ARTICLES & BLOG
Self-Renewal Retreat: A Powerful Reset for Mind, Body & Soul
In our always-on, fast-paced world, burnout has become far too common. Many of us feel the strain — emotionally, mentally, even spiritually — yet we rarely give ourselves permission to truly pause.
Enter the Self-Renewal Retreat — a wellness experience designed to help you unplug, reflect, and reconnect with your authentic self.
A self-renewal retreat is a period dedicated to recharging and revitalizing one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, often through focused activities and a break from daily routines.
They offer a chance to step away from stress, reconnect with oneself, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
These intentional breaks are more than a luxury — they’re a path to sustainable well-being.
In our always-on, fast-paced world, burnout has become far too common. Many of us feel the strain — physically, emotionally, mentally, even spiritually — yet we rarely give ourselves permission to truly pause.
When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves - Jack Kornfield
Enter the Self-Renewal Retreat — a wellness experience designed to help you unplug, reflect, and reconnect with your authentic self.
A self-renewal retreat is a period dedicated to recharging and revitalizing one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, often through focused activities and a break from daily routines.
They offer a chance to step away from stress, reconnect with oneself, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
These intentional breaks are more than a luxury — they’re a path to sustainable well-being.
A self-renewal retreat is a period dedicated to recharging and revitalizing one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, often through focused activities and a break from daily routines.
What Is a Self-Renewal Retreat?
A self-renewal retreat is a restorative getaway centered on personal growth, rest, and self-awareness. Unlike typical vacations focused on activities and entertainment, these retreats offer stillness, solitude, and space to reflect.
These retreats can include:
Mindfulness and meditation sessions
Yoga or somatic movement
Breathwork and Laughter Yoga
Digital detox time
Journaling, Gratitude or creative expression
Self reflection and Introspection
Nature walks or forest bathing
Nutrient-rich, healing meals
Whether you're attending a weekend retreat with a group or planning a solo renewal retreat at a peaceful cabin, the goal is the same: to reset your nervous system and return to your life with clarity and energy.
Activities can include Laughter Yoga, Breathwork, Journaling, Gratitude, Mindfulness etc.
Why You Need a Self-Renewal Retreat
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or disconnected, a retreat can be a powerful catalyst for transformation.
Benefits of a self-renewal retreat include:
✅ Mental Clarity, Reduced Stress and Improved Mental Health: Stepping away from stressors and engaging in self-care practices can alleviate stress and improve mental well-being.
✅ Emotional Release: Allow space for healing and self-compassion
✅ Enhanced Creativity and Focus: Unplugging, Mindful practices and a relaxed state of mind can foster creativity and improve focus.
✅ Deeper Connection with Self and Increased Self Awareness: Time for reflection and introspection can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself. Opportunities to reconnect and re-align with one's values, goals, and purpose in life.
✅ True Rest, Renewed Energy and Motivation: Deep relaxation that supports physical and emotional vitality. A break from daily routines can help replenish energy levels and boost motivation.
A retreat can be a powerful catalyst for transformation
Types of Self-Renewal Retreats
You don’t need to travel across the world or spend a fortune. Here are a few options to consider:
At-Home Retreats:
Personal calendars and dedicated time blocks can create a wellness retreat at home, focusing on self-care and rejuvenation.Mini-Retreats:
Brief escapes, even a few hours, can provide a valuable opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation.Group Retreats:
These retreats offer a supportive environment for connecting with others, sharing experiences, and participating in guided activities.Guided Retreats:
Retreats led by facilitators can offer specialized programs like yoga, meditation, or other practices designed for self-renewal.
Retreats led by wellbeing facilitators Shaileen Shah and Saijal Ladd specialising in Gratitude, Journal, Breathwork, Meditation and other practices designed for self-renewal
Final Thought: Renewal Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Necessity
Self-renewal is not selfish. It’s essential. These retreats aren’t about escaping life — they’re about returning to it with more energy, clarity, and purpose.
If you’re hearing the quiet inner nudge to slow down… listen. Book the weekend. Light the candle. Breathe deeper. Your soul is ready for renewal.
Our Self Renewal Retreats Offer An Opportunity To Relax, Refresh & Reconnect Your Mind, Body & Soul.
We offer weekend away retreats, day retreats and can help you deliver a retreat for your organisation, group or community.
Invest in your self-renewal at our retreats designed to re-energise, refresh and rejuvenate your wellbeing whilst connecting with like-minded people for an unforgettably meaningful experience in a beautiful countryside setting.
Attendees from first retreat gave an average 9/10 rating for their overall retreat experience
Register your interest, more info and FAQs about our retreats here
Happy Life Habits and Saij Wellness Self Renewal Retreat
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list (at the bottom of the page) and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
Good Morning Routine
How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.
I like to embed practices into my morning routine that support, enhance and rejuvenate my happiness, wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual), positivity, energy and productivity.
The great thing is most of these only take 2-10 mins each and return much more for energy, attention, mindset and mood.
How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.
Good Morning Vietnam!
Good Morning Vietnam : https://youtu.be/6S8MV523ASA?si=X49lZrobtHgLKJ_s
If you watch this clip of Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam I am sure you will be smiling / laughing by the end of it. His character was in Vietnam to uplift morale which he did through comedy in a morning radio show at 6:00am.
Morning Routine
How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.
I like to embed practices into my morning routine that support, enhance and rejuvenate my happiness, wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual), positivity, energy and productivity.
The great thing is most of these only take 2-10 mins each and return much more for energy, attention, mindset and mood.
These include:
Review my personal mission statement and goals
Gratitude
Journaling (Gratitude, Intentions, Affirmations)
Breathwork
Meditation/Mindfulness
Prayer
Learning
Exercise
Sharing a positive quote on HLH Quote Group
Over the last 18months or so - using the habit development strategy shared in 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course I have added the following practices to my established morning routine:
High 5 Habit (Mel Robbins)
Reading a page of the Daily Stoic
Listening to favourite playlist while journaling and doing exercises
Extended morning Prayers
Breathwork exercises - 2 since Sep 2024 Retreat
Sharing prompts for Gratitude Group Practice (Not daily)
They each have a cue, action and reward.
Mylenation
Repetition is a key component to building habits, routines and skill. With deliberate repetition we ingrain the neural pathways. The neurons go through mylenation, a membrane/sheet thickens around the neurons. Thereby insulating and increasing the speed of signals between neurons. Similar to insulation on wires or think of it like super fast fibre optic broadband.
A great example of this is with a new evening routine with my mum.
Evening Routine - The power of prayer
My mum is in her mid-eighties, has Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia too. Dementia causes memory and cognitive issues.
Once 9th April 2025 the very first Unite for World Peace: Navkar Mahamantra Day Celebration was organised by a group called JITO.
Jain organisation from across the world took part to chant the universal Jain prayer for 24 hours across the different countries and time zones.
There were community gatherings to recite in person, online and all of it was streamed.
Due to mum’s conditions and mobility were we not able to attend these community gatherings.
Instead we just did the prayer ourselves at home just before going into bed to go to sleep. Having learnt this prayer as a young child, through much repetition and mylenation my mum was able to sing the prayers from memory. It is a 9 line universal prayer.
This has now become our evening ritual where each night we recite together before she goes to bed. Sometimes I lead, sometimes she does.
We have added a forgiveness prayer, the Kshmapna. I’m not sure if she had learnt this as a child. However she is learning it through daily repetition.
I use is as my way of asking for forgiveness in any issues looking after/interacting with mum that day.
It is a sweet ritual that I cherish allowing me to have a moment where I can be present, connected and ask for forgiveness with her. I know this will change as her condition deteriorates and she ages.
Celebrating 5 Years of the Happy Life Habits 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course.
June 1st marks 5 years since Happy Life Habits launched its unique life changing 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course. This was during the Covid19 pandemic and lockdowns where people were feeling anxiety and stress. Emotional and Mental wellbeing was being impacted negatively.
After learning to create videos, edit, subtitle we created in a really short time videos to support during Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) (same videos shared this MHAW). This including a live online workshop and the launch of the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course.
About 20 people joined that initial course. I am grateful to that initial set of trainees and those subsequently for their faith, support, participation and feedback on the course. I felt we made a positive difference and keep doing so by sharing these valuable skills, habits and way of thinking.
The first course some found overwhelming as I had tried to give it all to them - the live sessions, journal practice, accountability, daily Facebook practice and also thrown in a 21 Day Gratitude Challenge on a different platform. It was extreme immersion.
We learnt from the experience to break things down, take it step by step, introducing new things bit by bit and help establish the habit and the learning gently so that it sticks. We learnt that learning and sharing together was powerful.
With each iteration of the course we made amending to improve and enhance the course and experience.
Now the course is broken down to be more that 30 days to provide that extra support and deepen the learning.
We now have a really comprehensive, one of a kind training course:
The Happiness Journal (The 5 minute Journal)
the Journal Workshop to start using the journal
Daily accountability / feedback on entries.
Weekly sessions to share more on gratitude, further the practice, address questions and challenges with the practice, enhance the practice with suggested actions
The 30 Day Facebook Daily practice is now on WhatsApp and this activity is done separately from the 30 Day Journaling Habit Development as a post course addition.
Celebration session / Meal
If you are interested in developing these positive habits register on the waiting list.
From 1st June in the HLH Gratitude Practice Group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbhAgWJ5ZSR4lYlrOp08c7) we will start our 10 Day Practice which we will extend through the month as we will likely pause for the Summer.
London Festival Of Architecture - A Walk through Space and Time in Mill Hill
Happy Life Habits is proud to be part of the London Festival of Architecture
We have organised a free walk titled "A Walk through Space and Time in Mill Hill" on Sunday 8th June from 9:30am - 12:00pm
If you would like to join here is the link:
https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/event/a-walk-through-space-and-time-in-mill-hill/
Please note there are limited tickets so act fast to secure your ticket.
NO Yoga Retreat! - Early Bird finishes at the end of the week
We (Saijal Ladd and I) have purposefully chosen not to have yoga at our Luxury Self Renewal Retreat at The Vedanta, Lincolnshire, 7-9th November.
Except Laugher Yoga which we will do.
Not because we are against yoga, in fact yoga is part of my morning route in terms of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar).
There are many benefits to the practice and way of life for our wellbeing.
We have chosen not to have yoga as there are many retreats and opportunities that offer yoga.
We want to offer something different that you can experience and incorporate into you daily life to benefit your happiness, wellbeing, energy and productivity.
That's why at our retreat we offer opportunities to experience:
Breathwork
Meditation
Laugher Yoga
Grounding
Walks
Gratitude
Journaling
Mindfulness
Sound Bath
Time to connect, reflect and be
Attendees of Sep 2024 rated their experience 9/10
What is included?
* Mix of workshops, activities, energisers and relaxation
* Workshop sessions led by Shaileen and Saijal
* Sessions to practice breathwork, meditation/mindfulness, movement, gratitude, journaling, sound bath & more
* 2 nights in shared accommodation with en-suite. Eco-friendly mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets, guaranteeing a deep and restful sleep. Each room includes a welcome pack with body wash, shampoo, a vanity kit, lotions, and fluffy towels
* 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners - be nourished with wholesome, heart warming, vegetarian/vegan meals - no garlic/onion. Let us know of any allergies/dietary requirements
* Access to venue facilities (including our swimming pool and spa area with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, plus our 24-hour gym and games room) at designated times
* Refreshments station, with teas, coffees and hot drinks
* Walks in the beautiful grounds
* Relax & Connection time
* Various gifts worth £150+ including coaching session with each of Shaileen and Saijal
We also have pre-retreat and post-retreat session on zoom / in person and a Retreat Attendees WhatsApp group
Travel to and from the venue is not included - though lifts are often arranged with fellow attendees with a contribution to the fuel.
Register your interest, more info and FAQs at https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/retreat
Banana Tree Reward Offer
The Banana Tree Restaurants have a referral program.
Sign up using my link and you'll get £10 off and I'll get a £10 voucher after you have visited the restaurant. A win-win for all.
https://gifts.bananatree.co.uk/claim/Shaileen-Shah-1747675099
25 Reminders to help you lead with meaning - Intelligent Change
This aligns with what we have shared in this blog.
1. What you focus on grows. Choose carefully.
2. People with clear values don’t get lost.
3. Discipline is freedom.
4. What you build will outlast what you buy.
5. Comfort zones are beautiful places. But nothing grows there.
6. You will never regret being kind.
7. Energy is your most valuable currency. Spend it like it matters.
8. If you don’t know what to do, do one thing well.
9. Your attention is your power. Stop giving it away for free.
10. The fastest way to earn respect is to do what you said you would.
11. Creativity is not a mood. It’s a decision.
12. No one is coming to give you permission.
13. If you’re waiting to feel ready, you’ll be waiting forever.
14. A good idea means nothing without execution.
15. You become what you repeat.
16. Say no more often. It’s a skill.
17. If you don’t define success for yourself, someone else will.
18. Action beats overthinking. Every time.
19. Your calendar shows what you really value.
20. Surround yourself with people who raise your standards.
21. Your future is built in five-minute choices.
22. Great work comes from curiosity, not certainty.
23. Don’t waste your life proving your worth.
24. Simplicity scales. Complexity breaks.
25. You don’t get more time. You get to decide what to do with it.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
How to Have an Amazing Year
How to Have an Amazing Year. Simple, do Amazing things.
