A Year to Change Your Mind: Ideas from the Therapy Room to Help You Live Better

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Psychology underpins everything we do, determining the decisions we make, the relationships we build, the roles we play and the places we live, and our behaviour is further influenced by the changing seasons, encouraging many of us to fall into unhelpful patterns again and again each year. From the tendency to lack motivation in January and to experience red-hot anger in the heat of August, to the weight of expectation associated with that back-to-school feeling in September and the pressure to enjoy the December holiday season, we’re shown recognisable features of behaviour over the course of the year. Calmer more experienced minds will be aware of these techniques but they are in a perfect package for a young person. I liked the way that this book was set out- a different theme for each month of the year, with strategies to help with a variety of things like lack of sleep, anxiety, fears etc.

I think non-fiction books are often about timing and whilst I didn’t read this book in the manner I think the author intended, it was lovely to read a self help book that is so practical. Sleep-friendly environment: Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet.Remember that change takes time, and progress may be gradual, but with dedication and consistent practice, you can improve your mental health and lead a more fulfilling life. I listened to the audiobook read by the author which helped increase the impact of her personal/professional journey and the examples given. Breathing exercises: Practice deep breathing techniques to calm your nervous system during moments of stress. Self-forgiveness: Acknowledge past mistakes and work towards forgiving yourself to release emotional burdens. Resilient role models: Seek inspiration from individuals who have overcome adversity and learn from their experiences.

Empathy and understanding: Put yourself in the shoes of others to cultivate empathy and understanding, facilitating forgiveness. Daily purpose reminders: Create visual cues or reminders of your purpose and place them in prominent locations.

Positive social circle: Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who uplift your spirits. Forgiving imperfections: Embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth and practice self-forgiveness.

By breaking down the main principles into actionable checklists, you can easily incorporate the book's recommendations into your daily routine. Mindfulness and meditation: Practice mindfulness exercises and meditation regularly to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation.I don't think I'm a fan of the structure of the chapters, I'd prefer if each chapter was titled after the problem/idea/solution/story/theory/strategy/etc which would make the book easier to navigate as a reference. Those who count themselves among the “worried well” probably already have the odd wise confidant to process ideas and feelings with, and are well versed in the notion that life inevitably has its ups and downs. Self-care practices: Engage in activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing regularly. We perhaps turn to psychology in the hope of being surprised out of the furrows in which our habitual thinking can get stuck. Filled with practical advice gained from years of offering therapy as a clinical psychologist, Lucy offers insights into how we think, experience the world and other people in it, and make decisions – and some tools to help with those moments when life feels hard.

The guiding principle is that clinical psychology isn’t just for fixing dysfunctional situations; you can also use it to improve functional ones. Break tasks down: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to make progress more attainable. Physical activity: Incorporate regular exercise into your routine to release endorphins and boost resilience. Acts of kindness: Regularly engage in acts of kindness towards strangers, friends, family, or colleagues.This review will break down the main principles outlined in each chapter, offering an actionable checklist to incorporate these recommendations into your daily routine for a happier, healthier mind. Coping strategies: Develop coping mechanisms to manage anxiety and uncertainty during times of change. I really enjoyed this read which is set out in 12 different themes addressing challenges we face in each month of the year.