts in behaviour and gently asking how they’re doing.
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Sharing a little of your own reality so the other person doesn’t feel like they’re the only one struggling.
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Keeping the door open — even if they’re not ready to talk now, knowing they’re not alone matters.
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10/12/2025

Therapy takes time — and every small step counts.
Learn what to expect and how to stay motivated throughout your journey in our Readiness for Therapy video.
🎥 Watch now: http://bit.ly/43UVPw9

04/12/2025

NEXT COURSE JANUARY 2026!
We now offer Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Courses at East Cheshire Talking Therapies.

MBCT is recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.
Our MBCT courses are a great way to understand thought patterns and how to work with these in more helpful ways.

Mindfulness is a particular way of paying attention to the present moment. When we’re tuned in to the present moment, the mind is less likely to get caught up in unhelpful patterns of thinking and feeling.

Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and relate to them in a different way. We learn skills that can help us to:
• Become more focussed and steady
• Feel less overwhelmed
• Respond more wisely to difficulties
• Be kinder to ourselves and more accepting of how things are

This can reduce symptoms of depression and reduce the chances of depression returning.

If you are registered with a GP in East Cheshire, you can refer by going to our website or calling 01625 469950.
https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/service/talking-therapies-eastern-cheshire/

03/12/2025

Therapy works best when you're ready and able to put time and effort into it.
Our Readiness For Therapy video helps you prepare mentally and practically so you can get the most out of your sessions.
🎬 Watch here: http://bit.ly/43UVPw9

26/11/2025

Different therapies help with different challenges — what works for one person might not work foranother.
▶️ Our Readiness for Therapy video explains what to expect and how to find the best approach for you: http://bit.ly/43UVPw9
For more information on the services we provide, please visit our website https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/service/talking-therapies-eastern-cheshire/

21/11/2025

NEW courses in January 2026

20/11/2025

You’re not alone. Many people face mental health challenges - getting the right support can make all the difference.
🎥 Watch our Readiness for Therapy video to see how Talking Therapies can help you take the next step: http://bit.ly/43UVPw9
For more information on Talking Therapies East Cheshire visit our website
https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/service/talking-therapies-eastern-cheshire/

14/11/2025

Move Your Body Regularly: Exercise isn’t just for fitness. It is a powerful way to manage stress, boost mood, and improve sleep. A short daily walk, stretching, or a quick home workout can make a big difference.
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Prioritise Quality Sleep: Sleep is essential for mental and physical health. Aim for consistent bedtimes, limit screen time before bed, and create a calm, dark sleep environment to help your body recharge.
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Connect with Others: Strong social connections can reduce stress and increase happiness. Make time to catch up with friends, family, or colleagues; even small interactions can boost wellbeing.
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Spend Time Outdoors: Nature has a calming effect on the mind, helping you reset. Whether it’s a hike, a walk in the park, or just sitting outside, spending time in natural surroundings supports mental clarity and relaxation.
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Practice Mindfulness or Reflection: Take time each day to check in with yourself. Meditation, journaling, or simply pausing to breathe deeply can improve focus, reduce anxiety, and help you feel more grounded.
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Take a warm bath: Warm water soothes the body and activates the mammalian dive reflex, which helps calm the nervous system and slow your heart rate. It’s a simple way to create a deep sense of calm.
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Slow down your pace: The hustle of modern life keeps us in a constant state of alert. Taking time to pause, even for a few minutes, helps shift the body out of stress mode and into a calmer, more present state.
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Play feel-good music: Music impacts mood through the release of dopamine — the brain’s “feel-good” chemical. Uplifting songs can quickly shift your emotional state and boost your energy or calm.
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Cook something you enjoy: Cooking supports routine, activates the senses, and gives a sense of purpose. Even a simple dish can help you feel grounded, present, and cared for - by you.
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Cuddle a pet (or spend time with one): Interacting with animals increases oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), helping you feel safe, comforted, and less alone.
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07/11/2025

In the UK, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month takes place each November. The month-long initiative raises awareness about the mental health challenges that men may face, educates people about mental illness, and encourages honest conversations that may help reduce stigma.
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The goal is to make it easier for men to get support in addressing concerns such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, which are often underreported and undertreated among men because of societal expectations and a pressure to appear “strong.”
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From a young age, men are often taught that showing emotion is a sign of weakness. As a result, they may grow up to believe that being emotionally vulnerable isn’t masculine. This belief can make it hard for them to talk about mental health struggles, because they may fear that people will think less of them.
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Men in the UK report significantly lower life satisfaction than women, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Here are some other numbers about how mental health struggles can impact UK men specifically:
12.5% of men in England are currently experiencing a mental health disorder.
75% of people who die by su***de are men.
The highest su***de rates are among men aged 45–49 years.
40% of men have never spoken to someone about their mental health.
Men are almost three times more likely than women to become dependent on alcohol.
Almost twice as many men than women die from alcohol-specific causes.
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Men face unique mental health struggles, including higher rates of death by su***de and a higher prevelance of certain conditions. Many men feel uncomfortable discussing mental health struggles due to the stigma surrounding mental health and the societal expectations often placed upon them. Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month aims to reduce the stigma and offer support to men going through emotional challenges. Resources such as the Mental Health Foundation, the NHS, Mentell, and Andy’s Man Club are available for supporting men’s mental health by helping any man who wants to learn more about mental health or connect with someone who can help.
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07/11/2025