Balance - Sarah Barr

Our DW mental health columnist Sarah Barr is launching a new workshop for maternal mental health this May.

Here, Sarah shares an introduction to the Minding Mummy Workshop and how …
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The transition to motherhood is a huge transformation for many women, physically, emotionally and mentally. Add a global pandemic and lockdown on top of that and it can be so …
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Toxic positivity is the assumption, that despite a person’s emotional or mental pain or the difficult situation they may be in, they should only have a positive mindset and outlook. …
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We can spend a lot of time worrying about our relationships with other people and what they think of us. Yet one of the most important relationships in our lives …
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Our next “Managing Stress and Anxiety; Your Guide to Well-being” will be taking place on Saturday 16th January, from 10am to 1pm via zoom.

The aim of the workshop is …
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The past 12 months have been like no other in living memory and it is important that we take a compassionate look at our self-development and mental health in 2021.

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Having a new baby during Covid-19 is not an ideal situation for any mother. Feelings of loneliness and isolation that some mums feel as they transition into the role of …
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If you are feeling constantly stressed you might also be feeling helpless, disillusioned, and completely exhausted and on the road to burnout.

What is burnout? Burnout is a state of …
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Sometimes we view confidence as something that is so unattainable, but it isn’t really. Confidence can be learned, it is a habit that we can reinforce by repeating certain actions …
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I’ve always loved the saying: “Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe.”

The only way to meet “your people” is to be yourself. If you are pretending to be someone that you’re …
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So many of us can go through the day completely disqualifying any positives that may have happened. We don’t always recognise what we have accomplished and if we do, we …
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We all have that annoying, negative voice in our heads. The voice that criticises, doubts and generally puts you down. Destroying your confidence and feeding your anxiety.

Sometimes we …
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The people who you spend the most time with can influence or change your mood and how you view yourself and your abilities.

When you are surrounded by positive people …
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We still live in a society that somewhat values the “get up and at it” and “pull yourself together” mentality.

For years, anyone who was living with depression, anxiety or …
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The lockdown cloud is slowly starting to lift and whilst some of us are eager to feel a sense of normality again in our lives, the prospect of a ‘new …
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Self-confidence is about trusting your abilities, qualities and judgment.

When you believe in yourself, you’ll be more willing to try new things. Whether you apply for a promotion or sign …
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International Men’s Health Week runs each year from June 15th to 21st.

This year’s theme is ‘Restoring the Balance’ and everyone is asked to ‘part of the solution’ and do …
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If you live with an anxiety disorder, or if you have experienced anxiety for the first time due to the pandemic, there are things you can do to help you …
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When it comes to your self-worth, only one opinion really matters — your own.

Yet we should be very gentle with ourselves as we tend to be our own worst …
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Depression is much more than feeling sad. It is a very real mental health condition and affects the mind and body. Depression affects how people sleep, eat, and see the …
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The coronavirus outbreak has affected our daily lives. It can be a big adjustment, as we create a new routine at home, with home-schooling and working from home. Tensions might …
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This is a really challenging time for everyone. We have our good days, and our not so good days. Many people will be feeling lonely, isolated and disconnected from the …
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Without a routine, our life can feel stressful and unpredictable. If you have a mental health condition, this unpredictability and lack of structure can cause you extra stress, worry, as …
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The main focus at the minute with my clients, myself, my friends, my family and probably the majority of people is how can we care for our emotional and mental …
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This is an unsettling time for us all, therefore it’s important to remember the facts and only listen or follow reliable news sources.

Anxiety creates repetitive, intrusive and fear-based thoughts. …
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We are living with quite a bit of uncertainty at the minute. Our routines have been turned upside down, our daily schedules have changed and we may find it harder to motivate ourselves.

Here are 4 tips that can help us to self-motivate:

1. Welcome the challenge.

Embrace this time.

Is there anything you would like to learn or upskill in?

Re-write your daily routine. Get up and get dressed every day and face your day with a plan. Set a goal, such as clearingcout cupboards, baking, reading, calling a friend or listening to a guided meditation or breathing relaxation technique on YouTube.

2. Reflect on your motivation.

Look back on times in your life, when you were motivated. What was the underlying driver? Why did you do it? For yourself, your family or your work?

