Many families this year have lost someone to #covid, or because of #covid. Facing grief and loss is often harder at Christmas, especially this year. So how do we cope with loss in the midst of Christmas cheer? Gather as a household and light a special candle, perhaps next to a picture of your loved… Read more »
3 #covid Christmas tips for individuals
This Christmas may be more isolating for some due to the COVID #pandemic. Here at Relate we believe everyone deserves to enjoy a “Happy Christmas”. If you find yourself alone over Christmas, these three tips will help you create something special for yourself: Take time to connect with others. The Christmas season can be the… Read more »
3 #covid Christmas tips for families
The #pandemic has been an intense time for many families with younger children. Five days of semi-normal life may actually feel overwhelming for some young children and (let’s face it) some adults too. And of course afterwards, we are back into our small bubbles, with a very limited social circle. So, planning ahead for this holiday… Read more »
3 #covid Christmas tips for teens
This Christmas may seem exceptionally challenging for teenagers. It’s a time where friendships outside the family are a priority. Here are 3 Christmas tips to help you support your teens: Talk about and plan this Christmas break together. This helps in two ways. Firstly, it can give space to share internalised feelings (anger, sadness at… Read more »
3 #covid Christmas tips for couples
#Covid has put immense pressure on our relationships, testing strength and resilience as a couple. So how do can we do Christmas well? Here are our 3 tips for couples: Make a rough plan together for your Christmas. Many disagreements can be avoided if you have similar expectations for the holiday – and you can… Read more »
Skills for Life: A Journey with Joe
This series tells fictional stories of the counselling journey. Drawn from our counsellors’ extensive experience, this story explores how a young teenager learns to name and handle complex emotions. At the Start 13-year-old Joe’s life, like that of many young teenagers, had been in significant turmoil since March. All of a sudden, half way through… Read more »
Top tips for managing panic attacks
Panic attacks are increasingly common. They are also treatable and you can make a full recovery and never have another one. Whilst they can be very frightening they are not dangerous. Some of the things you may experience can be scary but remember these will pass. Panic attack symptoms include: racing heart sweaty hands breathing… Read more »
4 reasons why the man cave matters for mental health
Is escaping to your man cave a joke in your house ? Well here’s four reasons why it’s brilliant for your mental health. 1: It’s a place to be alone. Life is loud don’t underestimate the value of being on your own, surrounded only by your own noise. Choosing time on your own builds mental… Read more »
You are not alone: finding help in the face of suicidal thoughts
Often, when you have suicidal thoughts, you can think “I am alone.” We absolutely recognise how difficult things may be for you at the moment, and you may feel that things will never change, that you can’t tell anyone one what’s going on inside or that it all feels too much to manage. Please remember… Read more »
The Promise Jar: Help your kids turn sadness into hope
Our kids may be expressing sadness about lots of things at the moment, in lots of different ways – through anger, clinginess, regression… So how do we help them process their sadness and turn it into hope? In the below video, Caroline (our Clinical Superviser) talks about the power of a promise jar…