Today, 4 September, is World Sexual Health Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of sexual health and promoting healthy, respectful relationships. This year’s theme, Positive Relationships, highlights how open communication, mutual respect, and emotional well-being contribute to a thriving partnership.

Here are some pointers to help you celebrate World Sexual Health Day, and strengthen your Positive Relationships!

Effective communication is essential in building and maintaining a strong relationship. When partners feel safe to express their thoughts, feelings, and desires openly, it creates a foundation of trust. This trust allows for deeper connection, as those involved feel heard and understood. Whether you're discussing your boundaries, sharing personal goals, or addressing concerns, it's important to approach these conversations with empathy and patience. Active listening—paying attention without interrupting—can make a world of difference. It shows that you value your partner's perspective and are invested in their emotional well-being.
 
Regular check-ins are another great way to ensure open communication. Life can get busy, and it’s easy for misunderstandings or unmet needs to build up over time. Setting aside time to discuss how you’re both feeling and what you might need from each other helps to prevent issues from escalating. These conversations don't have to be formal; even casual chats over dinner can be a great opportunity to reconnect and make sure you're both on the same page. Open dialogue not only strengthens emotional intimacy but also allows your relationship to grow in a healthy and balanced way.

Introduction
Anxiety is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, from their 20s to older age. It manifests as persistent worry, fear, or nervousness, which can impact daily life and overall well-being.
 
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. Good stress is called ‘Eustress’.  However, when anxiety becomes excessive and uncontrollable, it can interfere with daily activities and reduce the quality of life. This is called Distress.  Common symptoms of unhealthy anxiety include constant worrying, feeling restless or on edge, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms such as increased heart rate or muscle tension.  You are likely to find yourself worrying about 'what if?'.
 
Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life. People with GAD often anticipate disaster and may be overly concerned about health, money, family, work, or other issues. This condition can be debilitating but is treatable with the right approach.
 
Building Rapport and Assessment
The first step to address anxiety, is to establish a therapeutic alliance, or rapport with our clients, by creating a safe and non-judgmental environment. During the initial sessions, we conduct a thorough assessment to gather information about your history, symptoms, triggers, and the impact of anxiety on their daily life. Discussing confidentiality and setting clear boundaries are crucial to building trust.
 
Psychoeducation
Providing psychoeducation about anxiety is a fundamental part of our approach. We explain the symptoms, causes, and common triggers of anxiety, helping clients understand the physiological and psychological aspects of their condition. This knowledge empowers clients and reduces the stigma associated with anxiety.

Understanding Grief
 
Grief is a natural response to loss, encompassing a range of emotions from sadness and anger to confusion and numbness. It's important to remember that there is no 'right' way to grieve; everyone experiences and processes it differently. The grieving process can be non-linear, with good days and bad days, and it often takes longer than people expect.

1. Allow Yourself to Feel: Give yourself permission to feel all the emotions that come with grief. It's okay to cry, be angry, or feel lost. Suppressing these emotions can lead to further emotional distress down the line.

6. Be Patient with Yourself: Healing from loss takes time, and it's important to be patient and gentle with yourself. Don't rush the grieving process or set unrealistic expectations for your recovery.

When someone you care about is grieving, it can be hard to know how to help. Here are some tips on offering meaningful support:

1. Be Present: Sometimes, just being there for someone is enough. Offer a listening ear without trying to fix their pain or offer unsolicited advice. Your presence alone can be incredibly comforting.

4. Check-In Regularly: Grief doesn't disappear after the funeral or memorial service. Continue to check in with your loved one in the weeks and months following their loss to show your ongoing support.

5. Respect Their Grieving Process: Everyone grieves differently. Respect their way of processing their loss and be patient with them. Avoid pushing them to move on or suggesting they should be over it by now.

Conclusion
 
Grief and loss are difficult, but with the right coping mechanisms and support, individuals can find a way through their pain. Remember to be kind to yourself and others during these times, recognising that healing is a journey. By fostering a supportive environment and understanding the complexities of grief, we can help each other move forward with resilience and compassion.

Experts have cautioned that relying on digital devices to pacify children prevents them from learning to regulate their emotions effectively.
A University revealed that children whose parents frequently used digital devices to calm them exhibited poorer anger and frustration management skills over time. The study involved parents of 3½-year-old children, with follow-up questionnaires completed a year later, highlighting the long-term negative impact of this practice.

Create shared meaning means developing a common understanding and alignment of beliefs, values, and goals within a relationship.  

The phrase originated from Dr John Gottman.  He introduced this concept as part of his research on relationships and marital stability, emphasizing its importance in building a strong and lasting connection between partners

Additionally, provide opportunities for children to succeed and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Recognising their efforts and accomplishments boosts self-esteem and motivates them to keep trying. Encourage them to take on new challenges and support them through failures as learning experiences rather than defeats. Parental encouragement and recognition play a significant role in shaping a child's confidence and willingness to persevere.

Tip Number 1.
First, Remember the old saying … Children See - Children Do. Well, this is not just an old saying…it’s very true!
 
The tip here is to be and do who you want your children to be and what you want them to do (and btw…this goes for much more than just talking about sex!).

There is often a lot of misunderstanding about ‘what psychologists do’…
People often assume that psychologists or counsellors spend a lot of time solving their client’s problems or ‘fixing’ what is ‘wrong’ with them.

Well, yes, it is true that we do try to support people to manage problem issues in life.
 
But, what most people don’t understand is that more often than not, it is the client who holds the knowledge and the key to their own success.

This saying is a powerful metaphor for personal and professional growth.

It suggests that your core values are the foundation, much like roots are to a tree.


These roots should be deep and strong, anchoring you firmly to your principles and beliefs. This stability allows you to withstand the challenges and storms of life, giving you a sense of integrity and purpose.

 This balance between a solid foundation of values and the pursuit of ambitions ensures not only growth but also fulfillment and success in various aspects of life.

Remember, the strength of your roots often determines how high your branches can soar. Embrace this dual focus to build a life that is as rewarding as it is principled.

It is important, however, that these boundaries are enforced with respect and kindness, ensuring that discipline is both effective and nurturing.