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Exploring Burnout – the challenges of acknowledging it, reflections on where to start and what can help

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  I’m writing this from a personal perspective, where I’ve had to manage a period of burnout following challenging life events. It was a slowish, steady journey of moving towards a place where the light shone through for me again. I became my own Occupational Therapist & Mindfulness Practitioner for a time, a holistic therapy for mental health, emotional and physical wellbeing. It was key for me to start by embracing the importance of validation - of actually recognising my signs of burnout and symptoms for what they were.   A bit about my experience of burnout When our lives turned upside down following a sudden family bereavement, I’d initially held a tenuous belief & hope that I’d be able to manage it all - that I’d somehow be able to support my grieving teenagers, deal with my own complex grief reaction, manage my recent new work role, look after my wellbeing as best I could, manage the range of other demands that were already beginning to feel overwhelmin...
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Sharing a bit about my personal story & how it’s serving to embrace an authenticity for ‘owning’ what I offer in my Independent Practice

  Introducing me – the ‘Occupational Therapist & Mindfulness Practitioner’ So, I began the initial steps of setting up my Mindful Occupational Therapy Practice around early spring of 2024, with my expertise in fatigue management, pain management, managing stress & burnout, managing mental & emotional wellbeing (following a long clinical career in the NHS). It’s been a slow process…..It’s now autumn 2024, and I’m wanting to share a bit about my personal story – the part it played in setting up my (online) Independent Practice, and the authenticity it’s given me in what I’m delivering. Here’s what my practice is all about………… .. It’s a creative integration of Occupational Therapy & Mindfulness, underpinned by my intention of supporting people to learn & understand more about themselves, their pain, their fatigue, their stress, the challenges for their mental health & emotional wellbeing.   By learning more about ourselves we can support a great...
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Introducing the role of self-compassion for Living Well with Fatigue & Pain, Supporting Mental & Emotional Wellbeing, Managing Stress & Burnout

  Here I’m writing about the role of self-compassion & why I consider it be so valuable for supporting us in living with challenges of fatigue, pain, chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, feeling overwhelmed, mental health challenges, and life in general. Working in occupational therapy mental health and fatigue & pain services, I’ve found it to be an ever present concept where I find myself weaving it into & through my sessions…..holding space, gently guiding, moving alongside, supporting people with slowly, gently building self-compassion into their lives…..   Often starting with bringing a gentle curiosity to the notion of self-compassion, most people I start working with generally reflect on how they tend to show little kindness to themselves, often acknowledging feeling lazy when they have to take time out to rest, or feeling selfish if they put themselves first in any way. It’s so hard when pain, stress, fatigue, mental & emotional health challenges jus...
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Unlocking Mental Wellness: The Power of Mindful Occupational Therapy in Manchester

Welcome to Mindful Occupational Therapy Practice , where we’re passionate about harnessing the power of mindfulness for mental health right here in Manchester.  Founded by Natalie Hewett, our mission is to create a warm and supportive space where everyone can explore the benefits of mindful occupational therapy. Natalie’s approach is all about helping you connect with the present moment. We use mindful practices for stress relief that are both accessible and effective. Techniques like mindful breathing for anxiety and various mental health mindfulness exercises empower you to take charge of your emotions and improve your overall well-being. As more professionals in Manchester recognise the importance of mental health coping strategies, Natalie’s innovative Occupational Therapy mental health interventions are making a difference. Our goal is to provide a safe environment where you can feel comfortable expressing your thoughts an...
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Location: Manchester, UK
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Living Well with Fatigue and Pain: How to manage your well-being

Mindfulness, Stress Management, and Occupational Therapy Strategies Living with chronic fatigue and pain can be both physically and mentally exhausting. The constant discomfort, paired with emotional challenges like stress, anxiety, and burnout, can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed. However, there are ways to manage these difficulties and improve your overall quality of life. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between physical pain and mental health, as well as how  mindfulness  and  occupational therapy (OT)  can offer practical strategies for living better despite chronic conditions. The Connection Between Chronic Fatigue, Pain, and Mental Health Chronic pain and fatigue aren’t just physical symptoms—they often come with emotional and mental health challenges. People dealing with persistent discomfort often experience: Depression : Feelings of hopelessness or sadness often arise from ongoing pain. Anxiety : Worry about one’s health, ability to work,...
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Location: London, UK
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