Saturday, 01 August 2009 15:03

Help! I am Burning out!

Article as it appeared in the Vrouekeur magazine. By Tanya de Venter (Translated into English)

Are you working more but feel as if you are getting less done?

Are you becoming more critical of your own, or other people's inabilities?
Have you lost your sense of humour?

If this sounds like you, you could be burning out. Take the Burnout Test to assess your risk, and read what you can do to help yourself.

Published in Magazines
Monday, 27 February 2012 00:00

Understanding Mental Disorders

There are probably as many misconceptions, myths and stereotypes about mental disorders as there are mental disorders. Popular fiction and film often perpetuate these misconceptions, reinforcing the belief that those suffering from a mental disorder are 'crazy' and should be institutionalised.  Gaining a deeper understanding of mental disorders and their causes can help us deal more effectively with affected loved ones or colleagues.

Published in My Articles
Monday, 07 November 2011 00:00

The Challenge of Change

We can always rely on change – good and bad - to happen to us throughout our lives. And while we cannot always control the changes in our lives, we can decide how we are going to react to those changes. But, what skills can we learn to help us embrace change, so that we emerge as victors and not victims?

Published in My Articles
Wednesday, 11 April 2012 00:00

The Life Change Model

The adage, “You’ll worry yourself sick,” is not just an old wives’ tale. Prolonged stress can have an impact on our health. But it’s not only negative pressures that cause stress. Change – even positive change – can affect our wellbeing. How can we identify which events in our lives have the biggest impact, and how at risk are we of falling ill because of them? 

Published in My Articles
Monday, 31 January 2011 00:00

Attention on Assertiveness

Understanding that you have the right to ask for what you want is the key to becoming a more assertive person. Assertiveness helps you feel better about yourself and your self-control in everyday situations, and increases your chances of having honest relationships. But, how can we be assertive without being selfish – and what is the difference between the two?

Published in My Articles
Sunday, 04 September 2011 00:00

Invest In Yourself

We often feel we have to be everything to everybody – putting our own needs and wants at the bottom of our list of priorities. Yet the psychological, physical and emotional benefits of finding time for ourselves are numerous and well documented. So how can we lose these feelings of unnecessary guilt we experience when we spend time 'just for us'?

Published in My Articles
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 00:00

The Art of Conversation

At social events where we may not know many people, it is easy to feel out of our depth. We may struggle to start a conversation with strangers, and end up feeling uncomfortable instead of confident. How can we change this scenario? What skills can we learn to ensure we enjoy ourselves - and leave a good impression on others?

Published in My Articles
Sunday, 08 August 2010 00:00

Spurn The Burn

Burnout is characterised by physical and emotional exhaustion - usually as a result of too much work. Many people experience burnout without even realising it, and only know something’s wrong when their symptoms become severe enough to significantly interfere with their work and family life. How at risk of burnout are you, and what can you do to help yourself?

Published in My Articles
Friday, 10 September 2010 00:00

Stressed To Kill

Research shows we perform more productively at optimal levels of stress. Unfortunately, these days many of us of see this as permission to take on too much and work too hard. This can push our stress levels too high and damage our health. But, how much stress is too much? And what can you do to manage your stress effectively?

In the 21st century, being stressed is regarded as a status symbol - if we are not stressed then something is wrong!

We seem to have lost the plot - it's not OK to be stressed! Excess stress is detrimental to our well-being and causes decreased productivity. Both individuals and organisations suffer.

Published in My Articles
Tuesday, 03 May 2011 00:00

Insomnia

While many people take falling asleep every night for granted, many others suffer from insomnia. This can be temporary - brought on by travel; or change in a job or relationship. Sometimes, however, it is a chronic condition which can have medical or psychological causes. How can we tell the difference between the two, and what treatment options are available?

Published in My Articles
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