The Happier Life Project

The role of love in mental health is significant.  When people think of love, they usually think of the positive feelings associated with a deep connection. However, love can encompass more than just happiness and radiate in many different ways. We experience love when we interact with others and ourselves. Science shows that love involves multiple neurotransmitters and hormones that affect our ph...

'What if I die before I have the chance to exist?' An existential crisis, or existential dread, can be described as persistent negative feelings and emotions linked to questioning the value of your life and how you are spending it. An existential crisis may result from intense feelings of despair as you consider questions like, "What is the point?” or “Why does any of this matter?” And these stron...

Stress is a natural part of our lives. Bills, work, relationships, life events, health issues… A little bit of stress is inevitable, and sometimes that’s a good thing. Stress helps you meet your daily challenges and motivates you to reach your goals, ultimately making you a smarter, happier and healthier person. But on the flip side. They say stress is the number one killer for a reason. It’s a si...

Let’s get curious about our drinking habits! In this episode of The Happier Life Project we are looking at the role alcohol plays in our life; as a comforter, socializing tool, way to relax, blow off steam, or avoid uncomfortable emotions.   Guest Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen Amanda also hosts the podcast “Recovered-ish”...

Part two of our exploration into orthorexia sees host Gabby Sanderson breakdown with guest Renee McGregor the most common elimination food groups in orthorexia, and how and why doing this can be dangerous on the body. Renee busts more food myths when it comes to things like sugar and refined sugar, pasta made from vegetables or lentils, and the ongoing white versus brown or wholemeal debate. Renee...

January is traditionally a time for many when we look at improving our diet. But In our current culture, to which cutting out entire food groups like sugar, fats, carbohydrates and dairy are encouraged and commended, we must stop to question where these recommendations and messages have come from. And should we believe them? Although being aware of and concerned with the nutritional quality of the...

Welcome to the first episode of The Happier Life Project 2024!  January is often associated with cold weather and short, dreary days. And there are many reasons why we might struggle. The financial aftermath of all the Christmas costs, if you're self-employed the dreaded tax return, trying to set New Year's resolutions when you're not sure what you want the new year to have in store, the pressure...

It’s meant to be a time of good cheer, relaxation and celebration, but for many, Christmas is the opposite. Stressful, depressing, lonely… Many people are unhappy at Christmas and according to the National Institute of Health, they can experience mental health problems. And for those who already struggle with their mental health, they may find these problems worsen.  Dr Claire Plumbly is a clinica...

We’re all familiar with the old saying ‘laughter is the best form of medicine’. Dig a little deeper and scientists and doctors are discovering more and more this to be true - laughter is a strong medicine - for our physical and mental health. When we are highly amused, this has physiological effects; it changes our body chemistry and brain function.  Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts...

Many of us feel uncomfortable in our bodies and skin. A negative body image can cause us to struggle in many ways such as; with depressive and anxiety symptoms, increased risk of suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, Interpersonal problems, alcohol and drug use and abuse, reduced physical activity, loss of sex drive, stress, social isolation, decreased motivation to seek help, perfectionistic tenden...

Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a human behavior expert, licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of 'The Science of Stuck'. In The Happier Life Project's first Ask The Expert (a new monthly episode dedicated to answering listeners inquiry's on a certain topic), host Gabby puts your questions to Britt on how we can get unstuck from any area's in our life we might be struggling with. Britt answers quest...

Face yoga is a gentle form of strength training that targets working the 57 muscles in the head, shoulders and neck. Benefits include better circulation, stronger facial muscles, firmer skin and fewer fine lines and wrinkles.  Face yoga exercises aim to tone and lift features, soften fine lines, and even reduce facial asymmetry… all the things we might spend a lot of money getting frequent cosmeti...

The importance of setting boundaries and saying no, is crucial to good mental health and wellness. It’s all too easy to say yes to everything, neglecting your own needs, especially if you are a people pleaser, and sometimes it feels like the easier option in the moment. However, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries will help you conserve your emotional energy and will put you in a far better...

Generosity is turning away from self-centered actions and turning our time and attention to the needs of others. It does not have to be monetary, or material and can come in the form of simply giving someone your full undivided attention during a conversation, offering a smile to a stranger passing by, or helping someone with a task they are struggling with.  Generosity is the last of the nine mai...

Contentment means to be happy with who you are, where you are, and what you have. We live in a world that continuously throws us curveballs and send us messages on why we shouldn’t be content. Mindfulness can help us cultivate a sense of inner well-being and self satisfaction, which allows us to feel content without needing validation from the outside world. Try this mindful exercise to aid you in...

The practice of mindfulness includes nine key pillars or attitudes, these are: non judging, gratitude, patience, a beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, letting go, and generosity. The attitudes support each other and are deeply interconnected. Throughout the month of mindfulness challenge we have been making our way through these pillars and today we are practicing letting go. When we...

This is a meditation for productivity and focus that will help you calm down, clear your mind and be more productive. Guided by mindfulness practitioner and founder of Mynd Andrew Swiney. 

Start your day off in the best possible way by incorporating mindfulness into your morning routine. In today’s challenge host Gabby shares two short simple mindful exercises for the morning. If your day has already started then remember to do them the next day instead. 

Acceptance means perceiving your experience and simply acknowledging it rather than judging it as good or bad.  We all have a tendency to want to “become” something. We’re raised with the belief that we need to achieve something and become something or someone new. We need to make something of ourselves.  These expectations might not be verbally stated, but they’re still there. They drive many of...

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a stress-management mindfulness technique. The idea behind PMR is that there is a relationship between a person's mind and body. PMR can help relieve the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety, such as tight, aching muscles, by systematically tensing and releasing certain muscle groups in your body. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a two-step process. First,...

Mindful eating is a technique to help you slow down, increase your awareness of your food, and promote healthy eating behaviors, while building a healthy relationship with food.  In the second part of 2 episodes in the month of mindfulness challenge Gabby shares some ways to turn mindless eating into mindful eating and then guides you through an exercise to put this into practice. You will need a...

Mindful eating is all about being aware of how we feel when we eat. The benefits of being mindful of the food you eat can encourage better digestion, keep you full with less food, and influence wiser choices about what you eat in the future. It can also help you free yourself from unhealthy habits around food and eating. In todays challenge Gabby shares some simple, practical ways you can set your...

Non-striving is one of the fundamental principles of mindfulness. It is a conscious decision to allow things in your life or in the world to be as they are, rather than always reacting to try to change things in the moment.  With the mindfulness attitude, non-striving, there is no goal other than to be yourself. Non-striving is trying less and being more. So today's challenge is an invitation to s...

The five C's of self-esteem are: Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Caring. Day 20 in the month of mindfulness challenge give you the opportunity to check in and make note where you are and what you can do to improve your own scores for the five C's of self esteem.  For this challenge you will need a pen and paper (or access to your laptop or notes on your device). 

A basic part of learning to meditate is learning to trust yourself and your feelings. In mindfulness, we say that our bodies carry even more wisdom than our minds. In practicing the mindful attitude of trust, you are practicing taking responsibility for being yourself, learning to listen to and trust your own being.