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23/3/2021

A year ago today we were gripped with uncertainty, not knowing what the immediate future held for any of us and I'm not really sure where the past twelve months have gone to be honest. It almost feels lost, like a blur. In my ‘real life job’ I've worked longer hours as more and more people reach out to talk about their anxieties about the world around them. And you know, us counsellors and therapists are not immune to experiencing these anxieties ourselves. I for one did not think for a minute that we would lose so many loved ones and that collectively hundreds of thousands of lives would be cut short. I know death is sadly an unavoidable event that comes to us all but we would not usually have to deal with it in such high numbers, being reminded every time we turned on the TV or read the news.

It’s easy to become immersed in our world as we are so used to seeing it. I like to think of it as using different lenses to see the world through. Maybe sometimes we need a lens that helps us to see the picture from a different angle, more of one area than another to consider thoughts, feelings, responses and reactions and to consider what is happening behind the scenes, the bits out of view if you like. It can help us to feel more in control to know where we need to focus our lens and shed some more light to consider where we want to be and how to get there.

Today, the amazing team at @mariecurie have recognised 23rd March as a National #DayOfReflection. Where we come together to remember all those that have lost their lives this year, no matter the cause, and also the people they have left behind. Although grief doesn’t go away, talking about and remembering those no longer with us really helps address our feelings of loss. So take a moment to reach out to those today who have lost loved ones this year, pause, reflect and remember.

Demi x

#Counselling #mentalhealth #loneliness #TherapistMidlands #covid #OnlineCounsellingUK #mentalwellness #OnlinetherapyUK #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthmatters #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #anxiety #grief #depression #30minutetherapy #MarieCurie

6/3/2021

Help! How do I deal with my own back to school anxiety?

I'm anxious about my child going back to school!

You've talked to your mummy friends for months about the day the schools reopen. Discussed what you will do at 9am on Monday 12th March 2021. Got a bit over excited to be getting your dining table back and clear away the homeschool. Envisaging having a cup of tea in peace for more than 5 seconds. But now that Monday creeps closer you have a nagging worry, will they be safe, how will they manage without me, how will I manage?
Know that this is completely normal and you are not the only person to feel this way!

Think back to that first day at school, remember biting your bottom lip trying to stop your tears as you looked on at your baby now grown into a happy 4 year old full of excitement as they set off to explore, make friends and learn. And remember when you picked them up after that first day of school, you probably couldn’t shut them up as they described the friends they'd made and the games they had played. Our children have missed out on so much and although as adults we may be apprehensive there are things we can do to ease our anxieties and send them off on their first day of school just as we did when they were 4 years old.

So what can you do;

Talk to your support network. Family, friends, your child's class mates’ parents, chances are you’re all feeling exactly the same.
Know that your child’s safety and well-being is their school's number one priority.
Have an early night so you rested and hopefully relaxed ready to tackle the morning routine, you will probably be a little rusty but it won’t be long until you’re back in the swing of things.
Make a plan. There’s nothing more stressful than running around trying to find a rogue school shoe when you should have left the house 10 minutes earlier. Make the morning easy on yourself and have everything they need set out ready the day before.
Plan a treat or reward for yourself. Stop at the bakers on the way home from school drop off and buy yourself a croissant to go with that cup of tea. Plan a Netflix/Prime binge of those shows you’ve been putting off watching (don’t get so engrossed in Bridgerton that you forget to collect the kids though, you don’t need to do all of your Duke of Hasting drooling in one day!)
Try not to transfer your anxiety onto the children. They will have their own fears and questions and will need our reassurance and support. Remind yourself (and them) that you’ll be seeing each other again in 6 short hours.

Most of all, just take your time, do what you can in your own way and be kind to yourself and each other.

Demi x
#backtoschool #returntoschool #backtoschoolanxiety #backtoschool2021 #selfesteem #TherapistMidlands #covid #IntegrativeTherapistMidlands #OnlineCounsellingUK
#counselling #mentalwellness #mentalhealthsupport #OnlinetherapyUK
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#DayOfReflection

Back to school anxiety 2021

Help! How do I deal with my own back to school anxiety?

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