Why is our sense of identity important, does authenticity matter, and how can we better understand ourselves and make positive changes for the better?

When you stop to think about who you really are and how others see you, what comes to mind? Our personalities are made up of a unique combination of characteristics and qualities that form how we see ourselves (and how others see us, too).

There are lots of different ‘personality type’ frameworks and tests out there, some more famous than others. Many people like to use them as a way to try and understand themselves or to help guide their career choices. While some people think that they give us insight into ourselves and others (how our minds work, how we’ll react to others, how we may approach different situations, even what we value), there isn’t actually any scientific evidence that tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test offer deeper insight or meaning.

Despite the lack of evidence, we’re fascinated with personality types, tests, and quick ways to get to know ourselves better. Why is that? And how can we really benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of who we are?

Why is our sense of identity important?

Our sense of identity is comprised of our sense of self - our unique characteristics, afflictions, and social roles. Your personality, likes, dislikes, abilities, beliefs, values, and motivations all help build up and contribute to your self of who you are as a person.

We develop a sense of identity when we are young, and this can continue to develop over time as we grow, change, and encounter new situations, people, and learn more about the world.

Having a strong sense of identity can help us to feel like we belong. It can also help strengthen our confidence and overall sense of wellbeing, leading us to make long-lasting friendships with others who share similar interests and values. It can help us to view the world in a more optimistic light, be more open to learning about new things and different people, and generally be happier in ourselves.

Why does authenticity matter?

Knowing and understanding who you are can help you to live more authentically. This doesn’t necessarily make your life easier, but it can make your priorities clearer, help you to feel more energised and motivated, and decrease feelings of self-doubt.

As Life Coach Directory member Dr

The stigma stops here. Is your workplace doing enough to become menopause friendly? Our expert columnist Claudine Thornhill investigates…

Does your workplace have a menopause policy yet? If not, one may be on its way to a workplace near you. In July 2022, the government policy paper, Menopause and the Workplace: How to enable fulfilling working lives, suggested that businesses have open conversations about the menopause in the workplace to help break down the taboo and normalise the issue. The paper also discussed the Equality Act 2010, which protects employees against discrimination at work. As a result, many employers have started to look at how they can make their workplaces more menopause-friendly.

Not many would have dreamed of a time when women’s health and work would be mentioned in the same sentence, let alone at a policy level. Periods, reproductive health issues, and menopause, have long been taboo, only to be discussed with close friends and family, and hardly ever in the workplace. But with just over 4.4 million women aged 45–60 in employment in the UK at the end of 2021, the average age of menopause being 51, and considering that symptoms of menopause can affect mental and physical health, it’s no wonder that government ministers issued a review of menopause and employment.

When we think of menopause, the typical images that come to mind are often red-faced women, glistening with sweat, desperately fanning themselves. We think of irritability, emotional rollercoasters, and mental fogginess. Actually, each person’s experience of menopause is completely unique to them.

Firstly, there are three stages of menopause; perimenopause, where progesterone levels begin to decline. Periods may become irregular and cravings, weight gain, fatigue, and irritability may increase. People may also experience night sweats. Emotionally, we may be less tolerant of stress.

The second stage, menopause, officially happens when your periods have stopped completely for 12 months. Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decline at this stage. Symptoms might include loss of muscle mass as a result of testosterone decline, a build-up of fat mass due to oestrogen loss, hot flushes, reduced libido, lower mood, fatigue, vaginal dryness, and mental fogginess.

The final stage, post-menopause, is what follows. During this stage, symptoms may persist for up to five years, and gradually reduce in intensity. It’s important to reiterate that every person’s experience is different; some women breeze through menopause, fanning themselves as they go, while others have symptoms that may seem unrelenting.

So, how does menopause affect employment? According to the British Menopausal Society, women have cited poor concentration and memory, tiredness, low mood, depression, and reduced confidence as affecting their work. Hot flushes at work have even been linked to women wanting to resign from their roles.

When it comes to employment law, although there isn’t protection against discrimination on the basis of menopause, the Equality Act 2010 does offer protection against discrimination on the basis of age, gender, gender reassignment, and disability. This means that a workplace

From yoga for low mood, back pain, flexibility, and strength to accessible chair yoga, classes for men, and for partners – stretch into the world of yoga with these free classes and resources

Yoga: it’s the low-impact exercise that can be done pretty much anywhere, with little to no equipment, and is open to newbies and prodigies alike. And while you might initially turn to it for the physical benefits – gentle, restorative stretching and strength building – yoga has been used to support our mental health and wellbeing since its origin more than 5,000 years ago.

In fact, yoga is so effective, it has been shown to lower stress hormones in our bodies while raising feel-good chemicals endorphins and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Yoga can also help with sleep, relaxation, and feelings of overwhelm, an all-round wellbeing wonder.

And it’s also a financially accessible activity. All you need to get going is yourself, and a soft surface (if you have a yoga mat – great! But if not, a blanket works just fine). So, if you’re ready to go, and are looking for free resources to help you on your way, look no further…

1. Yoga with Adriene

Yoga with Adriene is your one-stop YouTube channel for all your yoga needs. From simple flows, to challenging sequences, and videos designed to target specific problems – like back pain, hip pain, PMS, and low mood – Adriene’s videos are a great companion for your yoga journey.

