Category: Womens Health

How To Recharge When You Feel Overwhelmed by Olivia Heath

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Luis Villasmil: Unsplash)

Not everyone can understand or relate to what feeling overwhelmed is really like, nor can anyone truly control whether they experience it or not. Typically, we feel overwhelmed when our brains reach their capacity to process and store information.

Decades of scientific research have allowed us to understand some of the triggers that can cause us to feel overwhelmed, and chances are, you will be no stranger to a few of them. It can sometimes be as simple as a lack of sleep, which can cause the brain to process information at a much slower rate than usual. Sleep deprivation alone isn’t a direct cause of feeling overwhelmed. It’s common for other factors like daily responsibilities, work stress and life changes to also make it harder for our brains to think clearly and rationally. In this article, we will discuss some of the main causes of overwhelm and how to navigate the feeling if it arises.

​

Factors That Drive Feeling Overwhelmed

Everyone experiences overwhelm differently. For some, it’s an evident but manageable feeling, whereas for others, it can be completely overpowering and intense. Overwhelm occurs when our brains experience cognitive fatigue, which can be caused by a number of factors. Sensory saturation is one of the most common causes of overwhelm and occurs when too many sensory stimuli overload the brain at once. Sensory stimuli are anything you see, smell, hear, touch or taste. Some stimuli tend to be more taxing than others, for example, constant phone notifications or a repetitive background noise. When our brains process too many stimuli at once, our nervous system is constantly activated and rarely gets to switch off and reset.

​Feeling overwhelmed can also be caused by unrealistic expectations or perfectionism. If you hold yourself to extremely high standards that are impossible to live by, you can easily become overwhelmed when everything seems equally urgent and important. Life’s not perfect, and it’s also unpredictable, which is why when you aim for perfection or strict control over your life, you can feel overwhelmed with how challenging it can actually be.

​Some people feel overwhelmed by very specific situations, usually because of a traumatising event they’ve previously experienced, which has caused their nervous system to be stuck in overdrive. Experiencing a traumatic event can be life-changing for your nervous system, as it can easily become hypervigilant to everyday occurrences that could put you in danger. While it’s essential that your body is alert to life-threatening situations, it can be damaging if your nervous system stays in this fight-or-flight state longer than necessary. Essentially, your body is always in survival mode, which exhausts your nervous system and impairs your brain’s functioning, making you feel overwhelmed and exhausted much more quickly than others.

​It’s helpful to understand the different situations that can trigger overwhelm to arise, but it’s important to also recognise that there are some situations that are harder to prevent, such as overwhelm in the workplace. In more serious cases, individuals may be entitled to mental injury compensation if workplace conditions have caused overwhelming stress that has developed into a recognised mental health condition. These situations prove just how serious feeling overwhelmed can be if it’s not treated.

How To Recharge After Feeling Overwhelmed

The quickest and most effective way to recharge after feeling overwhelmed is to take a break from everything in front of you. If you’re overwhelmed by your environment or even your phone, try removing yourself and find a quiet, secluded space where you can slow your thoughts down. Block notifications on your phone so that you can’t be triggered by the

noise or thoughts they provoke. Although many find it difficult, deep breathing and grounding techniques are great for slowing down your nervous system so that you feel in control of your thoughts again. A popular grounding method involves paying attention to what’s around you, and naming what you can see, feel, hear, smell and taste. This technique directs your focus to the present moment and acts as a distraction from the overwhelming thoughts you might be experiencing. It’s also a proven technique to calm anxiety.

​Another scientifically-proven technique to release feelings of stress when you become overwhelmed is to physically move your body. Whether it’s a light stroll, stretching or a brisk walk, physical activity lowers stress hormones like cortisol and flushes out toxic chemicals that have built up in your muscles, helping you to instantly feel more relaxed.

(image: Brett Jordan: Unsplash)

How To Get Help When You Feel Overwhelmed

Dealing with overwhelm by yourself can be extremely challenging, especially when it occurs regularly. The best help you can get with feeling overwhelmed is support from family, friends or a professional service. Never feel embarrassed or afraid to reach out for support if you’re struggling with feelings of overwhelm. It is a common experience, and with the right support and coping strategies, it can be effectively managed.

A Free Mental Health Toolkit: Introducing Tough Minds by Michael Mander

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(Image: Tough Minds/ Michael Mander)

If you’ve ever tried to get mental health support, you’ll know that it can feel like watching a game of ping-pong. You call one service, and they refer you to another. They point you to a helpline, which suggests a group. And at the end of it all is the bottom of a waiting list.

