Does hyper- or hyposensitivity cause you to feel overwhelmed or under-stimulated in environments others may find normal? Psychologist Luricka Fick considers whether mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety and risk-taking behaviour, may point to sensory integration issues. She discusses the role dopamine plays in over- and under-responsiveness, and the benefits of a sensory integration assessment.

Al meer mans en vroue besluit om nie kinders te hê nie. Wat vuur hierdie besluit aan, hoe behoort dit geneem te word, en watter gevolge kan dit hê?

What really causes healing in a challenging health situation? Chiropractor Dr Jeff Crippen shares eye-opening research studies involving the placebo effect, and considers how we can benefit from non-physical interventions. Having formerly experienced excruciating pain for years, he offers hard-won insights into transformational wellness.  

Laziness is nothing more then the habit of resting before you get tired, wrote Jules Renard. I’m resting before I get tired, an indulgence which will continue until April the 3rd…

Have you given the circumstances of your death – which cannot be avoided - any thought? Doctor of gerontology and death doula Rayne Stroebel offers practical guidance, describing the role of a death doula and how he helped his father transition after a stroke. Creating an advanced directive may give your more control regarding medical intervention at the end of your life, and increase your chances of dying a “good death”.

Hoeveel slaap het tieners regtig nodig? Wat is die uitwerking van slaapdeprivasie? Is dit waar dat die skoolstelsel tieners se natuurlike slaapritme ignoreer? Lees wat navorsers vasgestel het.

Are you getting enough sleep? Clinical and neuropsychologist Mark Eaton considers possible causes of sleep deprivation, including anxiety, traumas associated with sleeping, and disorders such as sleep apnoea. He explains how sleep challenges may affect us physically, psychologically, socially and cognitively and suggests interventions - notably the fast-working BrainWorking Recursive Therapy which can address challenges on 3 levels. Sponsored content.

Do share in my joy - in February 2024 I celebrated my platform’s third birthday! I’m deeply grateful for your presence and for my website’s growth, worldwide reach and every heart-to-heart connection. Here’s the story of how it started - with a sizeable challenge (apart from the spider …)

Do you love your job – or not? Master life coach Judy Klipin discusses her new book on making work work for you. It targets 8 areas from the world of work and offers practical tools for either changing unsatisfactory circumstances or improving the way you view and manage them. Learn how to get and receive feedback, or ask for a promotion or a raise.

After five years of health challenges including osteoporosis, stress fractures, falls, basal cell carcinomas, colon cancer, Covid pneumonia, a reverse shoulder replacement and lymphoedema, social entrepreneur Marilyn Hallett has turned a corner. She considers difficulties such as medical bills, loss of independence and forced absences from work, and reveals what kept her going. An inspiring listen!

Jou hart breek aan stukke wanneer jou kind emigreer, maar jy is ook bly oor die voordele en nuwe moontlikhede. Emigrasieterapeut dr. Sulette Ferreira belig aspekte van die besluit om te emigreer, vrae wat ouers kan vra, die ervaring van broers en susters, en grootouerskap oor grense heen. Sy gee praktiese wenke wat die “konstante afskeid” kan vergemaklik en beklemtoon wedersydse gesprek en betrokkenheid.

Is your natural inclination visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic? How can you apply this knowledge to deepen your connection with others – and, most importantly, with yourself? Human development specialist Dr Melodie de Jager explores our sensory systems and preferences, offering practical tips on increasing our awareness, enhancing self-care, and even choosing spot-on gifts.   

Navigating the metaphorical path of life with its challenges requires a growth mindset, grit, the necessary support, and hope. Regaling us with captivating stories, counselling psychologist Karin Steyn offers practical tools & tips and encourages us to “fail forward.”

Do you push yourself too hard in order to survive? Now’s the time to replace “harsh masculine energies” with a more balanced approach. Angel medium Belinda Bras-Nel explains how the feminine aspect - dishonoured through the ages - is rising, and what men and women can do to let go of fear, anger and resentment in favour of trust and self-love.

With heart-wrenching honesty Jawaahier Petersen recalls the murder of her father, the music icon Taliep Petersen. She describes how the trauma started with an earlier attempt on his life, the loss and betrayal she and her siblings experienced, and how she suffered from depression and panic attacks. In her mid-thirties, Jawaahier finds herself back in therapy. She urges all who need help to seek it, since the bravest way to create your life script is by “holding your own pen.”

Carrying excess weight - especially abdominal fat - could point to elevated cortisol levels. Naturopathic doctor Faryal Luhar discusses possible causes and how cortisol surges affect our physical and mental health. She outlines the role of hormones like DHEA, testosterone, leptin, and ghrelin, and offers practical advice on how to regain and maintain healthy cortisol levels. Sponsored content.

How about recreating your life in specific areas, using 5 sensible steps? Master transformation coach Liezl Thom outlines a practical process, offering examples, to help you shape a unique manual for your life. You can identify your foundational and strategic strategies – and have fun!

Apart from weight loss, time-restricted eating offers significant benefits, especially in our current epidemic of metabolic disease. What - however - do you need to know? Functional medicine health coach Anita Hamilton-Williams explains why men and women should approach intermittent fasting differently, take into account autoimmune conditions or cortisol dysregulation, and how to get intermittent fasting under way.

In sunny South Africa the festive season is associated with candles bending in the heat, al fresco dinners, splashing about in pools and spectacular sunsets. Wherever you happen to be, you’re welcome to keep my platform company while I’m taking time off till 9 January!

How can you communicate with someone living with cognitive impairment in a way that benefits both you and them? Dr. Rayne Stroebel clarifies the World Health Organisation’s view that the consciousness of individuals with dementia is never lost. He offers practical pointers for being deeply present and caring in a relational way, suited to family members as well as caregivers.