2. Daily Yoga

Daily Yoga is a free app available for both iOS and Android, that comes with hundreds of classes from many different teachers. You can set yourself challenges, target specific problem areas of your body – such as addressing lower back pain, or neck pain – and try something completely new with the guidance of your teacher.

Search for Daily Yoga on the App Store or Google Play Store.

3. Arianna Elizabeth

If you’re looking to undertake a 30-day yoga challenge, then look no further than Arianna Elizabeth’s channel. With 30-day challenges already up and ready to go, you can dip into her 10-minute videos every day, following along with her supportive sequences.

From a heart-warming comedy to an autumnal tradition, and a podcast about modern dating, try something new with our enriching suggestions

1. Page-turners

The Sun, the Sea and the Stars: Ancient Wisdom as a Healing Journey by Iulia Bochis

Renowned on Instagram for her powerful illustrations about mental health and wellbeing, creative illustrator Iulia Bochis has now created a beautiful book that narrates a story of personal growth and healing, and is packed with illustrations and words of wisdom to inspire us on our own quest for self-discovery.

(Out now, Ebury Publishing, £14.99)

2. Out and about

Pumpkin picking

It’s that time of the year where farmers open their gates to the wonderful, autumnal tradition of pumpkin picking. Head to your nearest pumpkin patch and embrace the nostalgia of the festivities, while connecting with the outdoors. You might even find yourself on a tractor ride, or rambling through maze trails while you’re there…

(Search for pumpkin picking in your local area)

3. Act of kindness

Donate a buddy bag

It can be scary and confusing for any child to leave their home, especially following trauma. By donating to the ‘Buddy Bag’, scheme, you’ll help fund a bag of essential items including toiletries, underwear, pyjamas, and a teddy/book to a child in emergency care. And, importantly, you’ll be helping to provide a sense of security during a difficult period of a child’s life.

(Head to buddybagfoundation.co.uk)

4. Lend us your ears

‘This is Dating’

Has curiosity ever got the better of you when you see people on a first date in a restaurant? Let your curiosity prevail with this podcast, and home-in on a series of first dates. Radically fresh and truly captivating, you may also learn a thing or two about modern dating – if that helps to justify your eavesdropping.

(Available on all platforms)

5. Plugged-In

Lucy Sparrow

If the name rings a bell, that’s because Lucy Sparrow is renowned for being the artist that created a cornershop installation in London, entirely out of felt! She continues to take the crafting world by storm with her felt masterpieces. From cereal boxes to cakes, she brings colour and crafting inspiration to our feeds.

(Follow @sewyoursoul for more)

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We're sharing seven tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to help maintain mental wellness

Looking after our mental wellbeing goes a long way to leading a fulfilled life, tuning into our minds and bodies, and supporting our physical health. But maintaining good mental wellness can be a challenge in the hustle and bustle of daily life and we are all susceptible to pushing it to one side if we aren’t consciously checking in with ourselves. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to maintain mental wellness as part of our daily routines.

1. Start the day right

Getting out of bed can be difficult, particularly during the darker winter mornings or if you’ve had a bad night’s sleep the night before. But getting up and making your bed is a great way to set your day off on the right foot. Having a tidy bedroom brings a wealth of benefits to our mental wellbeing, such as resetting focus, increasing productivity, reducing stress and improving our mood. Although it might only seem like a small accomplishment, making the bed is a little win that will likely see you completing another task, and another...

2. Avoid checking emails first thing

Since the pandemic, far more of us are working from home and, whilst this brings many benefits, it can be easy to fall into the trap of checking your workload before your day has even started. Anxiety can be heightened first thing in the morning with the unknown of what the day might bring, so ensuring you're up, washed, dressed, and ready for the day before logging on will prevent you from encountering a potential stressor before your working day begins.

3. Excercise

Exercising doesn't have to feel like a chore. Not only is it a great way to reap the benefits of the outdoors and being in nature, but it can also help you to clear your mind and recharge. Whatever time of day you decide to do it - on your morning commute, your lunch break, or after your working day is done - try and do around 30 minutes of exercise a day. Exercising releases feel-good hormones and helps you feel energised, so you can do more of the things you enjoy.

4. Take a lunch break

This tip might seem obvious, but with 56% of workers not taking their full lunch break, we thought it was worth a mention. As the way we work becomes more flexible, it can be easy to lose track of time and stay sitting at our desks. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes, try and stand up, move about and get some fresh air. Most importantly, make sure you’re fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to carry on with your day. It doesn't just have to be whilst you’re working either; ensuring you’re making time to take a break even on your days off is key to mental wellness.

5. Make a list

Whether it's for work or personal life, you can beat a good old ‘to-do’ list. Lists create order, relieve stress, and allow you to organise your time and set priorities - all of which contribute to maintaining good mental health as we’re able to break down our day into more manageable tasks. Just like making your bed in the morning, setting smaller, achievable goals will help you stay focused and see you achieve lots of little wins.

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