Help yourself
Sometimes we all need a little bit of inspiration. Below are some videos, books and useful resources that I find myself recommending often to clients, family and friends.
TED talks
Often, the root cause of our distress comes from relationships - those we have with other people, or the one we have with ourselves. These talks zero in on ways we can improve these relationships, whether by being more open, more confident, or more honest with ourselves and others, and draw on fascinating research to back up their findings.
THE POWER OF VULNERABILITY
by Brene Brown
YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SHAPES WHO YOU ARE
by Amy Cuddy
WHY WE ALL NEED TO PRACTICE EMOTIONAL FIRST AID
by Guy Winch
HONEST LIARS - THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-DECEPTION
by Cortney Warren
THE SECRET TO DESIRE IN A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP
by Esther Perel
10 WAYS TO HAVE BETTER CONVERSATIONS
by Celeste Headlee
CULTIVATING COLLABORATION: DON'T BE SO DEFENSIVE!
by Jim Tamm
WHAT MAKES A GOOD LIFE? LESSONS FROM THE LONGEST STUDY ON HAPPINESS
by Robert Waldinger
Books
With topics ranging from the difficult subjects of death and grief, to why sleep is so important for our health, the below books are at turns fascinating, thought-provoking, and beautifully well-written.
The Happiness Trap
Russ Harris
Change your relationship with your feelings - whether "good" or "bad" - and learn how you can harness your values to help you move forward.
Grief Works
Julia Samuel
A kind, unflinching study of grief. With helpful advice for those who are grieving, as well as those watching a loved one hurting from loss.
Why We Sleep
Matthew Walker
Everything you've ever wanted to know about sleep: why we need it, how it works, and why it is so important for our health.
Reason to Stay Alive
Matt Haig
A beautifully frank, thoughtful and humbling reflection on the author's experience of
depression.
They F*** You Up
Oliver James
How do our personal stories get written?
Who authors our scripts? An analysis of how our childhood relationships shape who we become.
Staring at the Sun
Irvin Yalom
Leading existential psychotherapist Irvin Yalom gently explains how facing up to the inevitability of death is how we truly learn to find meaning in living.
Other counselling organisations in Cambridge
Everyone should have access to talking therapy. Below are links to some local organisations that provide counselling, as well as a few therapist directories, if you wish to go private. If you're worried about your mental health, a good first port of call is your GP; they might be able to provide counselling on the NHS.