 In today's fast-paced world, taking care of our mental health and well-being is more important than ever. Psychological research has consistently shown that engaging with nature, staying active, and fostering social connections can significantly improve our emotional and physical well-being. Fortunately, Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset offer an abundance of opportunities to support mental health naturally. Whether it's the calming rhythm of the waves, the fresh countryside air, or engaging in supportive community activities, this guide highlights local options for nurturing your well-being.
1. Find peace by the sea: The therapeutic effects of North Somerset’s beaches The coastline of North Somerset offers a variety of beachside settings, each with its own unique atmosphere and therapeutic benefits. Research in psychology suggests that listening to the rhythmic sound of ocean waves helps de-stimulate the brain, leading to relaxation and stress relief. Walking barefoot on the sand, known as grounding, can further enhance these effects by reducing cortisol levels and promoting calmness. Simply watching the tide roll in can create a meditative state, making it a perfect antidote for anxiety and low mood. The gentle crash of the waves, the salt-laden breeze, and the steady horizon all signal to our nervous system that we are safe, promoting relaxation and emotional balance. The sound of waves also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower heart rate and decrease stress hormones like adrenaline. Key beaches for well-being:
Try this: Take a mindful walk along any of these beaches, paying attention to the sound of the waves, the feel of the breeze, and the sensation of the sand beneath your feet. Practice deep breathing in sync with the waves to enhance relaxation and increase oxygen flow to the brain. 2. Breathe in the fresh air: Mendip Hills walks The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) offers some of the most stunning countryside landscapes in the region. Studies show that spending time in green spaces lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and improves mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels. Walking through the rolling hills, woodlands, and open fields can be a meditative experience that fosters mindfulness and relaxation. The predictable, repetitive movement of walking helps regulate emotions, while the vastness of the landscape promotes perspective-taking, making problems feel more manageable. Exposure to nature also enhances cognitive function and reduces symptoms of mental fatigue. Recommended Walks:
3. Embrace Blue Mind Theory: Cheddar reservoir Cheddar Reservoir offers an expansive, peaceful waterscape perfect for walking, cycling, or simply sitting and reflecting. Blue Mind Theory suggests that being near water promotes a deeply relaxed state, reducing stress and increasing feelings of happiness. The combination of fresh air, open space, and the gentle sounds of lapping water can work wonders for mental well-being. Water has a hypnotic effect on the brain, creating a state of soft fascination, where the mind is engaged but not overwhelmed. This can be particularly helpful for those dealing with rumination, as it naturally shifts focus away from distressing thoughts. Research shows that proximity to water reduces cortisol levels and boosts the production of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and oxytocin. Try This: Bring a journal and spend some time reflecting by the water, allowing the natural surroundings to bring clarity and peace. Or simply sit quietly and observe the movement of the water, using it as an anchor to calm the mind. 4. Connect with nature: Green social prescribing Green social prescribing is a growing movement where individuals engage in nature-based activities to improve mental health. In Weston-super-Mare, local groups offer guided nature walks, community gardening projects, and conservation activities. These activities not only encourage physical movement but also foster social connection and a sense of purpose, both of which are key components of well-being. Gardening, for example, has been shown to reduce stress hormones and provide a tangible sense of accomplishment, reinforcing positive mood regulation. Engaging in structured outdoor activities also supports self-compassion by encouraging mindful presence in the moment, a key principle of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). Local Options:
5. Move Your Body: The Joy of Physical Activity Exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost mental health, but the key is finding something enjoyable rather than feeling pressured to do it. Whether it's swimming at the local leisure centre, dancing in a community class, or cycling along the Strawberry Line, physical activity releases endorphins that help reduce anxiety and improve mood. It also decreases adrenaline and cortisol, the hormones associated with stress. Where to Get Active:
Final Thoughts Taking care of mental health is about finding the right balance between movement, relaxation, social connection, and personal fulfilment. By incorporating some of these activities into your routine, you can cultivate a sense of peace, resilience, and joy in everyday life. If you are looking for professional counselling support in Weston-super-Mare or North Somerset, visit www.georgefortunecounselling.co.uk for more information on how counselling can help with anxiety, stress, and overall mental well-being. Equally, check out my blog on "How to find the right counsellor for you in Weston-super-Mare" to explore looking for the right support for you. George Fortune Counselling
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 Change is one of life’s few certainties, yet it often brings uncertainty, anxiety, and worry. Whether it is a new career, the end of a relationship, becoming a parent, retirement, or any other major shift, life transitions can challenge our sense of stability and identity. Even when change is positive, it can stir up deep emotions and leave us feeling unsettled.
