Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy blog by Octagon Wellbeing. Online and face to face therapy.

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Category: CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  1. Fertility Support

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    Going through fertility treatment such as IVF can be both stressful and emotionally draining. Having had a personal IVF experience I'm particularly passionate about supporting people through this difficult and often unpredictable time. I've undertaken specific training in areas such as stress management and resilience building and a specific hypnotherapy and psychotherapy for fertility treatment qualification. Even if you're not at the stage of having fertility treatment but would just like to chat and get some support to manage the stress or pressure you may be feeling about trying to conceive then I'm here for you.  

    So how can I help? 

    • By becoming an integral part of your support system. I can help you feel better about yourself and cope more effectively though this experience which can sometimes feel isolating. 

    • By teaching you strategies to relax, and no I don’t just mean physically but mentally too. 

    • By helping you transform your thought patterns. 

    • By providing you with a safe space, free from judgement to express your emotions. 

    • By supporting you to find ways you can reclaim some control in what can be a frustrating and overwhelming process. 

    • By helping you sleep better 

    • By helping you manage your relationship with your partner and other people around you. 

     

  2. The Power of a Positive Mindset: Developing a Happier, Healthier You

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    Our mindset can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing. With a positive mindset, we can experience greater levels of happiness and contentment, improved physical health and more rewarding relationships. On the other hand, a negative mindset can lead to decreased motivation, higher levels of stress, and less satisfying relationships. This doesn’t mean we should disregard or avoid sadness in life, it’s an important part of our life experienceHoweverit’s important to recognise when we have switched into an automatic or default negative mindset which may be preventing you from experiencing happiness. Understanding the power of mindset is the first step towards developing a happier, healthier you.  

    What is mindset and why does it matter? 

    Our mindset is essentially the lens through which we see the world and interpret our experiences. It's the way we think and feel about things, and it can have a powerful impact on our overall wellbeing and happiness. In other words, mindset matters because it shapes how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us.  

    A positive mindset can have a powerful impact on mental health, helping to improve mood, reduce stress, promote a sense of happiness, fulfillment and overall well-being. People with a positive mindset tend to approach life's challenges with resilience and optimism, which can help them navigate difficult situations more effectively. They are also more likely to experience positive emotions such as joy, gratitude and contentment, which can promote greater overall happiness and life satisfaction. 

     A negative mindset usually experiences negative thought patterns, self-limiting beliefs, and a pessimistic outlook can all contribute to feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and stress. 

    By understanding and cultivating a positive mindset, we can improve our mental health and increase our overall happiness.  Developing a positive mindset takes practice and dedication, but the rewards can be significant. By adopting a more optimistic outlook on life, we can create a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience and build greater mental resilience to help us cope with the challenges that inevitably come our way. So, let's explore some simple ways we can adopt a positive mindset in our daily lives. 

    5 ways to adopt a positive mindset 

    • Look for the good in things 

    • Practise positive self-talk. Think about the way you mentally talk to or think about yourself, be kind on yourself. 

    • Surround yourself with positive people 

    • Be open to humor in all situations, especially the difficult ones, give yourself permission to laugh. It instantly lightens the mood and makes things seem a little less difficult. 

    • Play happy music 

    • Share your positivity with others. Pay a compliment to someone else, you’llprobably find it ignites a positive conversation or at least earns you a smile in return. 

    • Look for the learning opportunities in problems rather than seeing them as failures 

    • Smile