There’s a big shortage of mental health support out there. Whether you’re one of the millions struggling with a severe mental health illness, or simply going through a difficult time in your life, it’s never been harder to find care.

It’s not good enough, and everyone deserves access to the support they need – whether that’s a therapist, a diagnosis, a helpline, a support group. 

But the truth is that no service, however good, can give us everything we need, all of the time. The toughest moments in life don’t wait for a therapy appointment. There will always be moments where you’re on your own with it.

That gap is what I built Tough Minds for.

Tough Minds is a completely free, online toolkit to help you go from a difficult moment into a lighter one. There are breathing exercises, guided meditations, an urge-surfing timer, and calming soundscapes to help you relax or decompress. 

These are exactly the sort of exercises that a therapist or counsellor might recommend you try – but the ones that are so hard to remember at 2am when you’re in a crisis, or when you’re trying to fight off a difficult urge, or when you just need five minutes to breathe before a job interview. 

That’s why Tough Minds has no sign-up, no app to download, nothing to pay for, no ads. Whenever you need it, you can just go to Tough Minds.

(image: Mediensturmer: Unsplash)

Building emotional resilience

Those in-the-moment tools are only half of the reason I created Tough Minds. The other half is about building the underlying skills that can make those difficult moments less frequent and less severe.

We are less likely to be taught how to look after our mental health in school – and that’s a problem. We only ever learn how to look after our minds once we hit a crisis point – which is a bit like taking your first driving lesson when you’re already halfway round the M25 (UK motorway).

It doesn’t have to work that way.

Building Emotional Resilience

Tough Minds also has tools, games and exercises to help you build emotional resilience – the sort of skills you might learn in therapy. There are skills that help people manage emotionally difficult moments and even help with some mental illnesses. Skills like having a wide vocabulary for your own emotions, or knowing how to catch and reframe a spiralling thought before it takes hold.

These are skills like any other – they can be built so they’re there when you need them. That’s the part of Tough Minds I’m most excited to keep building: to improve and steady mental health.

None of this is about pretending that a website or an app can do the job of real support services, or the human-to-human support that so many of us benefit from. 

However, what Tough Minds can do is help all of us take care of ourselves. Not instead of support, but around it: when you’re on a waiting list, the days between sessions, the stretch of life after a course of treatment ends, and for the times life is just a little hard. 

If that sounds useful to you, you can find Tough Minds at toughminds.org. It’s free, and it’s there whenever you need it.

Michael Mander, founder of Tough Minds

Moving To A New Home : Life Changes by Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Peter Mason- not our actual house!)

Two weeks ago, my husband and I moved into our new cottage type house (not the one in the photo!). It has been a journey for us to get here and something we have been working towards for several years- and honestly, we weren’t sure we would be able to buy a house (with a mortgage) in the area we live in as we’re in London and prices are expensive. We are also aware to even be on the property ladder is a dream come true for so many and we know many people renting. So we are really grateful this has happened for us as we spent years living in a small 1 bedroom shared ownership apartment and weren’t sure we could move.

Moving to a new home can be unsettling but I remember just sitting down on the couch a few weeks ago and trying to drink in that this house is actually ours. I feel so so grateful.

We spent a couple of years at my Mums due to a dip in our finances (in 2024, I lost all my income overnight and had to rebuild it) and trying to find the right place for us- and over this period of time, two properties (a small house and a flat/apartment ) we offered on fell through due to various twists and turns. I was even considering moving to a different area entirely because it felt like what we needed was out of reach for us.

(image: Tatyana P Unsplash)

The overriding emotion is gratitude because our families and friends have been so supportive and kind to us, feel privileged.

I definitely struggled a lot during the time of being at my Mums due to being in a waiting season of not knowing about jobs, finances and home and health stuff (with my PMOS fertility) and this is a new chapter for us which we hope will be positive. My mental health was understandably slightly affected and I was lucky that I could pay for therapy sessions when I needed them and didn’t spiral too much. I am still pinching myself that our much held prayers have been heard.

If you’re reading this and you are struggling, please know things can turn around quickly, keep faith in your heart despite everything feeling hard. We will never forget the kindness and support shown to us. A person is truly not a person without other people and for me, G-d too. He is behind everything.

