The calmer, more predictable world we long for does not seem to be in a hurry to return. How do we cope with these turbulent times? Counselling psychologist dr Hannetjie van Zyl-Edeling offers practical tips for reducing anxiety and stress and boosting our energy levels.

When you survive a life-threatening situation, pandemic or other trauma during which someone else suffered or died, you may be overcome by guilt. This is commonly known as “survivor’s guilt”. Specialist psychiatrist Dr Kerryn Armstrong talks about “Covid-19 survivor’s guilt”, possible causes, signs, treatment, and its relationship to post-traumatic stress disorder. She offers practical strategies for coping and regaining your trust in yourself and the world.

Becoming fully immersed in what we are doing, to the extent that hours feel like minutes, is an invigorating experience. Knowing how to optimise what positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi calls the flow state can help us experience some of our happiest, most creative and productive moments. Learn more about the characteristics, key aspects, growth and productivity related to flow, and about flowing in a group context.

Resilience helps us cope with change, adversity and setbacks. Learning and development specialist Dr Rina de Klerk-Weyer explains how to use your inner strength to become the best you, despite your circumstances. This doesn’t mean you need to be strong all the time; it’s more about changing your perspective, developing certain skills, and making conscious choices. The ability to bounce back can be your anchor in an unpredictable world.

We seldom find it easy to speak about death, but the Covid-19 pandemic has made it hard to avoid doing so. How can broaching the subject with a loved one bring us closer together? What should we say? Emotional Intelligence expert Dr. Rina de Klerk-Weyer offers a list of questions we can ask regarding the practical and emotional aspects of death. The answers will clarify our own views as well as those of the loved ones we engage.

In these times, as we are looking for more ways to stay healthy or to recuperate, strengthening our connection with our bodies is crucial. Educational psychologist Dr. Elsi Meyer explains how the various layers of the mind can be used to awaken the “felt sense” of the body, mentions the tools at our disposal, and the advantages involved. She outlines the four phases of awakening, and how to balance rational thought and the creative mind for optimal well-being.

Even before the worldwide pandemic, burnout took on epidemic proportions. Now – on top of that – we are experiencing Covid fatigue. Master coach Judy Klipin explains how to identify Covid fatigue and offers practical tools and self-care strategies to help our bodies and minds rest and recharge, benefit our relationships, and optimise our performance at work.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a stressful condition that can become chronic if left untreated. Prof. Christine Lochner talks about the symptoms and causes of OCD, and how it is diagnosed and treated. She invites South Africans to participate in a voluntary, cost-free OCD study conducted in Cape Town and explains who may be included.

Educational psychologist Hannelie Spies explains how she supports teenagers and university students with ADHD by helping them improve their Executive Functioning, and by using BWRT® to address the emotional challenges caused by living with ADHD. These traumas include being misunderstood, bullying, low self-worth, anger issues, depression, and general, social or exam anxiety. Case studies illustrate the efficacy of this parallel approach.

Mindfulness may seem like a vague concept, but a clear understanding of its physical, emotional and mental benefits can prompt a regular meditation or breathing practice, which needn’t be time-consuming. Counselling psychologist and hypnotherapist Karin Steyn explains the difference between mindfulness and meditation, how meditation affects certain parts of the brain, and suggests practical resources and ways to develop this skill.

Het jy of iemand ná aan jou ‘n psigiese siekte? Joernalis Pieter van Zyl praat oor sy boek, “Verhale van hoop: só help jy jou geliefde en jouself”, vir mense wat met ‘n uitdaging soos depressie, angsversteuring, opgaarsindroom of obsessief-kompulsiewe versteuring saamleef. Hy vertel waar die aangrypende verhale in sy boek vandaan kom; van sy eie pad met angsversteuring, major depressie en ‘n lewensmaat met bipolariteit; en hoe die navorsing en praktiese raad in sy boek uit sy eie dringende behoefte aan hulp gebore is.

Being a father can be complicated, especially when you’ve known “fatherlessness.” Even boys who live with their fathers often have little opportunity to experience the meaning of manhood first-hand. The consequences include the universal wound many men carry, father hunger, and a deep sense of loneliness. Here are some practical ways to address these issues and to foster fathers’ connection with their children.

Does ageing inevitably lead to physical and mental decline, loneliness, and becoming “useless”? It needn’t. Dr. Hannetjie van Zyl-Edeling discusses scientific studies proving that we have control over several ageing processes – provided we know what we can do and actually make the effort. Learn how to examine and edit your beliefs, develop your social portfolio, reduce stress and use exercise to help remodel your brain.

Social worker Annette de la Porte shares the heart-rending story of her husband’s chronic depression, which lasted for 35 years and ended in self-death. She freely speaks about living with André’s depression and the possibility of self-death, finally losing him in May 2020. Annette shares the depth of her grief and explains how faith and Emotional Logic, a practical tool for befriending our emotions, have helped her cope and grow.  

Hoewel die binnewonde wat mense opdoen nie met die blote oog gesien kan word nie, ly minstens 10% van die bevolking aan posttraumatiese stressindroom. Voorligtingsielkundige Heinrich Benjamin verduidelik wat PTSD is, wat dit kan veroorsaak, hoe ons dit herken en hoe dit gediagnoseer word. Hy belig die sukses en voordele van BrainWorking Recursive Therapy in die behandeling van akute en posttraumatiese stressindroom en bespreek twee gevallestudies.

A chronic illness like bipolar disorder can place heavy demands on a love relationship. Clinical social worker Sandy Lewis talks candidly about the emotional, financial and other realities of living with bipolar disorder. She offers advice on how to allow your partner to remain independent, provide the right kind of support while maintaining your own balance, communicate effectively, and let others in on the “secret”.

Many couples long for a baby but are struggling to fall pregnant. Counselling psychologist and hypnotherapist Karin Steyn clarifies the Fertile Body Method, a holistic approach to male and female infertility including psycho-education, lifestyle considerations, hypnosis, visualisation and other forms of support. A couple’s relationship is strengthened and their fertility goals and expectations of parenthood are explored in a safe environment.

Daryl Brown survived a suicide attempt but lost his legs. In spite of this, he now has a fulfilled life. Daryl shares his struggle with depression, the conflict between his spirituality and sexuality, bullying, and isolation. Although he knows what it’s like to have no hope left, he has found ways to overcome physical and mental health challenges. This is a story of the power of the human spirit.

There’s a reason why babies are called bundles of joy, but while motherhood is a great privilege it can also feel like an enormous responsibility, especially for moms set on “getting it right”. Three warm-hearted women - a psychologist, social worker and clinical social worker - with children and grandchildren of their own offer aha moments, sensible approaches and practical tips that have helped them negotiate parenthood.

Would you like to become a shining example of 80 being the new 60? This is not dependent on your genes. Dr. Christiane Northrup urges us to let go of ageism and the expectation of physical decline by rewiring our brains and changing our lifestyle. The earlier we start, the better!