Tap into these reasons again.

This is what drives the ‘initiation phase’ and it requires focus to change our daily routines and to start new habits.

3. Self-regulation.

Self-regulation is about managing our own behaviour. This is not just about having self-control, it also involves goal setting and starting and maintaining good habits.

Creating an adaptive mindset, will help you to have the ability to adapt your goals, attitude and habits in response to the changes you may face.

4. Goal-Setting.

Many of our goals have gone or they seem uncertain. So, set a new one!

Take time and think about what you would like to do. Perhaps you may consider going down a different work path, or learn a new skill or it may be an opportunity for you to catch up on paperwork. Perhaps set some shorter, medium and longer-term flexible goals.

This pandemic provides a unique chance to reflect and recharge.

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Fear and anxiety can drive us to become very self-focused. Yet our choices affect everyone around us.

We are all connected to each other, our actions will impact others.

It …
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If you don’t believe in yourself, how can others believe in you?

1. Challenge your self-limiting beliefs

When we are children we believe we can do anything, but …
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A journal can be a great outlet for stress, negative feelings and worry. It helps to create new positive thinking habits, grows self-awareness, gives you more focus and it can …
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I love vision boards, for me they’re an opportunity to think about what you would like in your life, big or small. They are one of the best visualisation tools.

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This New Year’s Eve why not start a new tradition. Let go of any negativity that has affected you over the past year or decade! And set some new intentions …
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Invitations for family gatherings and christmas parties are starting to arrive with more guaranteed to come. For some, it will be a rush of excitement, laughing with friends and spending …
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Are you a highly sensitive person?

Do you feel like you reflect on things more than everyone else? Do you often worry about how other people feel? And do you …
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Being positive will impact your life in so many ways. Your relationships with others will improve as people are drawn to positive people and your stress levels will decrease helping …
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Social anxiety, put simply, is the fear of social situations.

Living with social anxiety can be frustrating and overwhelming. Your mind is constantly jumping to the worst case scenario. …
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Negative thoughts can spontaneously pop into our heads, sometimes in an intrusive and critical way.

It can happen whilst you’re having a coffee with a friend. When suddenly a negative …
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Why is it so difficult to say “no”?

Having people think negatively of you is the ultimate rejection. This is a reason many people find it difficult to say “no”. …
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If you received your Leaving Cert results today, please do not let them dictate your future and the person who you are.

I cried when I received mine, and not …
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The benefits of a tidy and organised home are obvious.

Cleaning can be an outlet for energy and negative emotions. Removing dust, dirt and clutter from our environment provides you …
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Life can be hectic, chaotic, noisy…

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by it all, no matter who you are or what your social media feed or stories say.

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Social anxiety can impact on people in different ways. Some people will find that all social situations are stressful, while others will only feel the fear when they have to …
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Statistics often say one thing about postpartum mood disorders and social media says another. Many new mums feel like they can’t identify with the happy messages being shared on social …
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Your self-talk is one of the major factors in helping to shape your identity.

Studies show that self-talk can improve your memory, confidence and focus.

Show yourself some kindness

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Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week starts April 29th – May 3rd. Maternal Mental Health Day is May 1st.

As many as 1 in 5 mothers experience some type of perinatal …
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Visiting a counsellor for the first time is incredibly daunting and it can be really difficult. Many people will often think about making that first appointment for months before they …
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Confidence is something that (mostly) everyone will struggle with, at least once in their lives. Whether it is your confidence in work, in college, as a mum, as a …
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‘Minding Me’ is all about minding yourself.

The 5 week wellness workshop will focus on learning and developing self-care practices and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) techniques. This workshop is delivered …
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Positive affirmations release you from anxiety, negativity, guilt, fear and pain. Here are some examples:

Affirmations are simple messages. Repeated over-and-over, they begin to worm their way into your mind. Slowly changing …
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Social anxiety is more than just being shy.

• Social anxiety is all-consuming, slowly stealing your confidence and identity.

It is making you feel lost, unsure of …
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Valentine’s Day puts the emphasis on love for someone special in your life.

Yet YOU are the most important person in your life.

Why not make this day about loving yourself?

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