Mental Health

HAPPY HEADS RETREAT

“I have just finished the Happy Heads Autumn Retreat and really cannot recommend it highly enough. As someone with a chronic neurological condition I have suffered with worry, self-doubt and anxiety most of my adult life. Kim delivers the sessions in a very calm and gentle manner and she has such a reassuring way about her which really helped me to believe I could achieve what I wanted to. The retreat left me feeling truly empowered. If you want to make a change in your life then I urge you to try it for yourself. “

Thank-you so much to everyone who joined the Happy Heads Autumn Retreat it was an absolute pleasure teaching you all. I designed this retreat to help you completely transform your wellbeing and the feedback has been incredible. Don’t worry if you missed out the retreat was recorded and is now available to buy and own forever with 50% off!

Each Sunday i’ll send you the 1.5hr recorded workshop that will help you delve deeper into what you really want and overcome any self doubt that may be holding you back. Every workshop includes insight into the brain and topic, breathing techniques, guided meditation and Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping).

Self Love & Set Intentions

Overcome Negative Beliefs

Manifest the Life you Want 

Step into your Power

On the Monday you’ll receive a support email that has all the key insights from what you learnt, a meditation recording for you to use and a weekly (easily doable) practice to help you integrate the tools and techniques into your day. I’ll be available to contact throughout the retreat should you have any questions at all. So if you want to give your mind and energy a reset this is the retreat for you!

HAPPY HEADS MONTHLY RESET - GRIEF SUPPORT NOW LIVE!

When darkness surrounds you.png

This months Happy Heads Reset is all about supporting anyone grieving right now. It will give you an insight into grief and how it can manifest for you both emotionally and physically, a video showing a tapping meditation to use to help process grief when it arises, tips on how to manage grief and a guided meditation called ‘Wise Words’ that will help you reconnect to your loved one. Follow the link at the top of the page to sign up and you’ll receive it straight away 👆🏼xx
.
.
.
#grief #grieving #griefsupport #sadness #mentalhealth #wellbeing #happiness #process #emotions #meditation #tapping #efttapping #griefjourney #breathe #breath #happyheads #life #pause

HAPPY HEADS AUTUMN RETREAT 26th Sept - 17th Oct

Autumn Retreat Square.png

The Happy Heads Heads Autumn Retreat is only 9 days away now and is not something you want to miss! It’s been designed to help you transform your wellbeing after a mentally exhausting year and to make it easily manageable it's set across 4 weekends.
.
Each Sunday @3pm there will be a 1.5hr LIVE workshop that will help you delve deeper into what you really want and overcome any self doubt that may be holding you back. Every workshop includes insight into the brain and topic, breathing techniques, guided meditation and Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping).

Sun September 26th - Self Love & Set Intentions

Sun October 3rd - Overcome Negative Beliefs

Sun October 10th - Manifest the Life you Want

Sun October 17th - Step into your Power

After the workshops you’ll receive a support email that has all the key insights from what you learnt, a meditation recording for you to use and a weekly (easily doable) practice to help you integrate the tools and techniques into your day. Each one will be recorded so if you miss one you can always catch up.
.
It’s been designed to completely transform your wellbeing (mind, body & soul) but can also be done individually and you can choose the workshop you would like to attend. You can check out the wonderful testimonials from the last one in my previous post.
.
To book on follow the link HERE or get in touch kim@happyheads.me xx
.
.
.
#transformation #wellbeing #mentalhealth #retreat #wellness #meditation #meditate #breathwork #breathe #breath #eft #tapping #emotionalintelligence #retreat #autumn #healing #transform #wellness #wellnesscoach #happyheads

