Siobhan Bardon

07/07/2020

By now some of us will have grown tired of the Covid-19 restrictions, whilst others may still be comforted by the new social norms that have become part of our everyday life. As Ireland emerges from the collective hibernation of the past few months, we can embrace the re-opening of the country and the return of some of the freedoms we have always enjoyed. However, for some people this brings up feelings of anxiety, distress and sorrow, coupled with concern for what still may lie ahead. Below are some supports which may help those who are concerned about navigating their way through the current uncertainty …….

Start small -
Re-connect with a friend for coffee. Sit outside if weather permits.

Get organised and prepare -
The shops are busier than before and this can lead to high levels of anxiety and stress. When we get stressed we forget to breathe. So, take a breath.

Become aware –
We need to face our worries and consider them realistically. Are these thoughts helping or are they adding to my stress?

Become more self-compassionate –
Lack of concentration and focus coupled with feelings of anxiety are common during this time. Don’t put pressure on yourself to produce or over-achieve as safety and physiological needs must take priority.

Take positive action –
Prioritise things that will help to get you through the day. Find out both who and where you can turn to for support.

Working on-line for now
Zoom and Whats App

My contact details are 087 7407014
Email siobhanbardon@hotmail.com

28/06/2020

Martin Luther King Jr once said:

“ The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”.

When we try to move forward without processing the emotional parts of living, it stays with us and weighs us down. We can become vulnerable/preoccupied/lost trying to forget the hurts, losses, frustrations and stresses of life. However, if we explore and share our story we can develop a better understanding of our emotions and stop stress and anxiety taking over.

We are better people to ourselves and those we love when we are not carrying a lifetime of emotional burdens on our shoulders.

I am working online for now!

My contact details are:
Phone 087 7407014
E-Mail: siobhanbardon@hotmail.com
I can link up with you via Zoom, Whats App or FaceTime.

06/06/2020

Feeling overwhelmed, lost, anxious, guilty or grieving?

The trouble with lockdown is that by serving to protect us, it puts us at risk of harm in other ways. The unsociable and silent nature of lockdown creates other painful losses, personal and financial burdens, relationship difficulties and loss of connection with others.

I am available for online therapy sessions.
Please contact me by Phone on 087 740 7014
or DM me.

Siobhan

18/03/2020

During this difficult time, I am available for remote counselling sessions, through electronic devices. Please DM, text, email or phone for more information.

Phone 087 7407014

siobhanbardon@hotmail.com

18/03/2020

01/03/2020

Don’t let the ugly in others ruin the beauty in you.

The real test of our happiness and contentment in life is how we respond to the daily challenges that are forced upon us, and how we respond to other people. For instance, if you have low self-worth you will cope and respond to life’s challenges in an entirely different way to someone with high self-worth. In a nutshell, everything comes down to how we feel about ourselves and how we feel we come across to others.

When we came into the world, we loved ourselves just as we were. We loved our chubby arms and legs, and our loved ones told us we were perfect just as we were. As we grew up however, these loved ones, friends, siblings, teachers, bosses, social media, (the list can go on) began to control us, criticise us, belittle us, and at times make us feel worthless.

We soon accepted these false beliefs as our own and ultimately learnt to become self-critical in an attempt to protect ourselves from other peoples comments. We become our own most cruel critics.
What is important to understand is that these voices that we still hear and the messages that we re-play in our heads do not belong to us. They belong to the people who made them in the first place.
When a person has high self-worth and is genuinely happy within their own skin will barely judge others at all. They go through life looking for the good in other people and the good in every situation they are faced with.

As humans we fear change and fear of the unknown, we love what is familiar and are programmed to love routine because it makes us feel safe. Everything we do is a learnt behaviour and it is important to remember that we can break these behaviours. Breaking habits can take time, but we have the power to break the cycle.

Two tips that can help break the cycle;
1) Challenge your inner critic, ask it to prove that what it is saying is true.
2) Your mind does not know who is giving the compliment, so go ahead and give yourself a compliment. We can retrain our brain to receive positive messages about ourselves.

Everyone needs help to improve self-esteem sometimes
Please DM me or contact me by phone; 087 7407014

08/01/2020

08/12/2019

Despite Christmas being one of the happiest times of year for many, it can be a particularly difficult time for others. The media creates a ‘perfect’ vision of what a family Christmas should look like, and the pressure to be happy and surround yourself with loved ones. This can make Christmas one of the loneliest times of the year for people with depression, anxiety, mental health issues or bereaved. Even the financial stresses of Christmas can bring on feelings of low mood, anxiety, sleeping issues, poor diet and excess intake of alcohol, all brought on by the pressure to keep up with friends and family to present that ‘perfect’ Christmas. Research has shown that at this time of year more people consider taking their own lives or inflict self-harm than at any other time of year.

Here is some advice about how to help and what to look out for in family members who may feel overwhelmed this Christmas and during the winter months. They may become withdrawn and start to spend more time on their own, sleep more, or be less interested in activities that they used to enjoy. Something as simple as asking them how they are doing or letting them know you are there for them can make a big difference. Inviting them to join you for a walk, cup of coffee or a chat. Listen without judgement, let them talk and describe what they are going through. You can also suggest they contact their GP or call a helpline.

PIETA HOUSE FREE CALL: 1800 247 247
or TEXT ‘help’ 5144
In an emergency 999 or 112 should be called.

Sometimes just knowing someone has heard them is enough to get them over the stress and strain of Christmas and get the care they require after the Christmas period.