How to turn your inner critic into a ‘good servant’ instead of a ‘bad master’

As with any practice, consistency in small repetitions reshapes one’s mindset and, over time, ingrains the changed behaviour, Ms Mah said. “So that even if people make a mistake, they no longer tell themselves, ‘I’m a failure’. Rather, ‘this was a learning lesson for me, this was an experiment that didn’t go so well but […]
Self Confidence Tips: How to be more confident: 5 effective tips

When a task feels overwhelming, your brain may try to protect you by avoiding it. But the trick here is to face challenges instead of avoiding them– this will make you more confident. Commit to doing it for just two minutes. Whether it’s making a difficult phone call, starting a workout, or writing a report— […]
I’m a Psychologist Who Used to Hate Winter—Here’s How to Learn to Love It

It’s not that people never complained about the weather up in the Nordic countries, Dr. Leibowitz says. But she observed that they were big on what she calls “winter-positive small talk,” too—like chatting about how soft and stunning the natural light was and how comfy and restorative the next few months would be. The takeaway: […]
Burnout Is A Leading Mental Health Issue; Here’s How To Keep It At Bay

It’s crucial to recognize that self-care is not a luxury or an indulgence but a necessity. getty We have a tendency to power through tough times in the name of getting work done. We may experience the symptoms of physical and emotional exhaustion, but ignore the signs because we have to make a living, put […]
How to Start Small Rituals That Make Every Day Feel Special

One of the most astonishing findings in our research was how people show enormous flexibility and range in the kinds of behaviors that they imbue with ritual. A practice as simple as always being sure to brush your teeth and then shower in the morning—and never the reverse—can begin to take on greater meaning for […]
What I’ve learnt about how to unwind (without feeling guilty)

Unwinding doesn’t come naturally to many. Even in Australia, where we have the reputation for being laid back, most people have to make a concerted effort to prioritise rest and switch off. In addition to the very real demands, responsibilities and costs of living, there can be a pressure to always be working. What if […]
How to Make Your Alone Time Feel Luxurious as Hell

This article is part of SELF’s second annual Rest Week, an editorial package dedicated to doing less. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, is impossible without genuine downtime. With that in mind, we’ll be publishing articles up until the new year to help […]
How to Feel ‘Good Tired’ Instead of Just…Depleted

This article is part of SELF’s second annual Rest Week, an editorial package dedicated to doing less. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, is impossible without genuine downtime. With that in mind, we’ll be publishing articles up until the new year to help […]
It’s beginning to look a lot like burnout: How to take care of yourself before the holidays start

It’s getting towards the time of the year when you might feel more overwhelmed than usual. There are work projects to finish and perhaps exams in the family. Not to mention the pressures of organising holidays or gifts. Burnout is a real possibility. Burnout is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having three main symptoms […]