Kestrel counselling has spread it wings and moved into an office in the centre of Fuengirola.  For my skype clients the area has much more reliable and faster wifi so giving a much better connection.  For face to face clients it is in a centre of massage and other therapies and for me has a very peaceful feel to the place.  I am really loving the space and I am very excited for this next chapter in the life of the business.

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Mental illness is an illness the same as chicken pox, the flu and all the other illnesses that our bodies sometimes get. I feel the difference with mental illness is our attitudes.  I have suffered from anorexia and bulimia, needing professional help and support to aid my recovery.  I felt very alone and ashamed.  I now see that it was an illness and I am proud that I help others overcome mental illnesses, just as my local doctor helps me when I have a physical illness.
If some of life's challenges are getting too much then don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help.  

I always watch the London Marathon, normally with tears in my eyes as I hear the stories from the people that are running and the reasons that they are running.

However, this year more tears than normal, having watched the incredible TV programme by the BBC (and still available on iplayer) Mind over Marathon.  The programme followed the journey of 10 ordinary people who have experienced mental health issues in their journey to complete the London Marathon.  They spoke openly about their problems. Watching the follow up programme as they actually competed in the Marathon was even more emotional for.

One of this years sponsored charities was Heads Together, a charity that looks to promote open discussion about mental health issues.  The patrons are the Duke and Duchess of York and Prince Harry.  Getting people to talk about mental health issue is a first step to it being seen as part of life and not something to be hidden behind closed doors.

For me the hardest part is having the courage to admit that you need help.  I battled with bulimia, anorexia and binge eating for years before admitting that I could not control this alone.  Asking for help was difficult but the relief that I got having taken this step was huge.  Suddenly I was not alone.  Many years down the line and my weight is not an issue and I am very comfortable with myself.  My self esteem has sored.

If you are feeling that life is overwhelming you, then please reach out and ask for help. It could be the hardest but best thing you ever did.

For more information about our services please contact me.

For me this was not the best article to start my week.  I feel like the minute the budget gets tight, mental health is the first to suffer.  This week an article in the Irish Times reports suspension of Children's Mental Health Services.  I always feel sad to read this and hope that they will re-consider and re-prioritise as I believe that Children and Young People with Mental health issues cannot effectively learn.

Staff Shortage Suspends Children's Mental Health Service

Exercise has been shown to help improve our mental health.  My own personal experience is that I can cope with like much better when I run - not for miles every day - but getting the heart pumping each morning is the greatest way to start the day.  

One reason that we hear alot is that 'I haven't got time'.  In our busy lives it can be very diffcult to find the time to exercise reguarly.  Part of our programme is looking at your life and working out how to make exercise a 'normal' part of your life.

When exercise is added to the life it can help to have a target.  So I was thrilled to see this initiative from the British Heart Foundation which was launched today (the same day as the Telegraph published an article stating that 20 million Brits are putting their health at risk by not exercising and being overweight). The target is to run a marathon - in a month - taking as much time as you need as long as the 26,2 miles over the month of May.  If you are ready to take that first step this is the link to sign up.

My Marathon Information

Get up and go for it.  If you are one of millions that are struggling to lose weight and need a little more help then feel free to contact me for more information about our weight loss programmes.

What price do you put on your health?

I was very happy to read this article as we raise awareness for mental health issues and reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues.  I still find clients that do not want to friends to know that they are having counselling as they are concerned what they would think.  The reality is that according to the Mind Website 1 in 4 people will have a mental health issue each year.  

BBC article announcing more funding for Time to Change campaign
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If you are currently suffering with mental health issues, the first huge step is asking for help.  This step can be very difficult to take for many people.  However, given that 25% of the population suffer from mental health issues, it is very common and this first step is the step on the journey to recovery.

I have worked with client of every age from 5 to 65.  Contact me for more information.

I was not surprised to read this letter in the Guardian as I maybe could have written it many years ago.

Letter in the Guardian

It you are struggling or your feel that your child may be struggling then we can help to ease the journey through exams. 

In this day and age, I would love to be able to say that we are open about mental health and it is not still a 'taboo' topic, but I do not believe that this is the case.  I do believe that we are talking about it more, helped by celebraties that have bravely talked about their experiences.

In this article in the Irish Independent Derek Devoy talks about his experiences and how it has spurred him into action.

Brave Taxi Driver talks about his battle with depression and sets up organisation to help others

​I hope that this will help others to have the courage to seek help.

​If you are sturggling with depression or other issue that is making life seem very challenging at the moment, take the first brave step by contacting Kerry to see how we can help.

The pressure on children as young as 6 to perform in exams seesm to be taking its toll as this BBC article suggests.

http://www.bbc.com/news/education-35940084?platform=hootsuite

It is never easy to see your child suffering, but equally the pressure to pass exams can be huge.  If you are worried about your child then please contact us for a bit of extra support.

Sometimes phrases translated into Spanish make me chuckle and the one 'comete las excusas' which literally translates to 'eat your excuses' did bring a smile to my face this morning.  It was advertising a gym but actually when it comes to weight loss we can be find of every excuse under the sun as to why we cannot lose the weight.  Here are a few that I have heard over the years with how I work to bounce over them:

• I don't have time to exercise - We look at the your life and work together to find ways to fit exercise into your lifestyle
• Eating healthily is more expensive - My experience is that overall the price of my grocery shopping did not change, whether I bought loads of crips, white bread and chocolate to changing to buying vegetables, fruit as snacks and lean meat.  We can look at the weekly shopping, check out your budget and fit healthier meals into your budget.
• I can't afford to go to a gym - Gym is one way to exercise, but not the only option.  One of the best ways to get moving is to walk, which costs nothing!!  Get the trainers out, and walk around your area or I personally, living just 5kms from the coast prefer to head to the promenade and walk along the beach front.
• I have a birthday/Christmas/Easter/Wedding etc so will start after that - It can be easy to put off starting until another 'date' has passed.  My message is to start today and learn tricks to work special events into your new healthy eating lifestyle.
• I can't lose weight on holiday/I always put weight on during my holidays - I see holidays as a time to enjoy myself, but also with more time I have the time pamper myself on stuff other than food eg more time to go to the gym in the hotel, have a massage and so maintain over the duration of the holidays
• I don't have time to make healthy meals - My experience is it takes me no longer to produce a healthy meal than an unhealthy meal.  We work together to work on ways to make meals that fit into your lifestyle and tastes
• I eat out a lot - and so do I  - I love going to a restaurant, but I now make healthier choices and really enjoy the food that I choose.  I am not a saint and sometimes do enjoy my churros on a Sunday morning - but not every day!  I don't believe that there are unhealthy foods, but there are unhealthy diets.  We work together to find that balance.

The reality is that losing weight and maintaining weight is not easy.  Food can be an addiction which is very hard to break, like any addiction.  It is easier to rationalise why we are not losing weight, rather than face the very challenging task of losing the weight and making changes to habits that were often formed in childhood.

Let us help you work through these changes and find ways that fit into your lifestyle that can start you on the road to a slimmer, fitter, healthier and more self confident you. 

For more information visit our weight loss page
Contact Kerry at kestrelcounselling@husmail.com