Donegal Woman Author - Sarah Barr

This is always a focus within counselling sessions, a lot of us really struggle with setting healthy boundaries and saying “no”.

When we do, we sometimes feel a huge rush …
Read More

With the New Year comes the temptation on setting resolutions, which is great if they are helpful and realistic.

However, we sometimes have a tendency to only focus on the …
Read More

With Christmas getting closer, many of us will feel a mixture of excitement and worry. However, for those of you who live with social anxiety, Christmas can be a very …
Read More

Any special occasion, like Christmas or any ‘first’ can be so difficult when you are bereaved, with each occasion such as a birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Christmas bringing …
Read More

Self-worth is knowing that you are good enough and worthy of love. It is being able to validate yourself from within and not relying on external validation.

Below are 7 beliefs …
Read More

Having somewhere safe and warm to live is fundamental to our mental health and wellbeing. 

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory of psychology explaining human motivation based on the achievement of five …
Read More

When things don’t go to plan, it is so easy to focus on the negative thought. We can start ruminating on all the things that aren’t going to plan and …
Read More

If you are an empath, you probably can identify with the feelings of others. You may also find yourself absorbing the emotions and moods of people around you. This can …
Read More

Do you ever feel so busy during the day that you just run out of hours to do the things you actually want? Following to-do lists, running errands and finding …
Read More

So much of our time, personally and professionally is being consumed by being present in the online world. Yet we are not always fully present in our real world, experiencing …
Read More

Social anxiety isn’t just being nervous or uncomfortable around other people, it can be a debilitating mental and physical struggle.

People who live with social anxiety have an intense and …
Read More

Our DW mental health columnist Sarah Barr is launching a new workshop for maternal mental health this May.

Here, Sarah shares an introduction to the Minding Mummy Workshop and how …
Read More

The transition to motherhood is a huge transformation for many women, physically, emotionally and mentally. Add a global pandemic and lockdown on top of that and it can be so …
Read More

Toxic positivity is the assumption, that despite a person’s emotional or mental pain or the difficult situation they may be in, they should only have a positive mindset and outlook. …
Read More

We can spend a lot of time worrying about our relationships with other people and what they think of us. Yet one of the most important relationships in our lives …
Read More

Our next “Managing Stress and Anxiety; Your Guide to Well-being” will be taking place on Saturday 16th January, from 10am to 1pm via zoom.

The aim of the workshop is …
Read More

The past 12 months have been like no other in living memory and it is important that we take a compassionate look at our self-development and mental health in 2021.

…
Read More

Having a new baby during Covid-19 is not an ideal situation for any mother. Feelings of loneliness and isolation that some mums feel as they transition into the role of …
Read More

If you are feeling constantly stressed you might also be feeling helpless, disillusioned, and completely exhausted and on the road to burnout.

What is burnout? Burnout is a state of …
Read More

Sometimes we view confidence as something that is so unattainable, but it isn’t really. Confidence can be learned, it is a habit that we can reinforce by repeating certain actions …
Read More

I’ve always loved the saying: “Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe.”

The only way to meet “your people” is to be yourself. If you are pretending to be someone that you’re …
Read More

So many of us can go through the day completely disqualifying any positives that may have happened. We don’t always recognise what we have accomplished and if we do, we …
Read More

We all have that annoying, negative voice in our heads. The voice that criticises, doubts and generally puts you down. Destroying your confidence and feeding your anxiety.

Sometimes we …
Read More

The people who you spend the most time with can influence or change your mood and how you view yourself and your abilities.

When you are surrounded by positive people …
Read More

We still live in a society that somewhat values the “get up and at it” and “pull yourself together” mentality.

For years, anyone who was living with depression, anxiety or …
Read More

The lockdown cloud is slowly starting to lift and whilst some of us are eager to feel a sense of normality again in our lives, the prospect of a ‘new …
Read More

Self-confidence is about trusting your abilities, qualities and judgment.

When you believe in yourself, you’ll be more willing to try new things. Whether you apply for a promotion or sign …
Read More

International Men’s Health Week runs each year from June 15th to 21st.

This year’s theme is ‘Restoring the Balance’ and everyone is asked to ‘part of the solution’ and do …
Read More

If you live with an anxiety disorder, or if you have experienced anxiety for the first time due to the pandemic, there are things you can do to help you …
Read More

When it comes to your self-worth, only one opinion really matters — your own.