Moving home is said to be one of the most stressful things in life- so its important to take things day by day as it can be anxiety provoking.

With love,

Eleanor x

Top 10 Actions To Support Good Mental Health And Find Support- Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Mental Health Foundation)

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week (with the Mental Health Foundation) and this year’s theme is Take Action for good mental health- for yourself or a loved one and for the wider community. They say, “we’re asking people to join us in taking action to support good mental health. Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. And while our individual actions matter, when we come together we are even more powerful.”

Real change happens when we take action. Here’s some Top 10 tips from the Mental Health Foundation of simple actions to support good mental health, lift your mood and improve your ability to cope with life:

  1. Plan something to look forward to– Making plans for things we enjoy can increase our sense of hope, which is important for our mental health. It could be a plan to sit down with a cup of tea and take a quiet five minutes, or a long-term plan for an ambitious trip. Whether it’s a big or small goal, the important thing is to plan it.

2. Eat Well- One of the simplest ways to improve mental health is by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Not only can it support your emotional health, but introducing small habits, such as staying hydrated or having fruit snacks, can help make changes stick easier.

3. Get closer to nature- Spending time in nature can boost your mood, lessen stress, and help you concentrate.

4. Get good sleep- Good quality sleep helps your brain work better, lifts your mood, and is good for your overall health.

5. Get Creative– Spending time on creative activities is a great way to help ease stress and anxiety. Carve out some time to listen to music, paint, sing, or do whatever you enjoy most.

6. Move regularly- Being active can boost your mood and raise your self-esteem. It’s also an effective stress management technique. Whether you go for a walk, do some yoga, or vigorously clean the kitchen, it all counts.

7. Try Mindfulness- Being fully aware in the present moment can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Aim to notice the colour of the sky, the sound of leaves, or the feeling of your feet on the ground.

8. Friends- Having good relationships with others can help you feel like you belong, allow you to share experiences, and receive emotional support. It’s a great reason to have a catch-up with a friend on the phone.

9. Be Kind to yourself– Bad days happen to everyone. If you’re having a tough time, remember to treat yourself with kindness and understanding. You’re doing the best you can.

10. Talk things over with someone you trust- It can take a lot of courage to tell someone else how we’re feeling or what we’re finding hard. Just talking things through with a person we trust can feel like a relief and make us feel less alone.

(Source for Top 10 tips: Mental Health Foundation)

There are times when some of the above will be or feel too much, for example if facing a deep depression or a serious episode of mental illness. In these cases, the most important thing is to reach for help from your doctor or therapist (or both) and get referred in to mental health services to see a psychiatrist. Practising self care such as eating, sleeping and taking prescribed medication as well as simple things like showering and getting dressed can make a big difference on a day to day basis.

Remember that you are not alone and that you have so much to give and offer to the world. Take small achievable actions and reach for help and support from a trusted place, charity or helpline.

Support lines in the UK:

First port of call if a new referral (not already known) is to call 111 or request an urgent GP appointment

  • call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
  • if you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline – the number will not appear on your phone bill
  • There are other specialist organisations if needed for specific communities.

(Image: Mental Health Foundation)

Celebrating A Decade Of Be Ur Own Light Blog- 10 Years!

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

On 1st March 2016, I wrote my very first blog about my mental health struggles with bipolar disorder and anxiety. For me, it was an outlet to share with friends and family what I was experiencing after one of the worst bipolar episodes I had faced and after hospitalisation in 2014. I didn’t realise that this traumatic time in my life, would also cause my mental health to dip and struggle further as I developed PTSD symptoms (panic attacks) and sat on a 2 year waiting list for NHS therapy. Professional support was not coming easily during this time, and so this blog became not only a therapeutic outlet but a place to connect with others going through similar things. And to explain to those who had never experienced mental illness, exactly what it can do but just how you can support those experiencing it.

Part of me can’t fully believe that I have been blogging consistently for 10 years. There have been times where I have wanted to give up but this little blog has been my saviour and in truth, helped me to launch a writing career that I did not expect and am so grateful for. It has also helped others to share their mental health stories and products, been a platform for mental health campaigns and charities and I am super proud of the impact we have had. One of our biggest accolades is being a Top 10 UK mental health blog by Vuelio every year since 2018- which means we are having a positive impact and reach!

