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Julia Barnard - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Julia Barnard is a professional counsellor. She provides an online counselling service through her website Make the Change. A number of formats are available, making counselling accessible and convenient. She believes counselling can help you make changes whether large or small. It does not have to be a major life change to make a difference to your life.
Julia is keen to share her knowledge to enhance psychological health and wellbeing. As such she ... [More]
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- Optimism in Childhood and Beyond
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] Optimism is a way of thinking about the world. It is a great way of coping with life's difficulties and challenges. Fortunately it is something we can all learn at any stage of life. However teaching it to your children now means they will see immediate benefits and it is something they can take into the future.
- Getting in Touch With Your Creative Side
[Self-Improvement:Creativity] Put aside the belief that you're not the creative type. Given time and space we can all be more creative. It is not just about creating artwork. It could be a creative solution to your filing crisis at work. It is about finding novel ways of doing things. This article explores the benefits of creativity and offers ideas on how to be more creative.
- 10 Reasons to Take a Vacation
[Travel-and-Leisure] Taking a holiday can offer immediate benefits as well as long term gains for your life in general. This article considers some of the ways a vacation can be beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing.
- Positive Psychology and Counselling
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] For many years psychology has focused on looking at problems and seeing if anything can be done about them. As a result so much focus seems to have been on what's wrong rather than what's right with people. Somehow people have become victims of their genes and environment and the best they can hope for is to learn how to tread water. Positive Psychology offers more than this.
- Emotional Eating - Don't Let Food Control Your Life
[Health-and-Fitness:Eating-Disorders] Eating is a pleasure. It is a chance to engage our senses in something delicious. It also offers social opportunities -- going out for dinner with friends or chatting with family at the dinner table after a day apart. However, eating becomes a problem when we turn to food to deal with our emotions. You can feel happy, sad, stressed, worried, powerless, angry, excited... All are good excuses to eat. Rather than eating when you are hungry, you let your emotions determine when to eat (as well as what, quite often).
- Laugh, Laugh, Laugh - The Benefits Are Many
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If there's one thing you should do today to boost your wellbeing, it's have a good laugh. It feels good to laugh and benefits you in many different ways. This article will look at those many benefits and offer tips to ensure you get more laughter in your life.
- The Positive Psychology of Gratitude
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Gratitude is about having an awareness of and appreciation for the good things in your life and not taking them for granted. It is about acknowledging the kindness of others. As such, it helps us recognise that we are not solitary creatures and that others have helped and supported us along the way.
- Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy was pioneered by Albert Ellis who personally used the techniques he taught his clients during his own long life (he died in 2007 aged 93). Essentially, people display both rational and irrational thoughts. Too many irrational thoughts can impact on life, causing unhappiness, anxiety, depression and so on.
- Just a Matter of Luck
[Self-Improvement:Success] How often have you said to a person that they were lucky? Or you lament your own bad luck when something bad happens. When we talk of luck, it's with the idea that it is something beyond our control. Perhaps the world has it in for us, or we were just born unlucky.
- Surviving Unemployment
[Business:Job-Search-Techniques] If you've ever found yourself unemployed than you know how it feels. It can be a terrifying time, wrought with anxiety and fear. You are unable to see past the present moment. Suddenly you are faced with a whole host of worries and initially you may feel paralysed, unable to act. However, if you can keep active, it will help you in the long run.
- The Benefits of Lifelong Learning and Discovery
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] Do you enjoy learning? Is it a pleasure to discover new things, or do you associate the word 'learning' with being sat behind a desk at school being fed information you have no control over? Happily, as adults we can choose what we want to learn and the skills we want to develop. Learning should be a lifelong venture that should feature in all stages of your life.
- An Introduction to Person Centered Therapy
[Health-and-Fitness:Mental-Health] This article provides a brief introduction to Person Centered therapy. A quick history is given and focus is on the conditions needed for therapeutic change, namely: congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy.
- Happy Birthday to You - Time to Celebrate
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Did you enjoy your last birthday? Was it a time of celebration, or something you dreaded, knowing that another number was being added to your age? If you want to be happy in your life and with your life, then you are going to have to accept one indisputable fact: you are getting older.
- What Matters to You
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] Let me begin by asking you a question. What would you do to make this world a better place, if time and resources were not a limitation? Be ambitious with your answer. Get creative and spend some time thinking about this.
