#mentalhealth Archives - Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue

9 signs you are addicted to technology

Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:30:00 +0000

You can reclaim your life, by being more present and noticing these 9 signs you are addicted to technology.

Technology is a great gift, bringing us the ability to obtain instant information and connection, allowing us to order groceries, food, stream movies and music.

We have become so addicted to instant gratification that we have become blinded to the impact that it has had on our lives.

Sign # 1 Body Responses

You blindly use your phone/laptop/tablet/computer without noticing responses from your brain and body.

Try… Limiting your usage by setting daily reminders on your phone or calendar to check in with how you feel in respect to stress, fatigue and overall exposure time otherwise your technology usage and your health will eventually clash.

Sign #2 Beware of app addiction

The warning signs of technology overload are like those seen in people suffering from drug and alcohol addictions.

Being unwilling to put a phone or tablet down and turn it off, despite experiencing negative physical side effects or relationship problems, meets addictive criteria.

Try…Asking for honest feedback from a trusted friend, and give feedback to help others.

Sign #3 You don’t have enough ‘me-time’

Each day find space in your diary so you are 100% technology free (no TV either) and lock in down as a spiritual moment… the time to nurture your mind and body.

This time will be spent differently for each person.

Try… dedicating time each day to nurture your mind and body…

just try it for a week and experiment the different ways you can spend that time!

Sign #4 Creative connections

Face-to-face conversations and real-time voice connection provide a wealth of additional information to both parties involved which is missing from social media, text messages and email.

Don’t let your personal relationships collapse because an email or text message was misinterpreted.

Try…Connecting with your loved ones in present time as tomorrow is never promised.

Sign #5 Practise living in the moment

Enjoy taking time out, rather than rushing through your life moving on to the next task pay attention and just BE in the moment.

Try…treating yourself to a massage or facial.

Lay on the grass and watch the clouds go by

Soak in a bubble bath and read a book.

Sign #6 Poor concentration

Research shows that constantly scanning information online is changing our ability to pay attention.

Spending excessive amount of time online undermines our ability to concentrate and complete complex tasks.

Try…reading a book for an hour a day or try completing jig saw puzzle

Sign #7 Impatience

Technology provides instant gratification, a habit-forming hook that means we get disproportionately frustrated at the slightest delay in a coffee queue, awaiting an email response or even waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Try…learning to meditate which will help bring you into the present and help bring a sense of calm.

Secret # 8 FOMO

Teens are particularly susceptible to the ‘fear of missing out’, which can lead to extreme anxiety depression, and sleep problems, thanks to constant exposure to backlit screen at night, adults are not immune to it either.

Try…Giving up screen time 2 hours before bedtime and help improve insomnia as well as the quality of your sleep by reading a book at bedtime.

Sign #9 Memory use it or lose it

Google processes approximately 99,000 search enquiries every second which translates to 8.5 billion Google searches per day!

Unfortunately the “Google effect” – knowing that the answers are a click away – discourages us from the effort of retaining information because it is so easy to find the answer online.

Try…increasing your memory by playing games that require using your memory and help to boost cognitive skills

• Crosswords

• Sudoku

• Chess

• Jigsaw puzzles

• Scrabble

Spread the word

12 secrets to feeling happier

Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 22:30:00 +0000

If you feel sad more often than you’d like to admit, or feel that you have nothing to smile about, here are 12 secrets to feeling happier in your life.

With the arrival of the New Year, now is the best time to focus on changing your life for the better.

Secret #1 Ask for what you want

Whatever it is that is going to generate joy for you, make it your intention to bring that experience into your life.

When you know that you want and you ask for it, then you create the opportunity for the Universe to deliver your heart’s desire, right to your front door.

Secret #2 Be grateful

Think of all the wonderful things that you already have in your life. Look around you and you will always find something to be grateful for.

Pick up the phone, call someone you love, and tell them how much you appreciate them… you’ll make their day. Plus, it will bring you into a state of gratitude and open your heart to the joys of life.

Secret #3 Visualise your success

To quote W. Clement Stone, “Whatever the mind of a man can conceive, he can achieve.”

Use your imagination to create your ideal reality. Close your eyes and visualize the end result you wish to experience.

Focus all your attention to that detailed image. Get excited by it and allow the process to exhilarate you.

Secret #4 Don’t worry

Scientific studies prove that worrying can be a health hazard.

So make a conscious effort to replace any worrying thoughts with ones that brings you pleasure and warms your heart.

When you feel yourself starting to worry, take a deep breath., count to 10 and relax.

Like Bobby McFerrin song says….. Don’t worry be happy!

Secret #5 Nurture your body

Your body is the temple that houses your soul; care for it with life-affirming experiences.

Treat yourself to a massage or facial.

Float on your back in the ocean.

Soak in a bubble bath.

Celebrate this magnificent body in which you are free to experience your life.