SUICIDE PREVENTION 🖤

IMG_5718.jpeg

This is what depression looks like. This is a picture of my lovely dad, looking very happy, not too long before he killed himself. That's the problem with depression you can't always tell from the outside when people are suffering and people can wear their 'i'm ok' masks very well.
.
Anyone that takes their own life is ultimately struggling deeply with their mental health and most likely very depressed. Of course the route courses for each individual are completely different but this is why people reach a point where they find life too unbearable to live.
.
I WISH my dad had felt that it was ok to talk and realised that you CAN transform your mental health but you need to start looking after your brain and process the things that you're struggling with. Some people say that suicide is selfish and quite honestly trying to tell a 7 year old who felt abandoned by her father that it's not selfish would have been a very difficult task.
.
It was only when I lost my own mental health to burnout that I truly realised what it felt like to be depressed and realised that it's so much more complex. In that moment my dad felt like he couldn't go on any more, it wasn't selfish and I was able to forgive him.
.
So if you're struggling right now please remember that you 100% can improve your mental health, it just takes some loving care and there are people available right now to help you on your journey. Contact samaritans on: 116 113
.
If you're worried about someone then NOW is the time to reach out and check in. It's easy to isolate yourself when you're struggling so be the person that they need today. My dad is a driving force behind why I teach - no one should ever feel like life is no longer worth living.
.
.
.
#mentalhealth #wellbeing #suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawarness #suicideawarenessmonth #depression #mind #meditation #meditate #happyheads #itsoktonotbeok #itsokaytonotbeokay #reachout

BEAT BURNOUT

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Add a global pandemic to people feeling like they have to be working 24/7 it’s no surprise that so many people are struggling right now.

Watch this video to see a simple breathing and tapping technique to engage your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and relaxation) the opposite of fight and flight, which is what we go into when we're stresses and anxious.

For more support in the workplace or a private session please get in touch kim@happyheads.me xx

5 Signs of Burnout

The past year has been hugely difficult and burnout continues to be something that people are struggling with so it's never been more important to prioritise the mental wellbeing of your staff and Mental Health Awareness Week is fast approaching (May 10th - 16th).

Happy Heads workshop are the perfect way to help staff nurture their mental fitness and make them feel fully supported. Each workshops is 1hr and and can cover a HUGE range of mental health and wellbeing topics. They can be tailored to the needs of your company and include:

- Insight into the brain and topic
- Breathing techniques to calm and soothe both body and mind
- Guided meditation to help release worries and bring your brain back into balance
- Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) a powerful way to release tension held in both body and mind and overcome anxious, negative thoughts

For more information get in touch kim@happyheads.me xx
.
.
.
#mentalhealth #burnout #staffwellbeing #corporateworkshop #staffwellness #burnoutprevention #meditation #meditate #emotionalfreedomtechnique #efttapping #tapping #wellbeing #selfcare #wellness

MENTAL HEALTH POSTPARTUM

photo13.jpg

“Postnatal Depression was an overwhelming feeling of isolation and fear. It crept up gradually. There was a constant battle going on in my head: biologically I have to look after this small human but I don’t want to be here” Sarah

Becoming a parent is one of the most life changing things you can ever experience. Nothing can really prepare you for how your life is going to change, the love that you’re going to experience and the new situations you’re going to face. In many ways, it's a magical journey but it's also both mentally and physically challenging, pushing you to new limits you never thought possible. You’re functioning on little to no sleep, trying to keep a tiny human alive, your body is still healing from birth, hormones are changing, if you’re a new parent you’re trying to work everything out minute by minute, breastfeeding is often painful to start, you may be recovering from a traumatic birth. On top of all this, many women have partners that go back to work after just two weeks, there are so many reasons why a women's mental health is incredibly vulnerable after birth. Gone are the days when a whole village would help nurture BOTH baby and mother after birth so it’s no surprise that many women struggle with their mental health postpartum. Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners - NHS

"I had PND for about 6 weeks post birth. I felt overwhelmed with sadness, like a black cloud was over my head and I had no control over it. I didn’t want to feel sad. I couldn’t sleep or relax, I became withdrawn and I cried everyday for no particular reason. I felt drained physically and emotionally” Ella

The baby blues are very common in the first two weeks and I myself remember around day 4 sobbing from extreme pain and exhaustion. My tummy hurt from the major surgery (I’d had a c section as my baby was breach and couldn’t walk properly for about 10 days), I was exhausted, my nipples were cracked and bleeding and I hated the fact I couldn’t pick my baby up properly. Thankfully this was just one day and I was able to put all my calming tools to good use but I can 100% see how easy it is to feel overwhelmed, which is why I want to normalise the conversation around maternal mental health.

