Dan’s Blog

Men’s Mental Health Support in Ely

by Dan Regan | Apr 15, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Men’s Mental Health Support in Ely: How Walking and Talking Can Help

Many men I speak to tell me a similar story.

They’re dealing with anxiety, stress, or feeling overwhelmed – but they keep it to themselves.

Not because they want to, but because it can feel difficult to open up, or they’re unsure where to start.

For some, one-to-one support like hypnotherapy can be incredibly helpful. For others, a more informal first step – simply being around others who understand – can make a real difference.

That’s why I wanted to share a local resource here in Ely that I’ve recently connected with and that is actively helping many local mean to connect and improve their mental health.

Introverts and Anxiety

by Dan Regan | Apr 14, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Introverts and Anxiety: When Socialising Feels Draining

Today I’m covering introverts and anxiety and writing about how socialising can feel draining.

If you’re an introvert and social situations feel draining, it’s usually not because you lack confidence, it’s because of how your mind processes stimulation, combined with patterns of anxiety and overthinking.

You might feel like social situations affect you differently to other people. It’s not that you can’t do them, you can. And you can enjoy social situations.

But they can feel draining, effortful, or mentally tiring in a way that’s hard to explain.

And as someone who is more of an introvert, you might:

need time to recover after socialising
feel more comfortable in smaller groups
find too much interaction overwhelming
feel ‘on’ rather than relaxed
feel like you need time to recharge afterwards

From the outside, it may look like calmness and confidence. But internally, it can feel like a lot of effort.

This is more common than many people realise, particularly for people who are naturally more thoughtful and inward focused.

If this sounds familiar

How to Stop Overthinking in Social Situations

by Dan Regan | Apr 13, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks, Confidence and Self Esteem

How to Stop Overthinking in Social Situations (Without Forcing Yourself)

Do you have a habit of overthinking in social situations?

If you find yourself overthinking in social situations, it’s usually linked to patterns of anxiety, self-focus, and a natural desire to come across well – rather than a lack of social ability.

You’re physically present but the whole time you are mentally elsewhere. That little voice in your head just keeps on going. You might struggle to join in or find that things have moved on while you were thinking of what to say or how to say it. It’s like having an non stop running commentary criticising, analysing and overthinking every detail. It stops you relaxing and being yourself.

Around the people you feel most comfortable with you can relax and be yourself. You can be yourself and the words come easily.

Yet that overthinking in social situations creates a whole different, more anxious and awkward, experience. Many people struggle with overthinking in social situations, especially when they’re already feeling slightly self-conscious or under pressure.

You might notice it most in conversations.

You say something and then immediately start thinking:

How To Build Confidence and Self-Esteem

by Dan Regan | Apr 6, 2026 | Confidence and Self Esteem

How to Build Confidence and Self-Esteem (Without Forcing It)

You might feel like you ‘should’ be more confident. Yet you may struggle with how to build your confidence and self-esteem.

If you’re trying to build confidence and self-esteem, it’s usually not about ‘trying harder – it’s about understanding and changing the patterns of thinking and anxiety that are getting in the way.

When I struggled with low confidence and lo self-esteem, I just wanted to feel more comfortable in my own skin. Others seemed to do it with ease but I had to try and hide my anxiety and force myself to do things. IT was exhausting. Somehow my confidence and self-esteem didn’t build no matter what I tried. I always ended up back thinking and feeling the same old way.

You may look at others and assume they feel comfortable, self-assured, and relaxed – while internally, things feel very different for you.

Many people searching for ways to build confidence and self-esteem feel this same internal pressure – wanting to feel different, but not knowing how. You might find yourself:

overthinking what you say

doubting yourself afterwards

worrying about how you came across

telling yourself that you can’t do it

talking yourself out of things

feeling pressure to get things right

From the outside, everything might look fine. But on the inside, it can feel like a constant mental effort.

Why Do I Care So Much What People Think?

by Dan Regan | Apr 5, 2026 | Confidence and Self Esteem

Why Do I Care So Much What People Think? (And How to Feel More Confident)

It may be a common thought that goes through your mind, ‘why do I care too much what people think?’

If you feel like you care too much about what people think, it’s usually linked to patterns of anxiety, overthinking, and a strong desire to be accepted or get things ‘right’.

You might find yourself replaying conversations, worrying about how you came across, or thinking about what other people might be thinking about you. It can dominate your mind and stop you enjoying things.

Even small situations – a comment, a look, or something you said – can stay on your mind long after the moment has passed.

From the outside, it might seem like nothing has happened. But internally, it can feel difficult to switch off. You reply and go over and over it.

This is more common than many people realise, especially for people who are thoughtful, aware, and used to wanting to get things ‘right’.

