Happiness and wellbeing can seem fleeting. We strive for them, yet they are often realised only in hindsight. Though most agree well-being is essential, our culture and competing priorities don't always align with experiencing it. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in positive psychology, put forth the PERMA model outlining five building blocks of human flourishing. PERMA provides a framework beyond just feeling...
Introduction In the midst of the festive season, where joy and togetherness are celebrated, trees adorned with twinkling lights, windows decorated with Christmas ornaments, classic films airing on every channel, and carols echoing through the streets—all these holiday symbols have the power to evoke the most wonderful emotions. However, they can also feel oppressive when we’re finding it difficult to catch...
Introduction Ecotherapy, is an emerging nature-based therapy has been found to significantly improve mental well-being. Ecotherapy is a form of experiential therapy that uses nature as a therapeutic tool to promote mental health. It's rooted in the idea that humans have an innate connection with nature, and this bond can be used to foster psychological well-being. The history of ecotherapy can be...
Night-time sleep disturbances manifest in various ways, with individuals experiencing trouble sleeping in distinct forms. Some struggle with the challenge of initially falling asleep, while others find themselves awakened during the night and unable to return to slumber. Still, there are those who face the issue of frequent awakenings throughout the night. Insomnia, is a persistent challenge involving difficulty falling asleep...
Being a teen in high school, friendships and your mates are seriously important. High school isn't just about classes and textbooks – it's like this buzzing universe of chatting, chilling with your mates, and building those friendships. The connections you build right now can totally mould who you are, sway the decisions you make, and give you that awesome feeling...
Do you find yourself anxious about being judged by others? Are you frequently self-conscious in typical social scenarios? Does the thought of meeting new people make you fearful or uneasy? If these emotions have persisted for a minimum of 6 months and are interfering with your ability to perform everyday activities, like engaging with colleagues or classmates, you might be...
We all have experiences in life that are difficult, painful, or challenging. Our internal voice can be harsh, judging us for our perceived shortcomings and mistakes. Instead of getting caught up in self-criticism or negative thinking patterns, self-compassion encourages us to approach ourselves with kindness and explore constructive ways to address our challenges. As Dr Kristin Neff (Educational Psychologist) states, "Self-compassion...
Are you struggling with falling asleep or staying asleep? Do you find that your mind is constantly racing, making it nearly impossible to get a good night's rest? You are not alone. Research shows that inadequate sleep is a common issue for four out of every ten Australians. Sleep is incredibly important for our physical and mental health. Yet, sometimes it's...
The term self-care has been thrown around by the media for the past decade. According to Google trends, searches relating to self-care have more than doubled since 2015. But what is it? Why does everyone not stop talking about it? And how do you actually “do” self-care? A technical definition for self-care is "a multidimensional, multifaceted process of purposeful engagement in strategies...
Self-harm is more common than many people realise. It’s when a person deliberately hurts themselves through some form of self-injury, often cutting, but also: Scratching one’s own skin repeatedly Picking at scabs so they don’t heal Burning oneself with cigarettes and other items Biting, bruising or hitting themselves Head-banging A common misconception about self-harm is that it’s an attempt at suicide....
