Personal Advice

Why Awe Walking is Good for Your Mental Health

Posted on 23 June 2022 - 11:01 am by admin

This article explains how to Awe Walk, and why everybody should take time to do it.

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Description automatically generated — The benefits of Awe Walking are unlimited!

What is Awe-Walking?

Awe-Walking is not your typical stroll around the block. This type of walking focuses on appreciating your surroundings using mindfulness. It’s done to reach a ‘state of awe’.

The awe state is thought to be a sensation of humbleness. It’s the feeling that you are part of something bigger as you open your mind to the world around you. Like when you stand on a sandy beach, feeling that you are a spec of sand in the vastness of the universe. Or standing on top of a tall building and seeing the night lit up by a city.

This state of mind, feeling you are in the presence of something bigger, detracts you from your own life. Everyday stresses, work, commitments and responsibilities feel dwarfed for a while.

Awe Walking is essentially experiencing places and feelings fully. Often, places that make you stand back in appreciation. So something a bit more interesting than the local park! Alternatively, awe walking can give you a newfound appreciation for places you love already.

How to Awe Walk

Awe walking is a meditative practice. So, it can ground you, distract you from your worries and make you feel more alive.

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Description automatically generated with medium confidence — You can Awe Walk anywhere – it’s a state of mind. But try somewhere beautiful first!

The first stage of Awe Walking is to get into the zone. Switch your phone off, be fully immersed with the moment, the sights and sounds.
Once you have found a state of mind that allows you to be in the moment, focus on your breathing. Breath in for 6 and out for 6 as you prepare to start your walk. Keep an open mind. Continue to use this breathing pattern as you venture on.
Throughout this walk, you will combine breathing with focus, taking in everything around you. Feel the air in your lungs, the smells and sights – big and small. Focus on shapes, colours, patterns.

Here is a step-to-step guide on exactly how to Awe Walk, to get the most of out the experience: How to Awe Walk.

The Complicated Bond Between Humans and Nature

What is your relationship to the earth? Do you feel the urge to see new places, or are you more comfortable staying put?

The current state of the world can make it difficult to feel connected to nature sometimes. And being in nature might sometimes feel like a reminder of the bad that is happening. Like an internal battle of knowing things need to change and feeling out of control.

Technology has made it easier to see the world’s wonders on screens from our homes. But it’s just not the same! You can’t reap the rewards of being in nature through a screen. It’s a real issue for younger generations, who have been born into this online world.

New generations may never truly understand what beauty has been lost already. Older generations have witnessed the earth’s decline – species dying, changes in weather etc. Some may even be afraid of nature in all its power. But really, we just need to appreciate it and look after it more.

The truth is, the more we spend time in nature, and remember its value, the more we care and want to protect it. Being in nature soothes and nurtures us. It is humanity’s free remedy – to escape the stress and feel grounded.

Why Awe Walking is Effective

Turning your walks into Awe Walks helps you to notice the beauty in everyday life. Regularly taking time out of your week to do this has many health benefits. It can reduce stress and inflammation, boost creativity and open your mind. You can try awe walking with friends and family as a social event too!

UCSF researchers conducted a study to assess the power of Awe-Walking. They asked 52 older adults to take a weekly stroll. Some were told to seek out physical vastness and novelty (Awe Walking). The others were told to take a regular walk. The ones who went Awe-Walking reported significant increases in compassion and gratitude. Also, their sense of wonder and appreciation for the outside world grew, among other benefits.

This research is an example of how Awe-Walking can broaden the mind, heighten the senses and generally lift spirits.

To Conclude…

Walking in general has many health benefits. But Awe Walking takes it to the next level. Take fifteen minutes out of your week to try it out! It’s always good to get out of the house and explore the world – it has a lot to offer!

For more help nurturing your personal growth, contact us at Ceed today!

How to Tune in To Your Body and Reduce Stress

Posted on 9 May 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

Have you ever noticed yourself feeling run down, worn out and emotionally numb when stress levels are soaring? You might feel like you’re carrying the weight of your worries on your shoulders, and you wouldn’t be wrong.

Knowing how to listen to your body can help you identify when you might need to take some rest and look after yourself. In this article, we look at the connection between the body and mind and explore healthier ways to respond to stressful times, so that you can find a little extra peace!

It’s important to look after your body and mind!

A bit of stress here and there is perfectly okay. It might push you to meet deadlines or walk faster when you’re late or sense danger and seek safety. But overactive and prolonged stress levels can be physically damaging, as the mind is intrinsically connected with the body.

Why Does Stress Manifest Itself Physically?

It’s all down to a science. When you encounter a stressful situation or thought, your brain transmits signals that release a steroid hormone called cortisol into the body. Cortisol, also known as the body’s natural alarm system, regulates certain processes in the body such as your immune system and digestive functions. However, much like anything out of balance, this hormone can put your health at risk when overactive.