Plan these in, look forward to them with positive anticipation and after the event look back savouring the memories.
“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
‘Which road do I take?’ she asked.
‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response.
‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered.
‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
““One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
‘Which road do I take?’ she asked.
‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response.
‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered.
‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.”
”
How to Have an Amazing Year
Simple, do Amazing things
Plan these in, look forward to them with positive anticipation and after the event look back savouring the memories.
Watch this short video.
https://youtu.be/MTgg37r_F9Q
As shared in the video, we went to a Candlelight Concert on the theme of Bollywood. The benefit of planning and doing amazing things was that we looked forward to the experience. This gave a positive feeling and we went with the expectation it would be a good experience.
During the event we were present and mindful, appreciating the ambience of the venue and wonderful talent of the musicians.
After the event, we are able to savour the memory as we share it with others. This leads to a positive, good mood.
I am looking to have at least one Amazing experience each month.
Let me know if you have any suggestions.
What are you looking forward to, have planned, what were highlights and learning from last year?
As in previous years, they will be to foster Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual wellbeing. Step out of comfort zone, learn, develop skills and grow. Be of service. Create memories and have joy.
Currently planned and some of the benefits/reasons :
Meditation & Mindfulness Day and Breathwork Workshop : Learning, skill development and supporting my friend who is running the workshops. This enables cultivating good working relationships with other practitioners.
Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop : Expand my comfort zone as it will be the first time I will be doing in-person, service to community.
London City Walking Tour With 5 friends : Enjoy a prize I won in a raffle. Treat some friends to an experience around their birthdays. Make the most of the day out creating positive memories, social connection and spending quality time together.
Gratitude for Wellbeing at North Finchley Library : Deliver a workshop in a new venue. Cultivating good working relationships. Continue the working relationship with Mind in Enfield and Barnet and also serve the Happy Life Habits mission.
Sound Healing session : Attend some Sound Healing /Bath sessions run by people I know
A few weeks travel abroad to visit family : A break from norm and a change in scene. Allowing social connection and a time for learning.
Visit with family and friends to watch a new play “Comedy about Spies” : Fun experience full of laughter. Spending quality time with friends and family.
ABBA Voyage Concert : Enjoy excellent music to sing along to that will make me feel good.
Self Renewal Luxury Retreat @ The Vedanta : Enjoy delivering the workshops and also having a relaxing time at this retreat, in a wonderful venue with like minded souls.
In addition: Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, achievements, time in nature, time with family, friends and community.
Happy Life Habits events to look forward to :
Social Connection dinner/lunch : one event in first half of the year near International Day of Happiness March 20th and another in the second half near Thanksgiving around the forth Thursday in November.
30 Day Gratitude & Journaling Habit Immersion Training course : our lifechanging flagship course that helps develop and benefit from a regular gratitude habit, a journaling habit, a morning and evening routine. One training course to be held in the first half of the year and another in the second half of the year.
Positive Grief Talk during National Grief Awareness Week in December
Gratitude Practice on WhatsApp : On 1st January we launched a 10 Day Gratitude Challenge for the first time on WhatsApp. Each day a different gratitude theme/question to contemplate on and share reflections. The feedback on the experience from the participants was excellent. Summarised as :
A different and moving experience beyond individual practice that helps you go deeper in your practice, think outside the box, be inspired from insights from others perspective, see our common humanity and make a positive difference to your day
All respondents to the poll rated it 5/5 - Amazing/Awesome/Transformative
The intention is to run a Gratitude Practice each month on WhatsApp. Join here.
Self Renewal Luxury Retreat : Following on from our first Self Renewal Luxury Retreat in September 2024 which was well received, with an average 9/10 rating by the participants, we are running another one on 8-10th November 2025.
Invest in your self-renewal at our retreats designed to re-energise, refresh and rejuvenate your wellbeing whilst connecting with like-minded people for an unforgettably meaningful experience in a beautiful countryside setting.
Happiness Boosters / Coaching / Talks / Workshops as and when booked by organisations and corporates
Even as I write this and think about the plans for this year it brings a positive and optimistic feeling.
Hiccups / Spontaneous / Expectations
Undoubtable some things will not go to plan. Things may get cancelled, postponed, delayed due to things outside your control or your own doing. You may become unwell, a friend can’t make, tube strike that could hamper the journey and so forth.
That is life. That’s ok.
