Category: Emotions
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Being really happy
It’s been a while since I’ve posted and now that I am going back to work after the privilege of having my second child in 2 years, I thought there was nothing more appropriate than starting where I left off and linking to this article. None of us are happy all the time, of course,…
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Things that make us happy
Sonja Lyubomirsky from the University of California has done some interesting research comparing people who describe themselves as happy or unhappy. She found that 40 per cent of our happiness is within our power to change! Lyubomirsky identified 12 scientifically robust ways in which we act and think that naturally enhance happiness. 1) Express gratitude. 2) Cultivate optimism: Lyubomirsky suggests imagining…
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How can I be happier?
When we think forward or look back, we often reflect on how happiness fits into our lives. The pursuit of happiness is one of the most common goals of new psychotherapy clients. “I just want to be happy” is a well-heard phrase. So how can we be happier? What does the research say? Hannah Booth, of the…
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Is therapy worth it?
One of the most frequently asked questions about therapy is whether it is worth the expense? Certainly beginning a course of therapy is a financial commitment and of course we want to know if it is likely to ‘pay off’. A study by Chris Boyce at the University of Warwick, England reported by the Bet Israel…
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How can I promote emotional well-being?
There are lots of ways in which we can encourage our sense of wellness. The following is a list, based on an article by The Mental Health Foundation. which summarises some excellent ideas for boosting our emotional well-being and getting the most out of life. 1) “It’s good to talk” It is important to…
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Reflections on Surviving Swine Flu
A few weeks ago I found out that it was 80% likely I had caught swine flu. Interestingly, despite all I had heard, it wasn’t all that bad: a headache, sore joints and muscles and of course the well-publicised high temperature. In fact, it was so much less dramatic than I had anticipated, I…
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Tips for a stress-free chag
The chagim can be a wonderful break from routine; an opportunity to spend time with family, eat good food, take a look back at the year gone past and look forward to the year to come. Of course, it is not always and for everyone the celebratory experience we would hope for. Dr Darnel, a Psychiatrist…
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Happiness – can we map the genes?
New research from Tel Aviv University by Yoram Barak claims that we may one day be able to find the genetic component of happiness, which may be up to 50% responsible for an optimistic outlook. The researchers are excited that we may potentially be able to manipulate systems and increase levels of happiness. Clearly, such…
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Can you tell how I feel just by looking at me?
It has been widely researched and assumed since the work of American Psychologist Paul Ekman in the 1970’s, that human facial expressions are universal. That is, no matter where you grow up and who you encounter, you will always be able to recognise the six basic human emotions of happiness, sadness, fear, surprise, anger and disgust on…
Dr. Lisa Law, ClinPsyD 