The blog has published over 800 posts, with hundreds of thousands of views! It is read on every continent with a particularly large readership in the USA (as well as UK and other countries). We have covered so many topics- bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, pre and post natal depression, OCD, BPD, eating disorders, psychosis, mania, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, trichotillomania, addictions (drug, alcohol, gambling), body dysmorphia and mental health topics like child mental health, work stress, emotional burnout, relationships, domestic and sexual abuse, homelessness. We have shared about wellness products and worked with inspiring health and lifestyle brands.

The blog inspired me to share my own story far and wide – writing for mental health charities Mind, Rethink, Time to Change, Bipolar UK, No Panic, SANE and Metro.co.uk, The Telegraph, Happiful, Glamour, Jewish News, Huff Post. Featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Yahoo News and other publications. Thank you particularly to the editors at the publications for sharing my story and believing in my mission! This also led to me writing my book ‘Bring me to Light’ which was published in 2019 by Trigger and remains one of my proudest achievements. I then released my children’s book ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud’ and had some writing featured in ‘The Book of Hope’ by my friends Jonny Benjamin MBE and Britt Pfluger (an amazing experience!). In 2017-18, I was also involved with setting up the Jami mental health shabbat in my community and spoke in several synagogues and at a community festival Limmud with my Dad, about our journey with bipolar. The same year that I started this blog (2016), I also met my now husband, who supports me through all of my writing and mental health work.

As I look back over the past 10 years, to where we were in 2016 with mental health stigma, I am proud to have played a small part in changing the landscape and narrative online around mental illness, particularly bipolar disorder and psychosis. We have many followers on social media platforms and continue to share about mental health and well being and be a resource for all those who need it, so they never feel alone.

(image: Ineffable Living)

Thank you to every single contributor (and every reader) to Be Ur Own Light Blog 2016-2026. Your words and belief in our mission to end the stigma around mental illness have meant the world to me. I hope going forward I can continue to share more real stories, more important information on care and treatment and campaign for better care.

There is still a way to go. NHS waiting lists are too long and care is under funded, leading to not enough beds. Mental health stigma online (and sometimes offline) sadly still remains high. As a society, although we have improved, we still need to fully understand mental health conditions and separate them from the person themselves. I am optimistic that things can and will change.

To everyone reading this going through a period of mental ill health or living with a chronic mental illness, I see you and you are never alone. As a blog community, we can come together to empower each other, so no one ever feels invisible and I hope that I can continue to write too.

Thank you, from my heart, for the past 10 years! Here’s to many more years,

Love and gratitude always,

Eleanor

x

Dealing With January Anxiety- Getting Back To Life After A Trip To Venice. By Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: E Mandelstam: Burano)

I was hesitant to write this blog as my husband Rob and I have just come back from a truly wonderful holiday in Venice, Italy and I feel so grateful we had that time together. We had been waiting all year to go away properly and we had the best time. We walked over many bridges, saw some beautiful things such as St Marks Square and Basilica, Museo Correr (where I found the most incredible ballroom that was like the one in Beauty and the Beast- see photo below), The Doges’ Palace and we celebrated Robs birthday by going on a day trip by boat to Murano and Burano Islands. Murano is the home of stunning glassmaking and Burano is the island with the colourful houses and its a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for lace making. It was so pretty! We also toured the Jewish quarter- the ghetto in Cannaregio and synagogues, ate lots of delicious food (pasta and tiramisu) and went to Chabad (the Jewish centre) for shabbat, went shopping, took water buses and gondolas and just really enjoyed the time off work and exploring. Venice is a truly beautiful place and at every turn you can see something new and exciting- whether its a boat or gondola going along the canal or towers of meringues in a bakery window, to seeing an old lady shuffling over a bridge carefully with her stick and Italians carrying their dogs in little bags to keep them warm, Venice is full of character and of life. One of my favourite things was seeing the laundry (yes really) being hung out on pulleys over the canal in the Jewish Ghetto area, as they don’t have gardens.

I surprised myself this trip with how much I was able to do exercise wise. My husband loves to keep busy and lives life at a faster pace than I do and there were mornings where I found this hard and felt overwhelmed by the thought of the day, so rested and went out later in the day. But generally, we were able to go and explore some wonderful things together. There were a few days I did 14,000 steps a day! Which for someone who is quite sedentary normally, I was so pleased I could do this. Venice was just a truly beautiful city- we stayed in a lovely hotel that used to be a Palazzo (Palace) and had Murano glass chandeliers, it also was on the Grand Canal and had a Vaporetto (water bus) and Water taxi stop. Exploring the city with my husband gave me such a lovely focus and I was really amazed by how much I was able to do, how much walking I did, which proved to me that I can be active and explore.