When I struggled with social anxiety, I would often worry about why I cared too much about what other people think. Before events I would get anxious about what might happen. When around others, I was constantly tense as I scanned and analysed how I was coming across. I would overthink what to do and say. I would be there but I was too busy in my own head to really be there. Afterwards, I would reply events and focus upon all the that I could be judged negatively about.

It’s a common thing that anxiety clients in Ely tell me about. The worry about what other people think leads to overthinking, anxiety and a struggle to be yourself.

Why Panic Attacks Feel So Frightening – Ely Standard Feature

by Dan Regan | Apr 3, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Why Panic Attacks Feel So Frightening – Ely Standard Feature

I was recently featured in the Ely Standard discussing panic attacks – something I see regularly in my work as an anxiety therapist in Ely.

Panic attacks are one of the most frightening experiences people can have, and many people initially believe something serious is happening to their body.

Many people describe their first panic attack as feeling like a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or something seriously wrong with their body.

The feelings are so overwhelming that you can become anxious about having another panic attack. You get caught in a loop of dreading the worst and felling on edge.

This is completely understandable.

You may start to avoid certain situations where you have previously experienced a panic attack. And, because your mind works on patterns, you may find they start to occur more frequently.

Panic attacks feel frightening, especially when you don’t know what is happening or how to deal with it.

High Functioning Anxiety

by Dan Regan | Apr 2, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

High Functioning Anxiety: Why You Can Seem Fine But Feel Struggled Inside

High functioning anxiety: From the outside, everything might look fine – you’re coping, getting things done, and keeping things together. But on the inside, it can feel very different.

You may be working, managing responsibilities, supporting others and appearing calm and capable. People may even describe you as organised, reliable or successful.

Externally you come across as confident and self assured.

But internally, it can feel very different.

You struggle with overthinking, negative thinking and you may worry ab out messing up or being judged. You push yourself and place yourself under pressure to perform. It may feel exhausting.

This is more common than many people realise, especially among people who are used to being capable, reliable, and ‘holding things together.’

High functioning anxiety often means you are coping on the outside, while feeling under constant pressure on the inside.

How to Support Someone with Anxiety

by Dan Regan | Apr 1, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

How to Support Someone With Anxiety (Without Making It Worse)

One of the most common questions I get asked from people in Ely is, how can I support someone with anxiety? When someone you care about is struggling with anxiety, it’s natural to want to help.

It can be difficult to know what to say or do when someone you care about is struggling with anxiety – especially when you can see they’re finding things hard, but nothing you try seems to make a lasting difference.

You may find yourself trying to reassure them, offer advice, or encourage them to ‘push through’ what they’re feeling.

There may be times when you also feel helpless and frustrated, especially if you have no personal experience of anxiety.

From the outside you know that their negative thoughts and feelings aren’t logical and rational. They may also know this, but that doesn’t stop the endless cycle of thinking the worst and feeling distressed.

Often, it’s not always clear what actually helps – and what can unintentionally make things harder. Supporting someone with anxiety isn’t about finding the perfect words – it’s about understanding what they’re experiencing and how anxiety works.

Anxiety in Ely: Why More People Are Struggling

by Dan Regan | Mar 31, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Anxiety in Ely: Why More People Are Struggling (And What Helps)

Today I’m taking about the experience of anxiety in Ely. In recent years, more people in Ely and the surrounding areas have been reaching out for help with anxiety.

Anxiety is becoming more common in Ely not because something is “wrong”, but because many people are living with ongoing pressure, mental overload, and difficulty switching off.

In my work locally, I’ve seen a noticeable increase in people experiencing overthinking, panic, and ongoing feelings of being on edge – even when life appears to be going well on the surface.

Some describe it as constant overthinking and being unable to switch off. Others notice physical symptoms, panic, or a feeling of being overwhelmed that doesn’t seem to switch off.

The cycle of thinking the worst and feeling anxious starts to take hold – and then keeps going.

While anxiety has always existed, it is something that many people are noticing more in their day-to-day lives. And it is a pattern that can be positively changed.

Some people have more of a tendency to worry and think negatively, others find it creeps up then seems to take over.

Anxiety is not a sign that something is wrong with you – it is often a sign that your system has been under pressure for a period of time.

How to Find the Right Anxiety Therapist in Ely

by Dan Regan | Mar 30, 2026 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

How to Find the Right Anxiety Therapist in Ely (What to Look For)

If you’re looking for an anxiety therapist in Ely, the most important things to look for are experience with anxiety, a clear and calm approach, and someone you feel comfortable talking to.

Whether you’ve never had therapy before, or you’ve done some things but still struggle, taking the step to look for support can feel like a big decision.

You may have already been thinking about it for a while – or perhaps things have reached a point where you feel ready to get help.

Either way, one of the most common questions people ask is:

“How do I find the right anxiety therapist for me?”

In this article I’m drawing upon my fifteen years of helping people in Ely and Newmarket to cover what to look for in an anxiety therapist.

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