Kirsten Fraser Therapy

So true!!😌💗🥰

Healing doesn't come in a straight line, it comes in ebbs and flows, one day we can feel on top of the world, we've got this!! We can do this! And then the next day getting out of bed and facing the world can feel like a mountain climb...with an avalanche!

It's important at these times to be so kind to ourselves, to recognise that in those moments we need more time, space, love and compassion, both self and from others. It is part of the process, so equally important is that it is not to be looked upon as a failure, or as a step backwards.

In those moments, be extra loving and caring and take each moment as it comes ❤

I just came across this by and omg YES!!! Had to share and want to shout it from the rooftops!

New on the Blog today

☀️ Sunshine is the best accessory for the perfect day

https://www.kirstenfraser.co.uk/post/sunshine-is-the-best-accessory-for-a-perfect-day

It can be tempting to try to fix everything straightaway, but try to focus at first on really listening and providing emotional support. Simply listening can go a long way.

It is not uncommon to believe that in order to improve our mental and physical well being, we need to do more and add more! Try harder, be better, accomplish more!

However, more often the case is to do less...to slow down, to take away, to remove...

More is not always the answer, a lot of the time its best for less xx

Helping young people understand how their brains work is not only empowering but also essential for mental well-being. By unraveling the mysteries of their minds, they gain valuable insights into handling emotions and thoughts, making daily challenges less confusing. This knowledge fosters self-awareness, normalizes common experiences, and encourages a compassionate approach to mental health (theirs and others!)

Picture a young person learning about their brain and realizing that a panic attack is not a sign of weakness but a natural response to stress. Understanding that the brain's "fight or flight" response can sometimes misfire and trigger intense physical sensations can make the experience feel less mysterious and frightening.

With this knowledge, the young person can start to understand the panic attack as a temporary and manageable reaction, rather than an overwhelming threat. This understanding can empower them to implement calming techniques, seek support, and ultimately make panic attacks feel less scary and more controllable.

Image Credit: Journey to Wellness

Elevate your well-being with the nurturing effects of warmth on your nervous system. Heat causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin and muscles. This can improve circulation and promote relaxation. The improvement in blood flow also helps in delivering more oxygen and nutrients to cells, aiding in the overall function of the body.

If we experience emotional neglect, emotional wounds, rejection, hurt, betrayal, or emotional dismissal, and this trauma remains unacknowledged and addressed, a part of our emotional self (capacity/energy) becomes unavailable to us (Frozen) and when it is unavailable to us, it is unavailable to life, relationships and growth

Not receiving an A* for your school work, did not mean you got an F….Not achieving 100% does not mean you got 0%...Not receiving a First Class Honours, did not mean you didn’t graduate in your chosen field…Not being chosen to be the goal scoring striker, does not mean you are not on the team…

When “Perfection” is not attainable, that does not automatically result in failure! There is space and time for progress, for growth and more to achieve and enjoy, more to learn and more to love…

Stop beating yourself up when perfection is unattainable, Perfection is the enemy of Progress…and we are all a work in progress, growing, evolving and constantly moving forwards….Keep going

https://www.kirstenfraser.co.uk/masteringmindfulness

We spend a lot of time pondering over what we “believe” people think of us…and I would guess that we don’t believe it to be good…how would it change your life if you knew just how loved, appreciated and special you truly are ♥️

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.
Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.
It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.
That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.
On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another.
That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.
The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.
'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'
Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'
All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'
Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.'
'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary'
Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.
The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.
So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.
~ Unknown

Also read this

https://kindly9.com/after-growing-up-in-the-foster-care-system-a-single-father-adopts-three-sons/

We're all learning as we go... ❤
(quote: mr.alexwolfe on IG)

Happy New Year!!! Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with laughter, bright sunshine, fewer tears & worry and lots of love to warm your heart! Here's a little inspo for our teens to start 2024 off right! 💙🧡💛

New data from NHS England, published this week…. This is now at crisis point!

When she was a little girl
they told her she was beautiful
but it had no meaning
in her world of bicycles
and pigtails
and adventures in make-believe.

Later, she hoped she was beautiful
as boys started taking notice
of her friends
and phones rang for
Saturday night dates.

She felt beautiful on her wedding day,
hopeful with her
new life partner by her side
but, later,
when her children called
her beautiful,
she was often exhausted,
her hair messily tied back,
no make up,
wide in the waist
where it used to be narrow;
she just couldn’t take it in.

Over the years, as she tried,
in fits and starts,
to look beautiful,
she found other things
to take priority,
like bills
and meals,
as she and her life partner
worked hard
to make a family,
to make ends meet,
to make children into adults,
to make a life.

Now,
she sat.
Alone.
Her children grown,
her partner flown,
and she couldn’t remember
the last time
she was called beautiful.

But she was.

It was in every line on her face,
in the strength of her arthritic hands,
the ampleness that had
a million hugs imprinted
on its very skin,
and in the jiggly thighs and
thickened ankles
that had run her race for her.

She had lived her life with a loving
and generous heart,
had wrapped her arms
around so many to
to give them comfort and peace.
Her ears had
heard both terrible news
and lovely songs,
and her eyes
had brimmed with,
oh, so many tears,
they were now bright
even as they dimmed.

She had lived and she was.
And because she was,
she was made beautiful.

Author: Suzanne Reynolds, © 2019

Photo credit: Nina Djaerff
Model: Marit Rannveig Haslestad

A very good read for parents, especially when it’s tough x

Hey Mom, Please Keep Pursuing Me - Raising Teens Today Hey Mom, please keep pursuing me. Please don't give up on me. Stay close to me. I need you now more than ever. ~your teen

Yes!!!
Mental Health Awareness Life