(image: E Mandelstam- Museo Correr)

Coming home, I have felt hugely grateful to have had this time with Rob. However, adjusting back to normal life in January is hard anyway, but after a holiday I find my anxiety rises a bit. There have been plans I wanted to do here that I havn’t been able to do. However, I am working on it and on exposure therapy with myself to try and do more things here, go out the house more (as I work from home) and do what I can so that my anxiety doesn’t stop me from living my life.

When you have an anxiety disorder, it can be tough sometimes to go outside, to meet people, to do basic things in your normal environment. The weather is cold and dark early, all you want to do is hibernate. Which I feel is OK! I do notice though that its when I start feeling more anxious and unable to do things and can’t push myself that I have to take a step back and start looking after myself, just plan in a few small things to achieve. Overplanning for me tends to be a disaster! Even on holiday, if there was too much planned in, I found I couldn’t always do it and so we had to adapt plans, but I still did lots so to me, that was a win.

The January blues can be hard whether you have been lucky enough to go away or whether you are here and contemplating a brand new year and what it can bring. Remember to be kind to yourself and make things achievable. Whether you’re looking for a new job or you want to achieve another goal, know it will unfold at the right time. I am not good with being patient, but sometimes we have to be!

If you are struggling with your mental health and you need more support, please reach out to your GP, psychiatrist or therapist if you have one. I find things like taking my medication on time and getting enough rest also help me too. I am also counting the wins of thank G-d being well enough to travel and enjoying that time with my husband. I still achieved things and I have to remember I am capable of more than I think sometimes. The most important thing for me is making I do not spend too much time indoors- as the anxiety can then worsen.

(image: E Mandelstam- Cannaregio gondola)

How are you finding the January blues/ anxiety?

Eleanor x

Tips To Maintain Your Mental Health After A Baby by Sienna Warton

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Josh Willink)

Everyone tells you how amazing it is once the baby comes. And it is, no doubt. But everyone also skips the part of how hard and confusing it can be at times. You lack sleep, run on instinct and love, and all of the responsibility comes down on you hard. But all that’s normal. 

Every parent gets that mix of joy and struggle at some point. However, if the downs start to outweigh the ups, you should take a pause and look at it more deeply.

All the Emotions No One Warns You About

Before birth, it’s all about the baby – the ultrasound photos, due date, tiny clothes and picking names. But few people prepare you for what happens after.

In reality, many of the emotional changes begin well before birth. Reading about mental health during pregnancy can help expecting parents notice early signs of anxiety or mood shifts that often carry into postpartum life.

All the hormonal changes and lack of sleep can make even the simplest task feel difficult. Anxiety, sadness, and self-doubt can creep in, sometimes out of nowhere. In fact, around one in five women experience postpartum depression or anxiety, and partners often feel it too. 

But remember, no one really gets into it completely ready, and everyone learns as they go. 

Rest Isn’t a Bonus, but a Necessity 

“Sleep when the baby sleeps.” You’ve heard it a million times, and it’s certainly easier said than done. But rest really is essential. It’s how your body heals, and your mind resets.

You can try using the 5-5-5 rule: five days in bed, five days on the bed, five days near the bed. No strict formula to it, of course, but use is a reminder to slow down a bit.

If naps still seem impossible, just lie down for a few minutes and breathe, even when your brain insists that your baby needs you every second. And if someone offers to take a night shift, let them. One full night of sleep can change how you see everything.

Pregnancy and early parenthood can really impact maternal well-being. You must learn how to rest effectively, because your recovery is your number one priority next to your baby.

When “Baby Blues” Don’t Fade

Crying for no clear reason? Worrying constantly about the baby? That’s normal in those first days. However,  if it lasts more than two weeks, or you start feeling numb, detached, constantly anxious and worried, there could be something more to it.

Watch out for signs like:

  • Persistently low mood
  • Trouble bonding with your baby
  • Racing thoughts or panic
  • Appetite or sleep changes that don’t make sense
  • Thoughts of harm to yourself or your baby

If these sound familiar, reach out to your doctor, midwife, or mental-health professional. With help, things do get better. Getting support early makes healing faster and safer, for both of you.

