Lara
Increasing happiness in everyday living
The contributors to happiness Most of us seek to have a happy and fulfilled life, but how do we increase happiness? When asked what we want for our children, most of us would say “for them to be happy”. Happiness seems a subjective notion and if there were a magic wand we’d all wave it…
Read MoreHow to stop procrastinating
Procrastinating is as easy as 1.2.3. We all do it but we don’t need to be a slave to it. Here are several steps to stop procrastinating and start completing those dreaded tasks: 1. Make a To Do List. This is a huge motivator for completing tasks that we might try and avoid. Overwhelm is often…
Read MoreFinding Emotional Freedom in Shame
Have you experienced shame? That sinking, gnawing feeling in your stomach when you think or know you have done something wrong – or worse, when you think you are inherently somehow wrong or bad? It is the weight of self-blame that rests on our shoulders, in our heart, mind and spirit. It can be a healthy emotion,…
Read MoreMindfulness 101: Mindful Eating
What is mindful eating? It is the intention and practice of the act of eating, all by itself, with no distraction. No, it’s not dieting. No, it’s not a weight loss goal (although it can lead to weight loss). Instead, it’s a conscious desire to create a healthy relationship with the food you eat. It’s…
Read MoreMindfulness 101: Mindful Listening
In the 21st century it’s easy to get distracted when engaging with others. We have phones, tablets, and other devices to distract us from being ‘present’ when communicating – mindful listening is easy to do and too easy to overlook. Have you noticed that you appreciate those friends, co-workers or family members who DON’T constantly…
Read MoreA Beginner’s Guide to Living in the Moment
“What day is it?” “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favourite day,” said Pooh. – A.A. Milne Living in the moment is something that we as adults forget to do. It’s difficult when you need to balance responsibilities with the joy of the present. Watching children, one can witness their ability to take each moment as it…
Read MoreHow to free yourself from your insecurities
Insecurity is talked about at length in our teenage years, by teachers, parents and other adults. But why isn’t it talked about in our adult years with the same openness? As adults we tend to do everything we can to hide our insecurities. But this very act is what hinders us from being free from insecurity’s tight…
Read MoreFinding Your Silence – the benefits of silence
“Silence is true wisdom’s best friend.” – Euripides In the high-tech, fast-paced world we live in, it can be difficult to embrace silence. If we get a quiet moment, we don’t know what to do with it! But silence is not something to fear or be anxious about. Silence is a powerful mind tool and when…
Read MoreHow to avoid emotional exhaustion
We live in a highly emotional, and highly charged world. It’s easy to please everyone else but ourselves. Here are a few tips on how to avoid emotional exhaustion, stay mentally healthy, and avoid the mental health pitfalls that inevitably ensue from emotional exhaustion, such as depression and anxiety. Ask Yourself: What Drains Me? Is…
Read MoreHow to practise empathy
As human beings, we are naturally wired to be empathetic. We want to communicate with our fellow human beings, and we want to connect. Empathy is defined as the ability to recognise and understand the feelings of others. It is an incredible boost to the mental health of adults and children. But how do we…
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