ARTIST

Even though Yoga has been widely practiced in the Western World as a form of exercise, its roots actually say a different story. What is Yoga? Yoga is an Indian practice originating around 5000 years ago according to ancient references. ( Explore The Ancient Roots of Yoga ).  What is Yoga's Purpose? Yoga is closely linked to Hinduism philosophy where it aims for spiritual freedom while worshiping God. ( Yoga Philosophy )  Is Yoga Divided Into Different Forms? Yoga is separated into different stages and has drastically evolved through all these years ( Yoga Philosophy ).  If Yoga is an Indian Practice, How Come it is So Popular in the Western World? The Western World first came in touch with Yoga when Indian Monks migrated to the United States and taught people Yoga ( Explore The Ancient Roots of Yoga ). Is The Yoga We Practice Today the Same as in The Past? Today, yoga is practiced differently. It has been adopted to various ages and levers, therefore it is accessible to ...

She listened to this woman speak.  Her tone was getting on her nerves.  She sounded arrogant and you could hear the irony in her voice.  It sounded as if everything she said to this woman was wrong. It sounded as if this woman was trying to belittle her even in the simplest things. With each phone call, this woman's tone became even more disturbing. She resisted the urge to reply back in a similar tone and she was proud that she controlled her emotions and thoughts.  Everything shifted however once they met in person.  A sweet woman was standing beside her. She couldn't believe her eyes. - Is this the person that annoys me during phone calls and belittles me? - she thought. She moved close to initiate the conversation and when this woman spoke to her, with a smile on her face, the disturbing tone returned.  It was quiet enlightening to realize that the way we carry our voices, the tone we use as well as the way we phrase our sentences play a vital role in t...

Early January, the best time to Reflect, Reset and Restart.  Reflect on the previous year Reset and set new goals Restart and work towards your new goals. Why Do We Set New Year Resolutions Though?  According to Barton Goldsmith's article in Psychology Today entitled The Power of New Year's Resolutions ,  that the process of setting goals aiming to personal growth and change, positively affect our lives. The opportunity provided with the beginning of a New Year, inspires and motivates individuals to try for a more fulfilled life. According to Dimitrios Tsatiri's article in Psychology Today entitled " How To Stick To Your New Year's Resolution" , approximately 30% of adults living in the United States, set at least one new year's resolution. Do These Resolutions Work? According to Sebastian Salicru's article in Psychology Today entitled The Hidden Forces Behind New Year's Resolutions , new year's resolutions only succeed at about 8% percent. Acc...

For so many years we wish upon a star for things to happen... Rarely however we take any action. Therefore, 2025 was a year of Beginnings: January - Beginning of New Ideas  February - Beginning of New Adventures March -  Beginning of Artistic Preparation April -  Beginning of Surprises May -  Beginning of Reconciliation  June -  Beginning of Artistic Realisation July -  Beginning of a New Journey August - Beginning of Planning and Joy September -  Beginning of Exploration October -  Beginning of Many Horizons November -  Beginning of Courage & Risk December -  Beginning of Decor & Flowers 2025 - [The Beggining] 2026 - [......Typing.....] Happy New Year! 2025

  Ever caught yourself comparing your work, life, relationships, outfits etc. to others? How did that make you feel? Was that a pleasant feeling for you? According to Psychology's Today article " Social Comparison Theory " almost 10% of our thoughts consist mainly of comparisons.  The article suggests that comparing ourselves to others can have both a positive and a negative outcome, depending on your approach.  On the one hand comparisons can motivate us to become and do better since we evaluate our worth  compared to others. On the other hand it can make us feel competitive, judgmental and envious. The same article mentions that social media can also make us feel that our lives are not as exciting as others, or even fear that we are missing out on life. Hanna Rose in her article in Psychology Today entitled " Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Everybody Else " argues that  everything you compare yourself to has struggles and pain that you do not know ab...

Stress at work seems to impact more of us, as the expectations, demands and the speed things move, not match up with our capacity.  Is this however, only the employees fault, or do organisations play a key role in this? According to Ludmila N. Praslova's article on Psychology Today entitled "Research Is In: Work Stress Is Not "Just In Your Head"   employees' mental health is impacted 69 percent more by their managers than their doctors for example. This shows how significantly important it is for organisations to realize that employees' mental health will benefit both them as well as their organisation since they will be more productive. Praslova goes on to state that organisations need to provide employees with a secure and safe environment to work in as well as a sense of belonging, flexibility, more authority in the decision making process as well as a learning curve to want to improve constantly. In addition, employees' workload should be reviewed and...

