We are excited to welcome Naturopath Micaela Monteiro-Haig as a new addition to our team at Zest Infusion. Hi, my name is Micaela Monteiro-Haig. I am a degree-qualified naturopath with training in nutritional medicine, western herbal medicine and homeopathy. In addition to my degree qualifications, I have also undertaken training in mind-body nutrition and eating psychology. I have a special … Read More
Seeing things differently – the importance of perspective taking
Often it is not really what is happening that brings us down or makes us anxious, it is how we interpret what is happening around us. The issue is not so much that we see things from a negative point of view, but that we don’t realise that this is not the only way to see things. People who can … Read More
Living With Daily Intent
“Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving” – Kahlil Gibran How you start the day sets the tone for the rest of your day. The best way to bring mindfulness into your life effortlessly is through living with daily intent. Setting an intention that aligns with how you want to be, live and … Read More
Mindfulness and Perseverance
The start of a New Year usually brings with it reflections of the past year and plans and goals for the year ahead. Somehow, starting a New Year seems to inspire us to start thriving again for better health, more success at work, or some other goal or value. However, it seems that whilst it might be easy to … Read More
SAYING THANKS
To keep in line with our previous blog entries for this month which were all about well-being and how psychology can contribute to well-being I’d like to focus in our last blog for this year on the practice of gratitude. Positive psychology research has shown that practicing gratitude can help to reduce stress, increases well being and life satisfaction and … Read More
The benefits of art therapy – by Angela Hall
Deep psychological work can be achieved with the use of expressive therapies such as art therapy. For example drawing a picture with pastels or painting a symbol with paint is all about communicating feelings and experiences in a non-verbal way (Dalley, 1984). Through this creative medium a person can express themselves consciously and unconsciously. The person, or client, is then … Read More
What art therapy is really about – by Mariki Klooster
The moment you hear art therapy, the automatic response is: I can not draw/paint, or, I don`t have a creative bone in my body. With that, people disregard one of the most valuable, but easy ways of being a happy fulfilled person. The value of being creative is not to produce a painting or a product, but more to produce … Read More
There is more to psychology than ‘just feeling a bit better’
People often associate psychology and psychological treatment with mental health issues, someone feeling unwell, “crazy people” and in particular with problems like depression and anxiety. However, this is not all there is to psychology. Yes, as psychologists we do want to help relief our clients suffering as best as we can, but most psychologists and specifically we at Zest Infusion, … Read More
Practicing Gratitude as a Bridge to Self-Compassion
And if I asked you to name all the things you love, how long would it take for you to name yourself? I found this quote on my Facebook page one day and it really made me sit up in my seat, stop for a moment and seriously ponder this question. Over the last few years I have started … Read More
Becoming attuned with yourself through mindfulness practice
As parents we pay very close attention to our children which helps us to attune to them. Being attuned then helps us to know what they need and provide for them appropriately. Practicing mindfulness can help to attune to yourself in a similar way. Helping you to be there for yourself in a caring and loving way. One of the … Read More