Month: May 2025

Lost Connections

Author: Johann Hari

In Lost Connections, Johann Hari explores an idea that challenges the status quo: what if anxiety and depression aren’t simply caused by chemical imbalances, but by the disconnection we experience in modern life? Disconnection from meaning, nature, purpose, community, and even from ourselves.

Backed by extensive research and Hari’s own experience with antidepressants, the book unfolds like an investigative journey. It doesn’t dismiss medication, but it does expand the conversation—urging us to look at the wider societal, emotional, and environmental causes of unhappiness.

Why We Recommend It:
This is a brilliant, thought-provoking read for anyone who feels like they’ve “tried everything” but are still struggling. It opens the door to a more holistic view of mental health—one that resonates deeply with our philosophy at OMH. If you’re longing for a deeper sense of connection, this book will make you feel seen—and offer practical, hopeful ways to return to yourself.

Navigating Life’s Losses: When Everything Changes and You No Longer Know Who You Are

Not all grief comes from death.
Sometimes, the deepest losses are the ones that happen quietly—when a relationship ends, when your business collapses, when your health fails you, or when life simply doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would.

I’ve lived this.

There was a point in my life when I lost my relationship, my home, and my career—all at once. I went from building what looked like a “successful” life to standing in the middle of it all crumbling around me. It wasn’t just loss. It was a complete identity unraveling.

I no longer knew who I was, or what my future looked like. And the hardest part? The world keeps spinning while you’re silently breaking.

But here’s the truth I eventually uncovered:
When everything falls away, you’re left with something incredibly powerful—a blank canvas. And that can be the start of something extraordinary.

At OMH Therapies, we create space for all forms of loss—especially the ones that don’t always get acknowledged. This post is for anyone who feels like they’ve lost more than they know how to name.

What Counts as “Loss”?

Loss isn’t always visible. It doesn’t always come with flowers or rituals. But it changes you.

You might be grieving:

The end of a relationship or marriage
Losing a business, job, or financial security
A shift in your health, body, or energy
A lifestyle or version of yourself you once knew
The life path you thought you’d be living by now

And perhaps the most painful part—you feel like a stranger to yourself.

Fact: Research shows that major life transitions—divorce, job loss, illness, or relocation—can cause emotional symptoms that mirror bereavement. But because they’re not always recognised as “grief,” people often suffer in silence.

What to Do When You Feel Lost

There is no quick fix. But there are ways to move through loss with gentleness, clarity, and—eventually—renewal.

1. Acknowledge What You’re Grieving

It’s okay to grieve the version of you that didn’t make it. The plans that didn’t unfold. The life that slipped away. You don’t have to justify it to anyone. You just have to name it. And feel it.

Fact: Naming your emotions—especially around identity loss—helps your brain regulate and release stress, according to studies in affect labeling and emotional regulation.

2. Write to Remember—and to Release

Journaling was one of the things that got me through. Not structured, not polished. Just messy, honest pages of everything I was feeling. It helped me find pieces of myself again. Try prompts like:

“Who was I before this?”
“What did I lose that others can’t see?”
“What might this space be making room for?”

Fact: Expressive writing reduces emotional overwhelm, and helps reframe trauma as growth over time.

3. Move Your Body—and Let It Speak

Loss doesn’t just live in your mind—it lives in your muscles, your nervous system, your breath. That’s why movement is medicine.

At OMH Therapies, we offer:

Yoga, Pilates & Mindful Movement – to gently release stored emotion and reconnect with your body.
Massage with Talk Therapy – a unique and deeply healing service that allows you to mentally process while physically letting go. This dual approach supports emotional release on every level—body and mind.

Fact: Body-based therapies paired with verbal processing have been shown to regulate the nervous system more effectively than talk therapy or physical therapy alone.

4. Don’t Rush the Rebuild

It can be tempting to fill the void quickly. To start something new just to feel stable again. But lasting healing happens in the pause. Allow yourself the space to not know. It’s sacred ground. Eventually, clarity returns.

Fact: Growth after major life change increases significantly when people allow time for reflection, rather than rushing into the next phase (Post-Traumatic Growth research).

5. Reimagine Who You Want to Become

One day, you’ll feel ready to rebuild—not as who you were, but as who you’ve become. You get to dream again from a place of truth. You get to decide what matters now. Start with small acts of alignment:

Say yes to what feels nourishing
Return to rituals that calm you

Make new choices from who you are now—not who you were then

This Isn’t the End of You. It’s the Beginning of Something Honest.

Loss will change you. But it doesn’t have to destroy you.
If you’re standing in the ruins right now, I want you to know—you are not broken. You are becoming.

At OMH Therapies, we’re here for this exact season of life. When the world feels shaky, and you’re not sure who you are anymore—we offer space, support, and healing to help you reconnect with yourself again.

