Alcove Psychology

When we're feeling off, we can drift towards maladaptive behaviours that do not improve our mood or address our feelings. A typical example is passively scrolling through social media. It's an almost effortless activity, but it offers little benefit. On the other hand, if we can spend a small amount of energy on a different activity like walking outside, reading, or chatting with a loved one, we'll most likely feel better than before.

To book an appointment and learn more about the services I offer, visit cuggypsychotherapy.com

Anxiety is mainly talked about as something of the mind, but it has other effects. Stress influences our emotions, making us sensitive to mood changes. It causes changes in our behaviour, like procrastination or social withdrawal. We can notice it in and around our bodies too. This list isn't exhaustive because anxiety affects us all differently. It's good to become familiar with how you react to stress so that you can soothe it and work on finding solutions when you notice it. Ask yourself: What are my thoughts doing? How would I describe my mood? How does my body feel? What can I do to move to a better place?

To book an appointment and learn more about the services I offer, visit cuggypsychotherapy.com

When was the last time you reflected on who you are? It's okay if you're overdue since we rarely get reminders to check in and ask how well we know ourselves. It can be hard to answer, and you may feel uncomfortable with what you find. Maybe you feel like a stranger to yourself, struggling to identify core values or beliefs quickly. Maybe you feel alone because others don't know the real you. Or, maybe you feel like somewhere along the way, you lost yourself.
These reactions are common and a sign for you to get to know yourself a little better.
Knowing yourself has great benefits, like increasing self-awareness and emotional intelligence, but most of all, knowing yourself allows you to act authentically and purposefully in your everyday life. What's more, by knowing yourself, you'll be better prepared to relay that information to others, deepening relationships through understanding.
But knowing yourself isn't always easy; some might say it's impossible to know yourself fully. So, remember to be patient and treat yourself with compassion. If you need help getting started, here are some great ways to (re-)discover you!
a) Examine your reactions to events that trigger you.
b) Become aware of your values, beliefs and opinions.
c) Journal.
d) Learn how to regulate and self-soothe.
e) Find out what you're good at (and what you're not good at).

To book an appointment and learn more about the services I offer, visit cuggypsychotherapy.com