Yet we should be very gentle with ourselves as we tend to be our own worst …
Read More

Depression is much more than feeling sad. It is a very real mental health condition and affects the mind and body. Depression affects how people sleep, eat, and see the …
Read More

The coronavirus outbreak has affected our daily lives. It can be a big adjustment, as we create a new routine at home, with home-schooling and working from home. Tensions might …
Read More

This is a really challenging time for everyone. We have our good days, and our not so good days. Many people will be feeling lonely, isolated and disconnected from the …
Read More

Without a routine, our life can feel stressful and unpredictable. If you have a mental health condition, this unpredictability and lack of structure can cause you extra stress, worry, as …
Read More

The main focus at the minute with my clients, myself, my friends, my family and probably the majority of people is how can we care for our emotional and mental …
Read More

This is an unsettling time for us all, therefore it’s important to remember the facts and only listen or follow reliable news sources.

Anxiety creates repetitive, intrusive and fear-based thoughts. …
Read More

We are living with quite a bit of uncertainty at the minute. Our routines have been turned upside down, our daily schedules have changed and we may find it harder to motivate ourselves.

Here are 4 tips that can help us to self-motivate:

1. Welcome the challenge.

Embrace this time.

Is there anything you would like to learn or upskill in?

Re-write your daily routine. Get up and get dressed every day and face your day with a plan. Set a goal, such as clearingcout cupboards, baking, reading, calling a friend or listening to a guided meditation or breathing relaxation technique on YouTube.

2. Reflect on your motivation.

Look back on times in your life, when you were motivated. What was the underlying driver? Why did you do it? For yourself, your family or your work?

Tap into these reasons again.

This is what drives the ‘initiation phase’ and it requires focus to change our daily routines and to start new habits.

3. Self-regulation.

Self-regulation is about managing our own behaviour. This is not just about having self-control, it also involves goal setting and starting and maintaining good habits.

Creating an adaptive mindset, will help you to have the ability to adapt your goals, attitude and habits in response to the changes you may face.

4. Goal-Setting.

Many of our goals have gone or they seem uncertain. So, set a new one!

Take time and think about what you would like to do. Perhaps you may consider going down a different work path, or learn a new skill or it may be an opportunity for you to catch up on paperwork. Perhaps set some shorter, medium and longer-term flexible goals.

This pandemic provides a unique chance to reflect and recharge.

Read More

Fear and anxiety can drive us to become very self-focused. Yet our choices affect everyone around us.

We are all connected to each other, our actions will impact others.

It …
Read More

If you don’t believe in yourself, how can others believe in you?

1. Challenge your self-limiting beliefs

When we are children we believe we can do anything, but …
Read More

A journal can be a great outlet for stress, negative feelings and worry. It helps to create new positive thinking habits, grows self-awareness, gives you more focus and it can …
Read More

I love vision boards, for me they’re an opportunity to think about what you would like in your life, big or small. They are one of the best visualisation tools.

…
Read More

This New Year’s Eve why not start a new tradition. Let go of any negativity that has affected you over the past year or decade! And set some new intentions …
Read More

Invitations for family gatherings and christmas parties are starting to arrive with more guaranteed to come. For some, it will be a rush of excitement, laughing with friends and spending …
Read More

Are you a highly sensitive person?

Do you feel like you reflect on things more than everyone else? Do you often worry about how other people feel? And do you …
Read More

Being positive will impact your life in so many ways. Your relationships with others will improve as people are drawn to positive people and your stress levels will decrease helping …
Read More

Social anxiety, put simply, is the fear of social situations.

Living with social anxiety can be frustrating and overwhelming. Your mind is constantly jumping to the worst case scenario. …
Read More

Negative thoughts can spontaneously pop into our heads, sometimes in an intrusive and critical way.

It can happen whilst you’re having a coffee with a friend. When suddenly a negative …
Read More

Why is it so difficult to say “no”?

Having people think negatively of you is the ultimate rejection. This is a reason many people find it difficult to say “no”. …
Read More

If you received your Leaving Cert results today, please do not let them dictate your future and the person who you are.

I cried when I received mine, and not …
Read More

The benefits of a tidy and organised home are obvious.

Cleaning can be an outlet for energy and negative emotions. Removing dust, dirt and clutter from our environment provides you …
Read More