As a humanistic counsellor, I see transitions not as obstacles but as opportunities for self-discovery, growth, and renewal. While uncertainty can feel daunting, it can also be the gateway to greater self-awareness, resilience, and personal fulfilment. Therapy provides a space to explore these shifts, helping to process emotions, manage anxiety, and move forward with clarity and confidence. This blog somewhat follows on from my previous blog post 'Loss, Grief and finding your way through', but looking at the transitions and change we all go through in life. It explores why life transitions can be so psychologically challenging, their impact on mental health and identity, and how counselling can support you in managing uncertainty. It also offers practical strategies for embracing change with resilience and self-trust. Why do life transition feel so emotionally challenging? Life transitions often bring a mix of emotions, including excitement, anxiety, self-doubt, fear of losing control, and even grief over what is being left behind. These feelings can be unsettling, even when the change is a positive one. From a psychological perspective, transitions disrupt cognitive equilibrium, the brain’s way of maintaining stability. Humans are wired to seek predictability and control, so when life shifts unexpectedly, it can activate the amygdala, the brain’s emotional centre. This can increase our adrenaline and stress hormones such as cortisol, heightening feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. From a humanistic counselling perspective, life transitions can challenge our self-concept, the way we see ourselves. If our identity has been closely linked to a career, a relationship, or a particular role, change can lead to questions about who we are and where we belong. Existential and Logotherapy perspectives on change Existential therapy suggests that transitions force us to confront the unknown, raising fundamental questions about meaning, purpose, and direction. While this can be unsettling, it can also be profoundly liberating. Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy emphasises that when faced with uncertainty, we can either resist or embrace the opportunity to find new meaning. Therapy can help to reframe uncertainty as a space for growth rather than something to be feared. Reframing change: Seeing transitions as opportunities for growth When faced with uncertainty, the focus often shifts towards what is being lost rather than what is being gained. However, transitions can provide an opportunity to redefine priorities, embrace new possibilities, and develop emotional resilience. Shifting mindset around change Rather than feeling lost and uncertain, it can be helpful to reframe transitions as an opportunity to explore new aspects of identity and personal growth. Instead of worrying about making the wrong decision, trust can be placed in one’s ability to navigate the process with self-awareness and adaptability. Carl Rogers, a key figure in humanistic therapy, highlighted that personal growth occurs when individuals step outside their comfort zones. While change can be uncomfortable, it can also be a catalyst for self-awareness, confidence, and fulfilment. Practical strategies for navigating life transitions Therapy and counselling offer valuable tools for managing transitions with greater emotional resilience and clarity. There are several ways to approach change with confidence: Self-Reflection for clarity Transitions provide an opportunity to pause and reassess values, priorities, and goals. It can be helpful to reflect on which aspects of past experiences should be carried forward, what new qualities or opportunities might be embraced, and how success or fulfilment is now defined. Journaling, counselling, or meaningful conversations with trusted individuals can support this process, helping to move forward with intention and purpose. Recognising and managing emotional responses Change can bring feelings of anxiety, frustration, or self-doubt. Rather than suppressing these emotions, acknowledging and working through them can lead to a greater sense of control. Anxiety often signals uncertainty but can also indicate new possibilities. Fear can highlight vulnerabilities but also identify areas where personal growth is possible. Therapy provides a safe space to explore these emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. Breaking change into manageable steps Large transitions can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps can make them more manageable. For example, when starting a new job, focusing on learning one thing at a time rather than expecting immediate mastery can ease the process. When moving to a new city, creating familiar routines can bring comfort in an unfamiliar environment. Small, intentional actions build momentum and create a sense of progress. Building a strong support network Significant life transitions can sometimes feel isolating, but support from friends, family, or professional counselling can provide emotional grounding. Talking through emotions, seeking advice, and feeling heard can be invaluable during times of change. Moving Forward: A reflective approach to change If you are navigating a life transition, taking time to reflect on the experience can provide valuable insight. Consider the following questions: What aspects of this transition feel most challenging? What strengths have helped in past transitions? What small step can be taken today to move forward with greater confidence? Shifting focus towards what can be controlled, rather than fixating on uncertainty, creates space for personal empowerment and self-growth. Therapy can provide a structured environment to explore these questions and develop strategies for moving forward with confidence. The role of counselling in life transitions Counselling offers a supportive space to process emotions, explore new perspectives, and develop the tools needed to adapt to change. Therapy can help to:
Whether navigating a career shift, relationship change, personal transformation, or another major life transition, therapy can provide guidance and support in managing the emotional impact. Final Thoughts: Every transition is an opportunity to evolve Life transitions, though often challenging, hold the potential for renewal, self-growth, and new experiences. Change does not have to be something to fear, it can be an opportunity for self-discovery and transformation. If you are facing a significant life transition and would like support, counselling can provide the space to explore emotions, develop coping strategies, and move forward with greater clarity and resilience. Every transition marks a turning point. With the right support, it can become a step towards a more fulfilling and meaningful future. George Fortune Counselling  Grief isn’t just about death; it’s a universal experience that we all face in various forms. Whether it’s the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a shift in your identity, or the passing of a loved one, loss can make us feel as if the ground beneath us is shaking. It’s as if everything we once knew, or held dear, is suddenly slipping away, leaving us struggling to find our way. But grief doesn’t have to be a journey you go on alone, and with the right support, it’s possible to navigate through it, eventually finding peace and a new sense of self.
