We often spend a lot of time at work and a lot of time trying to pursue a healthy work-life balance. However, sometimes it can seem like an unmanageable goal. Being always on call, always accessible, being tied to the phone or emails 24/7, does not help you achieve tasks quicker, it can actually slow down productivity. Pursuing a healthy balance between work and your personal or family life is essential for good mental and

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Did you know your romantic relationships can affect your sleep? One of the most common emotions that can affect your sleep patterns is anxiety from either your current or past relationship. A previous bad relationship can leave you with stress even though you may have ‘moved on’. Even after you and a partner have decided to part ways, you may still be dealing with pent-up feelings from the relationship. Because we are physically most vulnerable when we

An article written by Megan Blandford which I consulted on.Megan writes – One of my children was bullied quite intensely last year.In the end, it was hard to get her to school each day because she was so worried about what might happen. And sadly, the summer holidays didn’t mark a magical end to those concerns: she’s now really nervous about how this coming year will go. She’s a bundle of mixed emotions: wary and anxious that

Many children can be afraid when they face returning or starting school. It is very normal, especially for younger children, to have a degree of fear of leaving mum and going to school, especially preschool. Is fear similar to separation anxiety?Separation anxiety reflects a child wanting or needing to hold on to what they feel is safe and known. A parent is their security and some children can feel vulnerable and fearful of the unknown

Watch Dr Karen speaking on TODAY about Sibling Rivalry.Brothers and sisters fight. Parent-reported and observational studies put the number of conflicts among young siblings (7 and under) at three to seven an hour.Siblings offer early, on-the-job training in how to work and live with other people. They also provide a crash course in how to manage intense emotions: envy, hatred, anger. In children of all ages, but especially younger children, the urge to compete for

Volunteering when we are older gives us a sense of purpose, it makes us happy. Often, when older, we live away from our family, they have busy lives and we can feel isolated or alone. Volunteering can make us feel worthwhile, needed and this nurturing feeling makes us feel younger, more vibrant, happy and energetic. We know kindness can release our feel-good hormones in our brain, so it’s like a happy pill.Volunteering is a contagion.

Family life is changing. Childhood used to be playing with friends, in and out of neighbours’ homes, eating on the run and not seeing parents till late evening, after the sun went down. Kids were busy, chores were naturally done with foregone conclusion to help out at home. Most kids had several siblings, grandparents up the road, lots of surrogate aunts and uncles around the neighbourhood. Mum was usually at home after school to ask

Fear of flying is relatively common and an issue that can often be dissolved quickly. Many people avoid flying due to their fear, or flying phobia, as it has been so long since they have flown that the plane has grown into a monster in their mind. You imagine it as more frightening than it is. These fears we know are often illogical, yet we continue to have them.The fear of flying is rooted in

For young children, one of the lessons parents are trying to teach them is that they own their body. Then the relatives arrive. We do our best to teach them they are in charge of their own body, what is appropriate and inappropriate touch and when to vocalise when they feel uncomfortable with touch. Then Christmas arrives. There are Santa photos, relatives they may not have seen for the past year and lots of hugs, kisses

Death is a devastating part of human experience. Talking to your children about the death of a loved one is challenging. How do we tell them, what should we say are all questions most of us struggle with? There are certain guidelines that if we follow it will help not only our children to process and cope with the news, but can also help parents manage their emotions as well. Loss can come from many

While numbers of divorce are high, the divorce rate for over 50 continues to increase. Divorce later in life is different than in your 20’s, 30’s or 40’s. You have known this person for over half of your life, have set up home, assets, family, maybe even set up a business to Divorce after 50. You have a considerable history together and most all friends are yours together. Memories and experiences have been shared with