Healthy Mind features
Stress - a 21st century disease?
In the latest Healthy Mind Show, behaviour and stress expert Judi James joins presenter Glen Tomsett for an in-depth look at stress. Judi explains what causes stress, how to recognise the symptoms, and the importance of perception and control in managing stress in our lives.
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Our Healthy Mind experts offer some practical suggestions for coping with stress
- Instead of the daily rant to your loved ones the minute you walk through the door, try offloading your problems in a different way. Go for a short walk when you leave the office, or take a 10-minute chill-out on your own when you get home to give you time to unwind mentally.
- Allow yourself short periods throughout the day to daydream. It will recharge you and help keep stress levels down. If you feel uncomfortable doing this at work, get up and look out of the window for a few minutes - or sit at your desk and adopt the thinking pose!
- Avoid the temptation to become a 'stress martyr' and take on too much at a time. If you're under a great deal of pressure in one area of your life, try to ease off in another area to compensate.
- Take an overview of your life from time to time to help get things into perspective. Look at what's really important to you and remind yourself of all the good things in your life, rather than allowing the negative aspects to dominate your thoughts.
Other Healthy Mind features
Young people take centre stage for International Youth Day
Encourage your children to get involved in International Youth Day by organising a concert, an exhibition, a public debate or joining an organised event aimed at celebrating the contribution young people make to the world.
Preparing older teens (and their parents!) for the 'big break'
Whether they're heading off to university or moving out for work or other reasons, older teens will benefit from practical advice on living independently, says behaviour analyst Judi James. Judi also offers tips for parents dealing with empty nest syndrome
Harnessing the motivational effects of music...
While we all enjoy listening to music, we often underestimate the profoundly beneficial motivational effects it can have on us, says behaviour expert Judi James. Judi looks at how music can help promote wellbeing - from stress-busting to powering us up!
Work off stress to the sound of music!
Research suggests that our mental performance is at its peak with a moderate level of stress. But how can we reduce our stress level when we have little time to unwind? Try a lunchtime workout to the sound of music, advises fitness coach Lucy Wyndham Read.
How to survive (or escape!) World Cup fever
GP Alasdair R Wright and behaviour analyst Judi James offer advice to football fans bracing themselves for a month of emotional turmoil as the World Cup gets underway. And if international football leaves you cold, we suggest some escape routes
Helping your kids develop social skills
If you're stuck for ideas at half term, why not spend some time helping your kids develop their social skills? It could have important benefits for their confidence and emotional well-being, says behaviour analyst Judi James.
Keeping it real with social networking sites
Social networking websites have opened up a whole new world of social communication, allowing us to form an almost unlimited number of 'virtual' friendships. But these are no substitute for real friends, argues behaviour analyst Judi James
Tuning into the real spirit of Christmas
With all the in-store promotions and advertising everywhere we look, it\'s easy to see Christmas as a time of overspending and overindulgence. In doing so, we can overlook the real benefits of the season, says behaviour expert Judi James.
Tackling stress through positive changes
Taking time out to face up to the stress in our lives and examine potential lifestyle and attitude changes could pay significant dividends in terms of our future well-being, says behaviour expert Judi James.
'Me time': the golden rules of de-stressing
We live in a stressful world, and family, work and a host of other responsibilities can leave us little time for the fun things in life. So how can we recover some precious time for ourselves? Behaviour expert Judi James offers some valuable tips
Healthy themes for special summer days
You don't have to jet off to an exotic location to feel the physical and psychological benefits of a summer break. Planning themed meals and special days out can be just as invigorating, says behaviour expert Judi James.
Message to couch potatoes: yes, you can!
‘Be Active, Be Healthy’ is the government's new strategy to get the nation’s couch potatoes off their sofas. We look at some of the key measures, and get tips on how to motivate ourselves to be more active from behaviour expert Judi James...
Valentine's Day: a celebration of all love, actually!
Having positive and confident body language can be a powerful ally in helping us attain our goals, says behaviour analyst Judi James. But how do we adapt the (often subconscious) non-verbal signals we send to ourselves and others?
Body language for goal confidence!
Having positive and confident body language can be a powerful ally in helping us attain our goals, says behaviour analyst Judi James. But how do we adapt the (often subconscious) non-verbal signals we send to ourselves and others?
All I want for Christmas is... family fun and games!
Has your family Christmas become an endless round of cooking and eating interspersed with hours slumped in front of the TV? Then bring back the fun with some cheap and cheerful traditional games, suggests behaviour analyst Judi James.
Recipe for a happy family: sit down and eat together!
Has there ever been a time in your life when the weight you were carrying upon your shoulders became so heavy and burdensome, that you knew you needed to find a way to lighten it, to share it, to find another way to carry it?
Choosing a Counsellor or Therapist
Has there ever been a time in your life when the weight you were carrying upon your shoulders became so heavy and burdensome, that you knew you needed to find a way to lighten it, to share it, to find another way to carry it?
Feeling overwhelmed? Try changing your thinking...
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them,” said Einstein. But can changing the way we think make it easier for us to cope with our problems? The answer for many is yes – with the help of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
The power of friendship
Find out why friendships are so good for the soul, and read tips on how to foster and maintain them.
Boost your memory power NOW!
Find out about memory loss, and proactive measures you can take to prevent it.
Putting food into perspective: how to control your eating
Azmina discusses the how to lose weight and adopt eating habits that will help you stay at your target weight.
Beating the winter blues - don't let the dark days get you down!
Behavioural and motivational consultant Nina Puddefoot looks at ways to beat the winter blues.
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