Personal Development Archives - Page 3 of 4

Need a good cuddle?

Photos of people cuddling each other, their animals and themselves with text - Need a Cuddle? and Liz Doyle the Positive Change Coach. Blog about the Importance of Being Held

The Importance of Being Held

The average length of a hug between two people is 3 seconds. But I’m sure you’ve read or heard that researchers have discovered that when a hug lasts 20 seconds, there is a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. The reason is that a heartfelt embrace produces the hormone “oxytocin”, aka the love hormone. This has lots of benefits with our physical and mental health. It helps us to relax, to feel safe and calm our fears and anxiety.

So every time you hold a person in your arms, cuddle your child, give your dog or cat (if he/she will let you!) a hug, dance with your partner, or just put your arm around the shoulders of a friend, you are doing both of you a whole lot of good.

Here are some more reasons, according to scientific research, why we should hug more:

1. Hugging stimulates oxytocin (as I already mentioned)

Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that acts on the brain’s emotional centre, promoting feelings of contentment, reducing anxiety and stress. It is the hormone responsible for us being here today! Oxytocin is released during childbirth, making our mothers forget about all of the terrible pain and trauma they endured bringing us into the world and making them want to still love and spend time with us (that does explain a lot after I gave birth). When we hug someone, oxytocin is released into our bodies by our pituitary gland, lowering both our heart rates and our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress, high blood pressure, and heart disease so, of course, it is always good to lower cortisol.

2. Hugging Could Help Avoid Disease

Affection in the form of a cuddle has a direct affect on reducing stress which prevents many diseases. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine carried out more than 100 studies into touch and found evidence of significant effects, including faster growth in premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune systems in people with cancer.

3. A Cuddle Promotes Patience

Connections are fostered when people take the time to appreciate and acknowledge one another. A hug is one of the easiest ways to show appreciation for another person. We’re constantly rushing around or so it seems sometimes. By slowing down and taking a moment to offer sincere hugs throughout the day, we’re benefiting ourselves, others, and cultivating better patience within ourselves.

4. Activates the Thymus Gland

Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy. I also practise a Thymus Gland activation process, I learned from the amazing energy healer, Deborah King – check out this link

The Importance of Being Held and how to activate the Thymus Gland

5. Promotes Self-Esteem and Self-Love

Having a cuddle boosts self-esteem, especially in children according to research. The tactile sense is all-important in babies, of course. A baby recognises its parents by touch at first. From the moment we’re born, our family’s touch shows us that we’re loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The cuddles we received from our parents or other care givers while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Cuddles, therefore, connect us to our ability to love ourselves. Pretty profound eh?!

6. Non Verbal Communication

About 70% of communication is nonverbal. How we interpret someone’s body language can be based on just one gesture and hugging is an excellent method of expressing yourself nonverbally to another human being or animal. What a wonderful way to share the love and care you have for them by your embrace.

7. Cuddles Help Parasympathetic Balance

Hugs balance out the nervous system. The skin can sense the touch from a cuddle which connects with the brain through the vagus nerve. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system – parasympathetic.

8. Stimulates Serotonin

Reaching out and hugging releases endorphins and serotonin into the blood vessels and this causes pleasure, takes away pain and sadness. It can decrease the chances of getting heart problems as well as help to maintain a healthy weight. Even the cuddling of pets has a soothing effect that reduces stress levels.

9. Hugs Stimulate Dopamine Flow

Everything we do involves protecting and triggering dopamine flow, the pleasure and reward hormone. Apparently, low dopamine levels play a role in the disease Parkinson’s as well as depression. Dopamine is responsible for giving us that feel-good feeling, and it’s also responsible for motivation! Hugs stimulate the brain to release dopamine. Dopamine sensors are the areas that many stimulating drugs such as cocaine and alcohol target. So we can get the same release by cuddling our dog or even ourselves if nobody else is around.

So get hugging and cuddling from your heart with someone you care for, an animal you love and above all, yourself. Yes, stretch those arms around yourself and give yourself a big, heartfelt hug.

And if that wasn’t enough, to receive my latest love letter with the health benefits of smiling, get in contact here.

