I saw this book at university. And it felt like I should finally get a handle on my far-away mind. This book was sitting on one of those temporarily constructed stands at the library. I probably ruined the spread, loaning it but I felt it could fulfil a deep need. With the right practice, I’m certain mindfulness will deliver. Ruby Wax is public about her struggles with mental health, and so has been writing books to help others, and started Frazzled Cafes , which during Covid-19 is hosting online support meetings, and pre Covid-19 hosted in person meetings. Maybe it will again.

The Trust has partnered with MIND in Mid Herts and the local PCN (the Primary Care Network of our 3 GP surgeries) to create a Wellbeing Hub. Its aim is to support Harpenden residents who have concerns about their mental wellbeing at an early stage before they become unwell and need counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. The world may feel like a scarier place than ever and 2020 has definitely been a year we can collectively write off, but Wax also reminds us in her straight-shooting and humorous manner that there are still things to be thankful for. In And Now for the Good News Ruby has investigated how recent and new developments in technology, education, business, health, food and social change are turning our world into a better place than it’s ever been. Drawing on brand new research, compelling case studies and exercises to reframe your thinking, this is your guide to embrace change.

Frazzled Cafe meetings are not about therapy or offering solutions. They provide a safe and confidential space where people can speak openly without worrying about judgement amongst a group of peers who understand how it feels to be frazzled. What is said in the meetings stays in the meetings. If you are asked how you are, there is never any need to answer with ‘I’m fine, thanks’.

Frazzled Cafe Facilitated meetings run for an hour and Hosted meetings run for 45 minutes. Both styles start with a run-through of our guidelines to ensure a confidential, respectful and safe environment for all of our attendees. It is important to us that these are adhered to. Warm as she is, it’s hard to imagine the slightly manic and frantic persona Wax projects reacting well to the neediness of very young children. ‘I used to go into high panic each time I was left alone with one of my kids when they were babies,’ she says in the book. Does she worry that they will be affected by depression? ‘I think my kids are OK,’ she says, after a moment’s reflection. ‘Often it first shows up in your teens and they seem to have made it through.’ My ‘aha’ moment came when I realised I had used my success as armour to cover the chaos inside me… I was just a front; and, behind the front, no one was at home… I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re all in this together: many reside in the Land of Frazzledom, and we’re all trying to find some kind of exit route.

Retailers:

She has spent the last three years speaking to the inspiring people who are spearheading the latest innovation and influencing a brighter future for humanity. From the communities being designed to eradicate loneliness and the companies putting their employees' happiness first, to the AI technology teaching children with learning difficulties and taking literacy to levels higher than ever before. Let's be honest, very few good things have happened in 2020. This is my first book from Ruby Wax as I try my hand at more non-fiction titles. This book appealed to me because world events have been so depressing lately, and I’m constantly searching the web for some small positives among all the negatives.

I really liked how Wax’s voice and sense of humor left their mark on the book. I have previously struggled with non-fiction books being a bit boring, but there are some very funny anecdotes and the facts are kept to the point, interesting and (especially when writing about complex tech developments) easy to understand. We know how important it is to stay connected in these unprecedented and uncertain times. Frazzled Cafe meetings are a supportive online community where you can come and talk in a safe, non-judgemental space about what’s really going on for you. The style of the book made me think of that one friend you have that is nice and witty that talks for an hour straight and told you the whole childhood story just to say "yes Im ok" In the Business section she writes about new models of businesses that are ‘going green’ in companies such as the outdoor clothing company Patagonia, based in California. They believe they owe the earth for the industrial impact of business and consequently give away 10% of all profits and are very conscientious about what products they use because the textile industry is one of the most chemically intensive industries on earth, second only to agriculture. As Ruby explains the term frazzled as when someone is feeling constant stress. "Stress is helpful to a degree, it's what gets us out of bed in the morning, but it stops being helpful when someone is stressed about being stressed and is then caught in a constant loop, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed."To be present. To benefit fully from the session and stay present in the room, please try to avoid distractions from phones or other devices.

Ruby's here to show you that behind the clouds, the sun still shines. So, do you want the good news?Also I'm not sure who is the target audience of the book, some parts read very light and even over explained, that made me think this is for the older generation who lost touch with technology and aren't informed. But having so much I formation delivered in a speedy way, made think it was for YA as they can take all of that in without many problems. To treat everyone, including our volunteers, with respect, c onsideration, and kindness. Any threatening or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and result in automatic removal from the meeting/platform.