Insightful Talks

We’ve been having a truly enriching and insightful few months at SIM! It’s wonderful the variety of topics we’ve covered and how they’ve helped the ladies in our group. The focus on mental health, wellness, and practical life skills is so important. It's also great that the Talking Therapies team has been so supportive in teaching techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and relaxation strategies.

You can imagine how valuable the sessions on anxiety, worry, and mindfulness have been, especially understanding the physical and emotional impacts of those experiences. The fact that everyone is learning coping strategies like keeping a worry diary and allocating time to worry seems like a practical and effective way to manage anxiety in daily life.

Personal experience with the menopause talks were very insightful! It was great that the session helped everyone understand the stages and symptoms better—menopause is a big transition, and it’s good to have clear information to navigate it. It’s nice to have shared some helpful links, too!

Update on Recent Activities at SIM:

Over the last few months at SIM, we’ve had a mix of creative activities and insightful learning sessions. Along with enjoying jewellery making, creating macramé coasters, and engaging in various arts and crafts, we've also focused on personal growth and well-being through educational sessions.

It’s good to talk

Each month, two colleagues from Talking Therapies have joined our group to cover a range of important topics. These have been based on areas our members prioritized, such as:

Mindfulness – Techniques for staying present and reducing stress.

Mindfulness & Breathing Techniques – We’ve been taught to stay in the present moment using mindfulness practices and focused breathing exercises.

Managing Anxiety & Worry – Through understanding the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety, we’ve learned how to break the vicious cycle of worry. Tools such as keeping a worry diary, setting aside dedicated time to worry, and practicing relaxation techniques

Long-Term Health Conditions & Chronic Pain – Understanding how to manage physical health challenges.

Sleep – Improving sleep habits and addressing sleep disturbances.

Menopause – Exploring the stages of menopause, common symptoms, and ways to manage them.

Anxiety & Worry – Understanding the cycle of anxiety, symptoms, and coping strategies.

Healthwatch : We were visited by Healthwatch, where we shared our thoughts and experiences regarding:

Breast Cancer & Screening – Our views on accessing screening services.

Accessing GP Websites – Discussing the ease (or challenges) of using online resources for health.

Judge discusses legalities:

A judge visited to share important information regarding legal topics such as:

Wills & Inheritance

Lasting Power of Attorney

Appointeeship & Deputyship

Understanding the Mental Health Law and its impact.

Personal Experience with Menopause Talk: On a personal note, I found the session on menopause particularly helpful, as I am entering the first stage of this transition. The presentation gave us a clear understanding of the various changes we may experience, including a surprisingly long list of symptoms. We also learned about the different stages of menopause and practical ways to manage through each phase. The session was not only informative but also empowering, as it helped us feel more prepared and less alone in this process.

Useful Resources:

For anyone interested in further reading or listening about mesopause, here are some helpful links:

• Dr. Louise Newson Podcast: The Dr. Louise Newson Podcast

• Balance Menopause: www.balance-menopause.com

• Menopause and Me: menopauseandme.co.uk