Take Care of Your Body

It’s hard to think clearly when you haven’t eaten since breakfast or when you’ve lived on coffee for days. Keep yourself hydrated – a water bottle within reach works best. Your body needs steady fuel, especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Once your doctor says it’s okay, take short walks or stretch a little. You don’t need to “work out”, just move a bit. And if you’re healing from a C-section or stitches, follow the recovery plan. Pain makes everything harder.

Small Things Count

Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve disappeared under all the baby tasks. But you’re still there, you just need to remind yourself.

Try reclaiming tiny moments. Close the bathroom door and take that shower – even if it’s a quick one. Put on a song you love. Drink your coffee before it goes cold. It sounds silly, but it matters. The little things add up. You don’t need a meditation app or fancy breathing routine. 

Just stop for a second, notice your breath, maybe wiggle your toes on the floor. That’s it. Even a minute or two of peace can reset your nervous system.

Know When to Ask For Help

There’s a point where no amount of self-care or deep breathing can help.  If you’re struggling to function, or if each day feels harder instead of easier, that’s your signal.  That doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’re human.

Postpartum depression and anxiety are real medical conditions, but they’re treatable. A doctor, midwife, or therapist who understands postpartum life can help you find the right mix of support. Sometimes that’s talking, sometimes medication, sometimes both. The right kind of help makes everything easier.

Give Yourself Time

Recovery after birth doesn’t move in a straight line. One day you’ll feel like yourself again, the next you won’t, and that’s fine. Your body, mind, and heart all need time to settle into this new life you have. 

Rest when you can, ask for help when you can’t. 

Some days, progress is just making it through – and that’s still progress.

Mental Health Experts Shine A Light On The Struggle Of Infertility Over The Festive Season by Experts at JAAQ

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Victoria Volkova Unsplash)

For many people, Christmas time/festive season is a time for happiness, family and bringing people together; however, one in seven UK couples face a hidden grief : infertility..

Research reveals that nearly three in four people battling infertility are burdened with feelings of failure, ​​adding to the hidden grief many already feel during the holidays. In response, mental health platform JAAQ wants to spread awareness around why infertility can be harder during the holidays and what we can do to approach the topic sensitively.

Male fertility coach explains why infertility feels heavier during the festive season 

Male fertility coach, Shaun Greenway, who was diagnosed with azoospermia, explains on JAAQ why the holiday season is so difficult: “We got a pregnancy announcement at Christmas, and it took me right back to that place. That hurt. That weird feeling of happiness mixed in with jealousy and anger and pain.”  Even after he had twins via donor sperm, the emotions didn’t disappear “It will always be part of me. It’s always there.”

Shaun’s experience highlights a truth many people face – that infertility doesn’t end with treatment or conception; it changes shape, often resurfacing during emotionally charged times like Christmas, a time filled with pregnancy announcements and marketing imagery filled with children and togetherness.

Founder and CEO of Fertility Help Hub, Eloise Edington, knows that pain well. Supporting her devastated husband while navigating her own grief, she recalls when speaking on JAAQ: “Supporting my devastated husband while also equally grieving myself and knowing that we would never have a biological child together meant we were both drowning in separate pain.”

She’s open about the reality of those moments: “Lots of crying, lots of eating chocolate, wine, being together. Not pretty. Not Pinterest-worthy. Just real.” For many couples facing infertility, this is the reality of Christmas – raw, difficult and far from the idealised celebrations we often imagine. 

(image: Priscilla Prisceez, Unsplash)

4 dos and don’ts for talking about infertility this holiday season

To make the festive season a little easier, mental health platform JAAQ has revealed four essential dos and don’ts for talking about infertility this Christmas – whether you’re facing it yourself, or want to approach the topic sensitively with others. 

Dos:

  • 1. Think before you ask sensitive questions about pregnancy or starting a family and wait for them to bring it up themselves naturally in conversation.
  • 2. Share with someone you trust – If you are struggling, consider speaking openly with someone, whether in person or by message, which can help you to process your emotions. For Shaun, he shared: “Once I did start opening up, that’s when everything got a bit lighter.” Elouise suggests, “Find community, find support, speak to other people who are going through similar struggles. How are they dealing with it? What are they doing to keep the romance alive or to get through this tricky time and enjoy life?”
  • 3. Encourage without imposing your opinion. If someone shares something personal, listen fully before responding. Let them know you are there for them and ask how you can support them, rather than assuming what they need. 
  • 4. Create a Christmas/ festive routine that works for you. If traditional celebrations feel overwhelming, permit yourself to do things differently. You might skip the big dinner, start a new ritual like a quiet morning walk with coffee, or find other ways to mark the day that feel manageable.  