The plans may go better and if they do not, I’ll step back to see the big picture and learn from the experience.
By planning, organising and expecting the best, I feel in control and have a better time leading up to the event or experience. We get what we focus on.
You need to be flexible to spontaneous opportunities. Sometimes these are the best. Such as a friend popping over unannounced, or a last minute shout to go out for a meal or chance encounter and conversation.
Many say, especially spiritual teachings that we should not have expectations as can cause disappointment and emotions when not met.
I think expectations themselves are not the issue but an attachment to the expectation or outcome is.
By expecting the best, we look for the best and also show up as our best helping to make it the best.
If it does not work out as expected, the quicker we are able to accept the situation and learn from it the better for us.
Planning allows us to feel in control of our lives, gives us an opportunity to enjoy looking forward to the experience, Enjoy while it happens and savour it after the event. Triple benefit from the one event. Now that’s a good return.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
There is much merit in looking back and review the past year. It allows us to learn from, celebrate and let go to move forward in the new year. We can see patterns, remember highlights and observe growth.
Looking forward allows us to plan, dream, visualise, prepare and the most out of the new year.
For a number of years I do an end of year review and often mid year too. Life is at a hectic pace that we can sometime lose track of what has happened.
Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop inc. lunch Sunday 26 January 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
What is the wisest decision I made in 2024?
This is one of the questions from the Year Compass booklet we will look at in the workshop and capture in the booklet.
The Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop is a great way to review the year.
The workshop includes:
- The YearCompass workbook
- In person session in NW London (limited spaces)
- Lunch (Vegetarian/Vegan)
What will you give you time, energy and attention?
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
We will do structured review and planning
- a structured review of the last year using a workbook to look at various themes including personal life, work/studies, hobbies, friends, health, emotional, spiritual, finances etc.
- Capture learning, moments, challenges, achievements
- Consider what we want to let go
- Focus on new year via various themes including personal life, work/studies, hobbies, friends, health, emotional, spiritual, finances etc.
Questions to guide and focus such as
About Last Year :
What is the wisest decision I made?
The biggest thing I completed?
About this Year:
I am ready to let of of these 3 things ...
This year I will not procrastinate any more over...
Capture it in the YearCompass to refer to during the year and thereafter.
What are you looking forward to, have planned, what were highlights and learning from last year?
Year Review / Planning Resources
Here are videos/podcasts/articles and tools I have found beneficial for planning, goals and habits
Mel Robbins : How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm6oJwpuOYc
Oprah Winfrey - How to Finally Change Your Life in 2025
https://youtu.be/v7VWqwCSc08?si=VzcWReIaIIUQ9p2B
Joshua Becker - 12 Unique Resolutions https://youtu.be/d3Ry0zbYnsU?si=2T48caakMdMWuVXp
Jim Kwik - 5 Steps for a Limitless Life in 2025 https://youtu.be/Vc-tuW85uHo?si=pPrk1ZaIIYaFr2nz
Andrew Huberman 6 small habits can CHANGE your life in 2025 (21 day plan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEq-AYSRFHE
Dr Rangan Chatterjee How To Completely Change Your Life In 2025 - 5 Habits You'll Actually Use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2k7FO6hNr4
How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm6oJwpuOYc
Oprah Winfrey - How to Finally Change Your Life in 2025
https://youtu.be/v7VWqwCSc08?si=VzcWReIaIIUQ9p2B
Joshua Becker - 12 Unique Resolutions https://youtu.be/d3Ry0zbYnsU?si=2T48caakMdMWuVXp
Jim Kwik - 5 Steps for a Limitless Life in 2025 https://youtu.be/Vc-tuW85uHo?si=pPrk1ZaIIYaFr2nz
Andrew Huberman 6 small habits can CHANGE your life in 2025 (21 day plan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEq-AYSRFHE
How To Completely Change Your Life In 2025 - 5 Habits You'll Actually Use | Dr Rangan Chatterjee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2k7FO6hNr4
Some planner tools
Join the Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community - more regular sharing done here.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
A Thousand Mile Journey Begins With The First Step...
Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.
The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey.
Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.
The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey. It was the year I also started my corporate IT career with a US based consulting firm by being proactive and creating my own luck. You can read more about it here: https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2023/08/01/work-ethic.
While working in Michigan, USA I was introduced to the classic and transformative The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People : Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr Stephen R. Covey. This had a profound impact on me. Around the same time while working in Chicago I flew back to London for a long weekend in November to attend with my family the legendary Tony Robbin’s 2nd ever UK Unleash The Power Weekend (UPW) Seminar. This is the one where on the first night you end up doing a fire walk over hot, smouldering coals.