The short term effects of this could manifest in symptoms such as:

Tension headaches
An upset stomach
Muscle tension
Sleep problems

Long term effects include increased risk of heart attacks, arthritis and memory issues.

Why Is It Important to Listen to Your Body?

We all get aches and pains sometimes, but persistent headaches, digestive issues or muscle pains could be your body’s way of telling you to rest and make changes to your lifestyle! Prolonged stress causes muscles to tense up in a fight or flight response. So, if you notice (in particular) your back, shoulders and neck aching, it could be that your body is signalling to you to do some stress relief exercises.

Here are some ways you can destress easily in your day-to-day life:

1. Exercise Regularly

Exercise increases the body’s ability to absorb oxygen, increasing blood flow and releasing endorphins, effectively de-stressing the body and loosening your muscles (remember to warm up first!). A little bit of regular exercise will release tension from the body and help you think clearer too, as you focus on the present moment and let your stressful thoughts go.

Read Now: How Exercise Benefits Mental Health

2. Sleep

Your body restores and repairs itself during deep sleep, so keeping an eye on your sleep cycles and ensuring you are getting proper rest is essential to staying healthy and keeping stress levels at bay.

Sleep is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Read Now: How to Get Better Sleep and Why Understanding Sleep is Crucial to Your Wellbeing

3. Understand Your Stress

What is it that is stressing you out? How can you tackle this? Getting to the root cause of stress will help you to navigate your way through it. If it is work, for example, you may need to consider cutting back your hours or organising your life so that you have enough time for yourself. If it’s a deeper issue that is troubling you, you could consider some talking therapy.

4. Strike Balance

Make sure you are taking time to have fun and let go. When your life is dominated by stress, your body will begin to feel it. Have a bath, go for a walk somewhere stunning, see your friends and family, and find new hobbies that give you pleasure.

5. Breathe Deep and Stretch

This is useful for short term symptoms of stress, such as feeling tight chested and short-breathed, or to alleviate aches in your muscles. Getting your body moving and controlling your breathing pattern can help you to centre yourself and calm down.

Read Now: Four Effective Ways to Clear Your Mind of Stress.

To Sum Up…

Our emotional worlds manifest in physical symptoms in the body. But this works in both ways: when we smile and rest and experience joy, it boosts our immune system and fights stress and aches. So, it is important to have a healthy balanced lifestyle with plenty of rest and quality time for you!

For more help managing your health, wellbeing and lifestyle, contact us at Ceed today!

How to Manage Moving Out for The First Time

Posted on 21 April 2022 - 1:40 pm by admin

So, the time has come; you’ve decided to move out and start your own life.

It can be extremely difficult to move out mentally. It’s a new fresh start to move out of your guardian’s house, and it means letting go of your past. Despite how difficult it can seem and feel, it is healthy for your mind. You will have a lot of freedom. Every decision is now yours, and you are responsible for everything yourself now.

This article is going to help you in many ways, from preparing mentally for your move, to the positives and negatives of having full responsibility.

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Description automatically generated — It can be a daunting experience, but once you have moved out, things should get better!

Why You May Want to Move Out

Before delving further into the topic; you need to understand the groundwork of your need to move out.

There are numerous different mental issues at home that can affect your need to move:

Toxic environment
Unsafe
Outgrowing home
Too much responsibility
General attitude to move

Toxic Environment

You may be living in a toxic environment; this could be the people you live with or just the general environment itself. This can be unsafe for your mental health and can lead you down a dark path if exposed to it for a long time. It can also affect future social situations if you are around people who do not allow you to be yourself.

Unsafe

Your home may be unsafe; this is particularly worse if any siblings, or other residents steal or make life even more stressful for you. This will make you never feel comfortable or safe in that residence, but once you have moved, that negativity is sure to cease.

Too Much Responsibility

It may just be that you seem to do almost everything at your home despite not owning it, and not having the ability to decide on aspects of the house. It may be much better to just move out so you then have the same responsibility in your own place.

General Attitude To Move

Or simple enough, you may just want to move out to start your own life with your own family someday. It doesn’t always have to be a negative situation that forces you to move out. Especially after university, or working, as you will have the mentality, experience and money to move out yourself someday!

How To Move Out

You can move out by using multiple sites online, like:

Or even local estate agents which will almost always have places on display in windows.

Usually, one-bedroom places would not be a lot of money but always make sure you have enough money to pay the bond and rent before applying to them. You don’t want to be caught by surprise expenses.

A furnished location will generally be suitable for someone without a lot of money but it means you don’t exactly own the furniture so you need to be more careful.

It may also take quite a heavy impact on your bank account due to having to furnish the location, if the location you apply for is unfurnished, with whatever you like but it will be worth it in the end.

Read Now: 7 Ways to Ease Financial Stress and Manage Your Money

The Housing Association

This is an association you sign up to and they will find a place suitable for you to live. It isn’t a guaranteed place but over time they will ask you to go to viewings and they may decide to let you move in there or not.

