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My Career Lessons
Lorena Bernal, an actress, model, author and certified life and spiritual coach, shares what she’s learned in her portfolio career
As we navigate our way through life, we are faced with some incredible highs, but those moments of joy and success don’t come without their lows. Whether it be struggling with progressing in your career or finding a balance within your relationship, wellness expert and life coach Lorena Bernal has shed some light on how she has found the strength to overcome setbacks and grow her levels of resilience through times of fear, pain and unpredictability.
Loneliness, as defined by the mental health charity Mind, is the «feeling we have when our need for social contact and relationships isn’t met». It’s a complex emotion that varies from person to person and doesn’t necessarily equate to being alone.
Even those surrounded by people can experience loneliness. Life coach and author Lorena Bernal, in her book ‘It Starts With You’, points out that signs of loneliness can be quite subtle.
Loneliness, a common human experience, is defined by mental health charity Mind as the «feeling we have when our need for social contract and relationships isn’t met». It’s a complex emotion that varies from person to person and doesn’t necessarily mean being alone.
Even surrounded by people, one can still feel the pangs of loneliness. Life coach and author Lorena Bernal, who’s also the other half of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, has shed light on the less obvious signs of this feeling.
Loneliness is something all of us may experience in our lifetimes – and is described by mental health charity Mind as the “feeling we have when our need for social contract and relationships isn’t met”. It impacts us all differently – and isn’t the same thing as simply being alone.
I naively breathed a sigh of relief when I found out I was having a boy back in 2021. With my pregnancy coinciding with the senseless murders of both Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard mere miles from my house, the thought of bringing a girl into the world was too much for my anxiety to bear.
Yet there is an enormous weight of responsibility that comes with raising a son. And Netflix’s incredible drama Adolescence only serves as a harrowing reminder.
Adolescence follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of killing a female classmate called Katie. After his arrest, Jamie chose his father Eddie to be his appropriate adult in his police interviews, a choice that has confused some Adolescence viewers.
People are confused because throughout the series, it becomes quite clear Jamie’s mother is the parent who knows him better. For example, during a later phone call, Jamie’s mum asks him if he’s checked the prison know about his allergies. This seemed to be something Eddie was unaware of.
Summer is an exciting but often chaotic period, so the start of autumn can be a great time to slow down and reconnect with friends and loved ones. The new season provides an opportunity to renew and strengthen our relationships – but also to think about whether certain connections really are continuing to add value and joy into our lives. If you feel like a particular relationship, whether that be with a partner, family member or childhood friend, has grown distant, there’s a number of things you can do to help revive it.
As mums, we often carry an immense weight. From the moment we become pregnant, the responsibility of bringing a new life into the world is profound. That weight only grows as we become deeply concerned with our children’s health, well-being, education and happiness. It’s a heavy burden to feel responsible for who our children become.
Parenting can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming at times. When stress starts to build up, it’s not uncommon for parents to feel exhausted, frustrated, and at their limit. But here’s the important part: this stress isn’t coming from your children themselves – it’s from the life pressures and expectations we place on ourselves. Your kids deserve to experience the best of you. -the parent who admires, loves, and enjoys their time with them. They are not meant to bear the burden of your stress.
Friendships are integral to our wellbeing. They bring us joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging. Whether we’re navigating life’s challenges or celebrating its joys, having friends by our side makes us feel stronger, supported, and loved. We often share our most vulnerable thoughts and emotions with our friends, relying on them for guidance and companionship. However, as much as we cherish these connections, it’s important to recognise that friendships, like all relationships, can change – and sometimes fade away. This is a natural part of life’s ebb and flow.
As parents, our deepest desire is to see our children flourish, happy and confident in who they are. We want them to navigate life with a sense of self-acceptance and assurance that they are enough. However, the journey to instilling this profound belief in our children is not a straight forward path paved with lessons and instructions. Rather, it is a journey of modelling, reflection, and an honest examination of our own self-acceptance and our real goals.
Getting our kids to communicate with us is something many of us struggle with. We often think talking to them is about words but it’s much more than that. Our children constantly connect with us on a deeper level, picking up our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and even how we interact with others.
In the midst of our fast-paced professional lives, how many of us pause to ask: Are we truly happy? Are we fulfilled, at peace with the work we do, and the lives we lead? These are profound questions that deserve attention, not just as fleeting thoughts but as ongoing reflections in our personal and professional development.
The Mindful School Run: 5 Steps to a Calmer Start
Communicating with your kids is something many of us struggle with. We often think is just about words but it’s much more than that. Our children are constantly connecting with us on a deeper level, picking up our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and even how we interact with others in their presence. If our words don’t match our genuine state of being, our kids will see through it, potentially leading to mistrust.
Embrace a Stress-Free September
As September arrives, the shift from the freedom of summer to the structured rhythm of school and work can feel overwhelming. It’s normal to experience a bit of resistance as this new season begins. But what if we could embrace this time with joy, gratitude, and excitement? September offers a unique opportunity to reset, reorganise, and curate our routines and mindset to truly support us. Here’s a simple guide to help you ground yourself and turn this transition into a positive experience.