I would also love to hear from you with your thoughts on this blog. It’s always good to hear if you find it interesting and possibly inspiring.

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Could you be a perfectionist?

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Answer these questions to find out…

Do you worry about what people think of you?
Do you beat yourself up over the smallest thing that goes wrong?
Do you have to be the best in everything you do, even if it’s something you don’t care that much about?
Are you super critical and highly conscious of your own mistakes?
When things don’t turn out as perfectly as you had wanted, do you think about the outcome obsessively and how you could have done it differently?
Are you critical and highly conscious of other people’s mistakes?
Do you spend a lot of your time getting something just right even at the detriment of your health and well-being?
Do you set really high standards, seeing only black and white (no grey)?
Are you really sensitive and defensive towards criticism?
Do you get so obsessed about reaching your goal that you seldom, if ever, enjoy the journey?

If you said “yes” to ANY of the above questions, you’re a bit of a perfectionist. The more “yeses”, the more you succumb to perfectionism

Perfectionism is another pattern coming from a place of not feeling good enough. To heal the part of you that feels you’re not enough is to be aware of when you’re falling into the perfectionist story and then to consciously choose to take baby steps to get ahead. Good enough is ALWAYS great.

Being self-compassionate for our vulnerabilities is the best way to overcome perfectionism. When we become more loving and compassionate with ourselves, we can embrace our imperfections – yes really! Because, after all, we are imperfectly perfect human beings.

I love what Brené Brown has to say on the subject:

Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels the thought: “If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.” We want to be perceived as perfect but that can never happen because there’s no way to control other people’s perception of you, regardless of how much time and energy you spend trying.”

Brené also says,

“It’s in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts and create our most meaningful connections. It’s only when you are able to say, ‘I’m struggling with this,’ or ‘I think I screwed up or made a mistake,’ or ‘I need your help,’ that you can deeply connect with others soul to soul.”

This a great short clip to check out

Getting over perfectionistm

Which areas of your life might you be a perfectionist? How does it feel to treat yourself more gently and with compassion? Realising that you are good enough and you’re always doing the best you can is such an important step in loving yourself more.

If you’d like to find out more about how you can work with me, have a look at this page.

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How do you start your day?

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Image of Liz Doyle and her dog, Alf, with text; Get My 7 Simple Morning Rituals for a Beautiful Day

Do you have some morning rituals to set yourself up for a great day?

Do they ensure you’re feeling calm and yet excited for your day or do you feel tired and stressed and possibly, worried about the day ahead? If you’d like to introduce a few little things that could make a huge difference to your day when practised over a period of time, why not get my 7 Simple Morning Rituals For a Beautiful Day using this link.

If we think we can’t function before that first cup of coffee then we are giving our power away. Set your intentions for a beautiful morning and day ahead with these very easy steps and of course, you don’t have to do them all. Try some on and see how they fit and just have fun with them.

I mention having a gratitude practice as one of my 7 morning rituals – find out here why gratitude is such a game changer – here’s the link

Each day can be like starting a whole new year. You have another chance to start over. And yes I know, 2021 was another tough year and for some really, really tough.

With this in mind, it would be easy to look at the new year and even each day with a sense of – here we go again! But I have discovered over the years that by focusing on the positive, we can attract more of what we want into our lives.

That is why I changed Maya Angelou‘s beautiful quote – “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before” to apply for this new year. We’ve not seen this one, let’s look at 2022 with the excitement of a small child and see what unfolds for us. In fact I have added this quote to my morning rituals as it’s sets the tone for the day perfectly, don’t you think?

So are you up to starting your morning so your day feels magical within the first hour of waking? Yes, honest!

How do you start your day? Read More »

What to do when you feel anxious or suffer from social anxiety

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I still suffer from social anxiety at times. There’s my hot confession for the day! It’s nowhere near as bad as it used to be but, I think, because I haven’t seen so many people over these crazy months, it has led me to be more anxious when I do. So, these weeks leading up to Christmas are feeling a bit daunting. Do you feel anxious or suffer from social anxiety?

Below are some things I do if I find myself in the middle of a very anxious moment (this is also really helpful if you’re with someone who might be feeling frightened, agitated or worried about having a panic attack too). The important thing is to feel safe and calm.

