Talking about Mental Wellbeing.
Here we are blogging about mental wellbeing and everything related. We welcome your questions and comments. If you have a particular topic you would like us to bring up for discussion please feel free to contact us via ‘contact us’ page. We kindly ask that the comments and discussions on here remain respectful to all.
Thanks, VYM x
- WHY COMPASSION CAN IMPROVE OUR MENTAL WELL-BEING & HOW TO BECOME MORE SELF-COMPASSIONATE
WHY COMPASSION CAN IMPROVE OUR MENTAL WELL-BEING AND HOW TO BECOME MORE SELF-COMPASSIONATE What is compassion? Compassion is a feeling of care and empathy for another and one’s self; with a desire to help reduce or alleviate the suffering. It is important to note that although empathy is one of the qualities of compassion, (as you will see Compassion Focused Therapy later identifies); Compassion takes… - Top 5 Tips for Managing Coronavirus Anxiety
Top 5 Tips for Managing Coronavirus Anxiety This blog accompanies a podcast episode, ‘Managing Coronavirus Anxiety.’ If you would prefer to listen than read please head over to either I tunes and subscribe or Spotify, or any other podcast platform you use, and search ‘Calm Mind Confident Life.’ Or just tap on the links at the bottom of this blog. Anxiety is something… - Why Meditation is Healing: The Science
This blog is part of the podcast episode on why meditation is healing. If you would like to listen to a healing meditation head over to the podcast and listen. So as you know, I am a massive advocate of meditation and most people know meditation is good for us; that chance for us to stop and pause, to take a moment to… - Is Solitude Important for Mental Wellbeing?
Is Solitude Important for Mental Wellbeing? There are two people in life; those who crave solitude and those who thrive off being with other people. Or at least so they say. We all know those people though don’t we. I have a friend who loves his own company so much so that i’m not sure he even actually likes other people. He feels… - Is Social Media Making You Depressed
Is Social Media Making You Depressed? I recently wrote a guest feature article for the wonderful Calmia Magazine where I talk about the impact of social media on our mental wellbeing and share my top three tips on how you can manage this. CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE HERE I think most of us are pretty wise to how social media can impact our… - Can SUP Boarding Reduce Stress?
CAN SUP BOARDING REDUCE STRESS Today I am talking to you about the trend that is hitting the costal corners of the UK by storm… (a very calm chilled out storm that is), SUP boarding. That’s stand up paddle boarding to those of us who don’t yet hang out in the cool gang. In fact, the independent recently reported it to be one… - Mango, Ginger & Cashew Balls
Oh boy, you have to be careful not to scoff these little mango, ginger & Cashew balls all in one go! I came up with this creation due to two reasons, a) I have a little mango obsession at the moment and b) I am trying to cut down my refined sugar intake to help with annoying symptoms I get from PCOS (Polycystic… - What Do I Want From Life?
What do I want from life? Finding yourself asking ‘what do I want from life’ and coming out even more confused than when you started? I know I certainly have, and somehow it feels even more confusing now I’ve turned 30 (quietly ignoring the fact that it’s actually more like 31 now. #stoptheclockplease). Five years ago I wanted lots of things but time was… - Cardamom & Lemon Calming Balls
Don’t you just love it when an idea works first time. These little beauties are just that. Cardamom and lemon Cacao balls are one of those creations that went literally from idea, to making it, to eating it, in minutes. (Scroll to bottom for recipe). Cardamom and lemon cacao balls were born from the fact that I have a rather sweet tooth and this unhelpfully usually strikes in… - Christmas Wellness Gift Guide
Christmas Wellness Gift Guide I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, (especially as I’m writing from the very hot India) but… yup, it’s that time of year again! CHRISTMAS! Is it me or did this year fly by. Although to be honest I think I say that every year. Argh someone needs to invent a way to slow stuff down. But, on the… - Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup
Yummy yummy yummy! Now the weather’s turned there’s nothing better than getting some earthy veg together and slow cooking it into a delicious soup. Good for the soul, good for the heart and definitely good for the belly! I initially created this soup without the lentils but noticing my belly was in need of more of a ‘meal soup’, I recently decided to… - The happiest festival award goes to….