Five mindful questions to ask your child about their day
Communicating with your kids is something many of us struggle with. We often think is just about words but it’s much more than that. Our children are constantly connecting with us on a deeper level, picking up our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and even how we interact with others in their presence. If our words don’t match our genuine state of being, our kids will see through it, potentially leading to mistrust.
I’m a life coach, here’s how to answer 9 tough back-to-school questions your children might ask
Back To School Guide 2024: From homework and exams to making friends and bullying, we’ve got the answers to all your child’s worries – from an expert.
As the summer holidays draw to a close and children prepare to head back to school, it’s important to make sure that they progress smoothly and healthily into their new routine. A holistic approach focusing on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing can make a real difference in helping children to feel their best. Here are some expert tips to consider.
What not to say to your child on exam results day
Exams have always been a source of stress and anxiety for students. The anticipation, the preparation, the high stakes — all of these factors contribute to a whirlwind of emotions.
On results day, these feelings culminate into a moment that can either bring elation or disappointment. As parents, what we say and, most importantly, how we feel is important for them, for us and for our relationship with them.
What the Olympics Can Teach Us About Reaching Our Goals
Embracing Constructive Criticism: A Pathway to Growth for Future Leaders
How to Escape the Friendship Comparison Trap
The journey to self-acceptance is not smooth sailing. We start life unburdened by societal pressures and slowly they creep upon us, affecting how we think and feel about ourselves.
Scientists in the US have determined that practicing gratitude is linked to longevity after they studied 50,000 older nurses.
Out Of Office: How Leaders Can Make The Most Of Vacation Time
Walk Yourself Happier
In need of a lift? Lacing up your trainers and striding out could help. That’s because low-to-moderate exercise, such as walking, Is most effective against depression – even more than high-intensity activities such as running, found UK research.
YOGA Magazine
Nurturing Self Acceptance Personal Growth This Summer
As summer unfurls its golden rays and the aroma of sunscreen becomes a staple, the anticipation of beach days and the pursuit of the elusive ‘swimsuit body’ intensify. This season, often portrayed in vibrant, carefree hues, can paradoxically usher in a period of profound self-scrutiny for many. Social pressures amplify as we peel off layers of clothing, and the quest to sculpt a summer-ready physique through diets and rigorous gym routines becomes almost a cultural ritual. Yet, amidst this bustle of self-improvement, a crucial question lingers: How comfortable do we truly feel in our own skin?
CAFEMOM
15 Reasons Parents Shouldn’t Project Their Ideals Onto Kids & How To Stop
INDEPENDENT
Do you have summer anxiety? Why it’s ok if you’re not living your ‘best life’ every time the sun’s out
MMB Magazine
HP Grapevine
Being authentic at Work
The Luxury Report
Spring Into Wellness: How To Give Yourself A Seasonal Boost for Your Mind and Body
There are some days when you wake up and everything feels a bit blah. Your energy levels are low, your brain refuses to click into gear and any task you need to tick off seems to take twice as long – it’s like you’re wading through mud.
Stylist
5 prompts to help you through a ‘meh’ day at work
There are some days when you wake up and everything feels a bit blah. Your energy levels are low, your brain refuses to click into gear and any task you need to tick off seems to take twice as long – it’s like you’re wading through mud.
CEO WORLD Magazine
How to Coach Your Team Out of a Confidence Crisis
Yoga Magazine
Bridging Souls in the Superficial Era
How positive affirmations help perfectionists avoid burnout
In today’s fast-paced work environment, the pursuit of success often leads us down the path of perfectionism. However, this relentless drive for the perfect outcome can be more of a hindrance than a help. The concept of perfection is a mirage; it’s an unattainable standard that can lead to burnout, stress, and a diminished sense of accomplishment.
How to navigate stress and setbacks as a leader
Yoga Magazine
Imagine you are a lamp – made of pastic, metal or any other material – constantly preoccupied with figuring out your purpose and the best way to care for yourself. Society tells you to identify the kind of lamp you are and teaches youhow to clean it, keeping it like new for as long as you can.
Interviews
The former Miss Spain winner and life coach discusses her new book and why she’s decided to carve a path of her own. “It’s vital to have your own path,” says Lorena.
I’m chatting to her a week after her book launch, which took place on 25 April in London.
Despite appearing before me via a laptop screen, her warmth somehow pervades the room, and she chats to me with a relaxed ease — the type that comes easily to those from a beautiful European county that boasts frequent spells of hot weather. Us Londoners can’t relate.
Revista Mia
“Happiness doesn’t come from the outside — it depends on what we carry within.”
We all met her when, at just 17, she was crowned the most beautiful woman in Spain. Even then, she had a clear life goal: to be happy. Now, years later, she’s made it her mission to help others find that same happiness.