Secret #6 Live in abundance

Notice the glorious world in which you live.

Begin with the air you breathe, the very currency of life itself.

Focus on the richness of life itself.

See and believe yourself to have more than enough of everything you could want and need.

Secret #7 Set achievable goals

Goals give you direction and a sense of fulfillment once they’re achieved. Start with a small goal; as your confidence builds, set more challenging ones.

Make sure that your goals are S.M.A.R.T…

– Specific

– Measureable

– Achievable

– Realistic

– Timebound

.Secret # 8 Accept responsibility

Too often we place unrealistic expectations on others, in the mistaken belief that they can make us happy.

However, it is only when you accept responsibility for the creation of your own happiness that you no longer depend on others to give it to you. Instead, you can share yours with them.

Secret #9 Be enthusiastic

Concentrate on igniting your enthusiasm by finding something that you are passionate about and pursue it with joyful abandon.

If you live your life to the fullest greeting each and every day with excitement, you will radiate positive energy that will attract happy people and uplifting experiences to you.

When you bring out the best in yourself, you also bring out the best in others.

Secret # 10 Join a community

Human beings are inherently social creatures.

We need to belong, to feel that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Get involved with a group of people that reflect your interests, or form your own group and share your joy with others.

Secret #11 Keep playing

George Bernard Shaw one once said… We don’t stop playing because we get old – we get old because we stop playing.

Age is a state of mind. Do you want to be 80 years old or 80 years young?

If you want to stay young spend time in the company of children, they will help you to rediscover your playful side.

Skip – Dance – Sing – Finger-paint – Dress up – Colour in – Giggle!

We can all choose to live a playful, youthful life.

Secret #12 Choose to be happy

Do what you love or love what you do.

To choose either is to choose happiness.

Regardless of what is happening in your life, decide to create your own happiness.

The results will naturally fall into place.

Above all “Don’t worry be happy!”

Spread the word

8 Tips for Managing Anxiety

Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 08:47:45 +0000

For some of us, managing anxiety can be an extremely difficult thing to achieve.

For most of us, anxiety levels run much higher when we are in group settings or public places.

Follow these simple tips to help manage your anxiety so you can enjoy celebrations with your friends and family.

Tip # 1. Be aware

Anxiety doesn’t need to be at high levels in order for it to affect us.

High levels can impact our work, relationships, as well as our health.

We can improve our daily experiences by learning to recognise when we are allowing our worries to get the better of us.

Tip #2 Identify your triggers

People who are prone to feeling anxious may feel that it’s just the way they are but after some reflection, triggers that set off the vicious thinking cycle can usually be found.

Past experiences may bias what we expect an outcome to be; feelings of inadequacy to deal with a crisis; and even an under-stimulated mind or social life can leave you fretting over the unknown.

Keeping busy with your day to day life rather than living in your own head can help shift your attention.

Tip #3. Keeping negative thoughts in check

The main thing to remember is that thoughts are simply that – thoughts – and they do not always correspond with reality.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the “What if?” way of thinking.

Rather than living in fear of the unknown, it can be helpful to go ahead and actually answer the question – as scary as that may seem.

Tip #4. “What if I embarrass myself in public?”

With people being so caught up in their own daily life, please consider how many people would actually notice.

Also consider how you would react if someone else embarrassed themselves.

Tip # 5. “What if I lose my job?”

If you spend hours worrying about losing your job, think about the practical things you can put into place to minimise the impact of job loss.

Also evaluate how likely it would happen in the first place.

Tip # 6. Breaking the habit

Thoughts can often become a habit. What might start out as a rational concern:

“What if I don’t do well in this job interview?” can become an automatic response to any similar situation.

Rather than allowing your mind to go wild with the endless negative possibilities, look at what is actually happening around you and try to assess if your thoughts are in line with reality.

It’s difficult to fathom that many people with anxiety often doubt themselves and their abilities but rarely stop to consider that perhaps they should doubt the validity of their negative thoughts.

Tip # 7. You can’t control everything

No matter how hard you try, there are things in life you simply can’t control.

At the end of the day, worrying about the possible outcome of a situation won’t actually change the outcome.

If anything, worrying will distract you from potential opportunities that may help improve your life.

Tip # 8. Seeking further help

If you feel you are suffering from anxiety to the point where it is stopping you from living the life you desire, seek help.

It can be hard to take that first step but speaking to someone who is trained in such matters, will be able to give you a different perspective.

Spread the word

#mentalhealth Archives - Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue

9 signs you are addicted to technology

You can reclaim your life, by being more present and noticing these 9 signs you are addicted to technology.

Technology is a great gift, bringing us the ability to obtain instant information and connection, allowing us to order groceries, food, stream movies and music.

We have become so addicted to instant gratification that we have become blinded to the impact that it has had on our lives.

