In the age of constant connectivity, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It certainly provides numerous benefits, from facilitating communication, networking and information sharing. However, we also know it has the potential to negatively impact our mental health. Let’s explore some of the ways social media can be detrimental to our mental health, and some practical tips for managing its influence.

Attachment styles are patterns of behaviour and beliefs that develop in early childhood and continue to influence our relationships throughout our lives. Psychologist John Bowlby pioneered the theory of attachment, suggesting that our early experiences with caregivers shape our expectations and behaviours in future relationships.

We often get clients asking us about the link between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the clinic as there’s often an overlap with symptoms. While on the surface these two conditions may seem worlds apart, a closer look reveals a complex interplay that researchers are still working to understand fully.

Let's talk about New Year's resolutions. You know, those promises we make to ourselves as the clock strikes midnight – the ones that are supposed to make us better, fitter, richer, and overall just smashing success stories by the end of the year. But is this whole resolution thing more like a setup for stress and letdowns? Let’s unpack why setting resolutions might be doing us more harm than good.

The holiday period is hard to navigate sometimes. We can be surrounded by people and have so many events on but never feel more lonely. It’s such a blur. We can feel unheard, unseen, we can feel disconnected from ourselves, from our world, and from those around us. While we may feel lonely, we need to remind ourselves that this is often a transient state. It is forever changing and it’s not permanent. Why? Because lonely is an emotion and emotions are fleeting. Being alone on the other hand is physical. Being alone means physically being on your own in a place. At times you may wish to be around people and not be alone or feel lonely, while other times you wish to be alone and don’t feel lonely at all because you’re enjoying your own company, but also know that there are people you can turn to when needed (including pets!). Here are some tips on how to manage loneliness when it comes up:

Do you find it hard to say “No”? Here are some tips that may help you set some healthy boundaries during this holiday season. Remember that no matter what your inner critic is saying, you are not being rude by setting boundaries. The tone of which you deliver a message makes a huge difference. Also remember that when saying “No”, you don’t need to justify yourself. It just is.