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. …

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 …

Welcome to June! June is the sixth month of the year and is most likely named after the goddess Juno. As the goddess of marriage, it became popular to marry in June, a trend that continues today, particularly in the northern hemisphere. Relationships and relationship satisfaction therefore will be our first theme this month. What can you do to ensure a happy ongoing relationship with your partner? On the 21st of this month summer solstice takes place in the northern hemisphere. It is the day with the longest daylight and …

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 …

Practise your determination. Make yourself keep going, even when you don’t want to. Keep trying and trying, noting what you are learning about yourself and others along the way. Maintain a belief of optimism that things will get better, or turn out okay.  Make sure your thoughts are not self-defeating and ignore the cynicism of others.

Being responsible for your own happiness means you are also responsible for your own sadness. Sometimes you just want to dwell and feel blue. The powerful thing to realise is that you have the tools at your disposal to help you be happy again tomorrow. Try to realise your sadness is fleeting and life will be good again.

I’m really getting excited about the World Cup this year. For the first time I’m even going to decorate the house, in both Australian and English colours. As a dual citizen I get to support both teams. If they meet up – who will I support? Well that’s a secret. Anyway, optimism is high. Guess it should be, given I’ve written a book on happiness! I know only one team can win and I know I may be faced with disappointment – but it’s all part of the process. In …

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, …

I’ve just finished reading an article about a study into the dangers of doing family history. You can read more here: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6383CJ20100409.
It was conducted by a sociologist who believed “researchers could open up a Pandora’s Box of secrets and skeletons, such as finding there are family issues around paternity, illegitimacy or marriage close to birth of children, criminality, health and mental health and previously unknown humble origins.”
Go figure. It would be pretty surprising if anybody didn’t find this in the course of their research. “I cannot believe great great grandfather …

Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.  Louis E. Boone
Do you enjoy learning? Is it a pleasure to discover new things, or do you associate the word ‘learning’ with being sat behind a desk at school being fed information you have no control over? Happily, as adults we can choose what we want to learn and the skills we want to develop. …