August is the eighth month of the year and is named after the emperor Augustus. It was originally called sextilis meaning sixth, as it was the sixth month in the old Roman calendar. Another reminder that things do change, even though such things can seem like they’ve been around forever. This month marks International Youth Day. Each year has a central theme but the underlying principle is about raising awareness of the struggles of youth as well as their achievements. Also this month we celebrate International Left Hander’s Day on …

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 …

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 …

Do you struggle for time, wondering where it’s gone with very little achieved?  An activity that might help is to write a description of a day where your time is well spent. What are you doing? What distractions are you avoiding? Now what steps can you take to bring your well spent day in alignment with your actual day to day routine?

Have you reflected on your achievements lately? Both large and small. Begin by reflecting back over your life on the significant things you have done. From there, continue to build on your list, by making a note each month of the things you have achieved. Even better, add to it as they happen. This way you don’t forget and will realize how much you do accomplish.

Each day or week, find a reason to celebrate. It will break up the routine of your day or week. What was good for you? What did you achieve or what went particularly well? So how will you celebrate? With friends? Alone, spending time doing something you love? It could be something as simple as relaxing in front of the TV.

At the start of each week, set yourself a goal. Make it something that you can accomplish in that week. It can be something you want to change, to try, or to finally finish. You may want to increase or decrease certain behaviour. It can be just for fun. Whatever it is, being by saying to yourself, “this week I will….”. Then get on and do it.

I wish you a good morning. Now turn your good morning into a good day. Grab some paper and spend a few minutes writing down the reasons why you should have a productive day. How will it benefit you? Other people? What are the drawbacks of not being productive? Also, think about how you know you will feel after a productive day.

A King’s College London study has reported that children with low self-esteem and low feelings of control are more likely to grow up to be obese.
Such research highlights that it is essential to look after mental wellbeing, to increase the chances of greater physical health later on in life. Because obesity brings with it many health risks, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Feeling good about yourself, believing you can control your destiny will not only boost your happiness, but probably your health also. Emotional eating is a huge problem, …