SELF-CARE DURING COVID19

Adapting to post-pandemic normality when you have social anxiety

John Maggio

Communicating behind face masks and working behind the laptop screens became the new normal since the pandemic-resulted lockdown

How parents can prioritise their children’s wellbeing during remote learning

Fiona Forman

As we continue with this period of remote learning, it’s a stressful time for everyone in the school community – parents, teachers and students alike

Coping with coronavirus: How to stay calm and protect your mental health

Professor Brendan Kelly

The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged us in many ways: the illness itself, the anxiety it provokes and the impact of restrictions

Teacher wellbeing during remote learning: ideas from positive psychology

Fiona Forman

As we face into another period of remote learning, well-being must be a priority for everyone in the school community, including teachers

The wardrobe

Tom Tate

Concerning difficult or painful memories from our past, these might be just an assort-ment of our responses. Sometimes in my therapy room with a client, we veer towards memories or situations that are painful to recall

Overcoming the effects of “social distancing” and “self isolation”

Susi Lodola

Human beings have an innate need to connect, and it is only natural to feel isolated and lonely as your routine is disrupted and you are told to practice social distancing or self-isolation

Staying active in lockdown

Gavin Brennan

One thing that became apparent in the first lockdown is that the restriction of freedoms and the heightened attention around the virus made so many people more conscious of their own health and well-being

Living with Fear

Grainne Clancy

Over the last few months, we've had to restrict our movements, and it reminds me of a time when I lived in Antrim. The Parades Commission was set up make rulings over contentious parades

The dote in Dunnes

Sally O’Reilly

This woman I know was having a tough week. A tough couple of years really. Then COVID swooped in with a giant hammer and sorta whacked in a few extra nails in the coffin of joy and personal freedom...

Lockdown support for parents

Dr. Malie Coyne

To help us through this winter lockdown, Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist, Author and member of our Mental Health Advisory Panel brings us this special broadcast ‘lockdown support for parents’

How to be with people again

Fiona Brennan

Many people are feeling uncomfortable as they venture back into the 'real' world after the lockdown. The lack of social interaction for many has taken its toll

Light at the end of the tunnel

Kay Murphy

Here we are, weeks into quarantine and finally, we are embracing an easing of restrictions in Ireland as we enter phase 2 plus of our Government’s roadmap. This accelerated drive to return to a semblance of normality is good news for our economy, society and wellbeing

Connect a coach: free coaching for frontline staff

Connect a Coach

As Leo Varadkar said on St. Patrick’s Day, “never will so many ask so much of so few”. It was this statement that got Ailbhe Harrington and Karen Hayes mulling over how they could give to those so much is being asked of

Can you ride your emotional waves?

Fiona Brennan

Have you noticed yourself feeling more tired of late? If so, the chances are that a residue of emotions remains under your busy outward veneer. Continuing uncertainty as regards COVID-19 allows the build-up of anxiety and tension

The brighter side of Covid

Madhav Bhargav

It’s March 11th, sometime around 5pm, I order a filter coffee and sit down to do some writing in one of my favourite coffee shops on Drury St., Dublin – a ritual that’s become habitual since embarking on my Ph.D journey

Perseverance and endurance

Finola Colgan

Perseverance is not giving up and is about making, the effort to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it is difficult. Its origins come from the Latin perseverantia and means to abide by something strictly. Endurance is from the 1660s and means "ability to bear suffering"

Have you activated your positivity offset? & June’s book & podcast recommendations!

Fiona Brennan

Psychologist, Barbara Fredrickson, regarded as the 'mother' of positive psychology, developed the 'positivity offset' theory which explores the evolutionary purpose of positive emotions

Free workshop: how to simplify your life – the art of questions

Brian Pennie

You can never underestimate the power of questions. The problem is – they must be the right questions. Two questions, in particular, had a huge impact on my life

Lovely heart meditation

Fiona Brennan

In this weeks ‘The Positive Habit’ Fiona brings us a lovely heart opening meditation that invites you to show kindness to yourself, to acknowledge your needs and to soften anxieties

Turn up the sound: Spotify playlists

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity

We're launching a Spotify account with playlists to help people be sound to their minds. The playlists include podcasts on kindness, mindfulness and meditation, a mind hive to help people build their wellness

Free webinar: The real face of addiction

Brian Pennie

In this week’s workshop on May 14th at 7:30pm, Brian Pennie and Allison Keating will discuss emotional pain and trauma, the real face of addiction

COVID-19 and outrage

Louize Carroll

Outrage escalates in proportion to our exposure to extreme events. It manifests as an overt and generally public verbal communication that distances us from an event, from an act or from a decision

Why being compassionate will help you to be resilient

Fiona Brennan

From a psychological perspective, reactions to the Covid-19 lockdown are fascinating and this crisis presents a huge opportunity for you to learn more about yourself

Free webinar: How to motivate yourself, make better decisions, and reduce negativity from your life

Brian Pennie

Brian Pennie is conducting another free workshop this Thursday, May 7th. It’s at 8 pm Irish time, and 2 pm CST in the US

Life in Lockdown – how are you doing?

