First Psychology blog

Life is full of ups and downs, and building resilience is crucial to navigating its challenges. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt to change and keep going in the face of hardship. It's not just about avoiding stress but learning how to cope with it in a healthy way. According to a study published by Vanderbilt University Medical Center , characteristics required for building resilience are split into three themes, including attitude, resilience skill development and a healthy lifestyle. Understanding resilience Resilience isn't a trait people are born with; it can be developed through thoughts, behaviours, and actions. It's about creating a toolkit of strategies that help you manage stress and recover from setbacks. Resilient individuals tend to have a positive outlook, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to maintain perspective in difficult situations. 1. Keep a positive mindset A positive mindset is the foundation of resilience. It i...

Embracing the changing seasons is a powerful way to enhance our wellbeing. Each season brings its own unique energy, challenges, and opportunities for growth. By aligning ourselves with these natural rhythms, we can cultivate a deeper sense of balance, mindfulness, and joy in our lives. Here’s how you can embrace each season and harness its benefits for your wellbeing. Spring: renewal and growth As nature awakens from its winter slumber, we can embrace this season of new beginnings. The longer days and warmer weather invite us to spend more time outdoors, reconnecting with nature and soaking up the rejuvenating energy of the sun. Tips for embracing spring Get active outdoors. Take advantage of the mild weather to engage in outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or gardening. Physical activity in nature boosts mood and energy levels. Spring cleaning. Use this time to declutter your living space. A clean, organised environment can reduce stress and create a sense of calm. Set new goals...

While some people continually seek out new adventures or experiences in life, others find it easier and less stressful to maintain a peaceful life of comfort and dependability. However, whichever way of life you intend to live, life inevitably throws us curveballs that are out of our control and we may face unwelcome changes that we aren’t mentally prepared for. There are lots of situations where you could find yourself facing change, for example: You might have been made redundant from your job A close family member or friend might have passed away You may have to sell your home and move somewhere new An unforeseen accident might have left you unable to continue with your usual routine. Whatever the reason for change in your life, when it happens unexpectedly and you aren’t mentally prepared, it can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety and even depression. These kinds of unexpected stressful events are also believed to be the cause of adjustment disorder. Embracing change Firstly, it’s i...

How is your life at present? Are you happy, or is there somewhere you’d rather be? Perhaps you have your eye on a promotion, new career direction, university course, new hobby or skill, or want to move home or country. Work out where you want to be and what steps you need to get there. Then start leaping like a lord!  Read more about goalsetting here >

2020 has been a tough year for everyone, and it has had devastating effects besides physical illness. Owing to lockdown and businesses being unable to operate as normal, many people have found themselves not only in extremely difficult financial situations but in some cases, out of work. If you or someone you know has recently lost their job and is struggling with their mental wellbeing, we have some useful tips that could help you get back on your feet and feeling in a more positive state of mind. There’s no denying, losing your job can seriously impact your health and wellbeing. As well as being faced with the worry of paying your bills and rent or keeping up mortgage repayments, it can leave you feeling rejected, hopeless, and feeling as though you have lost your identity. In the short term you might feel stressed, anxious, or angry and if you don’t find ways to cope with these emotions, it could lead to long term depression. The emotions you may experience after losing your job are...

Change in our lives is inevitable, yet it can still be a troubling thought for some of us. According to literature on stress and coping, there is no such thing as an inherently difficult life transition, so what is it about changes in our lives that we find so challenging? Well, research has shown that the reason we can struggle with transitions, is because of the mindset we apply to the situation at hand. Life transitions that can feel particularly difficult to deal with include leaving home, starting a new job, and divorce. Achieving a positive mindset in all of these situations is not always easy, however, there are ways we can manage these transitions to make them less stressful. See the challenge in change rather than the threat – When we see change as a something to be dreaded or feared, we automatically open ourselves up to the stress which occurs when we feel threatened. Instead, try to approach any event that may scare and overwhelm you, into a challenge you can tackle.  S...

Several days into the New Year, how are you feeling about your resolutions? According to the US News, around 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February, which means a whole lot of wasted gym memberships. But how did these bad habits come about in the first place? According to psychologists , we are all ‘cognitive misers’, so our brains are trained to take shortcuts, rendering as many behaviours (helpful or unhelpful) as automatic. Essentially, habits are meant to be difficult to change. Put simply, habits are responses to our needs. For example, we might eat lots of unhealthy snacks to make ourselves feel comforted or relaxed. By simply switching to a healthier option, although it’s better for us in a nutritional sense, it wont necessarily meet our needs in the same way and we are likely to slip back into our more appealing routine. To avoid this, we need to find an alternative way to meet this need, allowing us to break free from these unhelpful habits so strongly bou...