well-being

For All Parents

As everyone who has them knows... Young children, from the get-go, are a leading cause of insanity in otherwise 'stable' (term used loosely) people. For all parents who identify; I give you Michael McIntyre. Not a cure, not a how-to, and nothing preachy. The opposite of all the remedies, schools of discipline and every other piece of advice you've ever received. This is empathy and understanding and a reminder that it's not just you .... so please watch, its hilarious. And, if you've seen it already, watch it again. I watch this religiously on 'bad' days (and hang out with my friend alcohol). Any time child-induced heart palpitations rumble, or my brain starts melting - I've got it dialled. This clip is in my phone, my playlists, the spoilt children's iPad's, and everywhere else I can save it to. There's something so comforting in knowing you're not alone... I think? Thanks (so many thanks) to Michael McIntyre Amber | www.intothesoul.com

Spirituality is good for you: 5 reasons why!!

Spirituality is good for you. Yes, truly, it's a fact. Having spiritual meaning or religious belief in your life benefits you in these ways: Health; lower occurrence of major disease - heart problems, cancer etc. Self-care; better nutritional choices and diets. Higher levels of exercise and sustained practice of stress relievers like yoga, meditation, prayer, tai-chi and similar. Emotional & psychological benefits; lower levels of depression, anxiety, sense of meaning and connection protects them from loneliness and bonds them to their community. Self-acceptance; have a sense of meaning and purpose that guides them at all times. They are more confident and active in community - driven by the idea of being of service to others, rather than anything of a self-serving nature. Reward comes from contributing, therefore they are easily able to determine their value in a positive way. Love; feeling loved by 'god' or 'creator' fills and provides the spiritually minded with an unshakeable sense of worth and value and of being loved. Therefore they give more love and draw more back into their lives. Researchers impressed by the health advantages of those with 'faith' assert that we are 'hard-wired' for spirituality. Meaning, we are born needing to connect to a higher source. Without this connection we have to combat unnecessary self-doubts and fear, combined with a need to 'prove' our worth, that the faithful do not have. Those with faith unite in believing the human journey is a