First Psychology blog

When we're caught up in our busy lives, prioritising our wellbeing can often take a backseat. However, taking care of our mental and physical health is crucial for living a happy and balanced life. One way to do this is by introducing wellness products into our self-care routine. The best thing is that we can quite easily make them ourselves. Not only can these products be cost-effective and customisable, but they also allow you to take control of your mental and physical wellbeing.   1. Self-care boxes: a little luxury Self-care boxes are a great way to treat yourself to a little luxury and relaxation. By creating your own self-care box, you can tailor it to your specific needs and preferences. Here's what you'll need: - A box or container (this could be a wooden crate, a basket or even a decorative tin) - A selection of self-care goodies (such as face masks, scented candles, bath salts and cosy socks) - A personal message or affirmation  To create your self-...

Creative journaling is a powerful tool that can have a positive impact on our overall wellbeing. By combining the benefits of journaling with creative expression, we can explore and understand our emotions, thoughts and experiences in a more profound and meaningful way. This creative practice not only enhances our self-awareness but also helps us to tap into our emotions and express them in healthier and constructive ways. Benefits of creative journaling 1. One of the key benefits of creative journaling is that it allows us to engage in self-reflection and introspection. By writing about our thoughts, feelings and experiences, we can gain insights into our subconscious world, understand our emotions better and identify patterns and triggers that may be influencing our mental and emotional wellbeing. This process of self-reflection can lead to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance and personal growth. 2. Creative journaling also provides a safe space where we can express and pro...

The long, cold, dark nights of winter can leave us feeling drained, tired and, for some, depressed. Studies have shown that when we're less exposed to daylight, our levels of serotonin drop, which can affect our mood and trigger symptoms of depression. The more daylight we are exposed to, the more serotonin we produce. So, it’s not surprising that the moment we start to see signs of spring, we instantly begin to feel in a better mood, with many of us getting the urge to spring clean our homes. But springtime is also a great time to focus on our mental and emotional wellbeing, and reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, or general melancholy. Find out how in our tips for spring cleaning your mind, below. Eat right A healthy diet packed with seasonal fruit and vegetables, and plenty of water, can work wonders not just for our physical health but also out mental health. A healthy diet can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Get outside Soak up all that wonderful vitamin D whic...

When we lead hectic lives and feel the need to live up to the increasing demands of society, it can be easy to neglect our mental wellbeing. Daily pressures and responsibilities can be a major cause for stress, anxiety and depression - but what can we do to step off the metaphorical hamster wheel, re-evaluate and put ourselves first? We should try and listen to what our inner voice is telling us and recognise the signs that our spirit and mind is longing for enrichment. Often, we put ourselves last and forget that we too need care and attention. The effects of creativity Research suggests that creative activities not only improve brain function, but they can reduce anxiety, boost our mood, slow our heart rate and, ultimately, make us feel happier too. When we immerse ourselves in creative exercises, the feel-good chemical, dopamine, is released into the brain, which can greatly improve our sense of wellbeing. Back in 2001, researcher Eric Jensen wrote a book called “Arts with Bra...

Life can sometimes feel like groundhog day - get up, go to work, come home, watch TV and then go to bed. As we grow up, we neglect our playful side and the many activities we once enjoyed. We often find ourselves cruising through life on autopilot. With the holidays nearly here however and perhaps a little more time on our hands, there is no better time to unlock our creativity and bring some joy back to our lives. Here are some tips suggested by Allison Arden, author of The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Your Creativity and Joy . List three activities you enjoyed as a child and start doing them.  Read biographies of people who’ve inspired you.  Sketch pictures of people and objects everyday – sitting still for a while may allow you to see things from a new perspective.  Train for something – this could be anything from a marathon to a bike-a-thon. Starting gradually and building up to something slowly can make you feel competent and empowered. ...