Here is a summary of psychological research about why we eat more than we think. The details of the experiments can be found in “Mindless Eating” by Brian Wansink. 1) Larger portions make us eat more (even if we’re not aware of it). 2) If you give people a larger package of anything, they will…
How much does your mind wander? An ongoing study into the nature of what makes us happy was reported in the Harvard Business Review (Jan-Feb 2012). The findings so far suggest that the more our minds wander, the less happy we are, or put another way, a focussed mind is a happy mind. Some interesting…
In a previous post I mentioned the importance of balancing rest and recovery. The idea is to take breaks, not just holidays once a year, but mini breaks (90 seconds) and micro breaks (10-15 minutes) throughout the day, where we disengage from our work and actively and mindfully do something that will recharge us. Easier…
One of the most common statements I hear in my office is “I should be grateful.” For example, “I’ve got so many things to be grateful for (my health, enough food, good friends, a good life…) so I have no reason to feel depressed/anxious/stressed.” While there is no doubt that counting your blessings can have…
One of my favourite shows – possibly embarrassing to admit – is “Project Runway.” This is the reality TV show that pits American designers against each other, competing to make garments with a limited budget in a very limited time span, in an effort to find the next new top fashion designer. What makes for…
A useful way of describing our emotional life can be found in Paul Gilbert’s “The compassionate mind” which I have summarised below and in the next section: We have three main emotional systems: 1) Threat and self-protection system (many people know this as the fight/flight/freeze system). The idea behind this system is to pick up…
The difference between living by goals vs. values At Change it psychology, we are currently loving a relatively new model of therapy called ACT – acceptance and commitment therapy. The best and most accessible books on ACT come from Russ Harris, ACT is a relative to CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and focuses on how we…
Creating a positive reflection is all about changing the voice within. Start by shaping up your thinking and enjoying what you’ve got. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? When you first heard this question from the evil queen in Snow White, you were likely being read to as a child.…
It may be lesser known, but binge-eating disorder is actually more common than anorexia and bulimia. Find out why our dieting culture may be contributing to this illness. Fiona, 34, has recently returned to part-time work after having her second baby and admits she’s not enjoying it. “I don’t want to be there,” she says.…
Drinking plays an integral part in today’s society – we drink to celebrate, commiserate and to simply ‘have a good time’. But at what point does having a few drinks become a serious problem? Sally* believes she is living a healthy lifestyle. She watches what she eats, and cycles three times a week. At the…