My top 6 tips help:

1. Breathe slowly and deeply

This may seem obvious, but how many of us start to breathe high up in the chest in a shallow way when we start to become anxious? So, count slowly to 5 as you breathe in filling the lungs completely, and then 5 as you breathe out. If this is too much, try starting with 3 counts. If it works, gradually breathe out for 1 or 2 counts longer than you breathe in. This will automatically help the body to relax a little.

2. Try to think of a safe and relaxing place

This could be a favourite place in nature, somewhere you’ve been on holiday, or a beautiful garden (mine is a beach on a Greek island and Louise Hay’s was a vase of yellow roses). It helps me every time, I’m not even quite sure why!

3. Try using all 5 senses

Connecting with what you can see, touch, hear, smell and taste can bring you closer to the present moment and reduce the intensity of your anxiety. By saying out loud what you can see, hear etc really helps. By touching my sleeve or my skin when I’m really anxious, it brings me back to the now.

4. Sit with someone if you can or cuddle a cushion

Feeling someone nearby, or holding their hand or having a cuddle if it’s possible, can be calming when there is any anxiety. If you’re alone and have a dog or cat, try to stroke or even cuddle them for some physical reassurance. If that isn’t available to you either, I find cuddling a cushion is so soothing.

5. Reassure yourself that the anxiety will pass and that you will be okay

I also repeat different positive affirmations and they have helped me incredibly, especially recently with some bouts of vertigo I have been going through which have been extremely distressing – “I am safe”, “Things are always working out for me” and “I am feeling better and better” are my favourite go to affirmations.

6. Do something that helps you feel calmer

This could be going for a run, getting outside and having a walk in nature, listening and maybe dancing to music, writing in a journal, watching a favourite film or something funny on Youtube. Laughter is definitely the best medicine for so many situations and helps me get out of an anxious moment.

Let me know how you get on with the above suggestions of what to do when you feel anxious. Have you some other ideas that have helped you or someone else? If so, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me an email at; hello@lizdoyle.net.

Follow me on Facebook for more ideas of loving and accepting yourself; https://www.facebook.com/LizDoylePositiveChangeCoach

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10 Top Ways to Move On From a Relationship

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Whether it’s been a long one or short one, moving on from a romantic relationship is bloody hard isn’t it?

Or it can be.

Even if you’ve been the one that ended it, it can leave you with an empty feeling. Or maybe just wondering will you actually ever find that deep connection and loving, fulfilling relationship.

My Top 10 ways to deal with end of a relationship

Here are 10 suggestions to help you to move on from the heartbreak of the end of that relationship:

Number 1

Create space for yourself – this is so important. Have compassion and empathy for yourself. Holding this space for yourself to allow the disappointment, the feeling of loss or maybe even anger is really really important to help you with healing process.

Number 2

Journal your thoughts about it especially if there is stuff that has been left unsaid. Write it or type it up if you prefe. Say everything you want to say. Imagine that you’re telling that person what you think, what you feel – how they might have hurt you or betrayed you or just let you down. This is such a powerful way to deal with the rumination and all that negative self-babble that might be going on.

Number 3

Sever all contact for the immediate future. You’re not helping yourself or them by continuing any communication at the moment. It doesn’t mean that will be the case forever but for now, you need to protect yourself and step away as much as you can. Of course, this isn’t so easy to do if you’re sharing a home and/or have a family but do your best.

Number 4

Unfollow them on all social media platforms. Don’t torture yourself by scrolling through their posts and just continuing to hurt yourself by looking at what they do. This is so important, especially if they seem to be getting on with their life really quickly and maybe even starting another relationship.

Number 5

Get support – get your friends, loved ones, family, whoever you can count on to support you during this time. After you have had the session where you go through it all, remind yourself you don’t need to go keep going over everything. Try to get out and have some fun with them, country walks, park runs, afternoon teas – do special things that might be different to what you’ve done before.

Number 6

Are you seeing a pattern with this relationship? Are you attracted to the same sort of person who really doesn’t deserve you… Did they make you feel less than you really are? This is the time to sit down and write down the sort of person you want in your life. It doesn’t have to be really long but get clear on who you want to be with and also what are your non-negotiables? What are you no longer prepared to put up with? Know your worth.

