What are the benefits of regular connection with others?

We are currently experiencing winter temperatures in New Zealand, where I live. Did you know there are multiple health benefits to spending time at the ocean during the colder months of the year? 1) A trip to the coastline, warmly dressed, may assist in recovery from winter sniffles, as salt air can help clear sinus congestion. 2) Our bodies can produce vitamin D from natural sunlight without needing regular ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ sunscreen to guard against high UV levels. Sunl

George Elliot writes, "Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words." How wonderful it is to have a friend with whom you feel safe being yourself, not needing to seek approval or feel pressured to be who they want you to be. Psychologist Marisa Franco writes about the importance of friends in her book “Platonic.” Platonic relationships are built on mutual trust, shared interests, and emotional suppor

The concept of entitlement is usually associated with negative behaviour - narcissism, self-centredness and having an attitude that demands ‘my rights.’ A healthy entitlement is knowing that you can have appropriate needs and wants, even if you might not get them. We all deserve to be treated with respect; to be told the truth rather than lied to; to feel supported emotionally and practically by family, friends and colleagues. Whether you actually get what you want is a separ

Will the business venture fail? Will I grow old with dementia? Will the cancer return? Will there be another global recession? These are real questions about real concerns, but our imagined fear and anxiety about the outcome are not real. Fear is a response to present danger, and anxiety is triggered by uncertainty of the future. Our brain is designed to activate a response to danger, e.g., defending ourselves when physically attacked, running from a fire, and staying still

We may feel prepared for significant endings in our lives… until we are confronted with the silence. An empty silence that loudly echoes, “You’ve become irrelevant as a parent, a partner, or a person to rely on.” “What do you have to offer the world without the roles that have defined who you are?” “Your life has become meaningless.” However, the source of these echoing voices is the thinking you allow about the ending. I know, because there was a time I had those thoughts ab

Why do we fail to achieve goals we’ve set for ourselves?

A defining moment is both memorable and meaningful.

It’s that time of year when expectations are high, energy levels are low, queues are long, and people’s patience is short. Holidays allow a shift in routine to enjoy leisure activities, but a pleasurable time is not always experienced for yourself or others you holiday with. Recognising potential stressors before they occur is helpful. 1) Obligation to fit in with family expectations at Christmas/New Year celebrations. Supporting family members with traditions, large family

Have you unwrapped a gift and thought, “This person really knows me.” Alternatively, have you received a gift from someone and wondered, “What were they thinking?” The essence of gift-giving is thoughtful choices and the acknowledgement of the recipient's personality and interests. The true value of a gift is expressed with thought and intention, not the price tag. Choosing appropriate gifts reflects how well you know a person. Your choice of gifts can also reflect an unheal

Engaging in play is just as important for adults as it is for children. It may no longer be make-believe games or building sandcastles, but scientific research supports the health benefits of play throughout our lives. Play is not just an action - our doing, play is a state of mind - our being. The only agenda needed for play is to enjoy ourselves. How can we bring more playfulness into our lives? Children and animals are great role models of play - their carefree energy is

Photo credit: S. Schön. Finding something positive in every situation is not always easy, but is it always possible?

Life balance is a self-directed lifestyle, a personalised approach to living life in a way that enables you to be the healthiest version of yourself.

Beginning a conversation with “We need to talk” may achieve the desired outcome in a movie script. However, using this opening line of...

Learning how to converse well is a skill we can all improve. Conversation is a connection that is more than an exchange of words.

Integrity is about strong core values and ensuring our life principles and moral character remain intact.

Passion is associated with pain because of the discipline and determination required to do something you are emotionally and mentally invest

The waiting seasons in our lives are transitions from one position in life to another or from one identity role to another.

What do you want in your life story this year? Desires, goals, life choices, aspirations, and new habits all start with having an idea ...

Life can feel like a dance. Its ever-evolving choreography invites spontaneity, personal expression, self-improvement, and connection.