- Small Things Bring Happiness
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Each year you look forward to your yearly vacation. It's something in the future that is a glimmer of light in a routine that you are exhausted from. Yet it seems a shame to be saving up happiness for a once a year thing (and then get disappointed because that perfect vacation doesn't pan out as planned).
- Stop Ruminating - Life's Too Short
[Self-Improvement:Techniques] We worry about many things, from the small to the large, things from our past, future happenings and current situations. For some, this is a time to ruminate. The worries are going around their head and there does not seem an end to it. They just cannot stop thinking about it. There is no thought of resolution as they are too busy mulling.
- Is Online Counselling Safe?
[Health-and-Fitness:Mental-Health] Online counselling is a relatively new mode of therapy and as such, concerns are sometimes raised. In this article I will address some issues people may have, which are particularly relevant to counselling over the internet.
- Putting Off Happiness
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] There's always something to do right? Everyday something new comes along to take up your energies. You have a huge list of tasks to do and you say to yourself that once these are done, then you will do the things that bring you pleasure. How often has it happened that you never quite get around to the fun activity you'd planned for yourself, once the boring stuff was done?
- Take Control of Your Television
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] The majority of people watch television. It is such an easy thing to do. Press a button on your remote, sit back and enjoy. However, does it bring us happiness?
- Confidentiality and Counselling
[Health-and-Fitness:Mental-Health] Confidentiality within counselling refers to the premise that what you say to your counsellor stays with your counsellor. You do not expect a counsellor to discuss your case sat in a restaurant with friends. Indeed it may be this confidential relationship that attracts people to counselling. There are however, a number of limitations that prevent total confidentiality which clients and potential clients should be aware of.
- Happiness Is Giving to Others
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Has someone been kind to you today? Feels good doesn't it? When someone does something generous, you feel grateful for their action and pleased that they thought of you. Perhaps your partner bought you a cup of tea in bed or a stranger let you in ahead of them when you were in your car waiting at a busy junction. Remember this good feeling as you read on.
- No More Boredom
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] When we are bored we have this tendency to engage in activities that will increase our boredom and make us feel worse about ourselves, especially when we realise hours have passed and we have produced nothing meaningful. You may rummage around the web and find yourself reading things and playing games you would not ordinarily do. They may be great distractions but are they relieving boredom?
- How to Be Happy in the Job You Have
[Business:Careers-Employment] How much time do you spend working each and every week? How about the time spent getting to and from work? Adds up doesn't it? So do you enjoy your work? Some people love their work and would say they have found their calling. For others, it is just about earning money so they are able to pay the bills and enjoy a life outside work.
- Exercise and Flow Experience
[Health-and-Fitness:Exercise] This article discusses the link between exercise and the experience of flow. Exercise is an easy way to achieve a flow experience, which is a great way to boost your happiness on a day to day basis. Tips are given to enable you to get the best from your workout.
- Can Your Mum and Dad Come Out to Play?
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] It seems sad to me that adults tend to stop playing, instead adopting a serious approach to life. Yes life can be very stressful, but playing can be a great way to reduce stress, have fun and experience joy. This article considers play in adulthood and ideas for bringing play into your own life.
- How Not to Relieve Your Stress
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] Is your idea of stress relief kicking back with a beer and watching the game? Or pigging out on a box of chocolates whilst watching an episode of Lost? If so you are not alone. Research in the US has found people are turning to food, drink and cigarettes to relieve their stress. However none of these are effective and this article will discuss why.
- Ten Ways to Increase Your Happiness
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] How's your schedule looking? Have you made time today to do something to increase your happiness? In this article I offer you practical steps you can take to get started on a happier life. The suggestions can be easily implemented, so choose one and start today.
- Eight Ideas to Help You Achieve Your Goals
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] Having life goals can be beneficial to our happiness and wellbeing. They are something we have chosen and have set aside time to work on. They give a feeling of empowerment as we accomplish the tasks we set ourselves. In this article, I will consider some of the things worth bearing in mind to help you achieve your goals.
- Six Ideas to Help You Set Up Your Goals
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] Having life goals can be beneficial to our happiness and wellbeing. They are something we have chosen and have set aside time to work on. They give a feeling of empowerment as we accomplish the tasks we set ourselves. In this article, I will consider some of the things worth bearing in mind when setting up your goals. Taking the time to set up your goals enhances the probability that your chosen goal will become a reality. You know what you want to do; now think about how you are going to implement it.