Number 7

Go to the mirror and talk to this person maybe using the words you used when you were journalling at #2. Mirror work is very powerful and has helped me so much over the years. Tell that person all the things you never got to say or that you might want to say again – don’t censor yourself. Let it all out and scream and shout if you need to.

Number 8

Start to let it go – stuff can stay in my head for a long time. I can overthink, ruminate all sorts of stuff. I then remind myself to let it all go. If possible, try to forgive that person for not being the person you wanted them to be. Even if you’re just willing to forgive, this can be transformational with moving on and in welcoming in a fantastic, loving and empowering relationship.

Number 9

If you were the one who was left at the end of the relationship – this is so painful and we can often ask ourselves “what’s wrong with me?” – Why not ask yourself “what I have learnt from this relationship?” – Release it with love and give yourself time to heal and be open to the future. Learn to love yourself completely – the most important relationship you have is the one you have with yourself.

Number 10

If you’re ready for a new relationship and don’t rush this – and after you have gone through the above steps, step into your own love story. Imagine living inside your new love story now and make choices and actions based on that love story. Know that you are lovable and worthy and enough. Your very existence is more than enough to be worthy to be cherished, adored and to give that love back. There is nothing you have to do to prove this. Know it to be true.

I hope these suggestions or tips help you to move and to find that beautiful and passionate relationship.

What does Louise Hay have to say about relationships?

So those were my 10 Top Ways to Move On From a Relationship. My work is all based on the teachings of the amazing Louise Hay. As she always said – “the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself”. This recording is so inspiring and helped me and so many over the world.

Louise Hay’s Powerful Thoughts on Relationships

If you’d like to find out about how your beliefs are affecting your relationships, romantic or otherwise, just drop me an email and we can book in a quick call – hello@lizdoyle.net or check out how you can work with me on this link

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Mind / Body / Spirit Connection

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Image of me with the words Mind Body Connection and Liz Doyle Positive Change Coach

It was such an honour to be invited as a guest on Nicky Davies’ podcast episode. We had such an amazing conversation about Louise Hay and how the mind and body are completely connected as well as spirit.

What is the Mind / Body / Spirit Connection?

We may have an understanding that this connection exists but how often do we choose to ignore the feedback our bodies are giving us in the form of pain and ailments? Listening to what our bodies are telling us can transform our lives. During my chat with Nicky, we talked about how Louise healed herself and how my Thyroid cancer was linked to how I could never speak my truth and I never felt truly heard.

We talk about this and so much more, I just loved taking part.

Click on this link for access to the podcast.

As Louise, herself said – “This doesn’t ‘heal’ anyone, but it does awaken within you the ability to contribute to your own healing process.”

” For us to become whole and healthy, we must balance the body, mind, and spirit. We need to take good care of our bodies. We need to have a positive attitude about ourselves and about life. And we need to have a strong spiritual connection. When these 3 things are balanced, we rejoice in living. No doctor or health practitioner can give us this unless we choose to take part in our healing process. “
Louise Hay

One might assume the mind / body / spirit connection would be obvious once we become ill, but sometimes we’re so busy chasing symptoms that we don’t really understand what is going on behind the scenes. Louises book, “You Can Heal Your Life”, lists the ailments with their possible emotional roots. It provides deep insights into how our minds and emotions affect our health. I love looking through the book on my coaching sessions as it’s incredible what comes up for my clients at this time.

Looking for a Podcast Guest?

If you’re looking for a guest for your next podcast, I’d be really happy to be featured.

I work with women, helping them to love and accept themselves more – so in addition to the mind / body connection, we could talk about our limiting beliefs, self-sabotage and lovely imposter syndrome on the podcast!!!

Email me if you want me as a guest on your podcast, or with your thoughts on the Mind / Body / Spirit Connection OR if you’d like to find out about my 6 Love Yourself Coaching Sessions ♥️ follow this link.

A little insight to my coaching and the mind / body / spirit connection

And in the video above, I talk about the importance of being really patient with yourself. Why not have a look at the rest of my channel for lots of inspiration ♥️

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What Makes You Happy?

