Why are siblings competitive? Consider the following childhood scenarios. It’s the annual school sports day. Because you and your sibling have the same surname, you’re on the same team, both wearing your red shirts with pride and participating in cheering other pupils on when they throw further or run faster than the yellows, greens and blues. Except that, at the end of the day, your sibling has six medals clanking around their neck, while you only have two. Next, it’s Christmas Day, and your auntie, who you rarely see, is greeting you both fondly. ‘My, haven’t you grown to be lovely and tall ..read more

How did Kerry Ashby embrace the reinvention offered by a new career? Starting out as a florist, Kerry plodded along in her role, unfulfilled and frustrated, until, at 30, she swapped flowers for bandages and a career in nursing, retraining from scratch. Rising through the ranks, she found herself as head of paediatrics at a corporate healthcare company. Although at the top of her field, the 60-hour weeks and long stretches of time away from home took their toll and she reached a point of burnout. Instead of taking time off only to be thrust straight back in again, Kerry’s inner rebel kicked in ..read more

How you can find exercise motivation in repetition Physical training can feel daunting if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. ‘It can be hard to force ourselves into uncomfortable situations in pursuit of a future good feeling that can feel quite far off,’ says Eloise. In addition, anything new might feel intimidating, and the excuses not to do something are often just the brain’s way of keeping you safe from something you’re not used to. The more you’re able to understand that and overcome it, the more consistent you can become. And the best way to train the mind not to fear exercise ..read more

Why do people downplay their achievements? Fear of being considered a show-off often means that personal achievements and milestones aren’t shared, even when friends and family would love to hear about them. Rosalind Miles, a BACP-accredited psychotherapist and therapeutic counsellor based in Kent in the UK, notes that self-doubt or low self-worth often feed into a reluctance to sing your own praises. ‘When we doubt ourselves, we can dampen our accomplishments, thinking they aren’t significant or worthy of celebration,’ says Rosalind, who’s also a member of the UK’s Counselling Directory. ‘Imp ..read more

Do cold showers improve mental health? In theory, exposure to cold can increase the neurotransmitters in the brain that are known to improve mood, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Research as to whether this translates into reality, however, is limited. One very small study, published in the journal Medical Hypothesis, showed improved mood after cold showers in people with depressive symptoms below the threshold to diagnose depression. But precisely because the study was small and involved a statistically insignificant number of people, it can’t be considered conclusive. Ultimat ..read more

How to reframe exercise to follow your values One way to reframe ideas of exercise is through the idea of values-driven living. As Christine says, this means ‘living a life that is guided by our values’. In this sense, you use those things you value to guide your long-term decision making. This is instead of rules-driven living, which dictates strict rule-setting, with little or no margin for error. Used in relation to exercise, the former allows you to think long term, rather than forcing you to stick to a routine or rush to a solution. This allows for gradual progress in both mental and phys ..read more

Top tips for planning a Yes Day Focus on feelings. Thinking about how you’d most like to feel is a good place to start. Do you long for real relaxation or are you pining for adventure? Mulling over what’s been missing from your average day could provide clues about the most fulfilling way to spend your special time. Think back. If the options feel overwhelming, think about when you last felt uplifted or free. Where were you and what were you doing? Could some of these activities be included? Pick up a pen. Free-writing – where you scribble down your thoughts without censoring yourself or worry ..read more

Breathe will be attending The Mindful Living Show and the co-located Sleep Show at the Business Design Centre in London on 6–7 March 2020. It’s a great opportunity to learn how mindfulness can benefit your life, health and work. You’ll also be able to explore potential solutions and get guidance for any sleep issues affecting your family or working life. Until then, keep reading to discover what Becki Houlston, a body-language expert and life coach, says your sleep position reveals about your personality… THE FOETUS You lie on your side, knees tucked up. You might swap sides in the night ..read more

How do you think and feel about your body? This year, Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19th May) focuses on a theme that affects (or has affected) most people at some point in their life: how they see themselves when they look in the mirror. Body image issues are a common problem in a society that promotes unrealistic body ideals – but this week, the message is simple: love yourself just the way you are. To start the discussion, the UK charity Mental Health Foundation, which hosts the event, has released a report with staggering results: one in five adults – and one in three teenagers – feel s ..read more