HAPPIEST FESTIVAL AWARD GOES TO….. So this week it’s been back to reality with a cold, autumnal bump following the most colourful end of summer parties yet. Bestival 2017. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not ready to accept that it is the end of the summer (I mean have we even had one?) but, if it’s got to end, then in my… - Turmeric Latte
The hot new drink on the health scene, Turmeric latte. I know, if you haven’t tasted a Turmeric Latte yet, it does sound a bit ominous. I mean turmeric is usually for curries, right? But trust me, it’s worth a try. For one, introducing a daily consumption of turmeric into your diet is definitely a winner, but it really does taste delicious too…. - Top Relaxation Apps for Your Mood
TOP RELAXATION APPS The last month I have been busy trialling and reviewing apps to improve your mood for this top relaxation apps list. Some new, some old. Some rubbish and some, I have to say, pretty damn good! I don’t know about you, but I have a bit of a love hate relationship with technology and apps; sometimes I strongly believe they… - Nutmeg & Coconut Granola
My latest granola creation. I think the combination of nutmeg, maple and coconut is a real winner. The way it tastes to the way it fills the kitchen with the it’s heart warming smells, makes it a perfect soul comforter. If you haven’t yet given homemade granola a bash, TRY IT. It’s so simple and a million times better than shop bought cereals,… - Cauliflower Rice & Pomegranate SaladI have literally just discovered the wonders of cauliflower rice and now I make a big batch every couple of weeks. Put half in the freezer and with the rest make a few mid week meals. Here I use the cauliflower rice as a base for a deliciously mood boosting salad but feel free to pick and choose what you want to add…
- Wellness at Festivals ~ Guide & Review
WELLNESS AT FESTIVALS It’s that time of year again! Time to don your wellies, stock up on whatever alcohol is left on the supermarket shelf, find the tent (I swear I never remember where I put it last) and get your dancing feet ready. Yup, it’s festival season. And this year I am very excited to be reviewing my favourite two things, mental wellness… - Courgette & Cauliflower Vegan Fritters
These courgette and cauliflower vegan fritters are so quintessentially VYM; They are incredibly easy, amazingly healthy and of course, packed with many wonderful properties for the brain. I typically don’t eat that much cauliflower, probably because I always liken it to cauliflower cheese and that’s about as far as my imagination goes with it. But what with having bored myself with sweet potatoes and… - Vegan Japanese Ramen
This is a super quick, veg packed dish and a great way of getting in some of those 5 a day. Using soba or rice noodles means there’s no wheat to cause that blotted feeling. In fact this dish is all about restoring your energy and leaving the digestive system feeling lighter and clearer. You can be pretty inventive too. I like to… - The power of to-do lists….
The Power of To-do Lists Confession. I am a to-do list obsessive. I write to-do lists for everything; work, shopping, places to go, recipes to make, things to watch, reminders for the day, reminders for the week. The list is endless! I don’t think writing to-do lists is born from me being a particularly organised character or anything; I mean I have learnt to… - Spinach, Pea and Mint Soup
One of the many things I love about winter is homemade soup. It’s such a simple way of getting lots of goodness in you and I find a real good soup, like this spinach, pea and mint soup, truly does have the ability to warm the heart. The pea and mint soup combo was actually inspired by a favourite summer salad of mine – pea,… - Six Easy Ways to Practise Mindfulness
Six Easy Ways to Practise Mindfulness The hot new word of the moment, ‘mindfulness.’ But do we actually know what it means? I’ve had so many people ask me about mindfulness – ‘What is it?’ ‘How can it help?’ ‘What’s the difference between mindfulness and meditation?’ ‘I can’t meditate so does that mean I can’t practise mindfulness?’ What is an idea of simplicity,… - Avocado Cashew Pesto
This is a classic VYM recipe; it’s super quick, majorly tasty and a one blooming good mood enhancer. You might have heard about the ‘healthy fats’ in avocado’s and wondered what’s so healthy about it; well, healthy fats have this amazing ability of increasing dopamine and improving blood flow to the brain. In doing this our brains work better, our memories improve, our ability to absorb… - Mushroom Stroganoff
If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, comforting bowl of creamy deliciousness then this right here is your answer. It’s a quick supper dish that works for the solo you or a whole gang of friends and family. I serve it with pearl barley but basmati rice is a winner too. Or if you want to give your soul an even bigger hug…