Covid-19 | Leanne French Relationship Expert & Counsellor

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Don’t Blurt What Might Hurt.

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In these socially distant times, spending more time online is one way to help satisfy our basic human longing for social inclusion. After nearly a month, people are saying they’re beginning to feel emotionally drained, restless and disappointed in the way some people are treating others. Others find themselves bombarded by overly strong opinions, forceful comments, put downs or really rude, sharp answers to reasonable questions, comments or status updates. When the comments stay public, they invite more negativity.

Unfortunately, because people bring to social media the ways they behave in Continue reading →

Tags: adult bullies, Be nice, bullying, Speak no evil, Sticks and Stones, Why are people mean?, Write no evil

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Categories Boundaries, Bullying, Communication, Compassion, Conflict resolution, Counselling, Covid-19, Gossip, Health, Kindness, Relationship advice, Save the World

Same Storm. Different Boat.

22 Apr

While Mahatma Gandhi once said Dignity of human nature requires that we must face the storms of life, this present storm, the way we face it and the impact it will have on each and every one of us, will be incredibly diverse.

In the midst of disruption, there are commonalities. Heightened reactions, moments of confusion and clarity, and concern for safety and security. Human nature dictates we do what we can to save ourselves and then look around to offer a (socially distanced) helping hand.

We react in a thousand different ways because how we think, feel, act, need, want, hate, love and believe, stem from a huge variety of factors from our past experience, our resilience, the extent of support we have available, the size of our bank account, to where we’re positioned physically, socially, economically and emotionally.

While some may have anchored calmly, and others adjusted their sails towards rainbows and pots of gold, we cannot underestimate the emotional gale and financial swirl that this storm has brought upon many. Continue reading →

Tags: acts of kindness, Compassion, corona virus emotional wellbeing, covid19, Hope, Kindness, Leanne French Counsellor, making judgements, Mangawhai Counsellor, Northland relationship counsellor, Same storm different boats, storms, telehealth counsellor, Therapy, tolerance

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Categories Compassion, Conflict resolution, Covid-19, Health, Kindness, New beginnings, Resilience, Save the World, Self-care, Self-love

Embrace The Journey.

21 Apr

As you journey down the path, don’t forget to be present moment-by-moment and absorb the beauty and richness of simply being alive. Cary David Richards, The Happiness Habit.

Tags: being present, corona virus emotional wellbeing, embrace the journey, how to emotionally manage isolation, Mindfulness

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Categories Covid-19, Health, Mindfulness, Save the World, Self-care

Reflect. Review. Revise.

20 Apr

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Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. Carl Jung.

A bit of soul-searching never goes amiss for those of us who like an opportunity for personal development.

Surfing and forest bathing are excellent contemplation activities but it’s another week until we can splash and wander so why not unplug, switch off autopilot, seek solitude and from a curious standpoint, reflect on what has happened to us, the world, those we love, and our place within all of it.

When we explore and process our experience, we gain a new appreciation and understanding of who we are, what we Continue reading →

Tags: contemplation, corona virus emotional wellbeing, covid19, how to emotionally manage isolation, Introspection, self reflection, Therapy

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Categories Counselling, Covid-19, Health, Mindfulness, Save the World, Self-care

Stay Strong & Trust The Wait.

19 Apr

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King Jr.

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it open. Arnold Glasow.

Tags: acceptance, corona virus emotional wellbeing, courage, covid19, determination, embrace the now, focus, patience, Resilience, stay in the bubble, stay strong, trust the wait

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Categories Covid-19, Health, Resilience, Save the World, Self-care

Grow Through What You Go Through.

16 Apr

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Times like this can really make or break us. Never before as a nation, have we ever been in the situation we’re in. Essential and frontline workers are literally putting their lives on the line while some parents probably wish they could hang their children on the line.

It’s all about flattening the curve. It’s not a competition. We get that. It’s not about being the fittest or most fabulous. Some will moan, others will motivate. It doesn’t have to include a bake off or a dance off, but if it does and people enjoy it, let’s remember to be kind.

Some people are really sick, others are afraid of becoming sick. Some are Continue reading →

Tags: corona virus emotional wellbeing, Covid-19, covid19, Grow through what you go through, how to manage isolation, Reach out for help when you need it

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Categories Addiction, Communication, Compassion, Counselling, Covid-19, Health, Kindness

Tame Your Thoughts.

15 Apr

Right now, more than ever, there are a lot of people experiencing turbulent thoughts that they describe as “having a hold over them.”

Our usual thoughts keep us pretty busy as it is, but lately it’s the catastrophic thoughts of future scenarios that appear to be running wild, egging on restlessness, confusion and anxiety.

Here’s what I want you to know. Thoughts may seem like they come from outside of us, but they actually come from inside us. We’re in control of what we think. Let’s not give thoughts a power that they don’t have. Thoughts don’t choose us. We choose them.

A situation in itself doesn’t create overwhelm or panic, only your thoughts about Continue reading →

Tags: catastrophizing, corona virus emotional wellbeing, covid19, goodness influencer, how to emotionally manage isolation, how to stop overthinking, overthinking, overwhelm, reducing anxiety, taming thoughts, therapist, thinking and feeling

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Categories Counselling, Covid-19, Health, Mindfulness, Save the World, Self-care

Kindness is Cool.

14 Apr

Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelms the world. Desmond Tutu.

In these uncertain times, acts of kindness, gentle words, praise, encouragement, warm smiles, considerate behaviours, helpfulness and thoughtfulness are more important than ever.

Co-operating with lockdown rules is an act of united kindness. We’re all in this together, doing our bit, for the greater good.

Kindness not only magically lifts the spirits of those giving and receiving, but even onlookers to kindness have increased levels of the happiness hormone in their brain.

We can be of service to humanity in many different sized ways. It doesn’t have to Continue reading →

Tags: caring for yourself in lockdown, corona virus emotional wellbeing, Covid-19, covid19, Kindness, Kindness is cool, Relationships

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Categories Compassion, Covid-19, Gratitude, Health, Kindness, Relationship advice, Save the World, Self-love

Just Ride it Out.

13 Apr

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When the waves of life crash down on you, pick yourself up, get ready for the next one, and ride it like you own it!

Tags: corona virus emotional wellbeing, Covid-19, Easter Monday, how to emotionally manage isolation, Just ride it out, patience

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Categories Covid-19, Health, Holiday celebrations, Resilience, Save the World, Self-care

Hold on to Hope.

12 Apr

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It’s an Easter Sunday like no other. We’re on Day 18 of lockdown, and our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern gave a great message of hope to the nation, granting the Easter Bunny (along with the Tooth Fairy) essential worker status. It was a moment of light hearted loveliness which made the chocolate loving children of New Zealand squeal with delight.

Hope allows us to believe there’s an illuminated pathway leading to a more desirable outcome.

Hope is a magic dispeller of despair.

Hope cheers us on somewhat, encouraging us to go the distance.

Don’t be surprised if it feels a little tough coming into the third week. The mundaneness and lack of pick me ups can make it a bit boring and lacking in the joy department. Rather than critically overly examining or picking our lives to pieces, it’s more spirit lifting to mix things up a bit, add pops of fun, and look to add Continue reading →

Tags: corona virus emotional wellbeing, Easter, Easter Bunny, goodness influencer, Hold on to hope, Hope, Jacinda Ardern, therapist