New research shows a positive attitude about getting older can significantly alter how long we live and even how young we look. Ageing is often equated with loss of beauty, loss of function (slowing down, losing memory, increasing frailty and dependency), sometimes a sense of stagnation or disease (arthritis, Alzheimer’s) and social isolation or loneliness.…
Compulsive behaviour such as excessive overeating can be just as addictive as drugs, say experts. But acknowledging them as such is only helpful if it empowers those who are afflicted to take charge of their actions. It’s the time of year when people tend to behave in excessive ways. Parties are ramping up, and multiple…
When worry visits… Getting skilful with worry. Instructions: Many people find that their minds are consumed with worry. The following guide may help reduce the time you spend with worry and rumination. This technique has been shown to be effective with worries and may be part of treatment for people who have anxiety disorders. 1. …
Boost mindfulness by bringing awareness to an everyday activity, like hanging out the washing or showering. I knew I had to take my own advice on living in the moment recently when I reviewed my routine in the morning: On my way to the shower I turned on the computer, checked emails, checked the NZ…
The first step to emotional and spiritual intelligence is learning to reflect on your inner life. Many people see a psychologist because they are confused by the dissatisfaction they feel in their work or relationships. They speak of being restless, unsettled and feeling like they don’t have a plan for their lives. Such people have…
Do you have a habit that you wish to change – smoking, overeating, binge drinking – but don’t seem to make any progress? Maybe it is because you are applying a change technique which is not matched to the situation you are in. Many professionals who help people with behaviour change will know it can…
Relaxation Guide for those who are tense Instructions: Many people find that their bodies are tense and they are experiencing muscle aches/pains. The following exercises may help reduce your level of body tension and have been shown in the scientific literature to be effective when anxiety visits, particularly for those who have body tension and…
If a child feels cared for, loved and validated, they are more likely to achieve success. A mother’s love is a “dangerous instrument”, said John Watson, an American psychologist and early 20th-century behaviourist. He believed that affection from parents stunts children’s emotional development. What a long way we have come from this way of thinking.…
Can’t sleep? You’re not alone. Whether you experience difficulty falling asleep (onset insomnia), or wake several times during the early morning hours (early-morning insomnia), these simple behavioral interventions can assist in developing good nighttime routines. It can be helpful before you start implementing these interventions, to track information about your sleep as it currently is,…
It was almost the end of a 90 minute walk and my friend and I were soaked and cold with one more hill to climb before home to hot showers. I was feeling quite irritable with the situation when my friend commented “Isn’t it amazing that we can ask our bodies to go walking and…