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
ACT with love – A Father’s Day tribute
My father taught me that to be a loving parent myself, I have to ACT with love through connecting, caring and contributing to the relationships that matter in my life. Mindfulness offers us the tools to open our hearts fully, live deeply and savour the sweetness of those precious moments in our life. As we pay tribute to all … Read More
Mindfulness – Fad or Fiction
Mindfulness meditation is becoming a fast growing popular obsession as the secret to health and happiness. But is it really just the latest ‘self-help fad’ or are the benefits of mindfulness supported by scientific research? I was struck by a recent article in the TIME magazine referring to the Mindful Revolution noting “we’re in the midst of a popular obsession … Read More
Practicing mindfulness for emotion regulation
Experiencing a variety of emotions each day is a normal occurrence. Still, we often struggle with our emotions. We feel overwhelmed by them. We want to push them away, or we judge ourselves for having them. Practicing mindfulness can help us to become more aware of our emotions and manage them better. In some ways emotions are the spice of … Read More