- Six Ideas to Help You Choose Your Goals
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] Having life goals can be beneficial to our happiness and wellbeing. They are something we have chosen and have set aside time to work on. They give a feeling of empowerment as we accomplish the tasks we set ourselves. In this article, I will consider some of the things worth bearing in mind when choosing your goals.
- Develop Your Sense of Justice by Exercising Your Character Strengths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue 'justice': citizenship, fairness and leadership. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
- Develop Your Courage by Exercising Your Character Strengths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue 'courage': bravery, persistence, authenticity and vitality. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
- Become More Transcendent by Exercising Your Character Strengths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue 'transcendence': appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, spirituality and humour and playfulness. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
- Develop Your Temperance by Exercising Your Character Strengths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue 'temperance': self-regulation, prudence, humility and forgiveness. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
- Enhance Your Humanity by Exercising Your Character Strengths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue 'humanity': love, kindness and social intelligence. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
- Develop Your Wisdom and Knowledge by Exercising Your Character Strengths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue 'wisdom and knowledge': curiosity, love of learning, open-mindedness, creativity and perspective. I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
- The Positive Psychology Of Goal Setting
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] Having goals can help you live the life you want. It can give you a focus and some direction. This article outlines why setting goals can be beneficial for your wellbeing. It also discusses how your character strengths can be used to assist you in setting and achieving goals.
- Boundaries Within Counselling
[Health-and-Fitness:Mental-Health] The relationship between counsellor and client is built around trust and support and offers clients a place free from judgement. As such, it is important that there are a number of boundaries and support mechanisms in place to ensure the needs of the client are met.
- Pessimist Or Optimist? Which Would You Rather Be?
[Self-Improvement] Tell a pessimist their life is about to change and they will assume it is for the worst. Tell them it will be for the better and they will say it won't last. Ask them why and they will tell you that someone will take it away from them. It is this mindset that characterises a pessimist.
- Read This Before You Die
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I was flicking through a catalogue of books recently and noticed an increase in the titles based on the theme of things you must do before you die. 1001 movies to watch, buildings to see, books to read and so on. I know it is all about marketing, but I did feel pretty downhearted to see that life seemed to become one long list of things you must do.
- The Importance of Friendships
[Relationships:Friendship] Recent research indicates people no longer have close friendships. However they are important to your happiness and wellbeing. Friends can offer you an important means of support. Also the support you can offer a friend can be highly satisfying and an important way to boost your mood. A friendship can bring important benefits to the both of you.
- An Introduction To Online Counselling
[Health-and-Fitness:Mental-Health] Online counselling provides people with an opportunity to receive help and assistance over the internet. Counsellors work with clients on their particular concerns and issues, as they would when providing counselling face to face.
- The Right To Your Own Opinion
[Self-Improvement:Self-Esteem] We all have a right to an opinion and it is important to be able to express yours. In life there are many opportunities to offer an opinion and yours is as valid as any other person's. However, for some this is not an easy thing to do.
- How To Manage Your Time
[Self-Improvement:Time-Management] If you want to better manage your time there are a number of things you can do to help get the most from your day. This article offers tips and ideas to help you get organised, set your priorities, work on your goals and more.
- Be Motivated To Maximise Your Time
[Self-Improvement:Time-Management] So you know what you need to do to manage your time well, you have your plan of action, your calendars, diaries and lists, but are you motivated enough to make the most of your time? This article provides you with ideas to help motivate you into getting the best from your day.
- Are You Managing Your Time Well?
[Self-Improvement:Time-Management] If you feel stretched for time, chances are there are things you want to be doing that you just never seem to find the time to do. You feel so busy that you never get things finished and the idea of time for yourself or starting something new seems like a distant dream. It is important to identify how you currently use your time to enable you to make the most of it.
- How To Resolve Conflict
[Relationships:Conflict] Conflict is inevitable. We are all different and as such will have our own opinions, behaviours, thoughts and feelings. However, when these clash, conflict may arise. If it is badly dealt with, the conflict can get worse and can lead on to broken relationships, violence and even death.
- Tips For Good Communication
[Relationships:Communication] It is said that communication is made up of 7% words, 38% how those words are spoken and 55% non-verbal cues. To communicate well with another person you need to account for 100% -- everything that is going on.
