March is the third month of the year and is named after the god Mars. This month marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and the start of autumn in the southern hemisphere. Make sure to note the changes in the season, no matter where you are in the world. March is International Listening Awareness Month. Since good communication promotes happier relationships, we will consider the art of listening. Brain Awareness Week also takes place this month and as such we will consider the benefits of learning to …

February is the second month of the year and is named after Februa the Roman purification festival. This month celebrates International Friendship Month. Friendships have been shown to be important to our happiness, health and wellbeing, so it makes sense to consider the friends in your life. It is also Random Acts of Kindness Week during this month. Research continues to gather to support the link between kindness and happiness. I also celebrate my birthday this month, and as such I will begin this discussion with a reminder that when …

January is the first month of the year and is named after Janus the god of the doorway. As such, it offers an opportunity for new beginnings. People make New Year’s Resolutions and are hopeful for the year to come.Celebrated this month are New Year’s Day, World Braille Day and Peculiar People Day in the United States. Japan celebrates Coming of Age Day and Australia celebrates Australia Day.
This month we will consider optimism and how it will help you bring about the changes you want from your New Year’s Resolutions. …

Have you ever felt lonely? It doesn’t feel so good does it? You feel separated from others both physically and mentally. Because you do not have to be alone to feel lonely. You can be surrounded by others, yet anything they say or do does not matter. It’s like they’ve ceased to exist. If your loneliness continues for just a little while you can end up feeling helpless, isolated and despairing. It is easy to start to believe that you will always feel this way, believing you have no control …

If you ever suffer from episodes of depression, at the time you wonder how you will ever feel better again. Sometimes this mood just runs its course. However, there a few things you can do to help you recover sooner and get back to your happier self. Many of the tips that follow are also preventative, meaning you can implement them at any time. As such they may help you avoid suffering from the blues in the first place.
1 Do the opposite of what you want. You want to do …

If you want a happier, more fulfilled life, take the time to learn about flow experience. Take a look at this presentation by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who has spent years researching and writing about the experience of flow. As you watch, think about what things in your life bring about flow.

If you are keen to learn more, get hold of his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.
It would be great to hear what things bring about a flow experience in your life. For me, generally it’s writing,  and family history …

Earlier this year, there was some research published which found a link between passive work and an inactive social life. Men who did work that involved little stress and little control were more likely to be have less active leisure activities compared to those whose work was more active.

For health and happiness, try these three things. First, learn how to cook. Cooking all you eat makes you aware of what you are putting into your body. Second, exercise. Workouts are good for body and mind, so make them part of your life. Finally, cut down on your television watching habit, giving you time to do all those things you want to do.

Try to keep the promises and agreements you’ve made with another. Whether it is keeping a time to meet a friend for lunch, or meeting a request to do a particular task, try to follow through. Even better, put the effort in to do something ahead of time, or arrive early for an appointment. You’ll feel good and so will the other person.

Give your relationship a happiness boost with some easy to implement ideas. Give your partner a hug on a daily basis. Whilst there, say something nice. Show them you are grateful they are in your life. When you can, hold their hand. Finally, remember to talk to them – don’t let issues build up. This also means resolving conflicts sooner rather than later.