It is a council-funded residence so it will be cheaper than a normal location from an estate agent but the drawback is the long waiting list.

Gathering Supplies

The thing about moving out is that you can bring whatever you like but don’t forget the essentials; usually, you bring a lot of clothes, a bed, and sort out the basics like electricity, gas and water before moving in. Some people may want to move out ASAP to not have to deal with living at home any longer and some may choose to wait it out for a couple of weeks to get it all set up. It is entirely up to you!

Mentality to Move

Mentality is key to being able to happily move out, it’s important to look after it when moving out for the first time. You may not feel 100% ready and that small inkling of regret or overthinking may creep up on you while you are thinking about it. These feelings are normal. It is just your brain realising that things will change once you move out and it can be scary but in a way hopeful.

Your new home will be yours, and everything within it will be based on you. You may have new routines, and more freedom but obviously, more responsibility within the house in terms of cleaning.

You have got to learn that every story starts somewhere, instead of you being part of someone else’s story, you are now in control of your own story. Being in control is healthy for your mind and soul.

Read Now: How to Overcome Your Negative Thoughts

Positives and Negatives to Moving

Obviously, there are both positives and negatives to moving out.

Positives:

freedom
make your own routines
no distractions
independence
privacy

Negatives:

rent
bills
loneliness
responsibility
household chores

Even though these may seem outweighed, it is great to keep these in mind for when you are thinking about moving out or not.

Don’t blindly jump into the deep end but analyse how you can deal with keeping yourself afloat and getting out of it eventually.

Other Residents (Pets, Roommates)

Luckily, there is a workaround for the con of loneliness; This is fixed by moving in with someone, or something. You can move in with a roommate, a partner or a friend as well as bring pets if the residence allows it. It is always great to have friends, and people around you to not feel alone in your thoughts.

Someone else around the house can also help cheapen the bills, and help with housework but you share the house. So, choose who to move in wisely! You don’t want to end up back at square one.

Read Now: Why Friendship is Important for Your Health

Animals are a great morale booster no matter how small or big.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you can deal with the thoughts of moving out easier and know that you aren’t alone in your thoughts. People go and have gone through the same situations as you almost every day. It is normal to feel like you are attached to your home and can’t leave but eventually, you need to start your journey into life.

If you have any further queries, then please contact us here at Ceed today!

The Importance of Congruence: How to Manage Your Thoughts

Posted on 18 April 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

A term you might’ve heard a lot nowadays is how you shouldn’t “bottle up” your thoughts, let alone your emotions. This means that you’re deliberately holding back from expressing a thought. Especially if it worries or concerns you because you don’t wish to face the emotions that will follow.

There are many harmful effects caused by you bottling up your thoughts. Just a couple include:

Feeling anxious. As you’re trying to trick yourself into not confronting what’s on your mind, your anxiety levels will increase.
Developing harmful coping mechanisms. To avoid the thoughts that are bothering you, you may find yourself eating or drinking and, if you smoke, smoking more than before.
Following from the previous point, these habits can lead to not just weight gain or loss, and digestive issues as well.

This article will explain how you should not bottle up those thoughts by confronting and accepting that you’ve been having them.

Read Now: A Happy Diet: 9 Foods Proven to Lift Your Mood

Write Things Down

Writing can help you to understand your thoughts.

Although it sounds simple, writing down your thoughts is an effective technique. It’s even proven that it helps create catharsis.

Whether you’re using putting a pen to paper or typing on a computer, there are several ways in which you could do this. It could be a diary or journal entry, or even a letter to a person who might be bothering you. Remember not to send that letter, as it’s only being used for self-therapy.

As you write, your thoughts will properly take shape and become a lot clearer to you. They can become more personal than you expect. But writing will help you understand them more and give you a proper idea as to why you’ve been thinking about them.

Exercise

At first glance, you might be thinking “if I decide to exercise, won’t I be avoiding confronting my thoughts?”

No matter what method of exercise you engage in or how long you’ll be doing it, you’ll have the space to focus on what’s on your mind. This can be as simple as going for a walk, or going to the gym and lifting weights. Regardless, exercise gives you a chance to reflect on your thoughts and emotions.

After all, the brain is often likened to being a muscle, so you’ll be exercising that as well as you move around.

Read Now: Surprising Benefits of Exercise: Confidence and Creativity

Consider Why You’re Bottling Up

Negative thoughts can be difficult to deal with alone.

Sometimes, you are already fully aware of why you’ve been bottling things up.

There are a variety of reasons for doing this. You could be angry or upset (or a combination of the two) over someone or something, which can cause emotional distress. Thinking about and focusing on these thoughts might feel as though you’re reliving the initial experience that led to you having them in the first place. This can lead to you not wanting to go through them again, but ignoring them won’t make them go away.

