Psychotherapist and coach Petra Velzeboer has limited her own access to news at the moment, to take herself out of the fear loop and lower her cortisol. Her upbringing in a religious cult has helped her build her own resilience. So, Petra has focused on connecting with people and asking her what they’re […]
When negative thoughts are getting too much, Head Talks ambassador Dr Reena Kotecha suggests the five senses practice that she finds extremely helpful. So find a window, and start!
Former Minister and MP, Sir Norman Lamb, warns us that there is likely to be a psychological fallout from this crisis. The isolation, money worries, possibly losing a job or business, perhaps through to bereavement: all these factors will play a part in increasing distress for many people. He calls on the government […]
Psychotherapist and ITV “agony aunt” Lucy Beresford explains the benefits of random acts of kindness – and it works both ways. If you’re on the receiving end, it makes you feel supported and seen, and it can change your feeling of self-worth. And if you’re the person doing the kind thing, it will […]
Jada Sezer says the lockdown has meant a rollercoaster of emotions to her, a process of grieving for our past life and its routines. The model and campaigner said: “Every week is different. I might start the week happy and end the week collapsed on the sofa. There’s a heaviness in the world. Some days […]
The most important thing during the lockdown is community, says writer Ruby Wax. “Isolation is painful. We’re going through a phase where people really want to hug each other, but they’re terrified, so how do we deal with the terror?” Ruby practises mindfulness, and has turned her Frazzled Cafe online to bring people […]
Love Island star Jack Fowler has spoken to us before about his challenges with his mental health. In this exclusive message for Head Talks, he gives us an update on how he is coping in the lockdown. “It’s imperative you understand that we are not going to be in this position forever. Right […]
Author and consultant Mark Simmonds finds that making time for exercise is vital for his mental health. Using his spare room during the lockdown, he has set up a routine that involves a cupboard, a wall and the floor – no need for YouTube videos or expensive equipment! He has turned his spare […]
Anandi Lack of sleep will not only affect your chances of picking up coronavirus, but also how well you recover from it. In simple terms, when you have an infection, inflammation rises in the body. If you remain stressed and not sleeping, your body will not be able to reduce the inflammation efficiently. Your immune […]
Mindfulness coach Terrence the Teacher has a breathing exercise for us that has been proven to help us relax very quickly. This exercise can be used for people suffering from panic attacks or anxiety, or if we feel very stressed. You can also listen to a podcast from Terrence here.
The current situation is extremely troubling for people with mental illnesses, says author and professor Andrew Solomon. Some people can weather the storm, but those who already have a diagnosis of acute anxiety or depression are likely to be triggered. “Part of our daily project is to prevent the rational anxiety we feel […]
Head Talks ambassador Katie Phillips gives us a journalling practice for us to do every day. This will help us make sense of our thoughts and worries.
Show complete list
