All year we look forward to summer, keeping our fingers crossed that there will be sun! Summer presents its own stresses. Summer brings with it the ideals of relaxation and enjoying long summers evenings.

Yet we still need to work. We still need to pay bills. Routines set from September to May changed for everyone, not just those with kids. We still need to mind our physical and mental health. We’re doing this while our body’s trying to adjust to higher temperatures.

The sun is fantastic, it really does lift our spirits. However, a common thing I hear from people who stop coming for regular sessions during summer is, “I shouldn’t have stopped coming, I still needed to manage stress”. The sun on its own doesn’t warm our stress away. We still need to practise the same self-care we practiced earlier in the year.

All year around, we need to practice self-care to keep minding our minds. Rest well and find a way to get a good night’s sleep. This may mean investing in a fan to keep the bedroom cool. Exercise and move your body. Find the right exercise for you in the heat of summer. Get curious about solutions to issues rather than focusing on the problem. Meet up with a friend for a good catch-up or to clear your head.

For stress management and mental health contact Tracy from Relax From Stress Holistic Centre on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie.

Published in the Connaught Telegraph newspaper on 27 June 2017.

Being honest with ourselves is a tough gift to give ourselves. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like a gift. When we are truly honest with ourselves, then we can begin to grow.

We all have little habits that we use to stop us from being honest with ourselves about our real feelings, behaviours and motivations. Some people keep busy with work, either at home or at work. Others reach for a something to eat, stuffing down feelings. Others over-exercise or even get involved in other people’s business.

Not being honest with ourselves can lead to relationship problems, financial problems, and health problems because we don’t want to change. We would prefer for things to stay the way they are than put in the work to change them. When we’re honest with ourselves, it means we have work to do. We need to have a conversation with someone, or we need to find help for our financial or health problems.

Being honest with ourselves like start of a movie, where the problem is identified. The middle part is the messy part where people attempt to find a solution. After working through the sticky part, the happy solution is found at the end of the movie.
Whatever you’re avoiding today, remember you can’t find a happy solution without the sticky middle.

To attend a Mind Your Mind workshop on mental health contact Tracy from Relax From Stress Holistic Centre on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie.

Published in the Connaught Telegraph newspaper on 20 June 2017

Last week I interviewed Lorraine Toner for her tips about minding your mind. Lorraine is a very busy lady. She is a Community Fundraiser, Mid-West Region with the Irish Cancer Society, a local Zumba teacher, involved with the Mayo Athletic Club and makes time for family and friends.
Lorraine is someone who thrives under a little pressure. She says good organising and time management is her key to staying on top of things. She uses IT, such as her phone’s calendar, to manage her busy life.
Through awareness Lorraine knows when she’s stressed and needs a time-out to refocus. When she feels tired, is unable to focus or even feels forgetful, she knows it’s time to take some self-care action. Lorraine minds her mind by talking to her husband, family and friends, and she takes an hour to exercise by herself. Running or swimming by herself for an hour is a way Lorraine refocuses her energy. She also says it’s important to have something to look forward to.
I asked Lorraine what advice she would give to herself three years ago. Her answer is something we all can practice, we can’t be everything to everyone. It’s good to be realistic about what we can offer and try to manage people’s expectations. Celebrate the small wins. Every little achievement adds to the bigger target.
To attend a Mind Your Mind workshop on mental health contact Tracy from Relax From Stress Holistic Centre on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie.
Published in Connaught Telegraph newspaper on 13 June 2017

Last year I spoke to Jill Holtz, a founder of mykidstime.ie and a very busy businesswoman and mother about managing stress.
Jill and co-founder Michelle Davitt set up mykidstime.ie in 2007. It started as a listing directory and is now a high-quality content website to help parents raise their children. Jill loves helping parents and business owners through her work, and that she can manage her work to spend time with her own children.
Jill used the word focused to describe how she manages time. She talked about personal strength that has helped her to manage herself in business. For time management, Jill and her team hold a weekly accountability session. This is a planning session where the each set three main tasks to complete during the week. She also chunks her time to get through her work.
Jill’s stress management strategies include exercise, a book club, not taking too much on by saying no and walking her dog. The dog gives Jill a reason to take regular walks. The most important things in Jill’s life are family, friends, things she enjoys, books, music, travel, and networking.
Jill’s top tip for mental health is to find someone to talk to about what’s going on. Especially for business owners, it’s good to have a person can vent to and talk to about things.
For more information about minding your mind contact Tracy from Relax From Stress Holistic Centre on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie.
Published in the Connaught Telegraph newspaper on 6 June 2017.