👉 Explore Classes & Book a Therapy Session

With care and courage,
Ayesha Sodha (The Power Whisperer)

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Author: Lori Gottlieb

This beautifully written and often funny book follows therapist Lori Gottlieb as she navigates the lives of her clients—while unexpectedly becoming a client herself. It’s a story about vulnerability, heartbreak, healing, and the surprising ways life brings us face-to-face with ourselves.

What makes it so compelling is its honesty. Therapy is often seen as a one-way process, but Lori invites us behind the curtain to see the therapist as a human being, too—struggling, healing, and learning. Her clients’ stories mirror so many of our own fears, doubts, and longings.

Why We Recommend It:
This book is a wonderful read for anyone curious about therapy—or nervous to start. It makes the process feel less intimidating and more deeply human. It also reminds us that healing doesn’t happen in a straight line, and that sometimes being brave enough to ask for help is the most powerful thing we can do.

Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Gentle Tools to Help You Feel Calmer

Anxiety is something nearly everyone experiences from time to time—it’s a natural response to stress or uncertainty. However, when anxious thoughts or feelings begin to impact your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being, it’s a gentle signal from your body that it may be time to pause and give yourself some extra care.

At OMH Therapies, we deeply understand anxiety—not only how it feels but how it shows up in our daily lives. My own journey, bridging wellness and business, has shown me how important managing anxiety is for clarity, productivity, and emotional well-being. If you’re experiencing anxiety, you’re not alone—and there are nurturing ways to manage it.

Recognising Anxiety: What It Feels Like

Anxiety can look different for everyone, but here are some common signs you might notice:

Physical Symptoms: Increased heart rate, sweaty palms, muscle tension, shallow breathing, stomach discomfort, or headaches.
Emotional Symptoms: Persistent worry, restlessness, irritability, feeling overwhelmed, or trouble concentrating.
Behavioural Symptoms: Avoiding situations, difficulty sleeping, or feeling withdrawn from others.

Fact: Anxiety is your body’s natural “fight or flight” response to stress, but when it becomes constant or overwhelming, it can negatively affect your emotional and physical health (American Psychological Association).

Gentle Tools to Help Manage Anxiety

Here are practical, nurturing ways to support yourself when anxiety arises:

1. Slow, Mindful Breathing

Your breath is one of your strongest tools to calm anxiety quickly. A simple technique is the extended exhale:

Breathe in gently through your nose for 4 seconds.
Slowly breathe out through your mouth for 6–8 seconds.

Fact: Deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce stress and calm the body almost immediately.

2. Grounding Techniques

Grounding brings your awareness back to the present moment, calming racing thoughts. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method:

5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste

Fact: Grounding exercises are shown to interrupt anxious thought spirals and restore emotional balance.

3. Daily Journaling

Sometimes, what we need is to let our thoughts out of our heads and onto paper. Journaling, even for 10 minutes a day, gives your inner world a safe outlet. Don’t overthink it—just let it flow.

Fact: Studies show regular journaling can reduce anxiety, increase clarity, and promote emotional resilience.

4. Limit Caffeine and Sugar

Both caffeine and sugar can stimulate the nervous system and mimic anxiety symptoms. Consider reducing your intake if you’re noticing frequent anxious spikes.

Fact: High caffeine intake has been linked to increased anxiety, especially in those who are already sensitive or stressed (Journal of Psychopharmacology).

5. Gentle Movement for Emotional Release

When anxiety builds, movement helps shift that stuck energy. And it doesn’t need to be intense—gentle movement often helps more.

At OMH Therapies, we offer yoga, pilates, and mindful movement classes designed to support nervous system regulation and reconnection with the body. Whether it’s breath-led pilates, slow grounding yoga, or mindful movement tailored to meet you where you are—these practices offer the reset your body and mind need.

Fact: Gentle exercise is proven to lower stress hormones and increase calming brain chemicals like endorphins, easing anxiety symptoms.

6. Prioritise Sleep and Rest

Rest is not a luxury—it’s essential. Try creating evening rituals to help your body wind down: soft lighting, herbal tea, calming music, or even journaling before bed.

Fact: Sleep deprivation can significantly heighten anxiety symptoms. Regular, restful sleep supports emotional regulation and mental clarity (Harvard Medical School).

7. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation

Even five minutes of mindful breathing can help shift an anxious state. Guided meditations are a wonderful place to start—there are countless free resources online, or you can join us in person at OMH for gentle, supportive classes.

Fact: Mindfulness reduces overactivity in brain regions linked to worry and stress, making it a proven long-term tool for managing anxiety.

