A little more than 1 in 100 people live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - yet it’s still largely misrepresented in the media.  We’ve all seen quirky sitcom stars and cleaning fiends on TV, but these depictions are at best inaccurate and at worst harmful.  OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by: Obsessions: intrusive thoughts that are regular or difficult to control; Intense anxiety or distress from these thoughts; Compulsions: repetitive behaviours or thought patterns that the person with OCD feels compelled to perform.  These compulsions might be intended to prevent an intrusive thought from taking place “for real”, or to...

It may be the most wonderful time of year, but Christmas is equally packed with pressures. 51% of women and 35% of men report feeling extra stress around the festive season.  Mindfulness can help with periods of anxiety, and fortify your mental state as you enter the most magical - and demanding - season. It involves “grounding” yourself in the present moment, and allowing your anxious thoughts to pass by with neutral observation.  Here are some mindful tips for staying in control over the holidays:   Put the tech down There’s nothing wrong with endless reruns of Home Alone - when...

Let’s face it: anxiety and depression can be rough. Many who live with it can project their energy out towards those around them, to make sure their loved ones never have to feel this way.  While it’s important to share the love, forgetting about yourself can lead to codependent behaviour and a loss of your own identity. When others constantly come first, you’re telling yourself over and over: I’m less important. Self-love is not just for beautiful, successful, slightly out-of-touch people on Instagram. You are the only person you’ll spend every second of your life with, and so it’s the...

We’ll spare the tips on sleep and exercise: these are probably the most fundamental parts of a healthy mindset, but it’s likely you’ve heard it all before. Pulling yourself out of a bad headspace is not easy, especially if you have an anxiety disorder or depression. Often, you want to make changes, but don’t have the energy, or rely on quickly-fading bursts of motivation.  Implementing small, everyday adjustments can make these first steps less intimidating. By listening to your brain and being gentle with yourself, you can learn to work to your own advantage.  Create routines It can be useful...