- The Importance of Time Management
[Self-Improvement:Time-Management] Time management is about managing your day affectively so you can achieve all that you want to achieve. It is also about making use of time today, so that you can obtain larger, long term goals whose deadline is sometime in the future.
- Anger Management - 20 Tips and Ideas To Help You Express and Handle Your Anger
[Self-Improvement:Anger-Management] The term 'anger management' is used to acknowledge that anger is an inevitable, natural human emotion. It is not about getting rid of anger, rather it is about dealing with those emotions so you can express yourself more productively. I have written 20 tips and ideas to assist you in managing your anger.
- Anger and its Potential Difficulties
[Self-Improvement:Anger-Management] Anger is a response to a situation or event that is at odds with your beliefs and values. It also occurs when you are prevented in some way from achieving your goals. Anger is a normal, natural emotion that can be positive. However there are differences in how anger is handled and not all of us can control it.
- What is Self-Confidence?
[Self-Improvement:Self-Esteem] Confidence is about believing in yourself, giving you the courage to go for your goals. As such, assertiveness is a valuable component of a self-confident person. To reach your goals you need to be able to go for what you want. Tied in with this is having an optimistic outlook. Self-confidence is also about liking yourself and being able to take personal responsibility.
- Tips For Self-Confidence
[Self-Improvement:Self-Esteem] Self-confidence is about believing in and liking yourself. It is being optimistic, assertive, taking personal responsibility, and being at ease with other people. This article offers ideas for you to consider if you want to increase your confidence.
- How to Increase Your Optimism
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] It is possible to develop optimism since it is a mind state and our thought patterns can be dramatically altered if we work hard enough at it. This article provides you with tips and ideas for increasing optimism in your life.
- Optimism is Good For You
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Optimism is a concept closely related to happiness. It is about not giving up when the going gets tough. Yet when the going is good, having optimism means you expect the good to continue. It is about having hope and always believing things will improve.
- Sleepwalking - A Brief Overview
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] Sleepwalking (or somnambulism) is a term used to describe a variety of activities that a person engages in whilst they are still asleep. The person appears to be awake since they are carrying out the actions of a waking person. The sleepwalker generally has no memory of their behaviour.
- Sleep Apnoea (Apnea) - What It Is, Potential Causes, Problems And Treatment Options
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] Sleep apnoea (or apnea) is where a person stops breathing during sleep. Such people awaken frequently during the night to take a breath of air. This can happen 200 times a night. Snoring is the biggest indication that a person has apnoea.
- Insomnia - What It Is, Possible Causes, Remedies and Treatment Options
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] Insomnia is where you are unable to fall asleep. Or, if you do fall asleep, you wake up many times during the night, or you wake up very early and cannot get back to sleep. Ideally a person should fall asleep within 30 minutes of lying down.
- Stress - Know What It Is And How It Affects You
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] Stress is a response to an event in our life. Emotions, thoughts, people and events in our life can all bring about stress. The things that cause stress are known as stressors. Prolonged or severe stress not dealt with properly can be harmful to us both physically and mentally and can lead to burnout.
- Increase Happiness Through Noble Deeds and Hot Baths
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] "Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression." Dodie Smith. This article considers how carrying out good deeds for others and having a hot bath can be two great ways to improve your happiness and boost a low mood.
- Burnout - Discover Its Symptoms And Prevention
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] Burnout essentially is an extreme form of stress brought on by too much pressure. The person feels they have nothing left to offer the world. Whatever they do has no meaning. They are emotionally and physically drained and believe they can do nothing about it.
- The Meaning of Dreams
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] Some people believe dreams act as prophesies, whilst others believe they are trying to tell us something about our lives. Dreams have been said to reveal aspects of our past (often long forgotten) as well as matter lurking in our unconscious mind. In Ancient Greece, priests would analyse people's dreams then provide them with remedies and advice.
- Using Your Own Dreams
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] This article discusses ways you can make better use of your dreams. It includes tips for recording and remembering your dreams. It also offers ideas for making use of your dreams for better understanding of yourself.
- Introducing Dreams - An Owner's Guide
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] What are dreams? When do we dream? Who dreams? How important are dreams? These are just some of the questions considered in this introductory article on dreams.
- Dreams and Your Mood
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] Dreams play a major role in our life and it is therefore not surprising that dreams can affect mood. Fortunately, dreaming can actually improve your mood. Also, the mood you are in when you go to sleep can affect the dreams you have.
