Frothy pink July

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

At last the honeysuckle

grapples through the tree

Reaching skyward

beside the frothy pink of

the flowering almond

Chicks are chirping on the rooftops

watching the parent sparrows below

nipping at seeds in the feeder

To and fro

to and fro

to and fro

Do you have flowers in your life? in a pot by the sink? in a window box? on a balcony? in a garden? in a park? in a painting? on a screensaver? as your mobile wallpaper? in your mind when you close your eyes? the scent in the summer beguiles us along with the bees...

Reflect, boost the positives and achieve your outcomes

I take a pause on the garden bench

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

It's the end of May, just about Bank Holiday Monday time...and predictably it's cool and breezy, with no sun here in Kings Norton for the last 3 days.

The honeysuckle is hovering in the air, the spurt of growth from a bit of heat a week ago, yet the flowers are not quite ready to come out and perfume the air, attracting bees - and me, as I take a pause on the garden bench.

I will wait for the warmth and the sun.

🌸 Enjoy a Pause with me: chat over your life coaching needs with Anne - find out more

A little known response to stress

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

Through human connection, we can have personal resilience - trust that you can handle inevitable stress and you can aim for meaning in your life.

🟢 A little known response to stress is that a neuro-hormone called oxytocin is released.  

It protects the cardiovascular system, is anti-inflammatory, helps blood vessels relax and cells in the body to heal and strengthen.  

It is enhanced by social contact and social support - the more we reach out, the more oxytocin is released.

🟡 This amazing hormone fine-tunes our brain's SOCIAL instincts, priming us to do things that strengthen social relationships, enhancing empathy - we notice when someone else is struggling, even as we feel stressed about (possibly) the same external factors.

We become willing to help and support people we care about.  

It also motivates us to seek support, to tell someone how we feel.

WATCH my microlearning videos in ✴️ My YouTube playlist Coping skills for well-being: https://www.youtube.com/@canalsidelifecoach/playlists

Remember it can give immediate relief to seek professional help - set up a session to talk with a life coach, or for more deep seated issues in your past, a therapist for guidance and support.

📩 You can contact me on anne.brookes@canalsidecoach.app

Reference: How to make stress your friend | Kelly McGonigal, TED talk

Setting boundaries is important - especially when experiencing exhaustion or burnout

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

Remember a little positive change in your thinking and behaviour each day makes a difference.

If your body is very stressed, it may be more of a challenge to even consider making changes - yet as you live each day, changes are happening!  

The knack to balancing your life is to blend the needs of the body and the mind.

When working towards the outcomes you want, remember you need self compassion along with application - as a coach, I am here to help you kindly encourage you to trust yourself to keep going.

If you are experiencing exhaustion or burnout

Learn how to set boundary goals, gently practice assertive communication skills, and work through feelings you might have when you say "No."

Relax for a minute and plant a thought that will help you navigate through...

⏭️ set boundaries by saying NO assertively

🌄 reconnect with natural light and sounds 🐦

🪻 use the power of scent ☕

😊 delight in activities of the season

WATCH Self Compassion in Tough Times from my YouTube channel PLEASE subscribe - thanks:) for more tips

✴️❇️✳️✴️ Remember it can give immediate relief to seek professional help - set up a session to talk with a life coach, or for more deep seated issues in your past, a therapist for guidance and support

🥇 BOOK your FREE introduction Call: https://ui.canalsidecoach.app

Our robin sings in next door's tree

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

Early May morning in Kings Norton, Birmingham - sunny, warm and a refreshing breeze...

Our robin sings in next door's tree, after waiting patiently for all the other birds to eat their fill - the two gangs of sparrows, some swinging on the feeders, others dancing around in the grass below alongside the lone blackbird and the young fieldfare.

I miss last year's robin who had only one leg, hopping nearer the back door, spotting little snacks behind the pots.

✴️ WATCH my video Natures impact on Mental Health in My YouTube playlist Coping skills for well-being: https://www.youtube.com/@canalsidelifecoach/playlists