First responders are trained to perform under pressure. But who teaches you how to come back down afterwards? Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency nurses, military personnel, defence workers, SES volunteers and other frontline professionals regularly experience stressful situations where: heart rate increases. breathing changes. muscles tense. attention narrows. you become highly alert and ready to act. This is your body's natural fight, flight or freeze respo

What if breathing better wasn’t about taking bigger breaths—but learning to breathe a little less? We often hear advice such as “Take a deep breath” when we feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. And sometimes a deeper breath can certainly feel comforting. But healthy breathing isn't necessarily about taking big breaths all day. In fact, many of us breathe more air than our bodies actually need without even realising it. This is where “Breathe Light” comes in—a simple breathi

Stress has become a part of everyday life for many people. Whether it's work, family responsibilities, health concerns, or past trauma, our minds and bodies often carry more than they were designed to. The good news is that new research continues to support simple, evidence-based approaches that can help. A recent systematic review and network meta-analysis examined 17 randomised controlled trials involving more than 1,400 participants. The researchers found that Clinical Emo

Many people beginning their breathing journey assume that a breath hold and a Control Pause are the same thing. After all, both involve holding your breath. However, they serve very different purposes, and understanding the difference can help you get the most from your breathing practice. As a Certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor, one of the most common questions I'm asked is, "How long should I be able to hold my breath?" The answer depends on what you're trying to measur

Hear Jessica Ortner's explain.... https://www.facebook.com/reel/1022785970557257 GUN MESKANEN HOPKINS ACCREDITED MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER Certified Evidence-Based EFT and BUTEYKO BREATHING PRACTITIONER (Medicare refund available)

Feeling mentally exhausted by lunchtime? Struggling to concentrate, stay productive, or manage workplace stress? It might not be your workload that's the problem—it could be your breathing. Most of us rarely think about how we breathe. Yet every breath sends messages to the brain and nervous system that influence our energy, focus, emotional regulation, and ability to perform under pressure. Whether you're working in an office, from home, studying, or running your own busines

A trauma-informed perspective on using ART to reduce the emotional intensity behind OCD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is far more than simply liking things neat or double-checking the front door. It is a complex mental health condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce overwhelming anxiety. For many people, OCD can consume hours of their day, interfere with relationshi

Today's young people have never known a world without smartphones, social media and instant access to information. While technology has created incredible opportunities to learn, connect and express themselves, it has also introduced new challenges for mental health. As a Mental Health Social Worker at Holistic Therapy & Counselling, I regularly support adolescents and young adults experiencing anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, depression, and being overwhelmed by school pres

We've all experienced it. Someone cuts in front of you without indicating. A driver tailgates you for kilometres. The person behind you leans on the horn the instant the traffic light turns green. Within seconds, your heart races, your shoulders tense, your jaw clenches, and before you know it, you're shouting at someone who can't even hear you. Sound familiar? Road rage isn't simply about bad drivers. It's about what happens inside your nervous system when it perceives a thr

Thinking about therapy but unsure what to expect? You’re not alone. Many people hesitate to reach out because of old stereotypes or misconceptions about what therapy actually involves. Myth: “I’ll just lie on a couch and talk about my childhood.” Reality: Therapy is about you — your current challenges, goals, relationships, emotions, and wellbeing. While the past can sometimes help explain present patterns, therapy is focused on helping you move forward rather than stay stuck

When Fashion Meets Self-Care: Emily Blunt “Taps” Into Calm in The Devil Wears Prada 2 The fashion world is buzzing after the new trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2, and fans are loving a surprising moment at the 0:58 mark: Emily Blunt’s iconic character Emily Charlton pausing amid the chaos of high-fashion life to do a few rounds of tapping. Yes — the once razor-sharp assistant appears to be using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to stay calm. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it

Most people think breathing problems come from the lungs. But what if your posture is the real issue? In a fascinating interview titled “Your Posture Is Killing Your Ability to Breathe”, breathing expert Brian MacKenzie explains something many people have never been taught: The way you sit, stand, and hold your body directly changes how well you breathe. Breathing affects energy, stress, sleep, pain, focus, and even anxiety. Let’s break this down. Breathing Isn’t Just About A

Over the last few years, fascia release has exploded across social media, especially through Human Garage and their free fascial manoeuvre videos on YouTube. Millions of people around the world are now twisting, stretching, breathing, shaking, and moving in ways that look unusual — yet many report feeling calmer, looser, emotionally lighter, and more connected to their body afterwards. But what exactly is fascia, and why are people becoming so interested in releasing it? What

Pain, The Brain & EFT Tapping Pain is one of the most misunderstood human experiences. For decades, we were taught a simple story: pain equals injury. But modern pain science tells a very different — and far more hopeful — story. Today, we know pain is not just a signal from the body. Pain is an output of the brain and nervous system designed to protect you. And this is where Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT or “tapping”) enters the conversation. Pain is Real — Even When the

We all know Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, a Broadway star, a world-class entertainer, and an all-around nice guy. He sings, dances, lifts, smiles constantly, and somehow still looks calm and grounded. But let’s be honest for a second… If anyone needed a great stress-management toolkit, it would be someone juggling Hollywood films, live theatre, global travel, interviews, red carpets, and intense workout schedules. Did you know that Hugh Jackman uses Emotional Freedom Techniques

Many people feel confused or frustrated by food cravings. You might know you’re not truly hungry… yet the urge for chocolate, sugar, or snacks feels strong, urgent, and hard to resist. If this sounds familiar, you are not lacking willpower. Food cravings are brain-nervous system driven, and not just about discipline. This is where Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT / Tapping) can help. Why Food Cravings Feel So Powerful Cravings are often misunderstood. They are not simply abo

Think of EFT as a mind-body therapy. It combines talking about a problem with gentle tapping on acupressure points to help the brain and nervous system process emotional stress safely. It is a combination of several therapeutic ingredients working together. The Big Picture: What EFT Is Doing The researchers say EFT works through four main mechanisms: Calms the nervous system Reduces emotional avoidance Changes unhelpful thoughts Rewrites emotional memories Let’s break this do

Sleep is one of the most powerful pillars of our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Yet for many people, a good night’s sleep feels out of reach—interrupted by racing thoughts, waking during the night, snoring, or simply not feeling refreshed in the morning. What often goes unnoticed is this: how you breathe plays a crucial role in how well you sleep. The Missing Link Between Breathing and Sleep Sleep is not just about closing your eyes—it’s about your nervous system

Many of us believe that being hard on ourselves is necessary to succeed. We may think self-criticism keeps us motivated, disciplined, and striving for improvement. However, decades of research in psychology suggest the opposite: being supportive to ourselves rather than critical can significantly improve both mental and physical well-being . Self-compassion is not about feeling sorry a bout ourselves, weakness, or lowering standards. Instead, it is a scientifically supported

Breathing is something we do automatically every moment of our lives, yet most of us rarely think about how we breathe. The way we breathe has a powerful influence on our nervous system, energy levels, sleep quality, and emotional well-being. Breathing exercises are simple practices that help restore calm, improve oxygen delivery to the body, and support physical and mental health. While everyone benefits from these exercises, they can be particularly helpful for women becau