Blog Entries by Madeleine
Articles written by Madeleine with focus on positivity, wellbeing and overcoming common mental health struggles.
The Microbiome Connection of Mind
After a life time of work, Hippocrates concluded... ”all disease begins in the gut.” What do we mean by Microbiome? Microbiome refers to the trillions of bacteria ie microorganisms or microbes that live in our gastrointestinal tract, hair and skin. These bacteria (100...
How to Handle Toxic People/Family Members?
Atticus: “You can choose your friends, but you sho’ can’t choose your family.” …To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee). Toxic friends? Time to break away. Toxic co-workers? Steer clear. What about when it’s a toxic family member? Well, they bring a whole new meaning to...
Positive Strategies To Boost Confidence and Self Esteem
"Nothing builds self esteem and self confidence like accomplishment." -Thomas Carlyle Low self esteem (and lack of confidence) can be deeply rooted in.. traumatic life experiences, ill health and negative life events. All can lead to a lack of self control....
Positive Strategies For Repairing The Void In Your Relationship
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new." -Socrates When going through a rough patch in a relationship (often occasioned by a health scare), a dry spell may occur or become the prevailing climate....
Resilient Children Through Positive Parenting
Parenting is as crazy as circumnavigating the world without a map…but, oh, what a journey! Parenting has never been more challenging than now. Living in a fast-paced, hectic world with combined challenges of such things as new technology, rapidly changing...
Internet Addiction – Controlling The Habit
"Addiction begins with the hope that something 'out there' can instantly fill up the emptiness inside." -Jean Kilbourne It is very easy to take internet usage at face value. However, Internet Addiction has been diagnosed as a new clinical disorder that...
Positive People work at Communication in Relationships
"Some people change their ways when they see the light, others when they feel the heat." -Caroline Schoeder Communication is at the heart of healthy relationships. Good communication is the life blood of enduring love and intimacy. For so many what...
Positive People Manage Their Anger
“Anger is one letter short of danger.” -Eleanor Roosevelt Feeling angry is a normal and healthy emotion and is not a problem in itself. Anger is an emotion that can range from mild annoyance to intense rage. How we cope with and express uncontrolled anger can...
Hoarding – From Clutter To Simplicity
"It’s not about deciding what I do or don’t need. It’s not even about knowing what I should or shouldn’t keep. It’s about understanding what I can handle." -Dana White Hoarding is as old as time. In ancient times if you got tired of the clutter, you simply buried it....
The Healthy Relationship Bill of Rights
THE RIGHT TO INDIVIDUALITY As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to be the same person I was before we began dating. I should not have to adjust any inherent part of myself to make you happy. THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY As a member of a healthy...
Desiderata – Words for Life by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have...
Stopping Domestic and Family Violence : Everyone’s Responsibility
Q: What are Family Violence and Domestic Violence? Are they the same? Often the terms are used interchangeably . Domestic and Family Violence is when someone intentionally uses violence, threats, coercion, force or intimidation to control, manipulate a family...
The Health Benefits of Laughter And Humour
Laughter and a sense of humour can get you through the most challenging of times. As well as being our birthright, it’s a natural part of life that is innate. Observe a baby and you will see them begin smiling during the first few weeks of life and laugh within months...
Creating Work/Life Balance For Good Health
According to research, Australians work the longest hours in the Western world and around one quarter report that work frequently interferes with other life activities. Many of us are time poor and constantly rushing to juggle different commitments. Work is...
What’s Trust Got To Do With It?
I’m reminded of the song by Tina Turner… ”What’s love got to do with it” …”What’s love but a second hand emotion,” …”Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken.” Trust is fundamental to all relationships and we often use past experiences and information to guide us...
Positive People Coping With Grief & Bereavement
Contrary to popular belief and theoretical underpinnings of grief and bereavement, there is now an (overdue) acceptance that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to grief and bereavement. It is as individual as the people who experience the loss. It is my...
Positive People Accept and Manage Stress
Stress is an everyday occurrence, but when there is prolonged stress it can affect physical and mental wellbeing. Stress is often viewed as ‘that word’ and all the negatives associated with it…juggling family commitments, business deadlines, financial constraints, and...
Positive People coping with Depression
This may seem a strange heading. Positive people coping with depression? Yes, we can still remain positive, focused and participate in life. While depression is an illness that causes feelings of sadness, tiredness and lack of interest in many aspects of our daily, social and working life, it does not define who we are…
Positive People Create Their Own Luck
Have you ever looked at someone and thought “He/she’s so lucky. She/he has money, a great career, the opportunity to travel, and a wonderful relationship or marriage.” You’re not alone. I’ve done it too. It’s easy to feel a little depressed and...
Cultivate High Self Esteem
Often the terms of self-esteem and self-confidence are considered the same or used interchangeably. Although they are similar, they are in fact two different concepts. Self Esteem refers to how you view yourself overall and appreciate yourself for who you...
Positive People Managing Anxiety
"Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety." - Plato Before getting into the nitty gritty of anxiety as a topic, the good news is that anxiety is treatable. It’s also reassuring somehow to know that everyone experiences feelings of anxiety,...
20 Tips For Establishing And Promoting Positive Relationships
Having positive, supportive and loving relationships based on mutual respect will ensure we feel happier and healthier in our lives and enhance how we connect to others in our community and society generally. "The way people treat you is a statement about who they are...
20 Tips On Turning Negative Into Positive Thinking
There’s not a person alive who hasn’t had a time of thinking negatively. For some the move from negative to positive can be a real struggle and for others they ‘make it happen.’ Believe it or not there are some skills that we can take on board to help us become more...
Positive People Combating Bullying and Domestic Violence
Bullying, tragically, is an everyday phenomenon in schools, homes, and the workplace, yet it is widely misunderstood. In the workplace, bullying and harassment cost the Australian economy over 10 billion dollars per year. This amount does not cover the hidden costs of...
Positive People Battling Suicidal Tendencies
It is not my intention to minimize the matter of suicide as it is a very complex and personal challenge for a vast number of individuals that make up our society. Thousands of people in each country take their own lives every year. This doesn’t take into account the...