Author

Joanna Konstantopoulou

Joanna Konstantopoulou is an experienced registered practitioner psychologist specialising in Health Psychology and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. With over 21 years of scientific knowledge in psychology, and over 17 years of professional clinical experience she is an expert in behavioral and emotional change.

The psychology of weight management

by Joanna Konstantopoulou July 16, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

Taking the right steps to lose weight can be challenging, and it is essential that you have the right mind set in order to achieve your weight loss goals. But help can be found by understanding the psychology of weight management. By having the right frame of mind, you can ensure that you lose weight in the long term, rather than wasting energy and becoming demotivated with numerous short-term fixes.

1. Record what you are eating and how you are feeling

By keeping a food and mood diary, you are far more likely to make conscious choices about how much you eat, and how frequently you snack. A written record is far easier for the brain to process and understand, and is therefore more likely to make you think twice about extra servings

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July 16, 2018 0 comments

Psychology

2 ways to boost your self -confidence

by Joanna Konstantopoulou July 9, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

The world is full of things that knock your confidence. Whether it is a breakup, an application rejection, or an inability to lose those last 5 pounds, maintaining self-confidence in a world of setbacks can prove difficult. However, you don’t have to let these things continue to negatively influence you; with a little help, it can be easy to boost your self-confidence, brushing over life’s hardships and bouncing back quickly. Here are two of the best scientifically proven methods that our experts promote, allowing you to gain the confidence you need for life’s next challenge.

July 9, 2018 0 comments

Psychology

Positive thinking – tips from the experts

by Joanna Konstantopoulou July 2, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

The health benefits of positive thinking are widely recorded, and research has concluded that positive thinkers are much more likely to be able to cope with stress, have stronger natural immune systems, and are also more likely to have lower risks of cardiovascular problems. However, it can be difficult to make the lifestyle changes that lead to more positive thinking. For some people, the behavioural changes and mindset can be difficult to achieve; a quick Google search will bring up a wealth of information, some of it contradictory. As such, our expert Psychologist, Joanna Konstantopoulou at the Health Psychology Clinic has created a short guide on how to think more positively, allowing you to benefit from all of the positive health effects.

Avoid negative self-talk

Also known as your internal monologue, self-talk refers to the things you mentally tell yourself throughout the day. If your inner voice centres around negative thoughts and putting yourself and your abilities down, this will impact on your self-esteem, confidence and general mindset.

July 2, 2018 0 comments

Medical Psychology

4 ways to practice self-care when you have a chronic illness

by Joanna Konstantopoulou June 25, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

Self-care is something that many people struggle with. Setting aside the time to look after yourself may not always seem possible. However, self-care is not just about making major lifestyle changes, it can be simple, little things that help you feel a little better. If you are chronically ill, try these four simple practices for a happier and healthier life.

1. Enjoy a hobby

Having a relaxing hobby can be a great way to incorporate self-care into your life. When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, this hobby will act as a stress relief and offer you comfort. Try something non-taxing, so you can do it even if you’re tired. Some favourites include reading, colouring and writing in a journal.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

Lifestyle Psychology

3 signs you might need to make positive changes in your life

by Joanna Konstantopoulou June 18, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

We are all guilty of burning the candle at both ends occasionally, and knowing when it’s crossed a line from the usual ebb and flow of daily life to being actively detrimental to your health can be tricky – in a world with increasing stresses upon our time and attention, it can seem perfectly normal to never stop, physically or mentally.
How, then, do you identify when you should look at making lifestyle changes to protect your physical and mental well-being?

June 18, 2018 0 comments

Lifestyle Psychology Self-Care

5 self-care tips to improve your mental health

by Joanna Konstantopoulou June 11, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

With the recent deaths of two high-profile individuals – designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain – it can feel as though mental health conditions are on the rise. But as a society, the positives are that we are getting better at recognising and addressing this affliction.

Mental health conditions assume many guises, and professional help should always be the first step to recovery. But often, treatment can only prove successful alongside a programme of lifestyle changes and self-care. Here are some of those steps you can take to improve your mental health:

June 11, 2018 0 comments

Psychology

How virtual reality therapy is used to tackle anxiety or fears

by Joanna Konstantopoulou May 11, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

Virtual reality (VR) might be more commonly associated with the gaming industry but it’s fast becoming an essential part of psychology too. It’s already effectively being used to tackle anxiety and fears in combination with more traditional methods but its applications are set to continue growing.

Using VR therapy works in the same ways as other VR tech, all you need to do is put on a headset and earphones. You’ll then be transported entirely to a virtual reality world that you can interact with. But how does this help with reducing or eliminating the effects of anxiety or fears? Well, there are four core reasons why it’s used and delivers results as part of therapy.

May 11, 2018 0 comments

Psychology

How body image and wellness are connected

by Joanna Konstantopoulou May 11, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

With so many images of the ‘perfect’ body bombarding us on a daily basis through social media, adverts, entertainment, and more, it’s easy to feel as though you don’t live up to what seem like impossible standards. However, it’s an issue that needs to be tackled – negative body issues can have a huge impact on your wellness and view on self-worth.

The relationship between body image and mental health is clear, though it is complex. Anyone who has had negative thoughts about their body will understand how it can have an almost immediate impact on a range of areas, such as confidence, emotions, and how you view yourself. While everyone is likely to experience short-term feelings like these once in a while, when they become common or constant, it undoubtedly influences your overall wellness.

May 11, 2018 0 comments

Relationships

5 ways you can beat fertility stress

by Joanna Konstantopoulou May 11, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

If you’re having trouble conceiving, it’s easy for the stress and pressure you feel to build up. Fertility stress not only has an impact on your wellbeing, research suggests it can harm fertility too. If it’s something you’re experiencing and want to beat, we’ve got five tips for you to try.

When you’re trying to conceive you’ve likely heard the words ‘just relax’, which can push your stress levels up even further. However, there is a growing amount of research that suggests there is some truth behind the advice. For some women, for example, chronic stress can affect ovulation, making it difficult to assess when they’re most fertile. As a result, beating fertility stress can benefit more than just your personal mental health.

May 11, 2018 0 comments

Medical Psychology Psychology

Do you want to lose weight? Learn how a psychologist can help you to this journey!

by Joanna Konstantopoulou April 5, 2018

written by Joanna Konstantopoulou

How to Control your Mind about What You Eat

Many people struggle with keeping their weight under control and it has been discovered that one of the main problems is the way that we think about food. Several people also develop eating disorders and other types of related issues due to lack of self-confidence and poor body image. Psychological Therapy for weight management helps to identify the thought patterns that are triggered when different individuals think about food, break unhealthy and destructive thought patterns and establish new thought patterns that individuals can use to change their eating patterns, become healthier and happier and lose weight at the same time.

April 5, 2018 0 comments

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