In this blog, you’ll learn of dyslexics strengths and their styles of thinking as well as how to help a dyslexic child at home, whilst also nurturing their talents.

We are currently facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation right across the western world. Loneliness hides in plain sight, as they say, and according to a report out by the New Economics Foundation in 2017, it comes at a cost of £32 billion per annum, in the UK alone. The situation is so dire that in the UK we have a minister for loneliness, and social isolation is an official ‘health priority’. Never have we been more connected, and yet never have we felt more lonely.

In my recent conversation with Catherine Robson about anger and the creative mind, we explored many components of anger: where it comes from, unexpected ways that it can manifest itself, the way it distorts perception and covers up 'fault lines' from our past and much more.

We also discussed lots of practical ways to deal with inappropriate expressions of anger – and  it's this part of our conversation that I'd like to share with you!

Six in every 10 students say they experience levels of stress that interfere with everyday life (YouGov Survey, 2016) and there’s no reason to be embarrassed. But how do you recognise stress, and what can you do if it feels like it’s just too much?

Teen Breathe asked Renée van der Vloodt, who regularly helps young adults to manage life’s trials, and the first thing we learned – it’s good to talk.

Read and download the full article – as featured in Teen Breathe – for free.

Recently, I spent a day at a well-being conference organised by the London branch of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development). It was packed.  I knew things were bad in the workplace, but I had no idea quite how bad.

In this blog, you’ll learn of dyslexics strengths and their styles of thinking as well as how to help a dyslexic child at home, whilst also nurturing their talents.

In my recent conversation with Catherine Robson about anger and the creative mind, we explored many components of anger: where it comes from, unexpected ways that it can manifest itself, the way it distorts perception and covers up 'fault lines' from our past and much more.

We also discussed lots of practical ways to deal with inappropriate expressions of anger – and  it's this part of our conversation that I'd like to share with you!

Like Tennessee Williams, ‘I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.’

This is not to say that I haven’t been particularly blessed with a loving family and extraordinary friends, but it is that ‘uncalled for’ generosity and connection to me and my fate that has deepened my sense of belonging, by being made to feel that my life matters.

Subtle and subversive bullying tactics are rife in families, organisations and in society at large. How often have you come across the ‘polite’ cold shoulder or other blanking tactics, the perpetually sullen face or malicious gossip thinly disguised as concern?  What about manipulation through ‘illness’, or other forms of sabotage?

Learn how to keep your anxiety in check with this guide – PLUS download your free printable poster with a helpful acronym to help you (even when you're busy or on the move). 

When a parent becomes present for her child in a whole-hearted way, the child’s whole autonomic nervous system can calm down. The resulting openness will enable him to stay connected and think creatively about any of the challenges he faces. He’ll experience what it’s like to be the master of his own ship.

Do you ever feel tired and lack lustre without knowing what to do about it?

Have you stopped to ask yourself what might be sapping your energy and vitality?

We have busy lives, worrying about money, jobs, our families… If you dig a little deeper you’ll uncover one of the greatest and most hidden causes of fatigue: our inner critic. 

Do you sometimes feel disheartened or distressed? Feelings of gloom can descend upon us depending on what’s going on in our lives; sometimes things just seem to be conspiring against us! Or, perhaps you have a child with ‘why bother’ attitude… 

Parents expect me focus on the dyslexia and not on their relationship with their child. How do I help a child to regulate his emotions when he lives in what is effectively a ‘toxic’ home environment?

We all have an inner compass, our very own guide, always on the look-out and engaged in the process of helping us stay alive and lead a life worthy of who we are and what we have to bring to the world. Could there be a better moment than right now, as a new year lies invitingly ahead, to be reminded of that particular strength and to make a conscious effort to reconnect with your own inner voice?

Dyslexic people do not think in words. They do not filter their experience of life through language, but rather through images and feelings in the first place. This holistic process is not steered or predetermined by the linear or sequential constraints of language.

Noticing more than others or seeing things differently than others makes dyslexics unusual, unexpected, off-the-wall at times and always creative. 

So many of us end up feeling that we are just skimming across the surface of things and rarely rejoice in a sense of engagement with what we are doing or a sense of accomplishment. Here is what you can do to focus the distracted mind...

Have you found yourself worrying about blushing in public, saying something odd or out of place to your colleagues, needing the loo too often, or perhaps not even being able to make it there in time? Social anxiety as a debilitating illness is on the increase - here's are some tips to deal with the symptoms... 

Does creativity really make us more vulnerable to depression? I am no scientist but I am keen to offer my take, based on 20 years of experience, working with creative people. 

A promising young actress friend was assessed recently, following the success of a play she was in at her prestigious drama school. All the praise aside, she was also admonished for not spending enough time alone. I was thrilled to hear this, for those are wise words indeed. 

In this blog, you’ll learn of dyslexics strengths and their styles of thinking as well as how to help a dyslexic child at home, whilst also nurturing their talents.

Six in every 10 students say they experience levels of stress that interfere with everyday life (YouGov Survey, 2016) and there’s no reason to be embarrassed. But how do you recognise stress, and what can you do if it feels like it’s just too much?

Teen Breathe asked Renée van der Vloodt, who regularly helps young adults to manage life’s trials, and the first thing we learned – it’s good to talk.

Read and download the full article – as featured in Teen Breathe – for free.

Like Tennessee Williams, ‘I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.’

This is not to say that I haven’t been particularly blessed with a loving family and extraordinary friends, but it is that ‘uncalled for’ generosity and connection to me and my fate that has deepened my sense of belonging, by being made to feel that my life matters.

