Lion’s mane jellyfish were present across the Bay in very high numbers in December. They have become more scattered recently, but there are still some around.Their sting is unpleasant. I have been fortunate to avoid being stung so far, despite encountering them multiple times.Visibility in the water has been poor lately… and there is a […]
Living With Uncertainty: Continuing When Outcomes Are Not Guaranteed Read More »
Preparing for Meaning, Not Just Execution High-pressure moments are not shaped by physiology alone. They are also shaped by why something matters. Values and performance under pressure are closely linked, particularly when performance becomes tied to identity, values, or self-worth. When this happens, anxiety often intensifies. Rather than signalling a problem, this response usually reflects
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Preparing for High-Pressure Moments (Without Trying to Eliminate Anxiety) High-pressure moments place unique demands on both mind and body. Whether it’s a race, performance, exam, presentation, or critical conversation, these situations often involve uncertainty, evaluation, and connection to what matters. For many people, the goal becomes reducing anxiety before these moments arrive. Yet attempts to
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When self-criticism becomes a problem Self-criticism often arrives quietly. It can sound like high standards, self-monitoring, or a desire to improve… until it begins to interfere with flexibility, confidence, and performance under pressure. For some people in high-pressure roles, self-criticism and performance is complex. Self-criticism can seem motivating, even protective. Yet under pressure, self-criticism can
Self-Criticism and Performance: How the Inner Critic Affects Performance Under Pressure Read More »
Rest and the nervous system are closely connected, shaping how we regulate emotion, sustain attention, and recover from ongoing demands. Rest is often framed as something we earn after productivity, after pressure, or after we’ve held everything together. From a psychological and physiological perspective, understanding how rest supports regulation within the nervous system is central
How Rest Resets the Nervous System | Understanding Rest and the Nervous System Read More »
Beginning a new year can carry more emotional weight than we often expect. As the year comes to a close and a new one begins, many of us feel an unspoken pressure to reset, resolve, or reinvent ourselves. Messages about “fresh starts” and “new beginnings” can sound hopeful, but they can also feel onerous –
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The period between Christmas and the New Year can bring a welcome pause – a little more space to breathe, reflect, and reset. It can also feel emotionally mixed: quieter routines, disrupted schedules, celebrations, family dynamics, and the pressure to “finish the year well” all land differently for different people. A few years ago, I
Psychology Podcasts: An Evidence-Informed Listening Guide Read More »
End of year stress is more common than many people realise. For many people, December carries a particular emotional weight. It’s a month filled with endings, expectations, competing demands, and a cultural pressure to feel a certain way. Even when there are moments of joy, it’s common to notice fatigue, irritability, sadness, or emotional flatness
Understanding End of Year Stress — And How to Move Through It With Care Read More »
Understanding Performance Anxiety: Why It Happens and How to Work With It Do you get nervous when you have to get up on stage to sing or act?Do you feel jittery before an audition, a game, a meeting, or a presentation?Does your heart race before a big conversation or interview? Performance anxiety isn’t limited to
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Breathing techniques for anxiety can be powerful tools for regaining calm and focus — whether you’re preparing for a big performance, a meeting, or simply trying to quiet your mind. Feeling anxious? You know that physical rush: your heart races, your breath shortens, your palms sweat, your mind spins. That sensation doesn’t just happen before
5 Breathing Techniques for Anxiety and Performance | Enhance Life Psychology Read More »
