Burnout: the gift that just keeps giving

Anyone that’s shown a passing interest in my posts will know that, three years’ ago, I suffered a breakdown. I was severely physically and mentally burnt-out which then led to a sustained period of depression. I couldn’t envisage a day where I would ever feel well again, but over time, I pieced myself back together…

Middle Jersey: if you don’t like it, there’s a boat in the morning!

September 2000, I packed my worldly goods into my D-reg Fiesta and boarded the boat to Jersey. As a 24 year-old newly-qualified solicitor, leaving the familiarity of home to start a new job in the island, I didn’t know whether this was to be a short, or long-term, adventure. Fast-forward 21 years, and I’m still…

Through the waves

I’d travelled the world but rarely dipped a toe in the ocean thanks to forty-odd years extreme fear of the sea. But that was conquered in an intense ten days and gave rise to an immediate and profound effect on mental health and wellbeing, including a withdrawal from anti-depressants. An account of the clear benefits of open water swimming on mental health.

Back from the brink

I haven’t written for a while. To be honest, I couldn’t have, even if I’d wanted to. You see, I’ve been unwell. You might say I’d been burning the candle at both ends, but not in a hedonistic party-type fashion, more of a juggling all the plates all the time type way. And then the…

Depression: it’s all just weather

I’m writing this in bed, propped up on a couple of pillows, the dog resting over my feet, the wind blowing the trees outside the window. My daughter is making pancakes, my son is playing Minecraft and my husband is emptying the dishwasher. To a casual observer, it’s a picture of a normal, happy family…

The fundamental problem with…and other problems men can fix.

‘Knock, knock’ ‘Who’s there?’ ‘2019’ ‘2019 who? ‘Indeed.’ That’s the joke I imagine cracking in an editorial team meeting of my local newspaper. There I go, trying to be funny – no – satirical even. How very dare I, what with me being a woman and all. You see, I’m beginning to wonder what the…

The Alcohol Experiment

Would taking a drink after so long alcohol-free see me never looking back, or hopping straight back on that sober wagon?

Stress: what is it good for?

Stress: the intangible ailment of our generation. But what is the effect of long-term stress on health, business and well-being?