Want to increase your well-being, creativity, and productivity? If so, cultivate flow, a concept describing those moments when you are completely absorbed in a challenging but doable task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, considered one of the co-founders of positive psychology, was the first to identify and research flow. (If you are unsure how to pronounce his name, [...]
Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and expanded by Mary Ainsworth, offers a profound understanding of how early relationships with caregivers shape our emotional and relational lives. Today, attachment theory is a vital tool in therapy, helping clients navigate and heal from relational and emotional difficulties. This article will explore how to use attachment theory [...]
Exploring TikTok's 'Shadow Work' Trend: A Guide to Shadow Work Prompts Social media opens many doors for conversation and has an amazing power to bust taboos. TikTok, in particular, accelerates this, especially among those under 25 – where trends drive creators to explore topics. And lately, a trend called Shadow Work and Shadow Work Prompts has [...]
How to feel less lonely or isolated If you’ve arrived at this page because you typed in ‘lonely’, ‘loneliness’, or ‘isolation’, we’d like to say a big, warm hello from all of us at the Arts of Change Trust in Dudley. You are not on your own anymore – we’re here for you. We all feel [...]
Neurodiversity and autism-friendly days out in the West Midlands At the AoC Trust in Dudley, we understand that the summer is often a chance to relax, spend time with family and friends, and explore. But for some, the busy summer period can be triggering, with lots of people, noise, and heat - a bit of [...]
How the weather affects your mood (and what to do about it) The curtains were shut in winter to keep the heat in – now the curtains are shut to keep the sun out. And our mental health is taking a big hit with the extremes that life throws at us. Similar to Goldilocks and [...]
Holiday bodies and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) As the weather hots up in England, thoughts can turn to our wardrobes and bodies. The sun can bring much-needed vitamin D and boost our mental well-being, but it can also see us reflecting in the mirror. It’s not solely sun damage we need to protect ourselves from [...]
Do I have to see a GP to get therapy? One day it hits you, whether it’s your relationship, work, friendship, money or everything – you don’t want to get out of bed. You don’t want to work. You want to hide. There’s a point in everyone’s life when you feel sad – you’re not [...]
How bullying at school has changed At the AoC, we’ve recently seen a steep increase in mental health referrals for children experiencing bullying. And bullying can have a detrimental impact on the child as they grow up. How has bullying at school changed? Bullying has existed since schools came into existence, but how students are [...]