By choosing to ignore the problem itself, you’re going to cause yourself numerous harmful repercussions. The biggest side effect of not challenging those thoughts is the increase in your anxiety levels, which can eventually make you feel anxious all the time.

Express Yourself Creatively

There are times when you just feel as though you want to express yourself, but you don’t want to downright say what’s on your mind. The thoughts can be negative or positive. But, that won’t stop them from being intrusive and possibly distracting you from whatever you’re doing.

There are many creative ways for you to convey your thoughts and ideas. Some methods include:

Writing: We’ve already mentioned writing a letter or diary entry, but you could also write a story. It doesn’t matter if it’s too short or too long – go for it!
Draw ing or painting: It can be a pencil on paper or a paintbrush on a canvas; it will reveal how dedicated you can be when creating something.
Listening or dancing to music: The latter is especially effective, as your moves will help you let out any suppressed emotions you might have.
Cooking or baking: Whether it’s a treat or a meal you’ve always wanted to make, you’ll be surprised by the enthusiasm you’ll have due to the anticipation of seeing the finished product.

Talk

This sounds like the simplest thing to do, doesn’t it? But just saying “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” is not easy for some people. If you’re an introvert, or you don’t want to confront your thoughts and the connected emotions, then talking won’t be easy for you.

But, this is the most effective way to relieve yourself of stress. It doesn’t matter who you decide to talk to – it could be a friend, a family member, a work colleague, or even a stranger. Just as long as you speak to someone and say what’s on your mind, you’ll feel the burden go away.

Read Now: How to Practice Active Listening

This was just a small number of ways to prevent you from bottling up your thoughts. If you’d like to know more on this topic, or perhaps an entirely different one altogether, please contact us today at Ceed.

How Listening to Music Can Better Your Life

Posted on 14 April 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

Everybody has enjoyed music at some point in their life and has a genre they enjoy the most, whether it’s pop, rap, or reggae. No matter the genre, the feeling of listening to the genre that you like the most stays the same: it relaxes you.

But what other effects can listening to music have on you?

Mood Booster and Stress Reducer

Nobody enjoys the feeling of sadness, but sometimes it is just part of our lives we can’t control. Music has a deeper connection beneath its surface than just a mix of sounds, and lyrics. It has been proven to stimulate your brain by releasing a chemical called “dopamine” which is associated with pleasure within our brain. This means that listening to music boosts yourself emotionally, and mentally reduces stress. Listening to a playlist of your favourite songs, and releasing the dopamine, can also reduce the feeling of depression.

Starting your day off by listening to music can enhance the rest of your day. If you have issues with stress or just general sadness, then music is a great way to escape. Even if it’s only momentarily, it’s healthier than letting these negative feelings take you over.

Read Now: How to Better Your Mental Health by Getting Creative

Mind Distraction and Improved Focus

It can distract your mind from your negative surroundings, keeping you occupied in a tranquil state. Noisy workplace? Just pop some earphones in and jam away. Drowning out sounds that stress you out and replacing them with dopamine fuelled music can enhance your mind to focus more on what you want to achieve. With this increase in focus, your productivity will rise higher than it did before and could even lead to avoiding work stress.

Be warned however, as being overwhelmed by music can distract you from your work, or whatever you are doing while listening to music.

Music can help you overcome personal difficulties.

Read Now: How Music Can Motivate You to Stick to Your Exercise Routine

Pain Management

This effect isn’t just about physical pain, but mental pain as well. Whether it is stress, depression, or just general anger. Listening to music that relates to those emotions can cause you to push those feelings out of your mind. Knowing that someone went through the same situation as you and made a song filled with that emotion can let you know that you aren’t alone in this matter. This effect can also allow you to overcome blocks within your life. Whether that is writing blocks or mental blocks.

It also reduces the pain you perceive and relaxes you a lot more if you are in any kind of physical pain. Which can be extremely useful if the pain is uncomfortable enough to keep you awake at night.

Creativity and Sleep Improvement

Music can be very tranquil and peaceful to listen to. It allows you to switch your brain off if you are listening to music without having anything to do. You create a narrative and envision the song in your head, which ultimately, can improve your creativity.

Most people listen to music when going to bed as this creativity that flows through you can help you sleep easier. The constant rush of dopamine to your brain makes your brain regulate hormones, and reduces cortisol which affects stress itself to help you sleep better.

Listening to music can improve your sleep schedule!

Mental Health Healing

Improving your focus can also help to manage any effects that come with health conditions like autism, ADHD, or Tourette’s. As your mind becomes more focused on the rhythm, sounds, and lyrics, your brain momentarily forgets about reality and places you into a sort of daydream in your head. You remember who is in charge of your life, and it is you, and only you.

Conclusion

Music is of huge importance to our lives, even if you don’t listen to it every day. The deep connection between our brain and music is almost magical. You can always find websites online that allow you to listen to music, including:

Remember that there are people who are struggling or have struggled in the same way as you.