When everything feels too much at work and the deadlines seem endless, how do you deal with the workload and the burnout you might feel? As mentioned in the blog "Is Work Stress Good For You?" , taking microbreaks can benefit mental health and consequently, one's productivity. However, according to Joyce Marter's article on Psychology Today entitled " 8 Ways to Deal with Overwork and Burnout at Work ", there are 8 other steps you can take to take care of your mental health at work such as: 1. Take the decision to prioritize work-life balance and set boundaries when necessary. 2. Take care of yourself i.e. sleep well, exercise, treat yourself 3. Unapologetically take breaks, ask for vacation time and use up your Annual Leave to rest and recharge. 3. Connect with people i.e. close friends, family etc.  4. Organize your workload, write down your pending, answer e-mails and devote time to the projects that are most urgent 5. Seek hobbies and other activities ...

Getting home after a busy day at work was an achievement. You change your clothes for your nightly walk, put your headphones on and start walking fast, trying to unwind your busy day at work and especially the stress you are feeling. According yo Allison E. McWilliam's article on Psychology Today entitled "The Toll of Rising Work Stress" , after the pandemic, work stress has increased dramatically. The part that is far from the norm however, is the fact that employees in all spectrums of market are experiencing work stress. Something that was often seen in the past, in first line workers such as nurses, firefighter, police officers etc. According to Ludmila N. Praslova's article on Psychology Today entitled "Research Is In: Work Stress Is Not "Just In Your Head" , work environment can affect our mental health and we need to be mindful of that. She mentions that the affect managers have on employees' mental state is quite significant. According to t...

Have you ever tried saying no to things that you did not want to do? If you haven't, why so? According to Psychology Today's article entitled The Power of Saying No , the reason why we say yes to things we do not want to, is because we want to feel accepted by the group or the circle we are involved in.  According to the same article, saying no can build boundaries with other people, strengthen your self-esteem and confidence in the benefit of a stable mental health. According to Ahona Guha D.Psych article in Psychology Today entitled How (and Why) to say No , some questions you can ask in order to understand whether you want to say yes or no to a proposal are the below: Do you want to do this activity/favour etc? Do you have the energy and time to do this activity/favour etc? Will this activity/favour add value to your everyday life and does it align with your belief system? Why are you scared of saying no? Karen Stollznow Ph.D. in her article in Psychology Today entitled ...

How do employees describe a toxic workplace? According to Lauren Florko's article in Psychology Today entitled " Toxic Workplaces: A Survival Guide ", employees describe a workplace environment as toxic when they feel disrespected, the culture is not inclusive, there is abuse, unethical practices and unhealthy competition.    What are the signs of a toxic work environment? According to Kristen Fuller's article in Psychology Today entitled " How to Recognize a Toxic Work Environment and Get Out Alive ", the 12 signs that determine you are in a toxic work environment are: The management team belittles you There is no correlation between management and company values Employees are unprofessional The managements team might be bullying the employees There is not work-life balance There are no career opportunities for elevation Your health is declining Work affects your personal life There is a culture of constantly complaining within the company No transparency o...

  What is Psychotherapy? According to Psychology Today's article " What is Therapy ", Psychotherapy is therapy aimed at mental health. The trained professionals that mainly offer psychotherapy are psychologists and psychiatrists, while at times there are other professions involved, such as social workers, councellors etc. The structure followed during the therapeutically process, is that of scheduled sessions/meetings in which the therapist along with the patient work through several aspects of the patients life, with the only aim to improve them.   Should one go into therapy? According to Psychology Today's article " The Decision to Begin Therapy " everyone can benefit from therapy, even if they are not diagnosed with any illness. Even in instances where one feels anxious, has negative emotions, struggling with different relationships etc. they can benefit from therapy as it will structure the emotions, thoughts and events that are bothering them. If one de...

  Once a patient is diagnosed with cancer, his/her loved ones will try their best to support them. How can the patient though cope with all the emotions, feelings, thoughts and mental status? According to Cancer Research UK , patients can try to manage their mental health by: One day at a time. Set your own pace but keep going Try to exercise, however listen to your body and give it the rest it needs. Try to eat healthy and keep a balanced diet whenever your body is able to accommodate it. Eliminate the use of alcohol and other harmful substances Relax as much as you can through meditation, massages etc Stay connected to your friends Talk about your feelings and worries. True friends will stick around. Join a cancer support group to share your experience with. Other people will connect with you too. Journal Draw and express yourself and emotions Read about your feelings and try to understand them. Sit with them. Sleep well and try to maintain a sleep routine. Even thought the whole...