Sign # 1 Body Responses

You blindly use your phone/laptop/tablet/computer without noticing responses from your brain and body.

Try… Limiting your usage by setting daily reminders on your phone or calendar to check in with how you feel in respect to stress, fatigue and overall exposure time otherwise your technology usage and your health will eventually clash.

Sign #2 Beware of app addiction

The warning signs of technology overload are like those seen in people suffering from drug and alcohol addictions.

Being unwilling to put a phone or tablet down and turn it off, despite experiencing negative physical side effects or relationship problems, meets addictive criteria.

Try…Asking for honest feedback from a trusted friend, and give feedback to help others.

Sign #3 You don’t have enough ‘me-time’

Each day find space in your diary so you are 100% technology free (no TV either) and lock in down as a spiritual moment… the time to nurture your mind and body.

This time will be spent differently for each person.

Try… dedicating time each day to nurture your mind and body…

just try it for a week and experiment the different ways you can spend that time!

Sign #4 Creative connections

Face-to-face conversations and real-time voice connection provide a wealth of additional information to both parties involved which is missing from social media, text messages and email.

Don’t let your personal relationships collapse because an email or text message was misinterpreted.

Try…Connecting with your loved ones in present time as tomorrow is never promised.

Sign #5 Practise living in the moment

Enjoy taking time out, rather than rushing through your life moving on to the next task pay attention and just BE in the moment.

Try…treating yourself to a massage or facial.

Lay on the grass and watch the clouds go by

Soak in a bubble bath and read a book.

Sign #6 Poor concentration

Research shows that constantly scanning information online is changing our ability to pay attention.

Spending excessive amount of time online undermines our ability to concentrate and complete complex tasks.

Try…reading a book for an hour a day or try completing jig saw puzzle

Sign #7 Impatience

Technology provides instant gratification, a habit-forming hook that means we get disproportionately frustrated at the slightest delay in a coffee queue, awaiting an email response or even waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Try…learning to meditate which will help bring you into the present and help bring a sense of calm.

Secret # 8 FOMO

Teens are particularly susceptible to the ‘fear of missing out’, which can lead to extreme anxiety depression, and sleep problems, thanks to constant exposure to backlit screen at night, adults are not immune to it either.

Try…Giving up screen time 2 hours before bedtime and help improve insomnia as well as the quality of your sleep by reading a book at bedtime.

Sign #9 Memory use it or lose it

Google processes approximately 99,000 search enquiries every second which translates to 8.5 billion Google searches per day!

Unfortunately the “Google effect” – knowing that the answers are a click away – discourages us from the effort of retaining information because it is so easy to find the answer online.

Try…increasing your memory by playing games that require using your memory and help to boost cognitive skills

• Crosswords

• Sudoku

• Chess

• Jigsaw puzzles

• Scrabble

Spread the word

More Articles from our Blog…

9 strategies to help you manage your cravings

9 signs you are addicted to technology

12 secrets to feeling happier

12 secrets to feeling happier

If you feel sad more often than you’d like to admit, or feel that you have nothing to smile about, here are 12 secrets to feeling happier in your life.

With the arrival of the New Year, now is the best time to focus on changing your life for the better.

Whatever it is that is going to generate joy for you, make it your intention to bring that experience into your life.

When you know that you want and you ask for it, then you create the opportunity for the Universe to deliver your heart’s desire, right to your front door.

Secret #2 Be grateful

Think of all the wonderful things that you already have in your life. Look around you and you will always find something to be grateful for.

Pick up the phone, call someone you love, and tell them how much you appreciate them… you’ll make their day. Plus, it will bring you into a state of gratitude and open your heart to the joys of life.

Secret #3 Visualise your success

To quote W. Clement Stone, “Whatever the mind of a man can conceive, he can achieve.”

Use your imagination to create your ideal reality. Close your eyes and visualize the end result you wish to experience.

Focus all your attention to that detailed image. Get excited by it and allow the process to exhilarate you.

Secret #4 Don’t worry

Scientific studies prove that worrying can be a health hazard.

So make a conscious effort to replace any worrying thoughts with ones that brings you pleasure and warms your heart.

When you feel yourself starting to worry, take a deep breath., count to 10 and relax.

Like Bobby McFerrin song says….. Don’t worry be happy!

Secret #5 Nurture your body

Your body is the temple that houses your soul; care for it with life-affirming experiences.

Treat yourself to a massage or facial.

Float on your back in the ocean.

Soak in a bubble bath.

Celebrate this magnificent body in which you are free to experience your life.

Secret #6 Live in abundance

Notice the glorious world in which you live.

Begin with the air you breathe, the very currency of life itself.

Focus on the richness of life itself.

See and believe yourself to have more than enough of everything you could want and need.

Secret #7 Set achievable goals

Goals give you direction and a sense of fulfillment once they’re achieved. Start with a small goal; as your confidence builds, set more challenging ones.