If you require assistance with any topics mentioned here, or in general then please feel free to contact us here at Ceed today.

Why Hobbies Are Good for Your Mental Health

Posted on 4 April 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

It’s very common for people not to prioritise hobbies and downtime. With working or studying full time it’s difficult to set aside time for ourselves to relax and indulge in activities we enjoy.

Having a hobby is a great way to spend your spare time and unwind from your daily routine. Hobbies can range from learning an instrument, playing a sport, reading, photography or something artistic.

By setting time aside for hobbies you can help improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from low moods, stress and depression.

What is a Hobby?

A hobby can be any activity that you do regularly for your own enjoyment. Whether this is something creative, athletic or academic, what matters is that it’s meaningful to you.

When you dedicate time to voluntarily engage in pleasurable activities, your mental health can benefit.

Read now: The Valuable Mental Health Benefits of Cold Water Swimming

Mental Health Benefits of Hobbies:

Reduce Stress

Hobbies are a perfect way to distract yourself after a busy day. They provide the opportunity to focus on yourself and release any stress built up from your day.

Spending time on a hobby can be as simple as finding the time to listen to music. Whatever activity you choose will help manage your stress levels. So, take some time out of your busy day to start painting, or go outside and walk in nature.

Creativity Boosts Wellbeing

Partaking in creative activities such as song-writing, knitting, art and musical performance have all been shown to increase positive moods. By pursuing creative hobbies you’ll see an improvement in your mental wellbeing.

Creative activities also allow you to expand neural connections in your brain, which has been linked to the release of the feel good hormone dopamine. Spending as little as two hours per week on an activity you enjoy can help you live a more positive life.

Form Connections With Others

Hobbies that include other people, such as team sports, offer great opportunities to foster social connections and friendships. Having a healthy social life can have a highly positive impact on your mental health.

Shared experience through hobbies can also enhance your enjoyment of the activity and help you feel less isolated. So, if you’re looking for a new hobby, try something interactive team sport or even joining a band.

Read now: Intentional Living: How Can it Benefit You?

A hobby is something that you do for fun or personal fulfilment.

Tips to Make Time for Hobbies

A common issue when it comes to investing in hobbies is time. When it comes to how our lives are typically structured, work tends to come before play.

Although many of us feel like there isn’t enough time in the day for hobbies, there are a few changes you can make to help free up some time for the things you love:

Regularly participating in a hobby doesn’t mean you have you do it daily, a weekly activity will be a lot easier to fit into your schedule. Just an hour or two a week is a great addition to your lifestyle. If you feel you still don’t have the time try saying no more often and putting a hobby higher up on your list of priorities.

It’s easy to lose a lot of valuable time in your day by doing mindless things like scrolling on social media or watching TV. Be conscious of how you’re spending your free time and try to make sure you’re using it wisely.

If you’re finding it difficult to find extra free time, try taking more micro-breaks during the workday. This will help you find the time to do things you enjoy while also increasing your overall productivity. You could use these short breaks to go for a walk outside, listen to your favourite podcast or read a few chapters of a book.

Read now: Surprising Benefits of Exercise: Confidence and Creativity

Having a hobby can greatly improve your life. Do some research and find a few activities that interest you and simply try them out. There’s no pressure to stick to anything you don’t enjoy but eventually, you’ll find a hobby that’s suited to you.

For further advice on lifestyle changes you can make to benefit your mental health, contact our experts at Ceed here.

Why Creating a Healthy Routine is Good for You

Posted on 31 March 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

Routines are the mind, and body’s natural clockwork – after getting used to a certain internal flow, a habit will fit into place like a jigsaw puzzle and can get stuck there.

However, sometimes, these routines can be bad and ultimately unhealthy for you. Here are what a healthy routine can do for you:

Healthiness is key to a long and prosperous life.

Mentally

A healthy routine doesn’t just have to be physical exercise.

For your mental health, a healthy routine can do wonders for your mind. Spend a few hours a day listening to music, reading, writing, or going on a walk. This can lead to you spending your time being more mentally free.

Clearing your mind from negative thoughts and clutter can improve your focus and lead you to a happier lifestyle. Your mood can improve but your focus and memory can also improve when involved in mental gymnastics.

Being more mentally free allows you to be happier, and have a greater outlook on life.

Physically

Usually, when someone mentions a healthy routine, you think of physical exercise and diet, and that is what’s going to be covered in this section.

If you are self-conscious, then physical exercise can make you feel better about yourself by improving your body, and diet. These are not only healthier choices but helps build confidence and courage in yourself to be proud of yourself.

You can also just simply partake in a diet that will help you feel better and healthier and will have noticeable changes. You will end up feeling sick less, but it can also make your mornings a lot less groggy.

Making it a routine to get up early would improve your sleeping pattern, and allow you to have more hours to yourself – about eight hours is healthy. This means you can have breakfast, which is stapled as one of the most important meals of the day.