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I have recently started a course called “Science of Happiness” and although there is so much I already know about this subject, I love it when it’s actually backed up by scientists researching the subject. And I can always learn more, of course!

Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and author of “The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach”, developed a theory with colleagues that answers this question of what are the most important determinants of happiness?

You’ll see her pie chart: It is very simplistic – numbers that are averages and approximations from lots of past studies.

Approximately 50% of the variance in happiness is due to our genes. Basically, some of us have happier genes! Approximately, 10% lies in our life circumstances; some studies show it’s from 8% to 18%.

We all differ in our life circumstances – some of us are richer, some of us are poorer, some of us are more or less attractive, and more or less healthy. That does play a part in our happiness. But, not as much as you might expect. I was quite surprised that the number was so small. I think we tend to think “I’ll be happier when I have… a new job, a partner, new home, a baby” etc. But the research shows that those things don’t affect our happiness as much as we think they will (something I already knew but I loved seeing the research).

That leaves approximately 40% of happiness, which is under our control to change.

Sonja Lyubomirsky’s book, and her work is really about how do we harness that 40%? What is it that we can do, think, behave in our daily lives that can affect our happiness level?

Researchers have looked at what happy people do

They study happy people and what the research shows is that happy people are;

really good at relationships – they have stable, fulfilling relationships, partnerships, friends, even with their pets

more grateful, and are more helpful and philanthropic

more optimistic about the future

more likely to live in the present

people who tend to savour pleasures in their life

habitually more physically active

often spiritual or religious (spirituality and religion aren’t a prerequisite for happiness, but it is correlated with happiness)

deeply committed to goals – they have significant meaningful life goals that they are pursuing, whether it’s how they raise their children, building a house, or advancing in their career etc

These are correlational studies so, of course, nothing is set in stone. But the question of how to become happier is an interesting scientific one.

Another renowned psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina, and a leading researcher of positive emotions explained how positive emotions are more than just fleeting, frivolous sensations. They can profoundly change our minds and bodies, broadening our perspective and make us more resilient to setbacks.

The Power of Meditation

With this in mind, her research on meditation looks at how people might use meditation to elevate positive emotion. Meditation plays a major part in my life and has made a profound difference to what I see as my happiness quota. It also plays a major part in my own coaching, and I suggest that my clients introduce meditation into their daily practice as soon as we start working together. In fact, I send them my recordings as part of their growth work.

Barbara Fredrickson became particularly interested in a form of meditation called loving kindness meditation, also called Metta. It asks people to cultivate that warm, tender feeling that you already have towards a loved one or even a pet and learn to direct it towards: yourself at first and then towards a loved one, then a neutral person you don’t really know and then a person you have difficulties with and eventually to direct it to all people and sentient beings on the planet.

What she learned from her research on love and kindness meditation is that positive emotions can change. Novice mediators, over the course of 8 weeks, their positive emotions subtly shift upwards. It’s not a huge increase but it’s statistically significant and it has an important impact on these people’s lives months later. What she learned is that as people’s positive emotions increase, their ability to stay in the present moment and attend to subtle differences improved. Their close and trusting warm relationships with others are improved over the course of 3 months; these are things that was measured before they took the meditation workshop and then a couple weeks after it ended, and they saw improvements there.

There are improvements in people’s resilience, their ability to bounce back from difficulties and effectively manage their environmental challenges. There are reductions in people’s headaches, pains, stomach pains, or self-reported health problems and in their newest study they’ve found changes in heart rate variability.

She states that positive emotions transform us for the better – it’s like that butterfly coming out of its cocoon (an analogy I also use in my coaching). If we increase our daily diet of positive emotions, we come out 3 months later, stronger, more resilient, more socially connected versions of ourselves and dare I say it, happier.

This was, of course, so aligned with my own beliefs and with how I work with women on my online coaching. I’d love to know what you think of this so please get in contact with any feedback and tell me what makes you happy?

To find out more about my coaching follow this link to book in a private and confidential call.

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Does the Full Moon affect your mood or sleep?

