Happy & Healthy U: The Monthly Message

This article is the first of two in the Achieving Work - Life Balance series. As noted in the title, the initial focus will address ways to enhance our personal lives outside of work.  The second article, next month, will address ways to achieve more balance on the work end of our lives. Work - Life Balance refers to our ability to curtail the amount of work we do and address our other needs in ways that create balance and well being. Specifically, making time for ourselves and our relationships.  By employing work - life balance, we are able to effectively reduce and manage our stress.  This works for us both physically and emotionally.  It also helps us get restore and recharge, so that we can function more efficiently in our work lives. This helps us prevent burn out. By reducing stress and experiencing balance in our lives, we are more likely to experience greater happiness and life satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to take time out by engaging in down...

How to Enjoy the Summer and Be Mentally Well  It’s summertime.  This is the season to relax, slow down, take breaks and get-away on vacations.  It is an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the outdoors and longer days.  The increased sunlight contributes to our feeling energized and experiencing a positive mood. So, embrace feeling good and capitalize on the benefits of this season by adopting the following attitudes that the field of Positive Psychology has shown are effective in fostering happiness and contentment: Have fun; Get creative; Be playful Try some new activity; Do something that you have thought about for some time Embrace humor; Find something to laugh about Be mindful : Notice your surroundings; Focus on the present; Enjoy the moment Be optimistic: Practice focusing on the possibilities vs. limitations, the positives vs. negatives Connect with others in positive and supportive social interactions ...

Nurturing Your Inner Child : Re-Parenting Yourself in a Healthy Way Childhood is the period of our lives when we have the opportunity be be carefree; to explore who we are; to be creative; to play; and to develop who we wish to become.  These experiences are most likely to occur when children are provided the healthy parenting, characterized by unconditional love, stability, positive reinforcement, encouragement, support and guidance.  This is in addition to providing for the child's basic needs for food, shelter and clothing, as well as safety and protection.  Healthy parenting is likely to result in a child, who feels secure; is able to trust; has a healthy sense of self-love; feels worthwhile; is self-confident; has a healthy, balanced sense of identity; and is able to connect and interact with others in a healthy manner.  When we have not experienced a sufficient degree of healthy parenting, there are unfulfilled needs and wounds that we are likely to carry ...

How to Triumph Over Tragedies, Negative Events and Mistakes Introduction When we experience a negative occurrence, in order to overcome it and move on, it is important that we aim to heal from it; learn from it; and grow from it. Accomplishing these tasks enable us to face the unknown future with more optimism and self-confidence. Heal from the trauma of the event Understandably, we wish that certain negative events had never happened.   Recognizing and acknowledging the painful impact of a negative incident is important to our regaining a sense of control over our lives, working through the painful experience, and getting to a good place.   It is important that we validate our distressing feelings that we experience in connection with the setback or painful event in order to face and resolve them.   We can eventually feel better; regain our sense of personal empowerment around our decisions and lives; and rebuild trust in ourselves, others and the w...

THE A.R.T. OF LOVE A major theme during the month of February is love. In particular, Valentine’s Day promotes the overt expression of love and affection for our special someone. Beyond this celebratory day, it is more important to experience and display healthy love on a consistent and ongoing basis. Healthy love entails certain elements, among which are the following: Affection, Respect and Trust, thereby creating the acronym, A.R.T.   These are essential features of love, without which, there is an unhealthy state and unhealthy relationship.   Let’s examine the importance of each of these qualities to giving and receiving love in a healthy manner.   Affection:   Terms associated with the official definition of the word, “affection” consist of love, liking, fondness, attraction, tenderness and warmth.   These definitions denote favorable emotions and positive feelings toward the person we love.   When we possess such feelings toward another, ...