- The Type A Personality - What it is, Associated Risks and Helpful Tips
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] The term 'Type A Personality' is a commonly used term these days, but exactly what is it? Essentially it is a particular set of traits or characteristics held by a person that lead to certain behaviours. Such behaviours may have particular consequences for the individual. Type A traits can essentially be divided into impatience, aggression and competitiveness.
- The Benefits of Exercise
[Health-and-Fitness:Exercise] Everybody knows they should exercise regularly for good health and well-being. This article outlines some of the physical benefits of exercise as well as how it can benefit us psychologically. Hints and tips are given to help you get started and make exercise a part of your everyday life.
- Relaxation and Stress Relief -- Tips and Ideas to Help You Unwind
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] Relaxation is the opposite of stress. It helps reduce tension levels and reverse the symptoms associated with stress. We are also better able to cope with future stressful situations. It is well worth finding time each day to relax. This article provides you with suggestions to help you relax and relieve your stress.
- Locus of Control and its Role in Your Happiness
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Locus of control refers to your perceived source of control within your own life. It is a concept developed by a guy called Rotter. Rotter devised a scale to measure the extent people feel their lives are within their control. The scale is measured along a line from high external to high internal. High external refers to those people who see their life as being in the hands of other people and as such can do little to control things. High internal people in contrast see themselves as being in control of their lives.
- What is Online Counselling?
[Health-and-Fitness:Mental-Health] Online counselling is counselling provided to people over the internet. Both counsellor and client must have access to a computer with an internet connection. It can come in various forms but typically online counselling is provided via email, through text messages, voice and video links as well as chat rooms and message boards.
- Curiosity - What it is, Why it Matters and How to Develop it
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Curiosity is about having an interest in the world. Curious people do not sit back and accept the world and everything in it. As such they will not assume that what they are told is true. Being curious allows a person to be open to experience and not see the world in black and white. It involves a desire to learn more.
- Tips to Embrace Your Personality
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Personality consists of our thoughts, feelings, emotions, attitudes and behaviours. Our personality may be reflected in the goals we set ourselves. It is who we are. What follows are tips and suggestions to help you embrace and accept your personality and hopefully make you feel happier in the process. I also consider the idea of changing your personality and end by a consideration of how well you know and accept yourself.
- Introducing Extroverts and Introverts and the Strengths of Each
[Reference-and-Education:Psychology] Extroversion and introversion are very popular terms and are widely used in personality tests. People often regard themselves as being either an extrovert or an introvert. This article outlines what each type is and highlights the strengths of both.
- Vacation Time - Take It - You Need It (And Your Company Will Survive Without You)
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] "Vacation is time off to remind employees that the business can get along without them."Earl Wilson. The implications behind this quote are discussed as well as the importance of taking a vacation to relieve stress and enhance well-being.
- Flow Experience - A Key To Happiness
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Flow experience is a concept defined by Csikszentmihalyi to describe those moments when you are completely and totally absorbed in an activity. As such, everything else is forgotten. You have total concentration and nothing else matters. You are no longer aware of what is going on around you. The rest of the world is forgotten.
- Procrastination - Why We Do It, How To Get Past It
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] "Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." William James. This article provides some reflections on this quote and introduces the theme of procrastination - what it is, why we do it, and tips to help overcome it.
- Increase Happiness Through Your Own Abilities
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] "Anything you're good at contributes to happiness." Bertrand Russell. This article provides some of my thoughts and reflections on Russell’s quote and offers you tips to use in your own life. The theme of this article is about enhancing happiness through using your skills and talents.
- Enhance Your Awareness of the World
[Self-Improvement] "People only see what they are prepared to see." Ralph Waldo Emerson. In this article I provide some reflections on Emerson’s quote and offer a number of tips you can use in your own life. The overall theme is about our individual awareness and perception of the world.
- Sleep Tips
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] If you are having difficulties getting to sleep at night, there are a number of things you can do to help you get a good night’s sleep. There are also things you should avoid to enhance your chances of getting a great sleep.
- A Case of Sleep Deprivation
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] We all have times of sleep interruption and I decided that when it next happened to me I would write down how I felt to fully appreciate the importance of sleep. This is what I found.
- The Importance of Sleep
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] When you have a packed schedule, what are you most likely to do without? Is it sleep? It's so easy to go to bed an hour later or get up an hour earlier, to get things done. The pressure of life puts sleep at the bottom of your 'to do' list.
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