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I’ve been wondering about this more and more as I have noticed such a difference in my mood in the few days leading up to a full moon for the last few months. I’ve had my suspicions for much longer but I feel there is too much of a correlation now. Does the Full Moon affect your mood or sleep?

I know I’m not new to the party – the link between the moon and madness has been well documented throughout history. We’ve also heard about ‘lunacy’ coming from the Latin lunaticus, meaning ‘moonstruck’.

According to some scientists, the lunar effect is the theory that various stages of the moon’s cycle cause behavioural changes in humans and animals. A study back in 2013 even found that we sleep on average 20 minutes less during a full moon than at any other time of the month, and take longer to drift off to sleep, too. – this has definitely been the case for me.

During a full moon, ocean tides are higher than usual from an increase in the gravitational pull from the moon and sun. Considering that the body is 80% water, it comes as no surprise that scientists think that similar effects happen in the body creating almost a “human tidal pull” that can affect brain function.

The Full Moon’s Effects on Your Health

As I said, I am sure that the full moon impacts people, animals, and the things around us. How does the Full Moon affect your mood or sleep or am I talking nonsense?!

I am having a fluctuation in mood that only lasts for a few days for some reason and is unexplainable – and it seems only at this time of the lunar cycle.

Sleep disturbances – I have trouble falling asleep and wake up during the night and then I’m tossing and turning – but it only lasts for a few days or a week at a time.

7 Ways The Full Moon Might Affect Your Health

Here are some interesting things researchers have found with regard to the lunar cycle:

1. Heart

I’m not talking romance here – A study published in the Indian Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Research found that when exercising, your heart is at its peak performance during a full and new moon.

2. Brain

Much like the moon is responsible for the ebb and flow of tides, because our brains are a significant source of water, Dutch researchers believe the moon’s gravitational pull could similarly have influence on your brain, causing erratic behaviour (I knew this already!)

We might also hear complaints of headaches and migraines around the time of the full moon. While there is no scientific correlation between migraines and the full moon, full moons can disrupt sleep which, in turn, disrupts hormone levels, thus triggering headaches.

3. Kidneys

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Urology found that kidney stone pain increased significantly at the time of the full moon. In another study, researchers found that generally, more patients were admitted to hospitals with urological emergencies during this time, too. Conversely, the new Moon caused a “calming effect” for people with these conditions.

One theory behind these conclusions is that the kidneys, like other organs and the human body itself, are made up of at least 60% water, and just as lunar activity can affect our oceans, creating powerful and predictable tides, the moon might affect the workings of these organs, causing a noticeable ebb and flow in times of calm and pain. Not all researchers agree, but there is enough evidence that studies continue.

4. Sleep

A study published in Current Biology reviewed the sleep patterns of participants over three days in which they were allowed to fall asleep at will in a controlled area that had neither clocks nor outside light. When the data was compared to the phases of the moon, researchers discovered that participants not only had lower melatonin levels during bright moon phases, but they also took 5 minutes longer to fall asleep, slept 20 minutes less in general, and had 30 percent less REM sleep. And we all know that not getting enough sleep, affects your health.

5. Menstrual Cycle

A woman’s average menstrual cycle is 28 days, which is quite similar to the 29+ day lunar cycle. This timing may be more than coincidence according to Chinese researchers who discovered that almost 30% of all the women monitored ovulated at the full moon and menstruated during the new moon. In some cultures, this has a name – White Moon Cycle, which essentially mirrors the fertility of the Earth which is said to be most fertile under full moonlight.

6. Birthrate

Japanese researchers discovered something interesting: there is a significant increase in the number of births when the gravitation of the moon to the Earth is most powerful. While researchers admit they are still unclear on exactly how or why this relationship exists, they say it might help healthcare professionals and pregnant women better prepare.

Additionally, one Italian study examined more than 1,200 births over three years and found a higher number of babies born in the two days after a full moon.

7. Injuries

As the full moon can affect our moods and behaviour in certain ways, it’s not really surprising that we are more prone to accidents or illness during this time, according to some research.

A study published in World Journal of Surgery found that over 40% of medical personnel believe in “Full Moon Madness” among patients. It was also revealed that emergency calls for all sorts of conditions actually increases by 3% whenever there’s a full moon, and then drops by 6% during a new moon.