Dont’s:

  • Don’t ask personal questions about pregnancy or family plans, especially in social settings
  • Don’t offer unsolicited advice like ‘just relax’ or ‘it’ll happen when it’s meant to’
  • Don’t probe with follow-up questions if someone opens up; listen supportively rather than asking questions that might cause unintentional distress
  • Don’t pressure someone to participate in every activity or ‘get into the spirit.’ Sometimes the kindest thing is simply allowing them to step away 

(image: Pereanu Sebastian: Unsplash)

About JAAQ

JAAQ – which stands for Just Ask A Question is a pioneering mental health platform designed to make credible, compassionate support accessible to everyone – especially in the workplace. The platform provides engaging, clinically backed content by connecting users with experts and individuals with lived experience, who answer mental health questions anonymously. This unique, interactive approach empowers people to explore their mental wellbeing in a safe, stigma-free environment.

Snuggle Season Has Arrived! Limited Edition ‘Stomp’ BedTime Wear With NEXT For LOROS Hospice. (Non Sponsored Post)

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Limited edition Stomp pyjamas by Next, featuring a playful elephant design. 100% of profits support LOROS Hospice’s care for patients and families.)

Now that clocks are going back and its time to get snuggled and cosy, the perfect pyjamas for yourself and little ones have arrived! Teaming up with retail giant NEXT, the LOROS Hospice in Leicester, UK, have come up with some beautiful, stomping elephant pyjamas filled with colourful designs. The designs are inspired by the hand-painted elephant sculptures as part of the famous ‘Stomp Around Leicester’ art trail, which culminated in an art auction.

LOROS Hospice is facing a £2 million shortfall in funding and so NEXT has joined forces with LOROS to encourage the fundraising momentum! 100% profits from the pyjamas go to LOROS., which provides free, high quality compassionate care to terminally ill patients.

Available online now at next.co.uk, with nationwide delivery – every pair sold contributes to LOROS’s vital, compassionate care for over 2,600 patients each year. 

There are matching PJ sets for women and children, for family fun! These cosy pyjamas offer more than just warmth and style – they offer a feel-good factor that comes from helping a community lifeline.

Snuggle up for a cause this autumn: by slipping into Stomp PJs, families can stay stylishly warm while making a real difference to LOROS Hospice when it needs it most.

Please note: This post is non-sponsored (no fee taken) so Be Ur Own Light Blog can get entirely behind this wonderful cause!

image: Limited edition Stomp pyjamas by Next, featuring a playful elephant design)

The women’s Stomp PJs are 100% cotton and available in sizes XS – 2XL in regular length, and S – 2XL in tall. The children’s Stomp PJs are also 100% cotton and available in sizes 9-12 months, through to 7-8 years.

Healing The Mind And Body Through Supportive Recovery Practices by Isla Salt

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Yannic Laderach, Unsplash)

Recovery from addiction is a deeply personal and often challenging journey. Each individual faces unique struggles, yet a common thread binds everyone together—the need for healing that nurtures both the body and the mind. Traditional treatments like medical detox and counselling are essential, but recovery extends beyond them. To truly sustain sobriety, many people benefit from incorporating supportive practices that promote physical wellness, emotional balance, and meaningful social connections.

Holistic recovery approaches focus on treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms of substance use disorder. This means addressing the emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual aspects of health. Within this framework, two practices stand out for their effectiveness and accessibility: yoga as a healing tool and group therapy as a platform for connection and accountability. Together, these methods create a powerful balance, helping individuals not only manage cravings and triggers but also build resilience and long-term stability.

Understanding the Need for Holistic Healing

Addiction impacts far more than just the body. While substances can cause direct harm to organs and brain function, the cycle of dependency often disrupts emotional health and weakens relationships. Recovery programs that focus exclusively on physical detoxification may overlook the importance of mental clarity, emotional regulation, and social support—elements that are equally important in building a healthy life.

Supportive recovery practices go hand in hand with evidence-based therapies to address these needs. By combining structured treatments with holistic methods, people in recovery gain tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, and connect with others who understand their struggles. This integration often leads to improved outcomes and a reduced risk of relapse.

