Blog Archives - Page 4 of 8

Why developing greater resilience can help change your outlook on 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 …

What should you do when your apology is rejected?

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 …

How to make a cheerful flower headdress

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. …

How breathing exercises can help to relax you and restore your concentration

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 …

How to make a mandala using found materials

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 …

A guide to group chat etiquette

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 …

World Mental Health Day

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 …

CONQUEROR’S BREATH

A yoga breathing exercise that helps one to conquer oneself is Ujjayi pranayama, also known as Conqueror’s or Ocean’s breath. Practising this technique will encourage focus and improve positivity. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety in challenging situations How to practise Ujjayi pranayama: 1. Sit in a comfortable position with your back …

It’s an eco-wrap!

Wrapping paper creates a lot of waste, and glossy finishes and glittery details mean much of it can’t be recycled. Even recyclable paper might use ink in its design that needs to be removed in the recycling process, so isn’t necessarily as environmentally friendly as you might think. Thankfully, there are alternatives, including making your …

Handmade with love

With many people out festive shopping at the moment, it’s a good reminder that there are events and celebrations throughout the year that could be made more eco-friendly Many presents come wrapped in or are made of plastic. But with a little creativity, it’s easy and fun to come up with alternatives. Read on to …