Queenstown Therapy

06/03/2022

This article from the New York Times follows the writers experience of treating his chronic pain by addressing his repressed emotions. Fascinating.

A science writer investigates the 30-year-old claims of an iconoclastic doctor who said chronic pain was mostly mental.

03/03/2022

A book recommendation for our times.

Download the book John Steinbeck - The Moon Is Down for free in a convenient format epub, pdf, fb2, mobi

23/01/2022

Here is a retreat of interest. The presenter is an accomplished local counsellor and the venue is to die for. A whole day to bathe in the energy of like-minded people, to relax, learn, eat and connect.

A day of mindfulness and saying 'no' with heart.

17/01/2022

Self-defence classes are a great way of improving your confidence after adverse experiences. It is also a great way to meet new people and extend your social networks. Check out the free introductory Krav Maga class being being run by Mitch Fraser in the QPACT rooms on Sunday.

12/12/2021

COVID-19 Vaccination - are you still working it through?

Here are four questions to ask yourself if you are still worried about having a COVID-19 vaccine.

1. What is the probability I will have an adverse reaction?
2. What are the chances that I am filtering my reading to support my decision?
3. Does the degree of disruption to my life outweigh the strength of my conviction?
4. Am I embarrassed about changing my mind?

If you know you are filtering your reading, try forcing yourself to read articles that support the vaccine. Human beings will almost always hold to their initial viewpoint even in the face of contradictory evidence. It's what we do.

There is no shame in changing your mind if circumstances change.

There is no doubt that some people have had adverse reactions to COVID vaccinations. It is not that a risk exists that is important, but how great that risk might be. For example how much do you fear being hit by lightening? The risk in any year is 1 in 1.2 million (USA stats).

Check here to compare this with the risk of having a significant adverse reaction to a COVID-19 jab. I hope this helps in making your decision.

COVID-19 vaccines protect against COVID-19. Get safety info and more.

24/08/2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AnzWa4AJ1w

As you may or may not know my Mum is a better singer than me and here's proof! We wanted to spread some positivity and love during these difficult times so t...

26/07/2021

I've been wondering for a while now what exactly meditation is doing. Many of us have grown up with the idea that it is about clearing the mind and searching for Nirvana. I've thought that it isn't so much clearing the mind but distracting ourselves from mental chatter. Mental chatter usually goes to anxiety provoking thoughts. So by concentrating on the breath we (a) displace the chatter; (b) slow the heart rate; (c) deepen the breath. Often we are relaxing the body at the same time, so all up, it is about triggering the parasympathetic nervous system. Now I'm hearing the same thoughts filtering through by other therapists.

Meditation can also cause changes to neural networks in the brain, say when we use a mantra to change our thought process, or use some sort of posture or chant to increase self-compassion. Does it help to know more accurately what is happening? Maybe, maybe not!

02/05/2020

Hold your own ...

08/01/2020

Why emotions are so important ...

31/12/2019

Acceptance is a more powerful move than trying to press your partner to change.

Instead of trying to change your partner, be the change you wish to see in your relationship.