Dr. Happy

As we say goodbye to the heat of summer, and begin to ease in to the colder and darker months of winter, some of you might be wondering why your mood is lower or why, in the past, you’ve felt sad and/or lethargic during this time of year. According to our resident mental health blogger, Dr. Happy, "The answer might be that you’ve had Seasonal Affective Disorder (otherwise known by its strangely descriptive acronym, SAD) this, in very simple terms, is a form of depression. More specifically, it’s a form of depression that’s related to seasonal changes.The reality is, that in Australia where our seasons are not really that extreme, there’s limited evidence for SAD. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt some people experience lower moods through the winter months" In this article, Dr. Happy describes the signs and symptoms to look out for and provides the best strategies you can follow to help improve your mood. 

Why are zzz’s so important for your overall health? According to Psychologist Dr. Happy, “The average Australian sleeps one hour less each night than what they need - this sort of sleep deprivation is a massive problem. Why? Well, lack of sleep doesn’t just lead to tiredness; it has also been found to be associated with impaired cognitive functioning (thinking), difficulty concentrating and remembering, poorer decision-making, moodiness and relationship problems, increased risk of cardiovascular problems and even weight gain." The good news, however, is that there are steps you can take to ensure you get good quality sleep that will improve your physical and mental health. In this article, Dr. Happy provides his top 10 tips to get a better nights sleep. 

Could a hug a day keep the doctor away? According to psychologist and mental health blogger, Dr. Happy, "Research has shown that hugs cause us to feel “warm and fuzzy” inside as well as more socially connected. Hugs, and physical contact more generally, improve the intimacy of our close relationships and they’re even beneficial for our social relationships too. They lower blood pressure and some studies suggest they might even alleviate fears and anxieties. Physical contact with a loved one has also been found to slow heart rates and reduce stress." In this article, Dr. Happy discusses the healing power of hugs. 

It’s almost a new year and with it come the New Year’s resolutions. According to mental health expert Dr. Happy, "If you’re feeling anxious and stressed about your New Year’s Resolutions then something’s not quite right; and if something’s not quite right, you’re not as likely to be motivated to do what you need to do to achieve your goals.  Resolutions, which is really just another way of describing goals, should be exciting and stimulating; they should stretch you and motivate you to achieve and to be more. But they shouldn’t cause excessive amounts of stress or anxiety." We caught up with Dr. Happy to get his advice on how to set achievable goals which will help motivate and inspire you.