As a humanistic counsellor, I view grief as a deeply personal process of adjustment. It’s about re-learning how to be in the world, how to feel whole again after something or someone that you were attached to is no longer a part of your life. In this blog, we’re going to explore grief from a broader perspective, look at how attachment styles influence how we grieve, and offer practical ways to navigate through loss, no matter the form it takes. Understanding grief: It's more than just sadness When we talk about grief, it’s easy to think of it only in terms of death, after all, that’s when the word is most commonly used. But grief is much broader than that. It can be triggered by any form of loss: a relationship, a career, your health, or even your sense of self. For example, let’s say you’ve just gone through a breakup. You might not just be mourning the person but also the life you thought you’d have with them. The routines, the future plans, the sense of connection, all of that can suddenly feel lost, and the grief can feel just as deep as it would after a death. Similarly, losing a job, or even just your idea of what your career meant to you, can cause grief because of the attachment to that part of your identity. Or imagine a shift in your health: you grieve the loss of the person you were before, the person who was capable of doing certain things without thinking twice. There are many great models of grief and loss out there, such as Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief or William Worden’s tasks of mourning. These models offer valuable insights into the grieving process, but my favourite has always been Colin Murray Parkes' phases of grief. I find his model to be the most aligned with both my personal experiences and the humanistic counselling approach I work from. In Parkes' view, grief isn’t just a linear progression; it’s a complex, fluid process that looks different for everyone. This resonates with me deeply as a humanistic counsellor, where the individual’s personal experience and subjective world are always at the forefront of our work together. As Parkes discusses in "Grief: The Healing of Sorrows" (2013), grief is a process, not an event, and it doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a mixture of emotions that come and go in waves, with no set timeline. Here’s how Parkes outlines the phases of grief: Shock and numbness When you first experience a loss, it can feel surreal, almost as if you’re detached from reality. You might feel like you're going through the motions but not really "feeling" anything. For example, after a sudden death or unexpected change, you might find yourself going about your day as if nothing’s happened. It's as if your brain is protecting you from the full impact. Some people even expect things to return to normal, only to realise, as time goes on, that things will never be quite the same. Disorganisation and dispair Once the initial shock fades, the realisation of the loss can feel overwhelming. The sadness may hit you hard, and you might find yourself questioning everything around you. If it’s the death of a loved one, you might feel lost without them. With a breakup, it might feel as though your entire future is up in the air, uncertain and unclear. At this stage, it’s perfectly normal to feel as though you’re drowning in despair, struggling to find meaning in the world around you. Yearning and searching As time goes on, the longing for what was lost becomes more pronounced. In this phase, you might constantly think about the person you lost, replaying memories or conversations. You might wish for one more chance to speak to them or wish things could go back to how they were. Some people experience deep regret, wishing they’d acted differently in the relationship or the situation. It’s common to search for some sort of meaning in the loss, trying to understand what it all means. Reorganisation and recovery Eventually, you begin to adjust. This doesn’t mean the grief is gone, but rather, you start to rebuild. You might find moments of joy, even if fleeting. You begin to incorporate the loss into your life, realising that while you can’t undo the loss, you can adapt to life without it. You find a new sense of normal, one that acknowledges the loss but also allows you to look ahead with hope. How Attachment Styles shape our Grief How we grieve can be influenced by how we form attachments to others. These attachment styles are developed early in life and can affect how we respond to loss later on. The research by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth on attachment theory has been instrumental in understanding these patterns. Bowlby, in particular, believed that our early attachment experiences with caregivers shape how we form relationships throughout our lives, including how we cope with loss. Mary Ainsworth’s work expanded on this by identifying different attachment styles through her research on infant-caregiver relationships. In attachment theory, the way we bond with others as children influences how we process grief as adults. By understanding your attachment style, you can gain insight into why you might react to grief the way you do, and find healthier ways of coping. If you’re interested in diving deeper into attachment theory, I recommend the book "Attachment in Psychotherapy" by David J. Wallin. Wallin beautifully explores how the principles of attachment theory influence emotional development and provide a framework for understanding grief and relationships throughout life. Here’s a breakdown of the different attachment styles and how they impact the grieving process: Secure attachment If you have a secure attachment style, you likely find it easier to express your emotions and lean on others for support during times of grief. You can feel your sadness deeply, but you trust that, over time, things will get better. In the face of loss, you might find yourself able to ask for help, talk openly about your feelings, and find comfort in the support of others. For example, after a loss, you might cry with a friend or reach out for professional support and feel reassured that healing is possible. Anxious-preoccupied attachment If your attachment style is anxious-preoccupied, you might feel a constant need for reassurance and fear abandonment. During grief, this could mean you struggle with feelings of desperation, longing, and ruminating on past actions. For example, after a breakup, you may find yourself endlessly analysing what went wrong or overthinking every little interaction. You may seek reassurance from others that you’ll be okay, but still feel overwhelmed with doubt and insecurity. Avoidant-dismissive attachment If you have an avoidant-dismissive attachment style, you might find it difficult to process your emotions or reach out for support. You may try to avoid thinking about the loss altogether, suppressing your feelings in an effort to maintain control. For instance, after a job loss, you might bury yourself in work or distract yourself with activities to avoid confronting the emotional pain. While this may seem like a way to cope and look secure, these feelings can resurface unexpectedly, creating emotional distance and disconnection from others. Fearful-avoidant attachment The fearful-avoidant style combines both anxious and avoidant tendencies. You may long for closeness but simultaneously fear vulnerability. During grief, this can lead to a push-pull dynamic where you want support but also feel hesitant or even fearful about getting too close to others. After a major loss, such as a death or breakup, you might push people away when you need them most, and later find yourself feeling isolated and uncertain about how to process the grief. Understanding your attachment style helps you to recognise patterns in your grief and take steps toward healing. It can also help you develop healthier ways to process your emotions and ask for the support you need. Finding you way through While grief can be overwhelming, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to face it alone. Healing is a process, and there are steps you can take to help yourself find your way through it. Acknowledge your feelings Grief is not something you can "get over" quickly. Allow yourself to feel whatever comes up, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Whether you feel numb, sad, angry, or confused, honour those feelings. The more you allow yourself to sit with your grief, the easier it will be to process and understand. Engage in self-care Taking care of your physical health is just as important as looking after your emotional well-being during grief. Eat regular meals, get enough sleep, and try to move your body in ways that feel good to you. Small acts of self-care can help you feel grounded and more connected to your strength. Create new routines Losing something important can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. Creating new routines, even small ones, can help re-establish a sense of normalcy. Whether it’s a new hobby, a different work schedule, or simply taking a walk every day, having some structure can help ease the transition into a new phase of life. Talk about it You don’t need to go through grief alone. Talking with others, whether friends, family, or a therapist, can help you feel supported. If you’re not ready to speak face-to-face, journaling or even sending a message to a loved one can be helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it. It’s okay to ask for support. Give yourself time Healing from grief is not a race. There is no set timeline for when you should "move on." It’s okay to take your time, to go through the highs and lows of grief, and to allow yourself the space to heal at your own pace. Grief is never easy, but through patience and self-compassion, healing is possible. If you’re struggling with grief, know that you don’t have to go through it alone. Therapy or counselling can provide the support and guidance you need during this time. You can learn more about coping strategies and emotional support in the [Useful Resources](https://www.georgefortunecounselling.co.uk/useful-resources.html) section of my website. Remember, healing takes time and you’re not alone in this journey. |
AuthorGeorge Fortune BSc (Hons), MBACP, MNCPS (Acc.). Archives
April 2025
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Counselling in Weston Super Mare and North Somerset. George Fortune Counselling
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George Fortune Counselling07462 110 948 |
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George Fortune Counselling is the trading name of StressLess Solutions Ltd
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