John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory Attachment Theory is a well-known and widely accepted concept in human development and psychotherapy. British psychiatrist John Bowlby developed it in the 1950s. The crux of attachment theory is that the early emotional bonds between...
John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott Continuing my series on the founders of psychoanalysis I'm exploring Donald Winnicott this month. Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) was a paediatrician who then trained as a psychoanalyst, first to adults and later to...
The Importance of Melanie Klein
The Importance of Melanie Klein Melanie Klein was a groundbreaking and highly creative psychoanalyst. She was born in 1882 in Vienna but spent most of her life in UK, dying in London in 1960. Her life was fascinating, with many losses and tragedies but...
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today?
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today? Carl Gustav Jung was born into a religious family in Switzerland and studied to be a doctor. During these studies he became fascinated with current philosophy, anthropology and psychological theories and work in...
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today Prompted by last month’s blog on Narcissism, this is the first in a series on some of the founding members in psychoanalysis and some of their ideas, many of which, I believe, are still useful for us today. Widely...
Narcissism
Narcissism The term 'narcissism' is banded around a lot. But what does being a narcissist actually mean? And how do we work out if we are in a relationship with one, or even if we might be one ourselves? Origins of Narcissism The term narcissism comes from...
The Art of Self-soothing 4: Using Our Senses
Using Our Senses This final post in my series is about using our bodily senses to self-soothe. There are lots of ways that we can self-sooth by looking. Sight Natural Vistas As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, nature and landscapes are very calming. For...
The Art of Self-soothing 3: Creativity
Creativity is a sure way to self-soothe. People have lost themselves in creative pursuits since time began. Getting in touch with our creativity is a way of reaching something within ourselves. By allowing this to develop we can usually make something bigger than...
The Art of Self-Soothing 2: Nature
This month’s way to self soothe is by being in nature. It’s long been known and proven that being outside and preferably in nature can improve our mental health. Take a Short Walk The simplest ways are often the most effective. Such as going for a short walk from your...
The Art of Self Soothing
There is so much going on in the world now. It’s hard watching the news, in fact I am more likely to just quickly check a news ap than I am to watch the news in real time. Many people I speak to are unable to watch the news at all because they struggle to think of the...
Outside activities and mental health
Research has proven that being outside can improve our mental health. If that’s coupled with exercise then this combination is a winning formula for improving our mood.
There are so many ways we can get outside in our local area. In Dorset we are lucky to live near the coast and countryside and are spoilt for choice in the activities we can choose.
Why not try something new?
On land: You can choose between walking, running, skateboarding, climbing, biking, motor biking and 4×4 driving to name a few. There are clubs for all of these where we can take some lessons or meet likeminded folk with a similar interest.
On sea: Living on the coast there is no excuse for us not getting up close and personal with the water and the beach.
Open water swimming is growing in popularity. The Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim had nearly 2000 entrants last year. Poole harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe. Subsequently it’s perfect for learning a new water sport because the area closest to the inner shore is very sheltered and shallow. There are also several schools teaching windsurfing, kiteboarding stand up paddle boarding and kayaking.
In the air: The cliffs are a designated area for Wessex Paragliding Club. Dorset also has at least 8 private landing strips and five flying clubs whilst Hampshire has at least 10 private landing strips and 3 flying clubs. Whether we fancy being a passenger or trying to fly a light aircraft or microlight, the facilities and tuition are easily available.
gardening
Gardening can be a therapy in itself. Historically, residential homes for people with mental health problems had gardens for the patients to work and relax in.
Being active outside in the fresh air is always good for us. But the process of looking after something else other than ourselves is extremely healthy and soothing too.
To nurture a plant (or an animal or child for that matter) is to be responsible for something other than yourself. This sounds obvious but the positive effects can be powerfully rewarding. Caring for something outside of ourselves removes our focus from our internalised thoughts and worries. It gives us a broader perspective on our immediate environment.
CONNECTING WITH THE NATURAL WORLD
There is something almost spiritual about nature. It can engage all of our senses, especially when we work with soil, water and plants. Using our bare hands to touch the soil and plant seeds or plants can be very fulfilling. However in these health and safety aware times of antibacterial gels and gloves some of us rarely get our hands dirty in our daily lives.
Gardening can give us a good excuse to literally roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. We can even get childlike enjoyment from getting messy, perhaps remembering the mud pies or sand castles of years gone by.
STOPPING TO SMELL THE ROSES
Time can stand still when we water a plant or weed a flower bed. We can become immersed in what we are doing and it can even become a mindful activity when we concentrate on the task we’re carrying out and how it feels at that moment.
Watching our hard work grow and flourish can literally root us in time in a healthy, rewarding way. Thus alleviating the feeling that we’re always chasing the clock and helping us to feel connected with the seasons.
GET INVOLVED
There are so many ways we can get involved in tending plants, even if we don’t have a garden of our own:
- House plants: there is some famous NASA research which highlights exactly which house plants and how many are needed to improve the air quality where we work and/or live
- Window boxes
- Herb gardens
- Allotments
- Garden shares
- Community garden projects
- Offering to help an elderly or infirm neighbour with their garden
Mental health; other resources
Mind – How nature benefits mental health
Mind – Physical activity and your mental health
National Geographic – Outdoor fun + Mindfulness
Taking up a new sport or hobby can be very rewarding and usually opens up possibilities for making new friends and acquaintances. Not only do we give ourselves a much needed boost of Vitamin D, we may well increase the amount of exercise, fun and happiness in our lives at the same time.