Greg Holdsworth - mental health coach

08/04/2020

This morning I have been writing about meditation and mindfulness. If you think you might need some at this time just book a time (no charge) on the link above and I will talk you through it. Feel free to share.

01/04/2020

https://youtu.be/iObc293g8wo

My rendition of an old story about dealing with adversity

17/03/2020

How can I help?
The current crisis is driving high levels of fear and anxiety. I know, having an older person living with us, that many of you will be changing your normal routines in order to protect the most vulnerable in your circles. At this time it is important to ensure your own emotional needs are being met so you have the spare capacity to support your families and neighbours. Feel free to call on me if you need help. Of course I am not charging for informal conversations which I am happy to have over a coffee or via phone / messenger / zoom. Please consider your friends too and note that those already suffering mental health issues could be experiencing extreme stress and anxiety. If you think they need help they can book a regular or remote session with me. Get them to email in the first instance if money is an issue - we can work something out.

16/03/2020

18/12/2019

If you are feeling stressed this short audio could help :)
https://open.spotify.com/album/6VYkAptdBkWLysLlM0ZcKT

10/12/2019

I have opened up more free time before Christmas for anyone wanting to look at things like stress, anxiety, trauma, phobias, sleep issues, grief, anger, mindfulness, addictions or OCD. Or maybe you just want to make real, lasting changes to your life in 2020. I still need someone willing to have a session videoed for my UK supervisor but there is no obligation for that person to be you!

01/12/2019

A US survey suggested that only 10% of people are not stressed at this time of year. If you are part of the other 90% you can come and see me to learn about mindfulness - no charge this side of Christmas :)

24/11/2019

Free counselling appointments for friends of friends until Christmas. Why? I have 4 more weeks, then I will be completing my institute registration and as part of that I will be asking one or two people if I can video a therapy session. This will be voluntary (no obligation) and, of course, it will be confidential (no real names used and viewed by Human Givens tutors only). Click the button above to book or message me if you have any questions.

28/10/2019

A 'chatty' but wise podcast about teenagers. Worth a listen even if you only learn one or two new things.

Our latest podcast is live! You can listen to "How to help teenagers flourish" - with Richard Brook, here:

https://soundcloud.com/humangivens/episode-17-how-to-help-teenagers-flourish-with-richard-brook

"Help teenagers develop a language so they can express their emotions and be able to talk about it - and therefore be able to understand themselves better, this can really help" … this podcast is full of practical tips, fascinating anecdotes and helpful insights.

Richard Brook is a lecturer in Social work at the University of East Anglia, where he teaches a postgraduate module for qualified social workers on working with adolescents. He has over twenty years experience of working with children and families, young offenders, adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and parents.

Richard is also a practising HG therapist, and tutors the one-day course - ‘Working with troubled and troublesome teenagers’ (next date: 14 November) for Human Givens College.
https://www.humangivens.com/college/troubled-teens/

Thank you to Richard for sharing his knowledge, skills and techniques with us.

22/10/2019

How can a breathing technique make you feel more relaxed?
While there have been a number of suggestions recently on how to harness breathing to lower stress levels and anxiety, most fail to mention how it works.
Deep breathing techniques have something in common, they work by stimulating what is known as the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Most people have heard of the 'fight or flight' response (activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System), the Parasympathetic Nervous System is simply the opposite of that. While 'fight or flight' gets you ready for action, deep breathing activates a natural bodily response that could be described as 'rest and digest'. Out-breaths decrease your blood pressure, dilate your pupils and slow your heart rate – lowering emotional arousal in the process.

If our goal is relaxation, the breathing technique we choose needs to have a longer out-breath than in-breath. A well proven version of this is the 7-11 breathing technique. To do it breathe in to the count of 7 and out to the count of 11. Make sure your in breath is deep and diaphragmatic (your diaphragm moves down and pushes your stomach out as you take in a breath) rather than shallower higher lung breathing.

If you find the counting doesn't fit with your natural breathing try different numbers like 3/5. Its not the number thats important, its more that your out breath is longer than the in breath.

Continue for 5-10 minutes and enjoy the calming effect it will have on your mind and body. An added bonus of 7-11 breathing is that the very act of counting to 7 or 11 is a distraction technique, taking your mind off your immediate concerns.

This is one of the most powerful ways of relaxing quickly and has been used for thousands of years throughout the world.

Practising a breathing technique a few times a day will lower your overall stress levels in the long term.