What is anxiety and what are the signs of it? Anxiety is often talked about as if it’s something new, but in fact, it’s an important protective mechanism that dates back to early humans. ‘The reason humans have evolved to have emotions is to teach us and help us remember what we’ve learned,’ explains Natasha …
Remember that the situation that has caused these negative emotions is only temporary When a friend is completely preoccupied with a new possession, it’s common to feel ignored and left out. It might feel like the focus of your friendship has shifted. It’s important to allow yourself to feel this way, but also to remember …
Freewriting about your role models Begin with a warm-up where you just write down your thoughts about role models. What do you think are the positive attributes that make someone a good example? Is there anyone famous you like or admire? Or does someone at your school or in your community inspire you with their …
Read moreWhy personal role models can be an important source of inspiration in your life
What is resilience? Suzy Greenwood, co-founder of UK-based wellbeing programme Vitality Works, defines it as ‘the ability to bounce back’. ‘There isn’t just one thing that enables us to become resilient,’ says Suzy, ‘there’s a variety of different techniques that support wellbeing, and different practices will work best for different people.’ Because of this, self-reflection …
Read moreWhy developing greater resilience can help change your outlook on life
Why it’s important to accept that other people’s responses are outside of our control If you’ve done all you can to express your regret and there’s still no change, accepting there are some things you can make happen and others you can’t is helpful. ‘Admitting we’re in the wrong for our actions takes courage and …
What is the history of floral headdresses? Flower circlets and laurel wreaths were once a symbol of high status – in ancient Greece and Rome, they graced the heads of athletes, emperors and depictions of gods. Many cultures, such as the indigenous tribes in the South Pacific islands, incorporate fresh flowers into their ceremonial dress. …
Why breathing exercises can help to reduce stress In times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system activates what’s known as the fight-or-flight response, causing sensations such as a raised heart rate, racing thoughts and physical tension. Breathing exercises can ease these sensations. If practised regularly, they might even help to prevent them from occurring at …
Read moreHow breathing exercises can help to relax you and restore your concentration
What do mandalas represent? In Hinduism and Buddhism, a mandala represents the universe and life. As part of their spiritual practice, Tibetan monks create intricate mandalas using coloured sand, which they then sweep away, an activity also practised by the Navajo people in the US. Its origins may be old, but creating mandalas has become …
How to handle a group chat situation with multiple participants One of the biggest challenges comes with the range of people involved. One member, for example, might be a close friend you share jokes with on a one-to-one all the time, some you might know fairly well, but another could be a distant acquaintance. It’s …
Today marks World Mental Health Day, which this year calls for people to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right’. Its aim is to raise awareness of the need for everyone – regardless of background, gender, sexuality, age or location – to have equal access to good-quality mental-health care. World Health …
