Monday's roundup

If you missed the last seven days of posts from me, here is another chance to read about the following topics:
 

• Befriending the workplace bully – The bully at work:  He might sit right next to you, breathing down your neck as you read this, or she might be the person who conducts your performance review.  It is easy to spot the snarling, curled lip spite of a bully because we daily dodge them during our commute as they shoulder us out the way. We have been ducking and diving out of their way since the school playground
• Courage comes from embracing uncertainty - Courage comes from embracing uncertainty.  None of us can control every aspect of our existence, and yet each day we continue to try and achieve this sense of ultimate control.  It is impossible to control everything, and so if we cannot embrace uncertainty, we are bound to feel anxious or depressed at certain points in our lives
• Relationships and the 'tyranny of shoulds' - Wedding buzz killed off by living under a tyranny of ‘shoulds’?  Relationships often transform once the initial excitement has subsided.  You can be left with a bitter aftertaste if you expect life, and everyone living in it, to be a certain way.  This is known as the 'tyranny of shoulds':  He should think about my feelings before he stays out late.  She should know that I need time to myself. 
• Anxiety burning through your life? - Anxiety often burns through our thoughts, leaving us unable to think clearly.  Try to cool things down by taking a cleansing breath and ask yourself:  'What am I afraid of?'
• Caught on a cycle of ruminative thoughts? - Depression is often the result of ruminating, or going over and over negative thoughts.  If you find that you are caught on a cycle of ruminative thoughts, you might like to try these simple steps - Try thought stopping:  Visualise an image that will symbolise your thoughts stopping.  Try drawing it and keeping it handy to look at.  Say the word ‘stop’ every time  the ruminative thoughts start to turn again.
• Break out of the depression cycle - Depression often results from negative thoughts which cause a low mood, and which in turn causes a reduced activity, which in turn causes more negative thoughts.  This is known as the depression cycle.  If you find that you are caught in this cycle, try and break free by increasing your activity
• Mindful eating - If food and eating has become an issue for you, you might like to try mindfulness.  Mindfulness helps you to focus on the present.  You become aware of every aspect of what you are doing, even if that is uncomfortable

 
Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W: www.exploretransform.com
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