We live within a culture that promotes material success, individual achievement and a perceived ‘specialness’ as the highest values. It’s an idea that is promoted constantly through the media and advertising. It’s an idea that many of us gear our lives around. But is it working? Is it actually making us happier?  And is getting stuff, and doing stuff, and standing out, our true definition of success? Keep reading or hit play on the podcast below to hear the research on material success as a strategy for happiness, and how you can create your own definition of success. Which pop star got ..read more

It can be so easy to get caught up in stress, anxiety, and unhelpful thoughts and emotions. In times like these, we need to create some mental space, but how? In this episode of Mentally Stronger, I want to talk about a favourite practice of mine called “when in doubt, zoom out.” This practice helps us to “zoom out” from whatever negativity we’re focusing on at that moment, to see a wider perspective and to create some much-needed mental space. I explain how to get started with this super easy practice and the important benefits it can bring. Keep reading to learn how to try it yourself, or tu ..read more

We all have a ‘shadow’ side. Our personal ‘shadow’ is made up of the parts of ourselves that we do not accept and do not want to see. Our shadow is rooted in shame, by our sense of being basically unworthy or deficient as we are. When we run from our shadow, it then becomes an unhelpful force in our psyche because the more we try to hide from certain parts of ourselves the more it ramps up the feeling that we are unworthy and deficient. And it is these rejected and unseen parts of ourselves that are the source of much of our neurosis and personal suffering. So by running from our shadow it pro ..read more

It’s been said that a problem is like a pool of muddy water, the more that you stir it around in the mind, the cloudier it gets. This rings true. How many times have you tossed and turned at night ruminating about a difficulty in your life only to wake up the next day feeling even more agitated, tired and stressed? How many times have you had a brief conflict with someone that perhaps lasted minutes, only to then continue to replay it in your mind for days, weeks or even months – causing you ongoing anxiety or distress? And how many times have you not been truly present at a party, at the dinn ..read more

You know, most of us tend to carry around needless mental burdens that weigh us down. Perhaps you constantly rehash a past mistake over and over again. Maybe you worry about a problem ceaselessly or you ruminate about a perfectionistic standard for your life that you have been unable to meet such as your weight, your finances or your achievements. Maybe you beat yourself up over a bad habit or addiction or obsess over a feeling that you’ve been wronged or misunderstood. Perhaps you carry around rigid rules and expectations for yourself and others. When we carry these mental burdens with us all ..read more

Did you know that one in five people these days are affected by mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression? These days many of us are also struggling with stress and overwhelm as the pace and demands of life increase. I believe now more than ever we all need to commit to making our mental health a priority. In honour of World Mental Health Day, here are seven proven tips that will improve your mental health and boost your wellbeing. 1. Exercise Regularly It’s well known that exercise is important for keeping our bodies healthy, but did you know that exercise is also vital for good mental ..read more

A while ago I wrote a blog post with 11 strategies to bring more mindfulness into your life but today I am going to respond to the many people who asked me which ones I use the most and find the most effective. After much experimentation over the years there are three that I find most potent. They are also extremely simple and easy ways to be more mindful this week. Why not pick one or two and you try them out yourself this week to see how it goes? If you do you’ll likely find yourself less reactive, more centred and calm and living your life with your inner compass set to true north. [A ..read more

Here is a typical start to the day that I know so many people have these days… Wake up to a buzzing alarm and smack the snooze button a couple of times. Jump out of bed and on autopilot mode, rush to the kitchen to make a coffee. Half drink said coffee. Jump in the shower. Dress while gulping down the now cold coffee and checking your iPhone. Jump in a car or to crowded public transport. Eat some kind of ‘on the go’ breakfast on the way to work and then finally land at the desk or workplace to get stuck into all the tasks for the day…does this sound familiar in any way? Now you may get a lot o ..read more

Do you ever call yourself names like ‘idiot or ‘loser’? Do you ever berate yourself for your mistakes in your head over and over again? Ever push your body and mind way past the point of tired and hungry, till you’re almost about to collapse in a heap? If so, you’re not alone. Harsh self-talk and the subtle aggression of pushing ourselves through is pretty common. It’s worth knowing though, that a mean or critical inner dialogue or attitude towards ourselves can create a lot of tension, anxiety and heartache. We also often experience feelings of unworthiness when we ‘beat ourselves up’ or put ..read more

We’ve all probably observed how acts of kindness can spread and multiply. During the pandemic, people were using the phrase ‘the kindness contagion’ to describe the wave of kindness that rapidly spread through the world in response to those difficult times. And it’s true. Kindness is contagious. Witnessing acts of kindness makes us more likely to do the same for others. In fact, when we witness an act of kindness, our body and mind seem to interpret what we’re seeing as if we were actually experiencing it ourselves. And these acts of kindness, whether direct or indirect, have some pretty signi ..read more