October is the tenth month of the year and is from the word octo, meaning eight as it was originally the eighth month of the year in the old Roman calendar. World Mental Health Day takes place this month, its aim being to promote good mental wellbeing and to highlight important issues that need addressing. To support this, I will offer you ideas to keep your own mental health in check. In Australia Stress Less Day is this month and offers us all an opportunity to remember the importance of …

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 …

Carrying out good deeds for other people has a double benefit. Not only does it enhance the life of the person you have given to, but it also helps you feel good about yourself. Giving is a great way to boost happiness and who better to help than a friend?

On Monday I spoke about the sociologist who had researched the problem of family history research. The risk of causing conflict within the family, or uncovering something unwanted about your ancestors. Today I want to talk about the good that can come from doing family history.
I began researching my family history last year and have found it a fascinating experience. I’ve a lot from family members about recent history. I can’t help thinking that such an activity can only help increase a person’s understanding and tolerance for why people …

Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. George Eliot
If you have a pet, I am pretty sure they are a great source of pleasure to you. Hopefully they are an important part of your family, with their own unique personality and behaviour patterns. It may interest you to know then that owning a pet can bring with it many benefits to your mental and physical wellbeing. If you don’t have a pet, then discover some of the reasons why it may be worthwhile …

Gratitude is about having an awareness of and appreciation for the good things in your life and not taking them for granted. It is about acknowledging the of others.  As such, it helps us recognise that we are not solitary creatures and that others have helped and supported us along the way.  Gratitude is an important character strength that is strongly correlated with happiness. It is a very positive emotion; after all it is hardly likely that a person can feel bitter, angry and resentful at the same time …

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop
Has someone been kind to you today? Feels good doesn’t it? When someone does something generous, you feel for their action and pleased that they thought of you. Perhaps your partner bought you a cup of tea in bed or a stranger let you in ahead of them when you were in your car waiting at a busy junction. Remember this good feeling as you continue reading through this article.
If you want to be happy but are not …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘temperance’: self-regulation, prudence, humility and modesty and forgiveness. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Self-regulation
Having self-regulation means a person can take control of thoughts, behaviour and emotions. People with this strength can set and uphold their own standards. They do not give in …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘humanity’: love, kindness and generosity and social intelligence. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Love
Having close, loving relationships is important to people with this strength. It is not just about loving your partner, but your friends, family and people around you. Such people …

“Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.” Dodie Smith
For the purposes of this article, depression will refer to those times of low mood we all sometimes experience; those episodes when you are really fed up and feeling blue. Past experience tells you it won’t last forever but at that moment you just can’t seem to cast it away. It does not refer to clinically diagnosed depression, as to do so would be flippant. Depression is a serious mental health condition and should not be underestimated.
What I …