December is the twelfth and final month of the year and comes from the word decem, meaning ten as it was originally the tenth month of the year in the old Roman calendar. Given that it is the last month of the year, I thought this would be a good opportunity to get you ready for next year. It’s a chance to set some goals. These can come in the form of New Year’s resolutions if you like. I hope you achieved those resolutions you set yourself for this year. …

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 …

May is the fifth month of the year and is named after the goddess Maia.
For a month of happiness, we will draw from three events happening in May: World Laughter Day, International No Diet Day and a little known celebration observed in the US, Visit Your Relatives Day. If we take advantage of these events this month, we can make a difference to our overall happiness and wellbeing.
The benefits of laughter
Stress is no laughing matter. When we are stressed, the hormone cortisol enters the bloodstream. If left unmanaged (i.e. you …

April is the fourth month of the year and may have been named after the goddess Aphrodite. Celebrated this month are World Creativity Week, World Health Day and International Dance Day.
This month I will consider how everybody can be creative and how using your creativity skills can be a great mood booster. In recognition of World Health Day, I will provide ideas to help you look after your own mental and physical health. Related to both your creativity and your health, I will encourage you to take advantage of International …

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 …

Some people feel more guilt than others. There’s nothing wrong with feeling guilty when you really have something to feel guilty about – in fact I’d be worried if you didn’t feel guilt in these circumstances. The guilt I am concerned with here is when a person experiences this emotion seemingly automatically, whether it is warranted or not. For instance guilt about a decision made that does not suit absolutely everybody. Then there’s the guilt about changing, or not changing at all.  Or feeling guilty about bettering yourself for fear …

If you have the courage to take responsibility for your life and all that happens in it, you are freeing yourself up to have a fantastic life. No longer at the mercy of other people’s decisions, or blaming others when things go wrong. Instead you will stop feeling like a victim with no control and become someone who is genuinely living their own life. What can be better than that?

How easy is it for you to be yourself? Do you ever pretend to be someone you are not, just to fit in? It is not always easy being yourself, especially if you know it goes against popular opinion. However if you have the  to be yourself, you will invariably see yourself in higher esteem. You are no longer ashamed to be you. No more pretending or about what others are thinking of you.  You may need to spend time getting to know yourself better, to help you on …

I have recently returned from a trip to Sydney and whilst there I had an opportunity to visit many of the sights and view some of the museums and galleries. I’d never been before, so it was all new. What was also new is that I did these trips out on my own. Normally I am with another person and as such have never done any sort of sightseeing alone. At first I thought it would be weird. I imagined feeling self-conscious that I was alone, when people are invariably …

We all hope to get more time from our day. Most of us, I imagine also want to be happier. This article discusses ways to better manage your time that will help increase your overall mood.
1 Limit television watching to one hour a day
By setting this time restriction on your , you have retrieved so much more time to do all those things you want to be doing. What’s more, time spent away from the television will be far more fulfilling and meaningful then merely watching others do their thing.  …