"At my lowest point I was devastated. I honestly thought I had ruined my life and I’d never be happy again. I wondered if my family would ever forgive me if I gave my baby up for adoption” Sarah

I wanted to understand Post Natal Depression and the other postpartum mental health problem's in more detail so I spoke with four incredible women about their journey. After all my research and speaking with these women, this is what I've learnt:

PND can affect anyone, even if you have had no previous experience with poor mental health 

PND symptoms can really vary depending on the person but may include:

  • Trouble sleeping even when completely exhausted - potential hallucinations from lack of sleep

  • Difficulty bonding with your baby & then feelings of guilt for experiencing that emotion 

  • A deep feeling of loneliness

  • Overwhelmed with sadness, like a black cloud is over your head

  • Constantly anxious, unable to relax - potential panic attacks

  • Feeling very withdrawn and then withdrawing from others

  • Physically and mentally drained

  • Physical symptoms may be - tightness in the chest, sore back, headaches, stomach pains, constantly tense, tight jaw, butterflies in tummy, tight throat...

  • Frightening thoughts such as harming your baby

  • Not feeling like you’re a capable mum, like your baby deserves better

  • Doubting your capabilities as a mother 

It can happen gradually without you realising it's happening: 

 "Even though I knew I wasn’t feeling right I never for once thought that I had PND, it just crept up on me slowly” Yvonne

Postnatal Psychosis is more rare but very serious and may include - feelings of mania, feeling depressed, hallucinating, confused, disorientated…

"Within the first three days after giving birth I had not managed to sleep more than a few hours. My mental health deteriorated rapidly and I lost touch with the world around me. I started having both visual and auditory hallucinations along with mania symptoms. There was no mother and baby unit available so I was sectioned within my own house so I could keep my baby with me. My husband and mother cared for both me and my baby and the mental health crisis team visited 4 times a day to give me medication and check how everyone was doing” Holly 

You don’t have to have had a traumatic birth to experience PND or Postpartum Psychosis but it can be a trigger:

 "I had a traumatic birth which resulted in an emergency C-section and found the recovery very difficult. At the time I didn’t feel like my partner understood how much pain I was in physically and mentally, which also made it harder for me”  Ella

 "Birth was traumatic and painful. I felt like I would be failing to have pain relief and so I suffered through 3 days. Towards the end my baby got stuck and she wasn’t breathing when she was born. I swore I would never do it again”  Sarah

“The birth was a positive one. I was able to have the birth as I had planned" - Holly 

Most mums struggle to talk about it through feelings of guilt and confusion that they should be feeling different:

 "I was really confused with my feelings and scared to open up” Sarah

 "I remember feeling so guilty and upset that my girls got me as a Mammy, that they deserved so much better” Yvonne

 "I was confused as to why I was so sad - after all, I had just had a baby which I had been dreaming of for years - but I just couldn’t shake it off” Ella

Every mother I spoke to had a very different journey but the emotions they experienced were all incredibly similar so if you’ve been feeling any of the above - you are not alone! The great news is, nearly all of them were able to overcome PND and Postpartum Psychosis or at least feel like they are coming through the other side but no more feelings of overwhelm.