Read Now: How to Get Better Sleep

Economically

Your personal finance can be affected by your routine due to always buying the same thing at the shop, or for dinner every day. It can also be that you buy a takeaway frequently which can cause a decline in health and your finance as takeaways have a huge impact on you and your economy.

By spending less money, you are also inhabiting a healthier diet – and improving physically, and mentally. As well as saving a lot more money in the long run.

This can then be used as a sort of reward system. Let’s say you have a takeaway once a fortnight for reducing your intake. This gives you a reason for wanting to complete the challenge and results in saving money.

Read Now: 7 Ways to Ease Financial Stress and Manage your Money

Key to a Healthy Routine

The key to a healthy routine is to stick to your ideals and beliefs, as delving from it can cause you to go back to your old routine. It’s about commitment, and focus. You need to want it to get it.

It is recommended to start small and work your way up. For example, getting up earlier and having breakfast. This small step will show you what it is like to change and then can alter further changes in your routine to be healthier.

Then someday you can tackle the more difficult changes!

Push yourself and you will thank yourself later!

Conclusion

In conclusion, a healthy routine is one of the most important things for a healthier and happier life and by following your heart and not letting yourself trip on your attempts to gain a better routine, you will succeed.

You will thank yourself in the long run.

You are number one, and you should look out for yourself. Don’t think about how other people think, go out there and succeed.

Hopefully, this has helped you find out why a healthy routine is good. For more information, contact us at Ceed here today.

8 Ways Everyone Can Benefit from Seeing a Therapist

Posted on 21 March 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

Life throws us curveballs sometimes. Everyone will experience challenging situations at some point in their life and talking it through is a healthy way of navigating through it. Although talking to friends and family is a great option, if you have the means, a professional can benefit you.

Studies show that voicing your concerns can have a therapeutic effect on your brain. By verbalising what you’re going through you relieve yourself of the burden. A professional therapist or life coach can help you work through any issues you may be having in your life.

Below are eight ways everyone can benefit from seeing a therapist.

Therapy can help you even if you don’t have a mental illness or a major loss to work through.

1. To process the past

Events from your past affect who you become when you get older. Events from childhood, past friendships or relationships all shape the person you are today.

If you’ve experienced trauma or a significant event, going to a therapist can help you work through what you experienced and process your feelings.

If you have negative feelings about an event or person, a therapist can help you gain perspective. Often, we don’t process big life events as they happen because we simply don’t have the tools to do so. A therapist can give you the tools you need to move past anything you still struggle with.

Read now: 8 Quick and Small Changes to a Better Life

2. To help you understand your emotions

If you often experience mood swings or you just don’t understand how to manage your emotions, therapy can help you with this.

A therapist will help you explore the emotions that come up with life events and personal relationships. Therapy can guide you to gain a healthy perspective which can lead you to understanding and managing your emotions.

What you process in therapy doesn’t have to be a life-altering event or even traumatic. You can bring anything into therapy that you want to work through with you therapist and better understand yourself.

3. To learn healthy coping mechanisms

A lot of people come to therapy after having used other unhealthy coping mechanisms. People often turn to substances to help them deal with difficult situations.

But these aren’t healthy long-term solutions. Therapy can help you deal with these issues and learn healthy coping mechanisms. Self-medicating doesn’t help anybody, and it usually leads to more problems.

Therapy will help you get to the cause of the problems you’re facing. You’ll learn how to cope and communicate in a productive way.

4. To help strengthen your relationships

If you’re having trouble communicating with your spouse or loved one, therapy can help. Relationships can be difficult. When partners don’t feel understood or appreciated, it can cause a big strain.

Couples therapy can help you communicate better and sort through any issues you may be having. Even if one partner doesn’t like the idea, you can go alone. You’ll find it helpful and it’ll provide you with tools for a better relationship.

Read now: 5 Ways to Strengthen and Improve Your Relationship

5. To deal with grief

Bereavement is one of the hardest things you’ll have to face in your life. Losing a loved one hits you hard and there’s no avoiding it. So if you are experiencing the loss of someone for the first time, it can be especially painful.

Death has a lasting impact on our lives and we aren’t all equipped to deal with the grief of it. Grief counselling can help you cope with your loss and deal with it in a healthy way.

Group therapy is just as effective as one-to-one therapy!

6. To help you solve a problem

If you’re facing hardship in your life and don’t know where to turn, therapy can help. Going to a therapist can help you come up with a solution.

A therapist can help you gain new levels of perspective. They can help you look at the issue from many different points of view. Once you’ve got clarity and a new perspective, it can help make the problem easier to solve.

7. So you won’t feel alone

One of the most common symptoms of mental health issues is the feeling of being all alone. When you suffer from depression or anxiety, it can make you feel like the loneliest person on earth.

