The Wellbeing 5 Project
Heather Darwall-Smith
Specialist Sleep & Insomnia Therapist
The Physical Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with physical wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Heather Darwall-Smith
Heather is a sleep and insomnia specialist at the London Sleep Centre & runs her own private psychotherapy practice in Oxford (UK). She believes that the path to wellbeing lies in a good night’s sleep.
Heather has completed an MA in Mindfulness-based Core Process Psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute and is currently working towards a PGDip in Sleep Science at the University of Oxford. She also holds a diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling (BCPC) and has completed training in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Trauma Assessment under Babette Rothschild.
Heather specialises specialises in issues such as trauma and PTSD and particularly how they can present as challenges to sleep. She also provides also provides Corporate Sleep and Stress Reduction Programs
Find out more about Heather here
The Physical Wellbeing 5 with Heather Darwall-Smith
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with physical wellbeing?
Heather: A poem attributed to the roman philosopher Pliny in AD 23/24 – 79
This too shall pass
When things are bad, remember
It won’t always be this way.
Take one day at a time.
When things are good, remember
It won’t always be this way.
Take one day at a time.
Enjoy every great moment.
It speaks to me of the nature of constant change and the celebration of now. However hard it gets, something, no matter how small will change, and even in the darkest moments, there will be tiny glimpses of light.
2. What is your top piece of advice for physical wellbeing?
Heather: For physical / sleep and wellbeing… relax. Life is often crammed full but how many of us know how to truly relax? Is it possible to put as much effort into letting go as it is to build muscle, train for a marathon or in trying hard to sleep. Ultimately, sleep is all about letting go.
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Heather: The one change would be acceptance that we are all different. Be it chronotype, genetics or lifestyle, finding what works for you as an individual is what counts.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for physical wellbeing would you recommend?
Heather: Books I recommend: The Circadian Code by Dr. Satchin Panda and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
A Talk: Hardwiring Happiness: Dr. Rick Hanson at TEDxMarin 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpuDyGgIeh0&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Heather: My dog, her constant joy and enthusiasm is hard to beat!
Bonus Question: Is there anything else pertinent you would like to add to the conversation?
Heather: Finally, stop chasing sleep and let it find you.
Further Exploration - Heather Darwall-Smith
Website: Heather Darwall-Smith
Heather's website containing information about her, the psychotherapy, sleep therapy and corporate stress program that she offers & how to get in contact
Website: The London Sleep Centre
The London Sleep Centre website where Heather provides specialist sleep & insomnia therapy
Social Media - Follow Heather below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews Below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews
With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with physical wellbeing