Live Yourself Happy - 3rd Ed

Happiness means different things to different people – what makes one person happy might make another feel unhappy, and vice versa. However, science has shown that there are some fundamental things we can all do to ensure we start living our happiest lives. The decisions we make, our behaviour and, most importantly, our mindset all contribute towards this end goal. Gaining a greater understanding of ourselves will help us to make the right choices so we can avoid negativity, be more authentic, and start living more content and fulfilled lives. Why do we feel certain emotions in specific situations? Why do we behave in particular ways? And what can we do to overcome the things that hold us back? Learn all this and more by delving into the world of…

Despite a staggering one in four people in the UK experiencing a mental health problem each year, the invisible nature of it means there’s often a tendency to ignore problems and just get on with it. But, as Stephen Buckley, head of information at mental health charity Mind, says, “Mental health is just like our physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it.” He adds, “Thankfully, we’ve seen the national conversation on mental health move forward, but those with mental health problems still face barriers.” The topic remains taboo, especially for older generations – a YouGov survey revealed 25% of over-55s think it’s more difficult for them to discuss mental health than younger people. Some 71% felt this was because, in the past, anxiety and…

“If you’re feeling anxious, there are ways you can step back and take control before the symptoms build up and take over,” says Nicky. DO A BREATHING EXERCISE Breathe in through the nose for three seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out through the mouth slowly for five seconds. USE A DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE Try the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique – acknowledge five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell, and finally one deep breath in and out. TRY POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS Tell yourself, ‘I am safe, I am in control, this feeling is anxiety’, and repeat until you feel more in control of your feelings. MAKE DIETARY CHANGES Small changes to your diet can make a difference…

PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY Stemming from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis, Freud believed that psychological problems are rooted in the unconscious mind, and experiences from a person’s past can influence their thoughts and behaviour in later life. Positive change is seen as happening as a result of uncovering repressed events and linking them to present difficulties. You might spend significant time discussing your childhood or recalling dreams, with your therapist suggesting connections. This approach also emphasises the idea and exploration of transference, where feelings you experienced in previous relationships may be projected onto your therapist – for example, you view them as a critical teacher or favourite uncle. Suitable for A wide range of issues, including depression and anxiety.  Considerations Some people might prefer to focus on the present than revisit their childhood. Therapy…

As the cost of living crisis spirals, our stress levels are following suit. One in five people in the UK say they feel stressed more than they don’t, and money worries are one of the primary causes*. But we shouldn’t be scared of stress. “It’s normal,” says psychotherapist Caron Barruw, co-founder of The Niche Group. “It’s how we manage it that makes the difference.” We can learn to turn stress into something more useful – helpful even, adds neuroscientist and author of Psycho-Logical, Dr Dean Burnett. Sound good? Here’s how to harness and not hate all stress. A helping hand “Stress is the brain’s threat detection system preparing us to deal with danger,” says Dr Burnett. It mostly feels unpleasant, but on a fundamental level it keeps us safe. “While…

A pounding heart, crushing chest pain and debilitating terror may sound like the signs of a heart attack, but for those who suffer from panic attacks, these scary symptoms are all too common. Sound familiar? You’re not alone – up to a third of people will experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime*, while others will have regular attacks or several in a short space of time. Whatever your experience, there are ways to bring a panic attack under control. Here, our experts explain what could help… What happens? “A panic attack is an intense emotional and physical response to a sense of dread or fear,” says psychologist Dr Alison McClymont. “It may have an obvious trigger (such as being under stress), but it may also come on…