Talking with a therapist about your feelings can help a lot. Having a professional validate you and tell you that you’re not alone can be very helpful. A therapist may also be able to put you in touch with a support group. This can help you meet people like you who are also struggling and help you feel less alone.

Read now: How to Manage Your ‘Winter Blues’

8. To deal with the future

Life is a rollercoaster, and this won’t be the first or last time you have difficult stuff to deal with. Things like conflict, loss, and sadness will continue to arise as you go through life.

It’s natural for these things to bring you down and make you feel upset. But therapy can help you with healthy coping strategies. A therapist will help you healthily cope with these things. Then, you can bring this knowledge with you into the future.

Therapy Benefits Everyone

There are so many reasons to go to therapy. You don’t need to be suffering from mental health issues, as therapy benefits everyone. Now more than ever, people are willing to open up about their struggles. The stigma against therapy is fading. So if you’re looking to improve yourself, why not give therapy a try?

For further advice on how therapy can help you, contact our experts at Ceed today.   

Why Being Spontaneous Can Make You Happier

Posted on 17 March 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

Be Spontaneous

Spontaneity can have enormous payoffs for mental health and wellbeing. It can make you feel happier and more creative – it can even rewire our brains.

When was the last time you ditched your plans and did something completely spontaneous?

With our overfilled diaries and online planners, our lives are often packed to the brim, leaving little or no time for a sudden whim. But, although routines can help us get through everyday tasks, like cleaning our teeth, filling every single moment with planned activity can badly affect us.

We often pack our schedules so full that we leave little room for unplanned actions, but doing so means you may be missing out on moments of joy.

Read Now: 4 Mindful Ways to Help You Live in the Moment

The Benefits of Being Spontaneous

Being open to spontaneous events and allowing our mind time to reflect on things, rather than rushing from one planned activity to the next, can benefit our emotional health.

Keep Your Life Fresh

Spontaneous people are always up to try something new. They’ll spice up the day any way they can. It could be as simple as ordering something new from a local restaurant for lunch. Because they’re always trying something new, spontaneous people never get bored and stay fresh.

Be More Flexible

Be ready to try and do something new. And if plans change, adapt to them. Spontaneous people don’t feel tied down to one goal and will be more than happy to accommodate a contingency, as long as it leads to an exciting adventure.

This “go with the flow” attitude helps them avoid conflict and confrontation. Instead, they can ride the wave of excitement that continuously exists within their life.

Be More Creative

Spontaneous people aren’t constantly thinking about their next move – they do whatever comes to mind. This mindset means that they don’t set boundaries for what they can accomplish, and they can be more creative.

Read Now: How to Better Your Mental Health by Getting Creative

Less Stress

People that are spontaneous tend to not stress out over much. They understand that life goes on, whether it goes as planned or not. And, of course, when life gets stressful, as it does every so often, spontaneous people know how to shake things up to relieve the stress and get over the hurdle they’re currently facing.

Read Now: 4 Effective Ways to Clear Your Mind of Stress

Be Happier

Spontaneous people have a mindset that allows them always to see the bright side of things which optimises their ability to maintain a positive outlook on life, making them happier.

How To Be More Spontaneous

Becoming a more spontaneous person is certainly not easy, so here are simple things that you can do to live a more spontaneous life. Hopefully, these steps will encourage you to do something more when you’re finally ready to.

Shake Up Your Routine

It doesn’t have to be something drastic. You could start with something simple, like going somewhere else for your morning coffee or taking a new route home from work.

When you do something different, you open your eyes and mind up to new possibilities. You’ll then feel more inclined and less afraid to try new things.

Do Something New Everyday

Whether placing a different order when you’re out at your favourite café, or putting on that shirt that you never had any confidence to wear, you need to break out of your comfort zone. There’s no need to plan for it; go with the flow. When the opportunity presents itself, don’t hesitate and do it.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!

Do What You Want

Forget the rules, and do whatever makes you happy. Life is for living, so live it loud and proud. Focus on what makes you happy, and incorporate it into your life as much as possible. don’t get stuck doing things that don’t work for you just because it’s become your routine. Just be sure you don’t hurt yourself or anyone else.

Start Saying Yes

Whether it’s an invite to a party where you don’t know many people, an invitation to have drinks with co-workers you’re not very close with, take a risk and say yes. Something as simple as this can make a big difference to your day-to-day lifestyle. Once you start saying yes, you will notice more great opportunities arising that you otherwise might have rejected.

Stop Doubting Yourself

The more you feel like you can’t do things, the more likely you won’t. When you psych yourself out to try something new that you’re uncomfortable with, you’ll likely break out of your monotonous routine. Spice up your life by telling yourself that you can do it, and you will.

Read Now: How to Overcome Fear of Failure

Turn Off Your Gadgets

When you don’t have any distractions in the way, you will be more willing to get up and get something done. Taking a break from your phone or computer can force you into new situations that are likely to be more rewarding.