Carol Redmond

Routine, structure, time-management: all good for human effectiveness and efficiency. Great. But not so easy to sustain in lockdown. How can we run our lives on the same tracks we used BC (before Covid-19)?

The unrestricted mind and May’s book and podcast recommendations

Fiona Brennan

αλό μήνα (kaló mína) - Greek for happy new month! I love the Greek tradition of marking each new month and wishing the best to friends and family

A free webinar on self-talk

Brian Pennie

Nick Wignall and Brian Pennie are conducting a FREE virtual workshop at 7 pm (Irish time) on Friday, May 1. Nick, a clinical psychologist and an expert on self-talk and anxiety

For parents of Leaving Cert students: stay well

Sarah Barr

As parents, all we want is the best for our children, no matter their age. We live with an overwhelming desire to love, care for and ultimately protect them from any harm

Leaving Cert Students: I see you. I hear you. Your struggle is real

Michelle Murray

I see you. I hear you. Your struggle is real. We’re living in a time of uncertainty and for you, the rollercoaster of uncertainty continues to wind around and around. Fear, guilt, worry, sadness, frustration and disappointment may be just some of the emotions bubbling up

How to help ease Leaving Cert angst

Fiona Brennan

Have you ever had the 'Leaving Cert Nightmare'? It's a common dream many people have when their unconscious revisits the stress of their final school exams

Who’s there to save the hero after she saves the world?

Dr. Deirdre Walsh

Working on the frontline in healthcare can be challenging at the best of times, yet an immensely rewarding profession

It is time to separate the wheat from the chaff

Fiona Brennan

What is important to you, I mean truly important? Over the past few weeks of the lockdown, I have noticed, both in myself and my clients

Covid19: Don’t feel like adapting right now? That’s okay.

Michelle Murray

We're hearing a lot of talk these days about how we should and shouldn't be spending our time during this pandemic

Getting comfortable with uncertainty

Fiona Brennan

Fiona Brennan has made a deeply relaxing five-minute open-eyed meditation on getting comfortable with uncertainty which is something we all need right now. Please do take the time to follow it as often as you can

Suddenly feeling more alone and more single during CV-19 lockdown?

Annie Lavin

What can you do? First of all, reframe the belief that your single status is responsible for all your feelings of loneliness at this time

Soothing sleep anxiety

Fiona Brennan

Part of our ability to survive and thrive during this crisis, or indeed at any time, is based on sleeping peacefully for at least eight hours per night. Many of my clients struggle with sleep issues at the best of times

Free mental health resources

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity

It’s so important we mind our mental health at this time. Throughout the global pandemic, A Lust for Life is working to ensure we help as many people as possible with resources to help with self-care and wellness

Covid19 – Storing fear in your body

Michelle Murray

We all know the feeling that overwhelms us when we’re walking along and suddenly, we trip up. We experience intense fear and a loss of control for a moment

Cocoon Your Mind, Open Your Heart to Hope

Fiona Brennan

Welcome to week three in 'Corona World,' which is what I have been calling the surreal new world we find ourselves in

Covid19 – Information for children

Niall Muldoon

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, would like to commend the children in Ireland for the strength and resilience they have shown during this strange time

Staying calm during Covid19

Fiona Brennan

In this time of uncertainty, Fiona Brennan reflects on the importance of remaining calm. She asks how you want to look back on this challenging period in a year's time

Self-care during Covid19: A Lust for Life broadcasts

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity

A Lust for Life will bring you broadcasts giving you techniques to manage your mental health. These broadcast are designed to help you, and those around you, build resilience and learn mindfulness tools

Free courses from The Actualise Academy to manage anxiety and mental health

The Actualise Academy

The Actualise Academy is offering two courses for free for any member of the public

Covid19: Helping children and teenagers to understand

HSE Heads of Psychology Services

Children and Teenagers will often take a lead from us in terms of how we respond to events, so it is important that we are not overly worried or anxious in their presence

Covid19: MABS money management

MABS

The current situation happening in Ireland and around the world is challenging for us all. Trying to navigate social media for accurate information is making things more complicated, increasing anxiety

Where is my Mind Podcast

Niall Breslin

Where is my Mind? is a podcast about how we can navigate the manic, always-on, and head-melting world we live in. Our lives are changing so quickly, it’s hard to keep up

Minding your mind with a routine when working from home during Covid19

Rachel Masterson

I first began working from home in 2012. As a 23-year-old social media manager for an entertainment website, I began to navigate what quickly became a difficult balancing act of work and home life

How to stop coronavirus anxiety spreading

Fiona Brennan

Fiona Brennan shares some insights to help you to stay calm and positive in this turbulent time. Managing an underlying anxiety issue is paramount to staying healthy both physically and mentally

Covid19 – Psychological Survival

Mark Smyth

I started off blogging about how to talk to kids about covid-19 and as things continue to escalate it is important to consider our own self-care, now, if we need to self-isolate and what happens afterwards

