DDN May 2017 DDN March2018 | Page 15

Therapy Get connected with yourself Once again we were lucky to have Lois Skilleter and Sam Lofthouse offering therapy taster sessions at the DDN conference. Here Lois offers some self-help tips G et connected: what a great theme for a conference! Networking and support groups are invaluable ways to build our confidence and meet like-minded people – and getting connected with ourselves is another very valid interpretation of this theme. Learning to know yourself, to be able to read physical, mental and emotional ‘symptoms’ and to work out what our body/mind/spirit is trying to tell us, is a really important aspect of living a fulfilling life. Being able to help yourself is so empowering, so here are a few self-help tips to help with some of the common issues we as therapists encounter so often. Meditation and mindfulness are really ‘in’ at the moment, and for good reasons – they’re an excellent way to deal with stress and anxiety. Mindfulness is simply a form of meditation in which we stay ‘in the moment’, recognising that the past is over and done with, and the future has not happened yet. The only time we have is the ‘now’, and that is where we need to try to live. So to help you to be in the moment: Mindfulness is simply a form of meditation in which we stay ‘in the moment’. • STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING. Close your eyes and take a deep breath, being aware of the cold air entering your nostrils and the movement of your chest and abdomen as the breath moves down into your body. Pause for a few seconds, then exhale slowly, being aware of the warm air leaving your nostrils. Keep your focus on the breath: If a thought comes into your mind, notice it and then let it go. Continue for a few more breaths and notice how you feel. • LOOK AROUND YOU. Don’t engage with anything but just make a mental note of what you see. Now close your eyes, and check what sounds you can hear around you, including the sound of your own breathing. Move your awareness to your sense of touch; now your sense of smell; and finally, your sense of taste. • TRY AND MAKE SMALL EVERYDAY TASKS MINDFUL. So for instance, when washing up, how does the water feel on your hands? Listen to the sound of the tap running and look at the patterns the water makes. www.drinkanddrugsnews.com Massage and acupressure can be used to help with various minor discomforts and to support your everyday life. Being able to ease discomfort is a useful skill to have and can empower you to help yourself. • FOR A HEADACHE: sit still and breathe deeply. Place the middle fingers on