Oxford Family Hypnotherapy
  • Home
    • About
    • Why choose Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
  • How we can help
  • Working with Children
    • Promoting Excellence
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact

Practising Gratitude - Positive Mental Health

16/2/2020

0 Comments

 
I recently wrote this piece for Red Kite Days about 'Practising Gratitude'.  You can read the post on their site here.  
Picture
We have a family member called Otto. He joined us after a trip to the seaside and has sat on our kitchen table ever since. He is a gold, candle-holding Octopus and we love him. Every evening, our little family sits together, lights a candle and eats together. We ask the question ‘What’s been good today?’ and everyone answers. Even on the most miserable days, when the knee-jerk answer is ‘NOTHING’ that question is asked and answered. It’s a ritual that keeps our minds positive and our hearts full of gratitude for the good things in the world.

‘Who’s got time for lighting candles at dinner?’ you might scorn. Sometimes we do this at lunch, or breakfast, or our ‘What’s been good’ conversation happens during bath-time, but it does happen. I made this commitment because I know that gratitude is good for the brain.

When we focus on the good things in life, neurons fire in our brains, linking together and forming neural pathways. As you practice looking for the good in life, your brain becomes more adept at this. This improves resilience over time. A child is much less likely to identify something as a ‘failure’, because they can find a positive outcome in everything. It reduces anxiety, because they are able to notice the positive things in their life even when they face challenges. It also releases serotonin, improving mood and motivation. When working with clients, the first thing I ask them is ‘What’s been good?’.

Why not try this at home? If your child likes scrapbooking, then a gratitude journal is the way to go. Identify five good things on the fingers of their little paw before you kiss them goodnight. When you collect them from school, instead of ‘What did you do today?’ (Answer: ‘I can’t remember’), ask ‘What’s been good today?’ and get them to ask you the same thing. Find your own special candlestick and create a ritual that the whole family can enjoy.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Julia Watson

    Julia Watson is the founding Clinical Hypnotherapist at Oxford Family Hypnotherapy. She thinks everyone has a small, still voice inside telling them what they are really capable of and likes helping them listen to it.

    Archives

    June 2020
    February 2020
    July 2018
    March 2018
    May 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Location

What Our Clients Are Saying

"Julia offers the whole package - she is warm, perceptive, and very astute. She sees through problems and keeps you on track, even when it's difficult. I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants to change but doesn't know how." Jo, South Oxon

"My son is more confident, he's doing better at school and he's so much happier. Our family life as improved as a result. THANK YOU!"
Clare, Summertown.

"I felt so much more in control, even after the first session. I can enjoy spending time with my kids without getting distracted or worrying. You have changed our lives." Sarah, Kennington. 

Contact Us

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Home
    • About
    • Why choose Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
  • How we can help
  • Working with Children
    • Promoting Excellence
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact