Wellbeing Café - The “M” Word Series To provide a confidential, fun, and friendly space to talk about the “M” word. A community group for women of any age who are or have experienced challenges pre, during and post menopause. If you are finding life and the ups and downs of hormones a bit of a challenge or maybe you can offer some help and advice to other women, join in and share your experiences and wisdom. The group is facilitated by Mindset & Development Coach Evanthia Steadman and Health & Wellbeing Coach Suzi Gibbs-Chalmers who dare we say it, is about to turn the big 50 this year. The Menopause seems to be the last taboo; heaven knows why as we all go through it, so let’s talk. It can be a bit lonely and maybe family are not always the best people to share feelings around the emotional and physical changes you are experiencing. So, we thought there must be other women out their wanting a safe space to let off steam, connect and have somewhere to laugh about the changes and sleeping with window open when it is -2 outside! The “M” Word Series 1 Our first Zoom meeting will be 4th February 2021, 7.00pm to 8.00pm. It will be an informal session getting to know each other so just come along, listen, share, and enjoy with a cuppa. As a group, we can then plan future sessions, dates, timings, and topics you would like covered. There will also be an opportunity to do a guided meditation at end of the session if you would like to stay online for this. Update: Last month we really enjoyed getting to chat and share our experiences with laughter being the best medicine! We spoke about HRT and supplements that have been useful for the group and finished the session with some visualisation relaxation/meditation. This week we’re looking at how we can embrace our bodily changes using reframing and positive mindset with everyone contributing to what works for them. We look forward to seeing you there. The “M” Word Series 2 Tuesday, 2 March 2021 at 7.30pm-8.30pm. This month’s topic will look at having a positive mindset through life’s changes can help reduce and even eliminate symptoms. With a talk from Evanthia Steadman Mindset Coach and personal -development coach and Suzi Gibbs-Chalmers Health and Wellness coach. The group will then have the chance discuss and share their experiences on staying well during the perimenopause and post- menopause. Update:“M” Series session 2 went really well, 2 new people joined and great discussions around positive mindset, checking in with how we feel and positively reframing the new life challenges. Suzi provided top tips to help with night sweats and sleeping better. We had a Hair Loss Specialist and Mental Health Coach join the group. The “M” Word Series 3 The next session of The "M" Word Series 3 we will be joined by Jenny - a womens health nutrtionalist, she will be here to chat about nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support you through menopauce and beyond. Join us on Tuesday 6 April 2021, 7.30-8.30pm The “M” Word Series 4 This month it was great to be joined by Jenny from Go Nourish, she spoke to the group on “5 ways to feel healthier and fitter”. Jenny presented on healthy eating, serving sizes and the correct macro ratios for our meals, supplementation (if required) especially the importance of Magnesium, B Vitamins and also Botanicals during menopause. Great tips on staying hydrated with filtered water, avoidance of pesticides using more organic foods if possible and how important it is to reduce stress and move more. The “M” Word Series 5 Next wellbeing café is Thursday 13th May, 7.30pm. This month Bev Thorogood a Menopause Specialist and Midlife Coach with be joining us to discuss how to successfully manage menopause/peri-menopause symptoms in the workplace. She will join us for discussion on 'MAKING MENOPAUSE MAINSTREAM', Helping businesses retain valuable female talent through menopause awareness training. Helping women over 40 rediscover their confidence and thrive through midlife and beyond. The “M” Word Series 6Next wellbeing café is Thursday 10th June, 7.30pm. In Series 6, we will be discussing how to overcome associated feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and difficulties in focusing. Using mindfulness and NLP techniques, we will explore how to prioritise our time, develop more “me” time and increase our sense of freedom to choose. Update:Last month we had some interesting discussions relating to how we overcome feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and difficulties in focusing. After practising mindfulness and NLP techniques we explored ways to create more time for ourselves. We also enjoyed sharing between us elements which had worked particularly well for us individually from previous sessions. We will continue to practice many of these tips and techniques over the summer. The “M” Word SeriesThe "M" Word Series won't be running over the summer months as everyone takes their summer break and enjoys more time with their family. But it will return soon, check back on our website or social media for return dates. Email Suzi or Evanthia to register your interest and do let us know what you are struggling with and what you need support with. All welcome, please share the invite with your female friends who may like to join us.
The group is FREE and to book a space please contact:
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Suzi Gibbs-Chalmers, Wellbeing coach, shares her mental health focus with The Hunts Post. “I am a great believer that we all have mental health issues but no one needs fixing - we just need to sometimes take a look at our life experiences.” These are the words of wellbeing coach Suzi Gibbs-Chalmers, from Brampton, who is supporting The Hunts Post's We Need To Talk focus on mental health. Suzi, who runs Topaz Health Training, is set to launch a new coaching room in Huntingdon once restrictions ease. She has more than 20 years’ experience in health and fitness; having worked alongside Huntingdonshire District Council and the NHS. “I really got interested in how emotions and feelings lead behaviours and have an impact on mental health,” she explained. “You can have had a fantastic upbringing but inherited a value that could be holding you back from moving forwards in life. “I am a great believer that we all have mental health issues but no one needs fixing; we just need to sometimes take a look at our life experiences.” Suzi, who has tutored for leading fitness industry trainers, offers tailored sessions to her clients who may be struggling with their mental health. Her calming approach lets people explore the best ways to cope if they are finding certain situations difficult, but also the importance of improving their physical health too. “There is so much research on how physical symptoms we experience can be caused by mental health,” Suzi said. “For example, if we’re experiencing a lack of sleep then the body cannot heal or recover the way it should. “Meditation is a great way to bring awareness to what we may be feeling". “If you sit in silence and breathe deeply it’s amazing how that can be really calming, so then when you have a challenge to face that can really improve how you handle it. “I think that people are aware that they need to get regular exercise and take time to rest but they just find it difficult to actually do certain things as something may be holding them back. “They know that they need to change but they are just struggling with it.” Topaz Health provides a safe space to help people overcome challenges and limiting beliefs to achieve their full potential. Suzi also volunteers for the CALM Town initiatives in St Ives helping to reduce depression and loneliness within the community. While Suzi hasn’t been able to officially open the Topaz Health office in Huntingdon yet, she has still been able to support people struggling in lockdown and even set up a help group for women during menopause. Suzi has continued has also continued to provide her clinical case work for the NHS and pick up shifts for the ambulance service. “Everyone is managing the best that they can right now,” she said. “But it can be hard when you have no control over the situation. All age groups have been impacted in different ways. “It’s been heartbreaking for people not to be with loved ones, especially if they have lost someone.” Her tips to help people feel well during the coming weeks include get a daily dose of nature and keeping connected with friends.
Beat those “Frosty February Feelings” - 5 Top Tips for Better Mental Health and Wellbeing:
Life has been different for many of us over the last year and the recent New Year lockdown may have left you feeling fed-up, unmotivated, unhappy, or worried. I know staying optimistic and hopeful has been a challenge for many of us. Here are some of my top tips for lifting your mood this February. 1. Make a Happy List Write down all the things that make you happy. These could be a hot bubble bath, reading a book, colouring, talking to a friend, etc. Whatever makes you happy and do at least one thing on your list daily. Be kind to you, for if we take care of ourselves then we are better able to care for others. 2. Breath Deeply When you feel things are getting a bit stressful take a moment to pause and breath deeply. Belly breathing where you take a deep breath in and let your belly expand and then breath out slowly helps to increase your parasympathetic nervous system which in turn helps to calm the mind and body. 3. Move More It is ok if you are not a fan of formal exercise, all you need to do to improve your health and feel-good is to move more and sit less. Choose something that is easy for you, maybe a walk, chair exercise or spring clean the house. Start with 10 mins once a day and increase as you feel able. For some safe and easy workouts visit the 10-minute workouts - NHS (www.nhs.uk). 4. Think Differently Thoughts are just thoughts and yet over thinking and worrying can cause feelings of sadness and behaviours such as anxiety. We are unable to stop thoughts popping up whenever they feel like it! However, we can choose just to note the thought and let it go. What we worry about hardly ever happens and other things we have not even considered do. Focus on the now and be present in the activity you are doing to help reduce overthinking. 5. Caring and Connecting Helping and supporting others can help us to feel more positive. Reaching out, connecting, and talking to friends, family or professionals to share thoughts, gain insights and find help. By sharing we also realise that other people are experiencing similar problems and feelings and we are not alone. Wishing you a happier, healthier February, Source: SPARK Magazine P28, February 2021 edition. Topaz Health announce launch of their new coaching room located in the heart of Huntingdon. If this last year has left you worried, anxious, sad, unhappy, lost, unmotivated, stuck in a job you are no longer passionate about and you need some support and direction to move forwards then personal coaching could pave the way to lasting and positive life changes. Benefits of coaching include: Reduced stress and anxiety, better mental health, overcoming fears and phobias, greater wellbeing, increased self-awareness and confidence, stronger relationships, enhanced life skills and opportunities and a clearer focus and direction in life. Suzi has more than 20 years' experience in health, fitness, and wellbeing. She has been a programme co-ordinator and managed health schemes for Huntingdonshire District Council, been a lead exercise specialist with NHS programmes, and tutor for the leading fitness industry trainers. “I've worked with Suzi on a number of occasions and she's kind, compassionate and professional. She puts you at ease straight away and is both an interesting speaker and a great listener. Highly skilled professionals like Suzi that can also be on a level that makes you feel comfortable are a rare find. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone.”
As a senior health and fitness practitioner, Suzi realised early on in her career the need to balance physical, emotional and mental health when working with customers and patients experiencing illness and depression. She became interested in personal coaching after the sudden death of her father and found a natural transition from physical coaching to embedding coaching throughout her training and coaching of others. She delivers a worldwide community group to aspiring coaches and is on the board of volunteers for the CALM Town initiative in St Ives helping to prevent depression, loneliness and suicide. Suzi says, “We all need a coach in our corner from time to time.” Investing in yourself is just as important as investing in your career, family, friends and home. If you feel happier and fulfilled it impacts all your relationships in a positive way. I still check in with my mentor from time to time to continually develop myself and the services I offer.” What Suzi loves most is supporting people to feel happy, fulfilled and find their purpose in life which is her ‘First Aid’ for living. Offer
Suzi is available for a FREE 30 min discovery session. As a welcome to new clients, Topaz Health are offering 25 percent discount on all hourly and coaching packages throughout January 2021, just quote 'LockdownFAMH21'. Find out more here: Wellbeing Coaching > Please contact Suzi on 07974095011 or at info@topazhealth.co.uk to arrange a FREE 30 min no obligation Zoom consultation. This is when I started my coaching journey... learning, developing and qualifying to be able to support other people who are experiencing difficult times, thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Overcoming Fear I remember nearly walking away from one of the best training jobs I have ever had because of feelings of not being good enough. Thankfully, a good friend talked some sense into me, and I attended the day long interview with 16 other applicants, and guess what I got the job. I was defiantly out of my comfort zone, there was strong competition, and I was extremely nervous during that day. Life might have been vastly different if I had walked away from this opportunity because of the fear of not being good enough. Inspired by Others I have been inspired by those that have overcome physical and mental challenges. Working as a tutor on the Aspire InstructAbility project training disabled people to become Fitness instructors was one of the most rewarding roles I have enjoyed. The newly trained fitness instructor specialises in working with other disabled exercisers and other gym users. Watching a military triple amputee set up a concept rower with the help of prosthetics limbs and teach another student how to row was a humbling experience. I realised that day the old saying “there’s no such word as can’t” was true! It is only our belief of what we can and cannot do that either pushes us forwards or holds us back. Conquering our Self-doubts To follow the career of Rick Long, now a L3 Fitness Instructor and a World Disabled Strongman after losing his leg and the death of his TT racing partner in a terrible accident inspires me to keep working towards my own goals. To overcome sadness and loss we must focus on how to move forward with love for ourselves and others, helping others can really open our eyes to what we have to be thankful and grateful for. Listening Working with people and supporting friends with anxiety and depression, has taught me to listen and really understand, to be there to support and provide guidance, not advice. I believe we all have the resources inside ourselves to make the changes we need to live a happier fulfilling life. Just sometimes we need to listen so others can verbalise their thoughts and feelings to find their own solutions to the challenges they are experiencing. Coaching is Empowerment Coaching is not about needing to be fixed or saved or helped…. it is about becoming aware of yourself, how sometimes we can get in our own way, preventing us from achieving what we really want. Everyone needs a coach in their corner from time to time; taking responsibility and learning to let go of what we cannot control develops empowerment and self-belief. Do you repeat the same habits, patterns and end up in the same situations repeatedly? Do you have a dream for your life? Are you scared to try? If there was one thing you could change about your life what would it be? Training as an NLP Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and Time-Line Coach helped me to become a better friend, wife, mother, colleague, and human being! It has provided me with clear direction, focus, success, happiness, and fulfilment. I am grateful for each day I can share my passion, knowledge, and skills with others. Get out of your comfort zone and start saying YES to change, Yes to your dreams, YES to happiness and YES to greater fulfilment in your life. |
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