8. Community and Connection

Anxiety often thrives in isolation. Reaching out to others—whether through a wellness class, a friend, or a therapist—can offer grounding, perspective, and genuine relief.

Fact: People with strong support systems have significantly lower anxiety levels and higher emotional resilience (Mayo Clinic).

You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling anxious, please know that you’re not alone—and that anxiety isn’t a flaw, it’s a signal. These tools are here to help you gently recalibrate, reconnect with yourself, and feel more grounded and supported day by day.

We warmly invite you to explore the range of therapies and classes we offer at OMH to support your emotional well-being.

👉 View Classes & Book a Session

With care,
Ayesha Sodha (The Power Whisperer)

The Body Keeps the Score

Author: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

This book is considered essential reading in the field of trauma recovery. Dr. van der Kolk explains with clarity and compassion how trauma—whether from childhood, relationships, accidents, or long-term stress—gets stored in the body and affects everything from our mental state to our physical health.

Rather than focus purely on talk therapy, he brings forward a new paradigm: healing through the body. Practices like yoga, EMDR, neurofeedback, and breathwork are explored as vital tools for recovery. It affirms something we deeply believe at OMH: that you don’t just think your way out of trauma—you feel, move, and release it from the body.

Why We Recommend It:
This book is foundational for understanding how trauma impacts the nervous system and why body-based therapies (like massage, movement, breathwork, or sound healing) are so important. It’s a bit of a heavier read, but incredibly empowering if you’re ready to understand your healing on a deeper level. A must-read for anyone on a trauma-informed healing path.

The Impact of Technology on Your Mental Health: Finding Calm in a Digital World

Technology is everywhere. It brings joy, connection, inspiration, and learning into our lives. But sometimes, it can also feel overwhelming. It’s completely normal to feel drained, anxious, or even disconnected, despite being “always online.”

At OMH Therapies, we understand how delicate our relationship with technology can be. Our phones, tablets, and laptops are woven deeply into our daily lives, yet too much screen time can subtly affect our emotional well-being, leaving us feeling anxious, restless, or alone.

Here, we invite you to explore a gentle approach to technology—one that nurtures your mental health and brings calm back into your daily routine.

How Screens Affect Your Inner Balance

Comparing Ourselves to Others
It’s easy to forget that social media often shows carefully curated highlights. These images can quietly affect how we feel about ourselves, leaving us feeling not enough or left behind.
Constant Noise
Endless notifications, messages, and updates pull your attention in different directions, creating stress and a feeling of never truly being at rest.
Sleep and Rest
When your phone or tablet is the last thing you see at night, sleep quality can suffer, affecting your mood, energy, and emotional resilience the next day.

Gentle Steps Toward Digital Balance

Think of these tips as invitations, not rules—gentle ways to cultivate peace and reconnect with yourself:

Create Quiet Time
Gift yourself small windows in the day to step away from your phone. Even 15 minutes of quiet without notifications can bring calm.
Mindful Browsing
Notice how different accounts or apps make you feel. Choose to engage with people and content that uplift your mood and inspire positivity.
Digital Bedtime Rituals
Allow yourself restful evenings by gently setting devices aside at least an hour before bed, perhaps replacing screen time with reading, journaling, or meditation.
Embrace Real Connection
Prioritize meaningful conversations—face-to-face or voice-to-voice—to nourish relationships and your sense of community.
Regular Digital Breaks
Consider a “digital detox”—a few hours, a day, or even a weekend where you intentionally disconnect to recharge emotionally and mentally.

You Deserve Peace and Balance

Technology should enhance your life, not complicate it. When you approach your digital world mindfully, it can enrich your days instead of overwhelming them. Remember, it’s always okay to slow down, step away, and take care of yourself first.

At OMH Therapies, we’re here to support your journey toward balanced living. If you need a little extra support, we warmly invite you to explore our holistic therapies and nurturing workshops designed to help you find your inner peace.

You Will Get Through This Night

Author: Daniel Howell

Daniel Howell, known for his openness around mental health, offers a powerful and practical guide for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or overwhelming emotions. This book is refreshingly real—grounded in his personal experience, but also rooted in psychological strategies that work.

What stands out is how Daniel breaks the book into three distinct parts: how to survive the worst moments (the night), how to build mental health habits over time (the day), and how to navigate the wider conversation around mental illness (the world). It’s compassionate, accessible, and full of genuinely useful tools—especially for people who don’t want fluff, but need something grounded and actionable.

Why We Recommend It:
This is one of the most practical books we’ve come across for managing anxiety or emotional overwhelm. If you’re in a dark patch, this book feels like a hand on your shoulder. It also makes mental health feel more human—less clinical, more relatable. We recommend it to anyone who wants simple tools and a sense of comfort in knowing they are not alone.

Mental Health Awareness Month: 10 Gentle yet Powerful Ways to Support Your Mind and Energy

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a gentle reminder to consciously invest in our emotional and energetic well-being. But mental wellness isn’t something to be ticked off once a year; it’s about creating daily practices that nurture us inside and out.

Growing up around OMH Therapies, founded by my mum, I’ve been immersed in holistic wellness since my teenage years. Today, my work is dedicated to the intersection of wellness and business, and I’ve learned firsthand how essential emotional and energetic balance is—not just personally, but professionally too.

Here, I’m sharing 10 gentle yet powerful strategies that I personally practice and recommend to keep you feeling balanced, clear, and empowered every day:

1. Start Your Day with Intention

The way you begin your morning sets the stage for the entire day. Even dedicating just 10–15 mindful minutes can transform your outlook. You could try:

A brief meditation (YouTube has wonderful free sessions)
Mindfully making your bed
Taking an extra few calm moments in the shower

Fact: Research from Harvard University shows that morning mindfulness routines can significantly reduce stress and enhance focus throughout the day.

2. Daily Energy Protection

If you often feel sensitive or pick up energies from others during the day, creating an energy-protection ritual helps immensely. Try visualising washing away negative energy each morning during your shower. By attaching this habit to your daily shower, you’re far more likely to remember and maintain it.

Fact: James Clear, in his bestselling book Atomic Habits, explains that pairing a new habit (energy cleansing) with an existing one (showering) greatly increases habit formation success.

3. Ground Yourself

Feeling suddenly anxious or overwhelmed often indicates you’ve picked up energy that isn’t yours. Try standing barefoot on grass or soil for 10 minutes—this practice is called earthing. If this isn’t possible, a soothing shower with pink Himalayan salt is equally beneficial.

Fact: Studies published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found earthing significantly reduces inflammation, stress hormones, and improves sleep quality.

4. Practice Mindful Eating

In a busy world, it’s easy to eat quickly and without much thought. Try dedicating just one meal each day to conscious eating—without distractions. Observe the colours, flavours, and textures of your food.

Fact: Mindful eating has been proven to support digestion, reduce anxiety around food choices, and improve overall dietary habits, as noted by Harvard Health.

5. Journal—Better Out Than In

Our minds generate thousands of thoughts daily, some repetitive or stressful. Instead of letting these thoughts swirl in your mind, write them down. Journaling even for a few minutes daily can help release stress and clarify your emotions.

Fact: Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center shows journaling consistently helps manage anxiety and improves emotional clarity.

6. Recharge Your Energy Regularly

We all need regular energetic rebalancing. Massage combined with sound healing and chakra balancing is wonderfully restorative. If that’s not accessible, you can find sound-healing videos online. My mum’s absolute favourite healer is Mei-lan, whose calming sound meditations we proudly feature on our homepage.

Fact: Sound therapy is scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower anxiety levels, and enhance emotional resilience, according to recent studies.

7. Breathe to Calm Your Mind

Breathwork instantly calms your nervous system and grounds you in the present. Start with the simple yet effective “square breathing” method:

Breathe in gently for 4 counts
Hold softly for 4 counts
Exhale slowly for 4 counts

If you’re local, OMH Therapies offers gentle breathwork classes to guide you further.

Fact: Breathing techniques significantly activate your parasympathetic nervous system, instantly reducing stress and anxiety.

8. Cultivate Daily Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful emotional regulator. Each day, briefly reflect on 1–3 things you genuinely appreciate, no matter how small—a warm drink, clean sheets, a friendly interaction.

Fact: Research from UC Berkeley demonstrates that regular gratitude practice significantly boosts happiness and reduces anxiety levels.

9. Community Connection

Solitude can recharge you, but being part of a supportive community deeply nourishes your emotional health. Attend classes, join workshops, or simply reconnect with friends regularly.

Fact: Numerous studies, including from the Mayo Clinic, confirm that strong social connections improve emotional health and reduce risks of anxiety and depression.

10. Prioritise Daily Joy and Self-Care

Make a daily effort, no matter how brief, to do something genuinely joyful or nurturing. Whether it’s lighting your favourite candle, sipping herbal tea, or watching a feel-good video, these simple acts greatly enhance emotional resilience.

Fact: Regular self-care activities are scientifically shown to reduce burnout, stress, and significantly enhance overall emotional well-being.

Mental health care isn’t about huge gestures—it’s about small, intentional actions every day. These strategies are ones I’ve seen transform my own life and those of clients at OMH Therapies.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s gently yet intentionally integrate these supportive practices into our daily routines, because mental and emotional wellness is always worth the investment.

Warmly,

Ayesha Sodha (The Power Whisperer)

Interested in more ways to nurture your wellness journey? Reach out directly—we’re always here for support.

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