In 2008, British researchers found a link between the lunar cycle and what doctors call “medically unexplained stroke symptoms,” where patients develop complaints such as headaches, numbness and coordination issues but have nothing physically wrong with them.

I find all of this fascinating but what do you think?

Do you experience any changes in your health during the full moon? Does the full moon affect your mood or sleep?

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My Core Values

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Have you ever thought about your core values and what they might be?

It’s interesting, I think, when we take the time to think what is really important to us and what we stand for. How would we would want to be known? I’ve known a few of my core values for a while but I hadn’t actually made a note of them until recently.

Here they are! –

Compassion

This is not only so important within my coaching but I feel it really matters in my personal life with everyone I come across. Having compassion means that, as much as I can, I try to understand what is going on for the other person and what they must be going through. Whenever, I find I might be judging, I gently remind myself that I don’t know what it is to live their life and also others can live the life they want!

Kindness

This flows from compassion really. Why wouldn’t I not try to be as kind as much as possible with as many people as possible? Kindness is a very under-rated value I think and not always as easy as it sounds. By having it as a core value, it acts as a signpost for me and right now, I’m asking myself where could I be kinder and to whom could I be kinder to?

Respect

There are some people’s views I don’t agree with and some I am vehemently opposed to but, we are all allowed our views and so I respect their views without having to go along with them. Respecting other cultures and ways of life is very important to me, even if I don’t understand them. I feel that every human deserves respect from others no matter what.

Being authentic

For a long while in my life, I pretended to be someone else in a way. I showed a version of myself to others that I thought they would prefer. I never really felt authentic because I was so worried about what others would think, even those very close to me, if they the saw the real me. It’s so liberating to let down the mask and take off the armour and be me – Liz Doyle and thereby showing all my vulnerability. I have decided that vulnerability is my super-power now. I no longer need other people’s validation to know that I am worthy and that I am always good enough.

Having fun

SO important!! Having fun should be taken very seriously. Sheer fun, silly fun, laugh out loud fun, silly faces fun. Also finding fun and joy in as many moments of my life as I can, brings me happiness. This is who I am, I love laughing and I love to live a life with fun.

Here is a short video about having fun which is Number 12 of How To Love Yourself by Louise Hay. She thought it was very important too!

How To Love Yourself by Louise Hay

Why not drop me an email at hello@lizdoyle.net and share what your core values are 💚

If you would like to find out how joining me on my coaching sessions can help you to truly love yourself and to live the life you want (including having more fun), just get in contact for a confidential chat.

You can either fill in the form, email me or book in a Discovery Call, using this link.

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Meditation

Blog / Admin

Meditation is a powerful act of self-love. Meditation plays a major part in my life and has made a profound difference to my life. It also plays a major part in my own coaching, and I suggest that my clients introduce meditation into their daily practice as soon as we start working together. In fact, I send them my recordings as part of their growth work.

You can’t get meditation wrong!

There is so much hype about sitting in the right position and not letting your thoughts in. You can’t stop your thoughts BUT you can slow them down. You can observe them like a train stopping at a station. You can choose to get on the train and let your thoughts take over or you can watch the train leave the station.

I would suggest introducing meditation into your life if you can. As early in the day as possible will make such a difference. You can set the alarm 10 minutes earlier for the practice. If done consistently, this will make a massive difference to the day ahead. This will start your day with such positivity and light.

This small extract was from a recent session I shared and I feel it can help all of us right now 💜💚💜

“In every moment of life, there are infinite reasons to suffer and infinite reasons to be happy…

What matters is where we’re putting our attention…

Become aware that everything you need to be happy is already present in this moment…

All of the conditions that are needed for peace, joy, and freedom are already here…

Let’s no longer ignore the positive conditions that are available in this moment…

Problems do exist, but they are not all that exists…

Focus on everything in life that is good…

We are no longer regretting the past or worrying about the future…

We are here and present to the miracles of life.”

Meditation quietens the mind and that can only be a good thing. And, it can do so much more.

Are you feeling stuck and want to move on? Follow this link to book in a confidential call to discuss if working with me could be a good match.

#meditation #positivechange #louisehay

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