My entire life was reshaped following a series of traumatic experiences in 2018 and 2019, and since then I’ve dedicated my career to working with fellow survivors. One of the first places to begin in any healing journey is to gather as much information and knowledge as possible, so in this article I’ll demystify the concept of trauma, shedding light on its multifaceted dimensions and the complex interplay between adversity and resilience.

I have a confession to make. Years ago, a friend of mine was often talking to me about the challenges of her healing journey following an abusive relationship. While I was able to be compassionate and understanding to an extent, as someone who had never experienced major adversity or trauma in my life, I could never truly grasp the depth of what she was going through.

Life has an uncanny way of throwing us unexpected challenges. Adversity strikes like a storm, leaving us battered and bruised, and the journey to recovery can be a long and arduous one. Among the debris of rebuilding our lives, we encounter another daunting obstacle: the challenge of self-care after adversity.

There are multiple barriers that we can run into when we attempt to care for ourselves amidst the aftermath of life's trials, such as:

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves carrying the heavy burden of shame. It lingers in the shadows, whispering tales of inadequacy and unworthiness, and leaves scars that mar our self-esteem and hinder our growth. But within this darkness, there exists a powerful beacon of hope - self-compassion. It is through this gentle and loving practice that we can embark on a profound journey of healing, releasing the shackles of shame and embracing the light within ourselves.

Emotions are an integral part of our human experience. They can bring us joy, motivate us, or provide valuable guidance. However, emotions can also feel overwhelming and challenging to navigate at times. How can we gain control over our emotional responses and create a healthier relationship with our feelings? The answer lies in a simple yet powerful concept developed by psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegal: "Name it to Tame it." By consciously labelling our emotions, we can better understand and manage them, paving the way for personal growth and emotional well-being.

Rest is a vital aspect of our wellbeing, allowing us to recharge, heal, and regain our strength. However, for those who have experienced chronic stress and adversity, finding rest can be an arduous task. Whether it's the aftermath of a difficult divorce, the loss of a job, or experiencing financial hardship, stress leaves a profound impact on our minds and bodies. In this blog post, we will explore why rest can be challenging during challenging times and discuss strategies for navigating this difficult journey towards healing and restoration.

Meditation is the simple practice of creating a restful space where you guide your attention inward and observe your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without judgement or resistance. When we meditate, we use an anchor as a tool to rest our awareness on, which helps to strengthen the muscle of the mind. There are many different types of anchors, such as the breath, bodily sensations, visualisation, and mantra, to name a few.

The process of sitting still and being with our emotions can be extremely uncomfortable. Many of us choose to either avoid our feelings or instantly react to them without thinking, so it can be quite overwhelming in our meditation practice when we’re put in a position to just observe them as they are.

There’s nothing worse than a bad night's sleep. Whether you’ve spent the night tossing and turning, frustrated about not being able to fall asleep or you’ve woken up at 2am with a million things on your mind and are left watching the hours tick by, you’re sure to be familiar with the widespread effects of sleep deprivation.