Subtle and subversive bullying tactics are rife in families, organisations and in society at large. How often have you come across the ‘polite’ cold shoulder or other blanking tactics, the perpetually sullen face or malicious gossip thinly disguised as concern?  What about manipulation through ‘illness’, or other forms of sabotage?

Learn how to keep your anxiety in check with this guide – PLUS download your free printable poster with a helpful acronym to help you (even when you're busy or on the move). 

When a parent becomes present for her child in a whole-hearted way, the child’s whole autonomic nervous system can calm down. The resulting openness will enable him to stay connected and think creatively about any of the challenges he faces. He’ll experience what it’s like to be the master of his own ship.

Do you sometimes feel disheartened or distressed? Feelings of gloom can descend upon us depending on what’s going on in our lives; sometimes things just seem to be conspiring against us! Or, perhaps you have a child with ‘why bother’ attitude… 

Parents expect me focus on the dyslexia and not on their relationship with their child. How do I help a child to regulate his emotions when he lives in what is effectively a ‘toxic’ home environment?

Anger has evolved as a defensive survival mechanism and when used appropriately it allows for a vital response. In our stressful modern world, inappropriate expressions of anger are becoming more and more frequent, however. When anger flares up uncontrollably or chronically, it indicates that our lives our out of balance and is a sign that we need to address the angry behaviour.

Society at large is getting more aggressive and there are many factors that contribute to the rise of angry behaviour. Children copy what they see others do. Anger is often a sign of frustration and overwhelm.  It’s what happens when we are unaware of how far we’ve drifted off from our natural state of well-being.

We all have an inner compass, our very own guide, always on the look-out and engaged in the process of helping us stay alive and lead a life worthy of who we are and what we have to bring to the world. Could there be a better moment than right now, as a new year lies invitingly ahead, to be reminded of that particular strength and to make a conscious effort to reconnect with your own inner voice?

Dyslexic people do not think in words. They do not filter their experience of life through language, but rather through images and feelings in the first place. This holistic process is not steered or predetermined by the linear or sequential constraints of language.

Noticing more than others or seeing things differently than others makes dyslexics unusual, unexpected, off-the-wall at times and always creative. 

You might think that a gifted child has it made - clever, intuitive, original. But for far too many such children their very talents make it difficult for them to fit in to the education system they find themselves in. If you're a parent of a gifted child, read on to see how you can help them get their needs met...

A promising young actress friend was assessed recently, following the success of a play she was in at her prestigious drama school. All the praise aside, she was also admonished for not spending enough time alone. I was thrilled to hear this, for those are wise words indeed. 

 Have you ever turned the radio on, determined to listen to the news or weather forecast, and next thing you know it’s over - and you didn’t take in a word. A nuisance maybe, but quite painless otherwise.

Creative people - think dyslexia, AD(H)D, autism - are known to struggle with the written language: reading and writing.

We are less aware of quite how sound sensitive they can be. This they have in common with HSP (Highly Sensitive People) and strongly affects how they process sound.

Recent research findings by leading experts in the field show that HPSs - or highly sensitive people - manifest more neurological brain activity when exposed to other people’s feelings, or pictures of emotions in others, than the average person.

About 20% of the population 'suffers' - and often quietly so - from these high levels of sensitivity. Growing up as an HSP can be difficult and confusing. Over-sensitivity and the fussing that can go with it, is seen as a flaw in western culture.

Find out more about Highly Sensitive People, tips and further reading in this post.

In my practice, I see children who struggle academically or emotionally. I am never surprised when they tell me that their sleep is bad too or that they wake tired in the morning. Bedtime itself can be a bone of contention between parent and child.

Working on ‘sleep hygiene’ with child and parent immediately makes other issues easier to deal with. We explore how things can be improved between them - how each has a responsibility - and in my practice, I teach the child or teenager what he can do immediately to improve the quality of his sleep. Giving them this responsibility can be very empowering and effective.

Here’s my sleep guide, which sums up what can be done.

Millie’s Mum was devastated that her 12-year old daughter would throw a tantrum at the drop of a hat and terrorise the household. She had even started having her volcanic outbursts in public. Her Mum equated this relentless anger to a deep lack of gratitude and appreciation. By the time they came to me, Millie’s Mum was in a constant state of sadness.

Six in every 10 students say they experience levels of stress that interfere with everyday life (YouGov Survey, 2016) and there’s no reason to be embarrassed. But how do you recognise stress, and what can you do if it feels like it’s just too much?

Teen Breathe asked Renée van der Vloodt, who regularly helps young adults to manage life’s trials, and the first thing we learned – it’s good to talk.

Read and download the full article – as featured in Teen Breathe – for free.

Have you ever asked yourself how stress-resilient you are?

What are the things you do when the pressure rises? Do you nail bite, over-eat or –drink, become anxious or irritable? And do you spot the signs early enough to take action and avert the symptoms that herald more serious stuff ahead? We all need to stay informed about the many faces of stress-related symptoms.

Join me and hear what my Human Givens colleague, stress expert Emily Gajewski, has to say about self-harming and how to deal with it.

 Modern parenting has a new set of challenges. As we spend time learning, practicing and reflecting as parents, we realise that the experience is both dynamic and full of choice.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Miriam Chachamu, well-regarded family therapist and author of the popular book "How to Calm a Challenging Child". In our video interview, Miriam gives us helpful parenting tips and advice as we discuss fairness, sibling rivalry, choice and teenagers.