Sound social media challenge

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity

A Lust for Life seven day social challenge #soundsocial - disconnect to reconnect. Follow the daily challenge with the aim that by the end of the week you'll have created more time in your life to enjoy something truly worthwhile

Breaking up with social media, for a better relationship with myself

Rachel Masterson

Imagine you are in a crowded room; everyone is shouting, everyone is hurting, everyone is angry, the volume gets increasingly higher over time as nobody feels heard

Replacing New Years resolutions with new pathways: the neuroplasticity of new habits

Dr. Michael Keane and Rachel Masterson

This January at A Lust for Life, we’re debunking the annual tradition of a New Years Resolution and the pledge of “New Year, New Me”

Exam Stress Management Course Week 5: Top tips for bringing “MY OWN” game

Dr. Malie Coyne

Less than 1 week until the exams and you are probably really feeling the pressure and wondering how things are going to pan out for you

Exam Stress Management Course Week 4: “Is my BEHAVIOUR serving my goals?”

Dr. Malie Coyne

It’s best to follow the course week by week, as like any other game, preparing for exams is best done following a step-by-step training schedule. Good luck you CAN do this!

Exam Stress Management Course Week 3: “Is it FACT or OPINION”?

Dr. Malie Coyne

Very wise words from one of our greats. Apologies if the mere mention of Shakespeare’s name brings you out in cold sweats as that is not my intention!

Exam Stress Management Course Week 2: Your BODY as the vehicle to your dreams

Dr. Malie Coyne

This is week 2 of Dr. Malie’s A Lust for Life online Exam Stress Management course for Junior and Leaving Cert students and parents

A Lust for Life Exam Stress Management Course Week 1: “Mastering the game of exams”

Dr. Malie Coyne

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Malie Coyne has kindly developed an online Exam Stress Management Course exclusively for our A Lust for Life readers

Developing children’s resilience: Three approaches from Positive Psychology

Fiona Forman

Resilience is one of the most important gifts we can give our children. As a parent and primary teacher, I’m all too aware of the many challenges and pressures

Easy 10 minute meditation for feeling focused and calm

Sinéad McKiernan

Taking a few deep breaths is one of the easiest and quickest ways to find relief when you are feeling anxious, stressed or a bit scattered

Mindfulness Program: Week 4 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Fiona O'Donnell, The Mindfulness Centre

Welcome to the final week of the 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness. If you have done any of the meditation practices or home practice exercises

Mindfulness Program: Week 3 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Fiona O'Donnell, The Mindfulness Centre

Welcome to Week 3 of this 4 Week mindfulness blog. If you got a chance to practice the meditation practice this week and home practice exercises, well done!

Mindfulness Program: Week 2 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Fiona O'Donnell, The Mindfulness Centre

Welcome to Week 2 of this 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness. If you started the daily meditation practice of the 10 minute Breath & Body last week

Mindfulness Program: Week 1 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Fiona O'Donnell, The Mindfulness Centre

Welcome to Week 1 of this 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness, so whether you’re a complete beginner and curious about learning more

Why parental self–care is essential for children’s emotional wellbeing

Dr. Malie Coyne

Parenting is a complete rollercoaster ride from conception to forever. Nothing can match up to creating a human being and witnessing their emerging personalities as they develop

Meditation and reflective journaling

Naomi Sturdy

As we begin this new calendar year, we are granted with an amazing opportunity to connect, reflect and look forward. When I write of connecting, I mean in the sense of 'self-connecting'

Helping children develop resilience, manage stress and strong emotions using the ‘90 Second Rule’

Fiona Forman

Research shows us that emotional regulation is one of the key factors for the development of resilience and wellbeing. This makes sense when you think about it

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 7

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

Congratulations on making your way to the final week of this CBT blog! If you have completed all the steps along the way then hopefully you have learned something valuable that might help you achieve more balanced ways of thinking

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 6

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

This week we are going to explore rules and assumptions and the important role they play in our thinking. We all have rules and assumptions which guide our behavior

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 5

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

This is week 5 of Dr. Clare’s A Lust for Life online CBT course. It’s best to follow it week by week and take your time with the processes suggested. Good luck!

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 4

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

This is week 4 of Dr. Clare’s A Lust for Life online CBT course. It’s best to follow it week by week and take your time with the processes suggested

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 3

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

This is week 3 of Dr. Clare’s A Lust for Life online CBT course. It’s best to follow it week by week and take your time with the processes suggested. So did you actually find the time to sit down and do the exercise we talked about last week?

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 2

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

This is week 2 of Dr. Clare’s A Lust for Life online CBT course. It’s best to follow it week by week and take your time with the processes suggested. Did you manage to start getting in tune with what you’re thinking and feeling some of the time?

A Lust for Life Online CBT Course – WEEK 1

Dr. Clare Kambamettu

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Clare Kambamettu has very kindly developed an online CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) course exclusively for A Lust for Life readers

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