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Happiness and Joy

24/05/2022 • Uncategorized • by Rena

As a Kinesiologist a large part of my work with clients includes looking at the emotional aspects of the issue at hand.

Often the word to describe the emotion is very specific. Last week I was working with a lady who needed more “joy” in her life. I had been testing “happiness”, which we had considered as the same, but “joy” definitely tested as the correct word.

There are subtle differences between the two feelings.

Happiness and joy are closely related and frequently occur simultaneously. They both bring feelings of contentment, pleasure and satisfaction, but the reasons for these feelings are where differences lie.

Happiness is an outward expression of bliss and elation and comes from material things and earthly experiences, for example good food or company. Whereas joy is a more inward experience of peace and contentment, from spiritual experiences like feeling connected to a god or people. Joy requires an ongoing process of living a moral, more selfless lifestyle, caring for others and expressing gratitude on a regular basis.

Because happiness is based on outward circumstances, it is often more fleeting. Whereas joyfulness takes longer to cultivate, it is a stronger, longer term state less influenced by life’s ups and downs.

It’s worth your time, effort and energy to cultivate more happiness and joy in your life. There are health benefits, including; stronger immune systems, lower heart rate and blood pressure, fewer aches and pains and longer life spans.

Here are some simple hints to integrate more happiness and joy in your life. Read More…

Celebrate your wins

18/01/2022 • Uncategorized • by Rena

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In the water at Casuarina Beach

Celebrating your wins is an important step on the journey to achieving your goals.

Pausing to congratulate yourself for following through on your new habit or goal buoys your energy and enthusiasm, and keeps you going. Think how a sporting team is inspired by cheering from supporters.

Periodically taking time to notice how far you’ve come builds confidence. Reflect on your successes and mistakes, so you can apply lessons to new goals and challenges.

Celebrate with friends and colleagues, thank them for their help and support along the way – you may even inspire them to achieve their own goals.

A little self-promotion is good thing too. It shows you have confidence in yourself and other people may want to place their trust in you.

The more you celebrate, the more you have to celebrate!

A celebration can be as simple as a daily self-congratulation for taking action to achieve your goals or following through with new habits. Then choose bigger rewards or celebrations for bigger achievements.

Celebrate each kilo lost, each fear faced, improvements in speed or efficiency and watch your commitment to achieving improve.

Adapting to change

24/02/2021 • Change, General wellbeing, goals, Mental wellbeing, Positive attitude, self care, stress, Uncategorized • by Rena

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If 2020 was the year of cancelled plans and forced change, what does 2021 hold for us?

The risk of infection and prospect of lockdowns and border closures means uncertainty is our constant companion, at least for now.

We are not in total control of anything. But being resilient and adaptable are qualities that have helped humans survive for centuries; these are the same qualities we need to navigate the changes forced on us over the past year.

Two maxims I use to view change in a more positive light are: “Whatever happens I’ll be ok” and “What if this is the best thing that could have happened?” Read More…

Getting stuff done

21/03/2019 • General wellbeing, Mental wellbeing, self care, self sabotage, Uncategorized • by Rena

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A few weeks ago, I worked with a client who was struggling with procrastination. You know, that great thief of time.

She had a series of assessments she needed to hand in to complete her course; she frequently found herself being distracted and avoided getting them done. A few days after our session she contacted me to say she had already finished five, and was well on her way to completing the rest.

I often work with clients who feel stuck or blocked, who struggle with procrastination and avoid uncomfortable tasks. They sabotage their own ability because they don’t feel ready, or lack the confidence, energy, time or motivation to make that first move and then follow through.

This is a subject I feel somewhat of an expert on – there was a stage where the “pro” in procrastination could have referred to me. Here are some of the ideas and techniques I use to keep procrastination at bay.

Just start!

Above my desk I have a hand-embroidered sign that simply says “Start”.

This has been an invaluable reminder when it’s time to write another blog and I find myself sitting at my desk staring at a blinking cursor on a blank computer screen. To just type notes and develop ideas gives me a base to build my next article.

Sometimes the pathway or process to completion only comes to light after you get started. Read More…

Why falling off a bicycle was the best thing that happened to me

21/10/2016 • General wellbeing, Mental wellbeing • by Rena

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The answer… It increased my confidence.

To give you some background… There is something about having your feet clipped into pedals that leaves you feeling quite precarious, and since buying my first set of ‘cleats’ a couple of years ago I have been working on getting past my fears around riding a bicycle. (Of course the riding part is fine, it’s the “what if I fall off” that causes the problem) So there I was at cycling training with my daughter. Yes, I am the ONLY adult training with kids, AND guess who’s the biggest scaredy cat! We were practising skills, specifically ‘track stands” where you are required to bring the bike to a halt and balance on the spot or at least balance while going very slow. I had watched the kids do it and now it was my turn. Read More…

Running – What a mind game!

01/08/2014 • General wellbeing, Mental wellbeing • by Rena

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A couple of weeks ago I completed my first half marathon. For those who don’t know that’s 21kms of running or in my case jogging! Impressive huh! Let me tell you the actual running is much easier than the mental battle that goes along with it. Read More…

Goal setting – what inspires you?

16/09/2012 • General wellbeing • by Rena

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Many of us know the importance of setting goals. We have been told that people who set goals are more likely to achieve, but I speak to many people who say they don’t know how to set goals. They don’t know what they want to achieve. I guess that is why they don’t achieve as much as a goal setter because they simply don’t know where they are heading. Much like setting out in a car with no destination in mind, you end up doing a rather frustrating meander, that doesn’t really take you anywhere. A life without goals drags through day by day, not really achieving anything, or inspiring or motivating you. Does that sound familiar?