Yoga as a Pathway to Recovery

One of the most effective practices in holistic recovery is yoga for addiction recovery. Yoga provides more than just physical exercise; it is a discipline that strengthens the body, calms the mind, and fosters inner awareness. For people in recovery, yoga offers a constructive way to process emotions, cope with stress, and rebuild confidence.The benefits of yoga extend into multiple dimensions of healing:

  • Physical strength and resilience: Addiction often leaves the body weakened. Yoga helps restore energy, balance, and flexibility, giving individuals a sense of vitality.
  • Mental clarity: Breathwork and meditation in yoga reduce anxiety and improve focus, making it easier to navigate triggers and cravings.
  • Emotional regulation: Yoga encourages mindfulness, helping individuals respond to stress rather than react impulsively.
  • Spiritual connection: For many, yoga fosters a sense of purpose and inner peace, providing a meaningful counterbalance to past struggles.

Practicing yoga in recovery also creates structure and routine, both of which are essential for maintaining sobriety. Whether practiced individually or in a group setting, yoga can become a safe space to reconnect with oneself and rediscover a healthier way of living.

(image: Unsplash: Helena Lopes)

The Role of Community in Recovery

While practices like yoga are powerful for personal healing, recovery is not meant to be a solitary process. Addiction thrives in isolation, and overcoming it requires connection, support, and accountability. This is where community-based approaches such as group therapy play a vital role.

Human beings are social by nature, and support networks are key to emotional resilience. In group settings, individuals can share their stories, listen to others, and gain reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles. This shared experience often reduces shame and fosters empathy, which are critical for long-term healing.

Group Therapy as a Cornerstone of Support

Group therapy for substance abuse provides a safe and structured environment where individuals can open up about their experiences. Guided by a trained therapist, group sessions encourage honesty, accountability, and peer support. Unlike individual therapy, which focuses on one person’s journey, group therapy highlights the power of collective healing. Key benefits of group therapy include:

  • Shared understanding: Listening to others with similar struggles helps normalize feelings and experiences.
  • Accountability: Members often motivate each other to stay on track and celebrate progress.
  • Skill-building: Sessions may teach coping strategies, communication skills, and relapse prevention tools.
  • Hope and inspiration: Seeing others succeed in recovery can inspire confidence and determination.

Group therapy also helps individuals rebuild social skills that may have eroded during addiction. By practicing healthy communication and learning to trust again, participants strengthen the foundations of meaningful relationships outside the therapy room.

Balancing Individual and Collective Healing

The combination of yoga and group therapy illustrates how both individual and collective healing practices can work hand in hand. Yoga allows individuals to reconnect with themselves, build strength, and find calm in the face of challenges. Group therapy provides the encouragement and accountability that comes from shared experiences. Together, these practices address both the internal and external dimensions of recovery.

For many, the integration of body-focused and community-based approaches creates a balanced recovery journey. It ensures that healing is not only about overcoming physical dependence but also about cultivating emotional stability and social connection.

The Long-Term Impact of Supportive Practices

Recovery is not a short-term process—it is a lifelong commitment. Supportive practices like yoga and group therapy provide tools that individuals can carry with them long after formal treatment has ended. These practices foster resilience, helping individuals manage stress, cope with setbacks, and continue growing on their path to wellness.

Some people incorporate yoga as part of their daily routine, using it as a grounding practice. Others rely on ongoing group sessions or peer support communities to maintain accountability. The beauty of supportive recovery practices is their adaptability—they can evolve with a person’s needs and provide consistent strength throughout life.

Creating a Sustainable Recovery Lifestyle

The journey to sobriety is about much more than simply avoiding substances. It is about creating a lifestyle that supports health, purpose, and connection. A sustainable recovery lifestyle often includes:

  • Regular physical activity, such as yoga or other mindful exercises.
  • Participation in therapy or peer support groups.
  • Healthy nutrition and sleep habits.
  • Engagement in meaningful work, hobbies, or service.
  • Building strong, supportive relationships.

When individuals embrace both holistic and therapeutic practices, they are better equipped to live fulfilling lives beyond addiction.

Final Thoughts

Healing from addiction requires more than detoxification or medication—it requires a comprehensive approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. Practices like yoga provide personal healing and inner balance, while group therapy fosters community, accountability, and shared growth. Together, they create a powerful foundation for lasting recovery.

By embracing supportive recovery practices, individuals not only overcome addiction but also rediscover the strength, resilience, and joy needed to build a healthier and more purposeful life.

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