What is a comfort zone? A comfort zone can be a place, a situation, or a habit. Anything at all that you associate with ease and security. The human brain is superb at simplifying experiences, and turning them into routines. The apartment you moved into that first seemed so new and exciting gradually turns into a place of humdrum existence, in which everything becomes safe and predictable. While this is an advantage in streamlining your life, it can become a pitfall for the unwary. When we settle for too much routine the brain has less and less to learn, and the mind will hard set. Jobs, relat ..read more

Banish worry with these dos and don’t tips Worries should not be confused with concerns. Concerns are important issues you can do something about. For example, getting help when you are in trouble. A definition of worry is that it is an alarmist judgment, in which (future) disasters are imagined in detail. They paralyse you with fright, and inhibit action. When you address your concerns with concrete actions (no matter how small) you undermine the worry. Use the infographic tips to banish worry, thus freeing you up to address legitimate concerns.   The post Banish worry with these simple ..read more

What are Stoic thinking habits? These habits of thought are based on rules for training the mind – and building resilience, as taught in Stoic philosophy. The seven habits described in this article are: Recognising and developing your powers of mind Accepting reality for what it is, rather than for what we want it to be. Recognising that it is our thoughts, and not the things that happen to us, that (mostly) create suffering. Following only those thoughts that relate to things we can influence, and discarding the rest. Seeing opportunities rather than afflictions in unwanted life events. Keep ..read more

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What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Compulsive-obsessive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder, in which individuals suffer from repetitive alarming and intrusive thoughts. These thoughts are accompanied by intense discomfort. Which, in turn compels them to carry out compulsive acts, in order to ward off the anxiety created by the thoughts. OCD must be distinguished from simple obsessions that do not lead to compulsive actions. Such as intrusive thoughts about losing one’s memory, harming others, or jumping from a roof-top. Not all compulsive behaviours are evidence of OCD. For example, per ..read more

Love is not enough – kindness is important too After about eighteen months the romantic glow wears off most relationships. That is when the real work of building something that lasts begins. The basis for that is caring – and mutual kindness. Do one thing every day that demonstrates your affection and commitment. Interdependence, not co-dependence Don’t be clingy, and don’t use your partner as a refuge from life. Relationships that flourish are based on interdependence – each party enjoying a life outside the home, while enjoying each other inside it (and outside it). Cultivate your strengths ..read more

What is Imposter syndrome? Contrary to the label, Imposter syndrome (IS) is not a psychiatric diagnosis. Rather it is a loose term used to describe an ego problem, in which individuals hold fast to the self-judgment that they are frauds in life. In most cases this sense of failure is felt in the workplace, although it can also be experienced at university, in creative work, in relationships, and in the community at large. Imposter syndrome is an over-used term which is often confused with self-doubt. Thus a celebrity will admit to having ‘imposter syndrome’ in her first movie role, when she re ..read more

What is agoraphobia? The term means a fear of public spaces. However, the disorder is more complex than that. Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which individuals are driven by the fear of being trapped and overwhelmed in large, crowded buildings, or public gatherings. In order to circumvent the anxiety they use control strategies as such as standing close to an exit door, taking along someone for support and limiting the amount of time spent in the space. Agoraphobia may start with a relatively trivial problem such as feeling nauseous for no particular reason in a train station. The t ..read more

What exactly is insomnia? Insomnia is a recurring condition in which the person has difficulty getting off to sleep, staying asleep, or achieving enough sleep. Typically this pattern repeats several nights each week. However, ‘insomnia’ is a relative term. While some people believe 8 hours sleep is too little, others find that 6 hours is enough. The real test for a good sleeping pattern is the average calculated over several weeks. The ideal mean lies between 6-8 hours. You can use a smart watch to track your own figure. You may find that the number of hours you think you need differs fro ..read more

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? Trauma and PTSD are related to disturbing experiences of an extreme type. Examples include terrorist incident, air-line crash, assault, rape (or other sexual abuse), and natural disaster. Mild trauma may follow on from events like a (non-injurious) car accident, getting trapped in a lift, or personal accident. Exposure to such incidents produces trauma, which is an upsetting memory linked to the event. Trauma may be accompanied by shock, anxiety and emotional distress. However, most people with trauma (whether mild or serious) do not develop post-trauma ..read more