Positive Parenting
I had a lot of fun coming up with ways in which exercises, then only used for school-going kids and adults, could be adapted to suit my young children. And as they grew, my ideas, strategies and research grew alongside them.
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Mental Health and Genetics: What you need to know
The “nature vs nurture” debate is actually not a thing anymore. Well, at least not for most scientists. The scientific community agrees that both our genetic make up (nature) and external influences, such as the way we were raised and what we have been exposed to (nurture), influence our mental health. Neither nature, nor nurture …
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As a Person thinketh in their heart, so are they
If you’re interested in James Allen’s book, As a Man Thinketh, but don’t feel up to reading / listening to the volume yourself, please allow me to share some of my favourite quotes with you.
Four ways to Use Character Strengths
Last week we had a look at exactly what character strengths are, where they come from and how they are grouped and defined. This week, we’re having a look at how to put character strengths to use, so that we may reap the well-researched benefits – improving our resilience and overall wellbeing. But first, please …
The rise, fall and Renaissance of self-help books (and blogs)
There are two types of “self-help” books. The first, and most common type, is based on an individual’s journey, experiences and thoughts. Books (or blogs) such as these are often useful. Sometimes it helps to hear what worked for one person – to read their story, link it to your own, and learn from the …
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Mindfulness – yes, it is for you
I asked my eldest daughter whether she would like me to tell her how to become smarter, more confident, healthier, achieve greater focus and improved academic results – using one simple trick. She eagerly nodded and waited for me to impart the “secret”… Mindfulness meditation. In that moment the simplicity dilemma kicked in and she …
What is NOT a benefit of mindfulness?
I found myself in the interesting position of having to set a multiple choice test on the topic of mindfulness – and the task ended up being surprisingly difficult! The “aha-moment” (as Oprah would call it) came when I created the following question: Which of the following is NOT a benefit of mindfulness practice? A …
From Surviving to Thriving
The evolutionary function of positive emotions? It is quite an easy task, to understand why emotions such as fear and anger were important for early man’s survival. The proverbial caveman would not have survived if he acted without caution, or didn’t react appropriately to threats – whether they were dangerous wild animals or social threats. …
Choose your lens
In my previous post, I explained my term, “simplicity dilemma” – that Positive Psychology Interventions often seem so simple that people tend not to take them seriously. How can something as simple as a gratitude exercise be so powerful? Let’s get into the nitty gritty of it. One of the things that makes our brains …