Here’s a challenge for you: See if you can notice when your thoughts spiral into a string of negative thoughts. It might take some practice at first. The more mindful you become, the easier it becomes to notice your negative thoughts once they arrive. Once you’ve noticed it, challenge yourself to reframe those thoughts! Why?…
Category: Happy mind
Does the blaming game steal your joy and happiness?
Are you someone who (too) easily takes the blame for things happening around you when in fact they are not always because of you? Do you often carry the weight of mistakes and failures of others on your shoulders and make it personal? If you identify yourself in the questions above, you might be engaging…
How a dose of optimism can improve your mood
Let’s face it- we have not had the easiest 2.5 years and just as we get through the Covid-19 pandemic (knock on wood!) we are faced with other crises impacting us all over the world! It is relatively easy to only focus on what is going wrong: How our world leaders are letting us down,…
What does Omega-3 do for your mood?
A diet filled with too many unhealthy, processed foods makes it hard for our bodies and our minds to function properly. It is no secret that what we eat has in impact not only on our physical body but also on our cognitive functioning. The body of knowledge around nutrition and what to eat feels…
Overcome overgeneralisation to improve your mood and view on life
Our thoughts have an important influence over our wellbeing. There is an intricate link between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. “”Some thoughts can feel easy to unpack and explore, while others feel complicated, confusing, and contradictory.” – Nikole Seele It is important to understand, that as people, we are hardwired for survival. This means anticipating…
The mind-reading trap
We live in a busy world and at times we navigate our lives using mental shortcuts. We can learn to use simple verbal or non-verbal cues to assume or work out what may be happening. At times these shortcuts can be useful but at times they distort our thinking. In cognitive behavioural therapy, we call…
The golden spice and your mood
Turmeric is considered the ‘golden spice of life’. Regular use of turmeric has been proven to improve mood as well as memory and attention. So, how does a turmeric latte sounds right about now? Turmeric grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Turmeric is part of the ginger family and is considered a…
Vitamin B12 & your mood
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in your mood. We need to feed our bodies to survive, yet we seldom think about the function of the foods we select. Are we getting the nutrition we need for our bodies and minds to function? Are we intentional in getting enough protein? Or balancing out carbohydrates with…
Drug use do affect your mood
In general, individuals start experimenting with drugs out of curiosity or peer pressure. Some individuals start to misuse drugs to perform better (to increase their focus or concentration) or even to feel better. Most people believe they can control their use. But drugs can quickly take over your life. While many people have been educated…
Are ‘should’ and ‘must’ statements affecting your happiness?
According to McKay and Fanning (2016), “Reality hardly matters”. It’s rather the belief of reality that shapes our world. The way we think about events, and the judgments we ascribe, as a result, determines our reaction towards it and towards ourselves. One important cognitive distortion (or ‘thinking error’) that will be discussed in this article…