So if you can relate to any of the above here are a few things you can do/remember:

  • Your baby will still love you no matter what, you are the centre of their universe

  • Speaking to someone is the first step in getting help - reach out to your local midwife, GP or trusted friend. Contact free helplines such as PANDAS UK (0808 1961 776), Mind (0300 123 3393) or contact me kim@happyheads.me 

  • Remember that you are not alone, so many women feel the same and we all need to start normalising talking about maternal mental health to help mothers through this huge transition

  • Your emotions are all valid - being depressed does not make you a bad person or mean you are going crazy

  • Being a mother is exhausting and hard - you are doing an amazing job even though you may not feel like it

  • Your brain is soft wired not hard wired, you won’t feel like this forever and you can transform your mental health with some gentle support 

  • Just because you have one bad moment with your child does not mean they will hate you. Rupture and repair is a key part of parenting, you have endless opportunities to love and support your little one

  • Remember that you are human, it’s ok to have bad days. Be kind to yourself, always

  • Never compare your parenting to someone else’s - especially on social media where you’ll only see the filtered pictures of what is a whole other parenting story

  • Prioritise your self care - it’s essential that you put your self care as a top priority when you become a mum. It doesn’t need to be for long each day but it’s absolutely vital you nurture your own energy

  • Follow happyheads.me for daily hints and tips on how to look after your mental health. If you go to my IGTV series there are several videos where I show you how to meditate with your baby

  • Watch the video below to see a simple breathing technique and Emotional Freedom Technique to help deepen your breathing, calm your nervous system and reframe any negative thoughts

HAPPY HEADS SUPPORT 

If you are struggling in any way here are a few ways I can help:

PND Support Sessions 

I’m going to be running regular online support sessions for women who have struggled with PND and maternal mental health. This will be a safe space for mothers to nurture their wellbeing, process their emotions, rebuild their confidence and ultimately be the best versions of themselves. They will be online sessions, so easy to join from home. If this is something that you’re interested and would like some more information then please get in touch kim@happyheads.me

Parent Wellbeing - Online Course

I have an 8 week online course that has been specifically designed for parents to reduce stress and anxiety,  release self doubt, overcome negative thoughts and improve sleep (the little that you do get). It’s filled with meditations, breathing techniques, Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), visualisations, understanding the brain and so much more. All created so that you can fit it around your daily routine. Click here for more info x

Pregnancy Birth and Beyond - Online Course

This 12 week course has been designed to support you throughout the whole perinatal journey. Ensuring you remain as calm and relaxed as your baby grows through pregnancy, empowering and preparing you for labour and supporting you postpartum. It’s also filled with guided meditations, breathing techniques, Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), visualisations, understanding birth and labour, knowing how your brain works and so much more. You’ll come away with a giant 'tool box of calm’ to use whenever you need along your parenting journey. Click here for more info x

Happy Heads - One to One

Private session are a great way for you to work on your own personal needs. For private sessions I’ll send out some questions and then tailor it to your exact needs. It will include breathing techniques, guided meditation and a full round of Emotional Freedom Technique. I teach from my flat in Dalston or via Skype.

I want to stay a HUGE thank you to the women that helped me write this article. Their honesty and journeys are inspiring and I am so grateful they got in touch. Here are some of their words of hope for anyone that needs to hear them right now:

"While you are in the middle of things it can seem like there is no way out but it does get better. It will always be apart of you and your story but so will the determination to carry on despite the now". Holly

"You’re doing everything right. Just keep going, your reward is coming, that little person will hug you back soon” Sarah

"You are not alone! There is help out there. There are mothers that understand how you feel. Seek it, talk about it, and remember that you are doing a great job!” Ella

"I know that it can be the loneliest of places even if you are surrounded by people but you are not alone in the way you are feeling. Ask for help today, I promise it’s the first step in feeling like yourself again” Yvonne

Sending so much love to all the incredible mothers out there trying their best every day, parenting is hard but you are doing an amazing job! Let’s all support each other through this crazy journey and normalise talking about maternal mental health - because it matters.

Kim

Xxx