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Q &
A
LIFESTYLE & WELLBEING
Q
Q
A
a cunningham
A
Q
I would love to join a book club. I have done
in the past and I usually enjoy the social
aspect and the group, but the literature is
often boring so I give up on it.
Hello Naya, I will be turning forty this year.
I can’t seem to think of anything else. I
haven’t achieved what I expected by this
time in my life. Knowing I can never be
young again is depressing me!
You can turn things around. Whenever you
catch yourselves commiserating, STOP, and
re-shift your focus to something positive.
Expand on that positivity by creating
guidelines that will get you where you want
to go. For example, another year another
diet? Shift the focus to how you will start
eating healthier. Your guidelines may be 3
things you can do to make your focus positive.
1) A salad everyday, that way you are getting
fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. 2) Make
water your main fluid. More water makes
absolutely everything better. Try for 1 litre a
day and increase. 3) Cut out the takeaways.
Get rid of huge amounts of sugar, salt and
additives that cause bloating and may take
days to flush through your system. So what’s
this got to do with turning 40? Basically,
focus on things that empower you, and take
your focus off the things you cannot change.
There are so many great things about being
forty and onward.
mind and body therapy
Why not start your own book club? Break
away and do your own thing. Thrillers,
Science-Fiction, Romance etc. Put out a few
flyers. I’m sure there are like-minded people
out there who are just waiting to get involved.
My parents think that my older brother is
perfect. He says all the right things and
never seems to get the blame for anything.
I always feel like it doesn’t matter what I
do, mum and dad think he’s better than me.
The worse thing is that he lies and never
gets caught out. I’m 12. What should I do
please?
A
Hmm, this is close to my heart. I know
exactly what you mean. When I was 12 years
old, I wanted to be a detective, specifically so
I could prove that my brother was lying and
cheating to make me look bad. In some ways,
he is probably the person that created my
interest in psychology! Try ignoring whatever
he does. Work on perfecting your manners,
and doing the things that are expected of
you. Take a real interest in becoming a polite,
naya cunningham
kind, positive person. If there is an “incident”
caused by your brother, do the opposite of
what you used to do (didn’t work anyway!)
and be calm - don’t scream your innocence
and blame him. Take control of the situation
by perhaps saying, “No I didn’t leave the
milk out, but I’m happy to put it away if
that helps”. At first it’ll be a bit strange, but
hopefully, your parents will begin to see you
in a positive light and your brother will not
appear so perfect or right as much.
Q
A
My daughter has finished Uni and her OE,
and is on her way home. I am worried that
she will find life boring. She had a difficult
time in high school and going away was the
best thing that ever happened for her.
We always worry that our children are
happy, but you are assuming the worst,
so you need to stop and give your daughter
the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure she has
learned more than you realise. If she can
navigate herself through Uni and an OE,
she has more confidence and ability than
you are giving her credit for. You are a
good mum to care, but save your worry for
when you need it. Start thinking of her
return as exciting!
mind and body concepts
For further support call to make a confidential appointment with Naya Ph 579 5606 WWW.NAYACUNNINGHAM.COM
aya cunningham
mind and body therapy
24
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