A lagom life - human givens psychotherapy & counselling

14/05/2025

📆 This Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme is Community.

Connection is one of the core emotional needs that supports good mental health and that includes feeling part of something bigger than ourselves.

Here are 9 ways to get involved in your community and meet that need:
🎯 Have fun�🌿 Step outside�🤝 Find your tribe�💛 Spread kindness�🙏 Give gratitude�💬 Go digital (with intention)�🎁 Give back�🏘️ Root locally�👋 Welcome others

When we connect, we thrive.
I’ve seen firsthand the difference this makes - through my volunteering with both and (Community Services).

💬 Which one are you going to try this week? What’s one way you connect with your community?�

06/05/2025

As last week was National Gardening Week, I’m reflecting on the quiet power of being in nature.

Every Thursday morning, I volunteer at the Nottinghamshire Mind Allotted Time gardening group. It’s more than just a few hours outdoors — it’s connection, purpose, achievement and healing in action.

Even 10 minutes in nature can help lower stress, lift your mood, and bring you back to yourself. You don’t need a perfect garden — just a patch of peace.

🪴 Try spending some time outside today — and if you’re local, check out the group below.

🔗 Learn more about Allotted Time:
https://www.nottinghamshiremind.org.uk/well-community

13/04/2025

Today I walked 10km as part of the Big Moose Ultra Fun Run, joining 6,069 others - one for every person lost to su***de in England & Wales in 2023.

I walked alone, but never felt alone. There’s something powerful about moving with purpose - especially when it’s for a cause that saves lives.

Big Moose charity is on a mission to provide free, fast-access counselling within 7 days. No waitlists. No red tape. Just real help, when it’s most needed.

They use the human givens approach - practical, compassionate therapy that gets people back on their feet by helping them meet their essential emotional needs.

🧡 I’m proud to support them.
📲 You can donate via the link in my story
🙏 Let’s make sure no one is left waiting for help.

20/03/2025

We all have a story. The moments that shaped us, the struggles we’ve faced, and the triumphs we’ve earned.

As humans, we are wired for storytelling—we seek meaning in our experiences and connect through the stories we tell. We share them over coffee with friends, in quiet moments of reflection, and sometimes, in therapy.

In my work as a Human Givens therapist, I have the privilege of listening to people’s stories. Not just the words, but the emotions, patterns, and unspoken truths behind them. Often, the act of telling our story—being heard without judgment—can be healing in itself.

On World Storytelling Day, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect:
📖 What’s the story you tell yourself about who you are?
🗣 Who do you feel safe sharing your story with?
👂 And how often do you truly listen to the stories of others?

Every story deserves to be heard. Every voice matters. Celebrate the power of storytelling—because through sharing and listening, we find connection, meaning, and sometimes, a new way forward.

14/03/2025

🛌 World Sleep Day: Why Sleep & Dreaming Are Vital for Mental Health 💤

Did you know that dreaming helps process unresolved emotional arousals from the day? 😴 When we don’t get quality sleep, we miss out on this essential emotional reset, leading to increased anxiety, stress, and burnout.

Poor sleep is often linked to unmet emotional needs. When we feel overwhelmed, lonely, or lacking control, our minds stay on high alert, making restful sleep harder to achieve.

🔑 How to Improve Sleep & Emotional Well-being:
✔️ Get daylight exposure early in the day—this regulates your body clock and supports melatonin production ☀️
✔️ Stick to a consistent wake-up time—this helps your natural sleep cycle ⏰
✔️ Meet your emotional needs—security, connection & purpose all support restful sleep ❤️
✔️ Avoid food before bed—digestion can disrupt deep sleep 🍽🚫
✔️ Reduce screen time & stimulation before sleep—your brain needs time to slow down 📵
✔️ Calm your mind with a wind-down routine 🧘‍♂️📖🛁
✔️ Use relaxation techniques—guided mindfulness and 7/11 breathing help

Sleep isn’t just about rest—it’s your brain’s way of restoring balance. A well-rested mind is a resilient mind. 🧠✨

😴 What’s your top tip for better sleep? Drop it in the comments! 👇

03/03/2025

What Does Good Mental Health Look Like?
In the latest episode of The Good Mental Health Podcast, the guest is renowned psychologist Joe Griffin, Co-Founder of the Human Givens approach.
The discussion uncovers what it truly means to be mentally healthy and how this can be achieved.

This is why I chose the Human Givens approach, when looking for a way to train as a therapist. I wanted to help other people, so I could pay forward the help I have had.

✔️ A clear, relatable definition of mental well-being
✔️ Common myths that may be holding you back
✔️ Practical strategies to build resilience & manage stress
✔️ How sleep, nutrition & social connections impact your mind
✔️ Small but powerful changes you can make today

📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-good-mental-health-podcast/id1456750520?i=1000696758152 …..also available on SoundCloud, and Spotify.

18/02/2025

I cherish every moment volunteering with this group and would heartily recommend it, whether you’re seeking to improve or maintain your mental wellness, or looking for a meaningful volunteering opportunity.
For me, the group embodies the Swedish philosophy of 'lagom' while also meeting many of our essential human emotional and physical needs.

Through gardening, we naturally find ‘lagom’ by:
⚖️ Balancing purposeful activity and peaceful rest
⚖️ Taking just what we need from nature while giving back
⚖️ Working at a pace that feels sustainable and fulfilling - never rushed, never idle
⚖️ Experiencing both quiet solitude and genuine connection to others

The experience also enables us to meet our essential emotional needs:
🌱 Connection & Community - build meaningful bonds in a supportive setting
🌱 Achievement & Competence - develop new skills while watching your efforts literally grow in front of you
🌱 Attention - exchange attention positively in an environment where everyone matters
🌱 Security & Control - find comfort in a weekly routine and nature's seasonal cycles
🌱 Status & Meaning - contribute to something bigger than yourself, knowing everything you do helps others
🌱 Privacy - discover mindful moments with the plants, the soil, or the birdsong

Looking to improve your wellbeing? Getting hands-on with gardening at our 'Allotted Time' group is a great way to relax, reduce stress, and boost your mood. Whether you're planting, weeding, or watering, there’s something about working with nature that’s truly rewarding.

It’s also a fantastic opportunity to meet others, share gardening tips, and enjoy a sense of community.

We meet every Thursday morning at Claylands Avenue Allotments, rain or shine. No experience needed – just bring your enthusiasm and wear appropriate clothing!

We do prefer to know in advance if you'd like to come along. You can self-refer at our website: https://nottinghamshiremind.org.uk/well-community/ Or call us on 0800 470 0203.

06/02/2025

If you're struggling with your mental health, or you know someone who is, Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries are open 7 days a week. You can drop-in to one of our Crisis Sanctuaries for face-to-face support or help is available over the phone if you prefer. Our team of intervention workers is here if you need to talk.

For full information head to www.nottinghamshirecrisissanctuaries.tv or call 0330 822 4100
Phone lines are open everyday from 4.00pm till 11.00pm.

29/03/2024

29/03/2024

STARTING FRIDAY 5th APRIL!

Nottinghamshire Mind’s brand new Game and Chat group is starting next week in Langold, Worksop! 🎲♟🧩

Dragon Cavern is a local friendly gaming store that has a wide variety of games to choose, which can be explained throughout game play to those new to this.

It’s a safe space for you to meet others in the community, get mental health support whilst engaging in board game activities.

Head along and give it a go!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/XCzsxFfnc4gSaTnB/?mibextid=K35XfP