Live Life Not Strife

Live Life Not Strife Clinical Psychologist, Physical and Remote appointments. Main Office Altrincham. Appointments also available at: Alderley Edge, Central London and North London.

Remote appointments available via Zoom and WhatsApp for any time zone.

One thing I see often as a psychologist:People are much harder on themselves than they would ever be on someone they lov...
31/05/2026

One thing I see often as a psychologist:

People are much harder on themselves than they would ever be on someone they love.

As this month ends, try speaking to yourself with more patience, compassion, and understanding. Think: would you say that to someone else? Would your best friend say that to you?

You are allowed to grow slowly.
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to start again.

Celebrate the small things, small wins add up to big wins. It doesn't matter how small, still pat yourself on the back and say well done.

From a very young age, you are taught about rewards and how good behaviour and good actions get that well-done message; why do we stop doing this as adults? We crave affection and someone to tell us Well done, you are doing a good job. People are too quick to recognise the negative but not the positive; be the advocate for yourself, say well done!

We often talk about “physical health” and “mental health” as if they’re separate. They’re not. Your mind and body are on...
28/05/2026

We often talk about “physical health” and “mental health” as if they’re separate. They’re not. Your mind and body are one system — and during a heatwave, that connection becomes impossible to ignore.

Here are 5 ways to support your overall wellbeing in the UK heatwave:

1. Cool your body to calm your mind
Overheating increases irritability and stress. Use cool showers, fans, and shaded spaces to reduce the mental load heat creates.

2. Hydrate for emotional stability
Even mild dehydration affects mood and concentration. Sip regularly throughout the day.

3. Protect your sleep
Heat disrupts sleep, and poor sleep disrupts everything else. Keep your room cool, use a fan, and stick to a routine.

4. Gentle movement only
Avoid intense exercise in high temperatures. Opt for stretching, slow yoga, or short walks early or late in the day.

5. Stay connected
Heat can make us withdraw, but social contact is a major protective factor for mental well-being. Check in on others — and let them check in on you.

Your body and mind are always in conversation. In a heatwave, listening to both matters more than ever.

27/05/2026

If you knew your life was going to change tomorrow, what would you do today that's really important to you? We rarely know when something big will shake us, so maybe living a satisfying life involves learning how to separate life's 'noise' from what's really important to you.
I can help to sort through the noise and work out what is important to you.
www.livelifenotstrife.co.uk


Healing is rarely a straight line.Some days will feel lighter.Some days may feel overwhelming again.That does not mean y...
23/05/2026

Healing is rarely a straight line.

Some days will feel lighter.
Some days may feel overwhelming again.
That does not mean you are failing.

Growth often happens quietly — through consistency, self-awareness, and continuing to show up for yourself even on difficult days. 💚

Be patient with your progress.

Setting boundaries is not selfish.It’s a form of self-respect.You are allowed to:Protect your peaceSay “no” without guil...
22/05/2026

Setting boundaries is not selfish.
It’s a form of self-respect.

You are allowed to:

Protect your peace
Say “no” without guilt
Take space when overwhelmed
Prioritize your mental wellbeing

Healthy boundaries create healthier relationships. 💚

Overthinking can feel like problem-solving…but sometimes it’s just anxiety keeping your mind stuck in a loop.Signs you m...
21/05/2026

Overthinking can feel like problem-solving…
but sometimes it’s just anxiety keeping your mind stuck in a loop.

Signs you may be mentally overwhelmed:

Replaying conversations repeatedly
Struggling to switch your mind off
Imagining worst-case scenarios
Difficulty relaxing, can't switch off.

Your mind deserves rest t

Pause. Breathe. Ground yourself in the present moment.

MYTH: “Strong people don’t need therapy.”FACT: Seeking support is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.You go to the d...
20/05/2026

MYTH: “Strong people don’t need therapy.”
FACT: Seeking support is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.

You go to the doctor for a check-up, you don't wait until the problem is so overwhelming that you need emergency surgery.

Therapy is not about being “broken”
It’s about learning healthier ways to cope, understand yourself, and improve your emotional well-being.

You don’t have to wait until things become overwhelming to ask for support.

Struggling with anxiety or panic?Grounding techniques can help bring you back to the present moment.Try the 5-4-3-2-1 me...
19/05/2026

Struggling with anxiety or panic?

Grounding techniques can help bring you back to the present moment.

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
👀 5 things you can see
✋ 4 things you can touch
👂 3 things you can hear
👃 2 things you can smell
👅 1 thing you can taste

You don’t need to “stop” anxiety immediately — the goal is to reconnect with the present.

18/05/2026

Those of you who have worked with me know I swear by giving yourself a hug. If anyone finds relaxing difficult, try this panda's hug. Giving and receiving a hug can relax muscles, stabilise hormones, lower heart rate, ground you, and remind you that you're in your safe space. The optimal number of daily hugs to support well-being is 6-8.

“I’ve had therapy before. Why would I try it again?”Because therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.And not every experience is ...
13/05/2026

“I’ve had therapy before. Why would I try it again?”

Because therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
And not every experience is the right experience for you.

Sometimes therapy “doesn’t work” because:

*You weren’t ready yet.
*You didn’t feel safe enough to open up.
*The therapist wasn’t the right fit.
*The approach didn’t match what you needed.
*You were surviving, not healing.

That doesn’t mean you failed therapy. It means your needs deserved a different approach.

Think about it this way:
If one doctor couldn’t help your physical pain, you wouldn’t decide healthcare itself is useless forever.

The same applies to mental health.

Good therapy isn’t about someone “fixing” you.
It’s about being understood, supported, challenged appropriately, and given tools that actually fit your life.

And sometimes, the version of you walking into therapy now is very different from the version that walked in years ago.

Growth changes what we’re ready to face.

Trying therapy again isn’t starting over.
It’s continuing the conversation with yourself — this time with more insight, experience, and clarity about what you need.

Book your appointment today
www.livelifenotstrife.co.uk

Address

28 London Road
Altrincham
SK97DZ

Website

https://www.hcpc.co.uk/checkregister, https://www.efpa.eu/, https://www.bps.org.uk/

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