Speak To a Stranger

More often than not, we tend to retreat into our comfort zone when we’re in unfamiliar territory and faced with unfamiliar faces. Don’t hesitate to speak to a stranger. You’ll be surprised at what you may gain.

Your life is meant to be lived and not wasted doing things that bring you no joy. Despite your responsibilities, there’s no reason why you can’t inject some spontaneity into your life to make it that much more worthwhile.

For further advice from our professional lifestyle coaches, contact us at Ceed today! 

How to Better Your Mental Health by Getting Creative

Posted on 10 March 2022 - 12:00 pm by admin

Everyone is creative – whether it is solving problems or creating content. It isn’t just a case of different jobs being creative or not. If you work in a warehouse for example, you may just utilise creativity in a different way.

Creativity stems from the imagination of an individual who can improvise, using their brain in any situation to think of a solution. Utilising this creativity we all have, you can engage in many different creative activities to help you mentally, and emotionally.

There are countless ideas that can sprout if you allow yourself to be creative.

It’s a worldwide “rumour” that creativity lies in the right-side of your brain, however, it lies in both. The right when you are imagining something on the spot, and the left when you are imagining based on something already learned or established.

Creativity is an extraordinary concept that allows us to build ideas out of thin air. Through mental construction we can form our own creation that we can be proud of. Knowing that you created it yourself can give you a tremendous boost in mood that, if you choose, can lead into a more creativity-oriented mindset.

Read Now:

Here are a few activities that can help you release your creative energy:

Creative Writing

Writing itself has been around for at least 5000+ years, and creative writing has been around for about the same time. One of the first known creative writers or authors in the world was “Enheduanna”, who lived in around the 2200 BCE time period. She was one of the first known poets and authors – she even wrote hymns.

This is a fine example of how despite having less technology than we have now, ancient civilisations still found a way to distil their imagination, creating something out of nothing.

In modern times, we have many more ways to be inspired, whether that is by films, shows, music, paintings, games or speeches. There are countless forms of these things out there in the world for someone to begin their own journey on the creative road.

Creative writing is one way to express an experience, emotion or a fabrication into a story format. It can be the most outlandish idea, or something very realistic.

Why Write?

Outputting your creativity can improve your brain’s memory. What’s more, this flow of “venting” out your opinions and experiences will release any negative emotion into what you are writing, like capturing it in a bottle. Connecting emotionally when writing embeds these feelings into the writing, strengthening the bond with it and meaning behind it.

It’s your own creation – your own opinions, memories and inspiration mixed into a bundle. This makes writing a wonderful outlet for negative emotions, and can even preserve positive emotions forever in a written piece.

Playing Instruments & Making Music

It’s only in the past hundred years that music began to get more varied, more experimental and deeper, and it’s now become a part of everyday life. This is because of the dopamine released from listening to music that unknowingly lifts your mood and provides motivation.

Why Play Music?

Playing music yourself and learning an instrument can release this creativity and dopamine rush. This in turn strengthens the positive effect that comes with listening to music. This ultimately de-stresses you and gives you many health benefits.

You can write as complex or as simple music as you like, but no matter what it engages and stimulates your brain. By having a song you can play yourself at anytime at home to express yourself; you basically have a infinite way to stimulate your brain at your disposal.

Drawing & Crafting

Express yourself and let yourself have mental freedom!

Artists can come in any form – creativity is a hidden ability in people and we can’t initially tell who is creative. Anyone can ultimately become an artist if they can learn to express themselves through drawing, and art. If they can reflect emotions, and experience and capture this in a drawn format it can inspire other people, and they can understand what the artist is demonstrating by having an open-mind.

It can be difficult to start learning to draw but as you get better you can start to develop your own style, and way to express yourself.

Why Draw or Craft?

Just like other forms of expression, the benefits you gain wouldn’t be something you’d want to miss out on.

Listening to Music & Reading

This is easier as it doesn’t require you to create content. What it does require is for you to hold an open-mind and envision what you are taking in – whether it is imagining the characters in a book, or letting the sounds of music flow through you.

Why Listen to Music/ Read?

Your brain will get engaged with the content and release dopamine that lifts your mood. You can indulge in whatever content you like, whether that’s listening to a happy song or a sad one.

Relating to the music or story you’re taking in can help you find a solution to how you are feeling. Perhaps relating to a song about depression may open your eyes in some new way.

Read Now: How Music can Motivate you to Stick to your Exercise Routine

Conclusion

In conclusion, creativity goes hand in hand with imagination. Anything to do with creativity stimulates your brain in a great way, whether you are drawing, writing or playing music. When you create something, you are allowing yourself to be under control of the creative process.

It’s like magic how we can create these concepts within ourselves, and the options available to us allow us to have a lot of mental freedom.

For your next step, read on: How to Uncover Inspiration

If you need any more help with making lifestyle changes, feel free to contact us here at Ceed today.

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