Empower – serie

Mindfulness is a form of mental training that centres on being fully present in life; focussing on what is rather than being distracted by what isn’t. Mindfulness for Life is written by two experts in the field who bring the medical perspective of an international authority on mindfulness and the psychological perspective of a researcher. The result is a book that translates the scientific principles behind mindfulness into a simple, practical and accessible manual to applying mindfulness in your own life.This revised and updated second edition includes:New research on the science of mindfulness and its clinical applicationsAn in-depth look at how mindfulness links to mental health, ageing, addiction, pain, emotional intelligence, and a variety of other topicsDetails on the benefits of mindful living, including reduced anxiety and depression, improved sleep, coping better with major illnesses, making healthy lifestyle changes, improved leadership skills, achieving a sense of peace, and moreA completely revised section on forming and maintaining mindful relationships with your friends and family.Mindfulness has been around for millennia, but recent years have seen huge advancements in its potential for directly increasing our wellbeing. Take a leap towards mindful living and you might just discover that you become a calmer, happier and healthier being — for life.

A comprehensiveguide to the reasons behind burnout, with effective, practical ways to manageand prevent burnout to create a more balanced future. Burnout is aphenomenon that can happen to anyone, yet it is most often found inhigh-pressured workplaces, especially those where promotions and targetachievement are valued. In this timely book, clinical psychologist MikeMcKinney takes an informed look at the features of burnout, why and how burnouthappens, and the signs it might be about to strike. After noticing anincrease in patients struggling with burnout in their work roles, McKinney usedhis extensive experience to gain a better understanding behind the reasons forthis growth. What he found was that there are common underlying personality traitsin an individual that can result in an increased vulnerability towards thedevelopment of burnout.While workplacechanges are often touted as the answer to burnout, the author draws on hisclinical experience over more than 25 years to show the reader what is withintheir power to change about themselves, so they can create greater resilienceto burnout and a better balance in life. He deftly demonstrates how particularpersonality traits can contribute towards burnout, such as:thequest for perfectionfearof failurebeliefsaround personal performancehavingan ‘all-or-nothing’ approachholdingimpossibly high personal expectations.The author thenprovides options and answers, along with suggestions for positive changes thatcan be sustained, and offers ways to help the reader consider a wider (andpossibly new) purpose in life that is underpinned by ways to enhanceresilience. Beating Burnout is an insightful, practical book forprofessionals and anyone experiencing burnout, as well as those who would liketo help someone in burnout.

Understanding Autism is the essential reference for parents and care givers of children on the autistic spectrum.Written by two leading experts in the field, this updated edition covers key information, like the causes of autism and how it manifests at the various ages and stages of a child’s life, while also taking into account the importance of self-care for parents.Authors Katrina Williams and Jacqueline Roberts bring considerable experience to the table, and clearly, comfortingly explain how to cope with common problematic behaviors, conditions that can often appear in conjunction with autism (such as anxiety and depression), and how best to manage the child’s transition to adulthood.Their warm, supportive voices will reassure you as they sort myth from fact, and provide everything you'll need to know to understand autism.

Over 45 million people live with dementia worldwide. For every person with dementia, their family and caregivers face the decision of how best to care for them.Live and Laugh with Dementia explains how to make life with dementia as positive as possible - to maximize quality of life for all concerned. Just as we need to exercise our body’s muscles to keep them strong, so too do we need to exercise our brain to strengthen and maintain our neural capabilities.By tailoring activities to suit the needs and abilities of dementia patients, families and caregivers will help them to: Maintain their relationships with othersMaintain their self-identitySlow the decline of mental function by providing physical and mental stimulationStave off boredomExperience happiness and pleasure

Dealing with Depression offers a simple, easy to follow, non-judgmental and, above all, effective exploration of depression and how to manage it. A range of strategies is outlined, including the physiological fundamentals of sleep, healthy diet and exercise as well as ideas from positive psychology that help us to take care of ourselves. Learning to regulate emotions and show compassion to ourselves and others not only reduces the impact of depression but also improves life and relationships, building resilience and decreasing the likelihood of recurring depressive episodes.Part One provides the essential background information for understanding depression. It demystifies depression and aims to remove any sense of shame about it. Instead it explains depression as a process that follows the laws of nature and is no more shameful than catching the flu.Part Two gives specific tips to improve well-being in body, mind and spirit. This prescription for physical, mental and spiritual fitness can go a long way towards both curing and preventing depression. Good self-care can improve connections to the world and to other people, creating resilience for facing the ups and downs of life. Case studies follow six people who suffered from depression for a variety of reasons and who have used the strategies outlined here to successfully deal with their depression and get their lives back.

Skills, Experimentation, Evaluation and Discovery: SEED — an original approach to empower beginners and established creators to clearly understand the nature of the creative process.The Creative SEED is the perfect guidebook for anyone who has an interest in exploring some form of creative expression. Even if you think you don’t have an ounce of creative flair, you can discover and nurture a new, exciting dimension in your life. Whether you are already involved in some form of creative expression, a raw beginner or well established, this book provides a host of strategies to keep you inspired and on track in living your creative dream.Divided into two parts, it will help you identify creative interest and challenge common myths of creativity with stimulating exercises to help you discover your creative strengths before moving on to address the common difficulties people experience — such as anxiety, low self-confidence and procrastination — that may hinder creative outlets. The skills and strategies described and encouraged in the book are all based on sound, well-researched psychological principles that are easily transferable to all parts of your life. Chapters also provide case histories, questions and exercises to assist you in gaining self-awareness and practical skills to be active and successful in your creative expression.

Intuition is something most people would have experienced at one time or another; it’s that gut-feeling or ‘sixth sense.' It’s instinctive by nature, independent of rational analysis or deductive thinking. But can we actively develop our intuition and learn how to better utilise it? Author Dr Cate Howell believes we can, and sets about to empower us to use intuition in everyday life.Intuition is divided into three parts. In the first, she explores the nature of intuition from different perspectives, including philosophy and psychology, religion and spirituality. She also looks at the use of intuition in decision-making in the fields of business, health and teaching. The second part of the book is more practical and considers types of intuition, how to develop your intuition and then use it in everyday life with a practical seven-step plan. Steps explored for developing intuition include meditation, mindfulness, creativity, kindness and service. The final part of the book looks at some issues related to intuition, such as dreams and synchronicity, and how the development of one’s intuition often seems to correlate with an increased sense of peace, purpose and joy in life."Intuition is a vital part of life and practice and now we have a book that will help us to develop this essential skill." - Prof Ian Wilson, Associate Dean, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong