Recovery from anxiety is not just possible, it’s likely
21 January 2020 In previous articles (see ‘Depressed’ or just going through a rough patch – have you been misdiagnosed? and Who says you’re depressed or anxious? Pfizer does), I’ve expressed my deep misgivings about the ‘diagnostification’ of human psychological suffering that goes on in medicine, especially psychiatry. Applying diagnostic labels to the disturbing thoughts,…
The habit of self-esteem
Pop psychology promotes notions of self-esteem that actually undermine people’s ability to build it.
The process of getting happier
In last week’s post, Why New Year’s resolutions fail… and what to do instead, to change your life for the better, I described the fatal flaw in the approach that most people take to formulating New Year’s resolutions, and indeed any decision to improve their lives. If you haven’t already read that article, I strongly…
Why New Year’s resolutions fail… and what to do instead, to change your life for the better
There’s a subtle trap that we unwittingly set for ourselves whenever we formulate a goal. Understanding the nature of this trap is the key to making changes that really stick.
Sugar: Not so sweet for your mood
Updated 26 December 2022 It’s that time of year again. Christmas carols blaring from the stores tell us that “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, but most of the people maxing out their credit cards inside those stores don’t look like they’re taking the advice to “be of good cheer”. According to a…
Pomegranate and Tahini Stuffed Pumpkin
I’ve been in a bit of stuffing mood lately! This week, it was pumpkin’s turn to get stuffed. Ingredients: 1 small Jap or Kabocha pumpkin 1 cup course bourghal (cracked wheat) 1/2 cup sultanas 2 1/4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth 1 medium onion, diced1/4 -1/2 cup additional water or low-sodium vegetable broth 2…
Breastfeeding protects against diabetes and high blood pressure and helps set babies’ body clocks
In over 25 years in clinical practice, I’ve seen a LOT of pregnant women. In the course of our conversations about the process of growing, giving birth to and nourishing a baby, virtually every pregnant client has asked me one question: “What formula should I give my baby if I’m unable to breastfeed?” I must…
Spicy Stuffed Squashes
I spotted these Brobdingnagian yellow squash at my local organic farmers’ market, and visions of stuffed squash immediately began dancing before my eyes. You could substitute extra-large zucchinis or even golden nugget pumpkins if you’re unable to find yellow squash that are large enough to stuff. Ingredients: 3/4 cup wholemeal couscous1 1/4 cups boiling water4…
Exercise is the best medicine for preventing falls and broken bones
The three major health fears that plague women as they get older are developing breast cancer, becoming demented, and breaking a hip. For context, the risk of a woman dying of breast cancer by her 85th birthday is 1 in 43 while dementia is now the leading underlying cause of death in Australian women. As…
No benefit of omega-3 supplements for depression or anxiety
There’s a theory among evolutionary psychologists that the human brain is hard-wired to worry about not having enough. Most particularly, not enough food. It makes total sense in view of our species’ history; paleoanthropologists have found consistent evidence that our ancestors faced frequent food shortages, indicated by changes in bones that take place during growth…