Q Is Zoom therapy as effective as the face-to-face kind?
Research has confirmed what patientsandpractitionershave suspected since the pandemic sent therapy online. A review of 22 studies compared digital appointments with in-person ones for a variety of mental health disorders and found both performed equally well. For most people, video is more helpful than a phone call as it lets the therapist see facial expressions, posture, fidgeting and other emotional signals, says psychologist Dr Judith Gulko. And when the client can see the therapist, she adds, it builds connection and trust.
It isn’t suitable for every scenario, of course. The review found that people with severe mental health issues (such as feelings of hopelessness) did better when they saw a therapist in person. You’ll also need a space where you can speak frankly – if you’re having trouble with your spouse, a session from home is unlikely to work. But for many, digital therapy is a game changer – just remember to unmute.
Q Summer has broken my workout routine. How do I get back into it?
First, we prescribe some self-compassion. Summer comes but once a year, and sun-soaked beer gardens, aperitivo hour and wedding season can conspire to make even the most ingrained of wellness routines harder to stick to. Ready to be kinder to yourself ? Good, because help is at hand. ‘A lull in your workout routine or losing motivation doesn’t mean you’ve failed,’ explains Lindsey Benoit O’Connell, a strength and conditioning specialist and founder of LAB Wellness. ‘Setting mini goals paired with small rewards can go a long way towards busting through those walls.’
Try setting a few of these mini goals for the rest of the week (or the upcoming one, if you’re reading this at the weekend). You might choose to follow a 10-minute yoga video three times, or sign up to a class. When you’ve completed your goals, treat yourself – be that with a post-workout coffee from your favourite barista or those running leggings you’ve been eyeing up. Then, keep up the good work by continuing to write down weekly mini goals in your calendar or journal.
Q Should I shake up my skincare routine for autumn?
We’re here for the Pimm’s, not so much for the pigmentation. ‘We see a huge rise in requests for treating uneven skin pigmentation, dryness and dullness post-summer,’ says Uliana Gout, aesthetic doctor and founder of London Aesthetic Medicine. She explains that excessive sun exposure, heat, humidity and dryness are among the culprits.
As we see out the remaining sunny days, Dr Gout suggests an oil-free moisturiser; a beta
