Kellie Knapton

Christmas closure 2020

What a year! The Cherished Minds team and families are getting ready for a well deserved break to recharged and take on 2021.

The clinic will be closed between Wednesday 23^rd of December and Tuesday 12^th of January 2021. Appointments will resume as normal from Wednesday 13^th January with all regular and reoccurring appointments automatically resuming from this date.

Cancellation policies and required notice periods will remain in place so please take some time to advise admin if you will be away for any appointments during this time.

If you are a new client wishing to make an appointment, please send us a message via the website enquiry form or to our email at info@cherishedminds.com.au

The team at Cherished Minds wishes you all a safe and happy holiday and we look forward to seeing you all refreshed in 2020.

Managing Anxiety

At Cherished Minds we know that managing anxiety‬ is easier said than done. It takes a lot a dedication and bravery to address the triggers that fire up our anxiety.

Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of the little things we can do to bring ourselves back to the present. The things in this list may seem superficial but they focus on mindfulness‬, building a support network and positive thinking.

We hope this list will give you some easy strategies to employ for yourself or to talk to your children about.

1. Smile

Smiling has a chemical impact on your brain.

2. Dance it out

Get moving! Exercise releases endorphins which can lift your mood.

3.Take a deep breath

Deep breathing can slow the heart rate and calm you down. It also turns your focus inwards, helping you practice mindfulness.

4. Visualise stress draining from your body

Visualise the stress leaving your body, bit by bit. Visualise it drain from your head, out of your arms, torso and legs. “Seeing” stress leave your body helps you physically relax our body and will also have a surprising effect on your mental state.

5. Ground yourself – name five things you can see, smell, hear and feel

Grounding helps you focus on the present moment and enables you to practice mindfulness. Focusing on what is happening immediately around you turns your focus away from the future.

6. Reframe the problem and put it in perspective

Anxiety often hinders our ability to think reasonably. Try re-framing the issue by thinking about it in the big picture. Will this matter in 10 years? Are you healthy and safe? Do you have people who care about you?

7. Focus on what you can control

This one is often thrown around, but that’s because it’s true! Break the problem down into smaller, manageable parts. Address the things you can, let go of the things you can’t.

8. Talk to someone about it

Talk to someone you trust and respect. Maybe they will offer a new perspective. If not, at least you have taken the opportunity to vent and get the worried thoughts out of your system.

9. Go for a run

Get your heart rate up and burn off all that adrenalin that’s surging through your system. It’s hard to let negative thoughts preoccupy your mind when you’re panting for air!

10. Ask for a hug

Remind yourself that you aren’t in this alone. Reach out to your support network and ask for help. Sometimes, you just need to be reminded there are people around that care about you!

We’d love to know what strategies you use to manage anxiety! Let us know on our Facebook Page!

Actually Enjoy Your Morning

Adopting a few new morning habits could completely transform how the whole family tackles their day!

Here’s a few tips to try with your kids:

1. Get active

Try doing 10 star jumps as soon as you jump out of bed. Follow this with a couple of minutes of fun movements like bunny hops around the dinning room. Is there a better way to start the day than laughing and jumping around with your kids? Light morning exercise helps you wake up and can also improve concentration throughout the day.

2. Focus on the good stuff

Spend 5 minutes together reflecting on all the things you are thankful for or excited about today. You’ll be surprised how much this impacts the way you approach the rest of your day.

3. Plan breakfast

Get your kids involved in planning a breakfast they look forward to. Sit down the night before and plan what’s on the menu for the next morning. This can also make for a fun nightly routine and will make getting them out of bed a little easier. When it comes to breakfast time, get them involved in the preparation.

We hope these tips will add a little colour and excitement to your morning routine. Let us know how you go trying them out!

Let’s get social!

APS Psychology Week 2015 has us thinking about social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, Tumblr, Snapchat, and the list goes onnnn. Being a parent in this digital climate can be scary. So much is thrown around about the negative effects of social media that we thought we’d celebrate the positive uses for it. Like our Facebook or follow us on Twitter for great psychology resources, important news and updates. You can also contact us via our Facebook page to ask questions, provide feedback or just say Hi!