  If a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, which is the best way to support them? According to Jon Patrick Hatcher's article on Psychology Today entitled " 10 Ways to Support a Cancer Patient" , some ways your support will be appreciated by the patient are: Listen patiently and with empathy Give advice only when asked for it Support their decision for their treatment and learn about the process. Sit with them Be present Keep being a friend Help the patient keep their routine (whenever possible) Don't disappear. Keep in touch. Offer financial assistance if you can. 2024

When one is diagnosed with Cancer, a turbulence of emotions, feelings and thoughts conquer their mind.  According to Jessica M. Jones' article on Psychology today entitled " The Impact of Cancer on Mental Health ", a cancer diagnosis mostly focuses on the physical aspects of the patient, however the mental aspects are as important.  According to the article, 20-25% of patients diagnosed with cancer along with 13-58% of personnel taking care of the patients and relatives, suffer from mental health issues such as depression, with a high risk of suicide. Cancer Research UK through their website also mention that a cancer diagnosis can make the patient feel: Shock Denial Fear Anxiety Panic Guilt  Blame Anger Sadness Depression The questions that arise then are: How does a patient manage all these emotions? Read the blog here. How does one support their loved one when diagnosed with cancer? Read the blog here . 2024

In order to be able to understand what the five personality traits are, we firstly need to understand what Personality is.  According to Psychology Today article " What is Personality? ", personality is a person ways of thinking and acting, patterns and feelings all influenced by the person's environment and experiences. One's personality can change when one grows up, however its fundamental characteristics remain the same. By understanding what personality is, we can now proceed in understanding what are the Five-Big Personality Traits.  According to the same article (" What is Personality? ") Psychologists separate the personality traits in five. These types are: Openness to Experience Conscientiousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism The characteristics of each personality trait as described in the article " Big 5 Personality Traits " are as follows: Openness to Experience  Imagination, Creativity. Curiosity and Intellectual Conscientious...

1. What is something you are proud you accomplished this year?                     Speaking up! 2. What have you overcome this year?                    Toxic environments. 3. What was an unexpected joy this year?                    Finding peace in the most unexpected places! 4. What did you learn about yourself this year?                    When one door closes, a window opens! 2024: Love: In all its shapes and forms 2023

According to Siu-Lan Tan's article in Psychology Today entitled "How Film Music Shapes the Storyline" , studies show that music can actually affect the way viewers perceive the movie's characters.  Music can suggest the atmosphere of the scene, the characters motives in interactions and relationships which help in the storyline. Sally Augustine in her article in Psychology Today "Movie Music Matters"   supports that music is a useful medium in movies as well as in the theater. It helps the viewer distinguish the character's thoughts helping them feel part of the story.  When it comes to Horror Movies,  Mathias Classen in his article "Why Sound is So Important in Horror Movies"  supports that music makes horror movies interesting since when music is absent, the storyline is boring. In addition, music can create the relevant effect to make the viewer "jump from fright", while screams in the background can make the viewers experience ev...

What are some everyday factors that contribute to anxiety? Irregular meal times Overconsumption of alcohol and caffeine Irregular bedtimes No support network Social isolation Inactivity Disconnect from local society/community What are some everyday factors that reduce anxiety? Weekly / Daily routine Reasonable consumption of alcohol and caffeine Regular times for meals and bedtime Schedule your day/activities Stay connected with friends and support network Leisure time What are some practical ways to reduce anxiety? Research what Anxiety is Deep breathing Observe Find resolutions  Accept it and move on Distract yourself by: Listening to music Reading a book Go for a walk or run Connect with a friend Start a new project Spend time in nature  Gardening Take a nap Clean your house Draw Journal Start a sport or workout class ( source ) Connect with a person you value their opinion of you, that might be a friend, a relative, a parent etc. and ask them to reassure you that everythin...

  At what age does anxiety start affecting people? Anxiety can show up in children as well as in adults, with the average age being 21 years old.  Separation anxiety, phobias and social anxiety disorder usually begin before the age of 15 whereas general anxiety disorders usually develop between the ages 21 to 35 years old ( source ). Is anxiety linked to depression? Anxiety and depression share the same symptoms as well as brain pathways. Hence the reason why often anxiety is accompanied by depression ( source ).  Are there any personality types more susceptible to experiencing anxiety? From the Big Five Personality traits (Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) the personality trait is more likely to be linked to anxiety if the trait of neuroticism. This personality trait is more likely to experience negative emotions hence lead to depression and anxiety. In addition, this personality trait is closely linked to perfectionism ...

What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a state of negative expectation and anticipation. It can affect an individual both mentally and physically and it is characterized in the following ways: Mentally - Distressing worry Physically - Activation of body systems responding to unknown danger. The feeling of anxiety can be natural and many times productive since it makes sure the person experiencing it can protect him/herself from different situations.  Anxiety however, "can be considered the price we humans pay for having the ability to imagine the future" ( source ) What are the causes of Anxiety? The ability to imagine the future as well as the uncertainty of the unknown.  Different events, thoughts, or imagined threats can cause one to experience anxiety ( source ). In addition, biological factors as well as childhood experiences and parenting styles (childhood trauma, overprotecting etc.) can also contribute to anxiety ( source ).  What are some symptoms of Anxiety? Anxiety c...