The 7 Habits and the UPW experience were my first steps on a journey of self development and growth and of sharing with others what I was learning. One major learning has been to focus on Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal.
habit 7 Sharpen the saw : Principles of Balanced self-renewal
Covey says
“Habit 7 is taking time to sharpen the saw. It surrounds the other habits in the Seven Habits paradigm because it is the habit that makes the others possible.”
“It’s preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - you. It’s renewing the four dimensions of your nature: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.”
“Taking time to sharpen the saw is a definite Quadrant II activity.”
“This is the single most powerful investment we can ever make in life - investment in ourselves, in the only instrument we have with which to deal with life and to contribute. We are the instruments of our own performance, and to be effective, we need to recognise the importance of taking time regularly to sharpen the saw in all four ways.”
Physical: Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management
Metal: Reading, Visualising, Planning, Writing
Social/Emotional: Service, Empathy, Synergy, Intrinsic Security
Spiritual: Value Clarification and Commitment, Study and Meditation
The Self-Renewal Retreat
We have organised for end of September will share sessions on Self-Renewal and Energy Management. The Self Renewal was instilled from ideas from The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People : Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr Stephen R. Covey my first personal development book and start of my self development and growth journey. The Energy Management from my current book Arete by Brian Johnson and Heroic Coaching.
The focus on these themes have helped through out my journey and in particular in my current roles as a carer for my mum, family man, being of service in volunteer work for community organisation Young Jains and sharing through Happy Life Habits.
Acutely aware that Life is Short, I have habits, awareness and priority for how I use my Time (Planning, Priorities, Quadrant II), Energy ( Eat, Sleep, Move, Breathe) and Focus.
H.E.A.L.T.H =
Happy
energy
attention
life
time
habits
Progress on mastering these six, designing and crafting them into your awareness and every day routines will lead you to have a beautiful life.
Here is my very first blog article on Happy Habits for a Happy Life.
https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2019/1/15/happy-habits-for-happy-life-1
"The clocks may have gone forward one hour, we may have "lost" one hour. What's more important is how we use the hours we have left."
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker and Trainer
Recently I had a one week period of amazing experiences reminding me of how far I’ve come, my purpose and passion and the things that are important for Happiness, Health, Wellbeing and to flourish.
These were:
Thursday:
Last session of set of 5 of the Happy Life Habits Book Club with is working through the book Arete by Brian Johnson.. This was an engaging session with lots of insight sharing, differences made by applying the ideas and I left with good energy and motivation.
Friday:
Session 8 of my Every Day Happiness 10 week course with Mind in Enfield and Barnet. The topic was journaling. The attendees have been given course work for a few weeks to apply practices and it is wonderful to hear about them going for it, seeing the impact on their happiness score and observations of the what they experience.
Sunday:
We ran a in person Social Connection event with Young Jains, an organisation that has had a big impact on me and one that I have the opportunity to be of service to. A small group gathered, some familiar faces some meeting for the first time. We had deep and meaningful conversations that helped use connect and know each better. This was facilitated by some group questions such as “What is your favourite book and why?” to using various cards for one to one interaction. There was warmth, trust, open sharing and a strong sense of connection and belonging with like minded people. Social Connection is vital for our happiness, health and wellbeing.
The Social Connection continued with conversations continuing over a delicious vegetarian/vegan meal at Little Resham. Food for mind and the body. You can get a 5% discount at Little Resham if you mention Shaileen Happy Life Habits.
Wednesday:
On International Day of Happiness I had the opportunity to share a talk on The Science of Happiness. An opportunity due to relationship building and persistence. This was great as I was living my purpose and sharing my passion.
Thursday:
A colleague calling me at 12:40pm just as I was getting ready for lunch. He said he was stuck in traffic and if I could run an online taster session at 1pm, in 20mins. I said I would call him back in 2 minutes once I had check something. I called him back, said yes. Set up my computer, opened the slide deck and joined the online platform to share a session. It went well.
In the evening I ran the first of 3 Free Positive Grief sessions in the lead up to June’s Growing Around Grief : 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course.
Here are some of the comments in feedback:
“Thank you for the informative session. Hoping to use your methods to grow around the grief to support me”
“That was a really good reminder of all aspects of grief brought together. Love that you have brought all aspects in a positive way”
“Loved being part of this session.”
Why and How
I was able to do all this due to putting time and effort into learning content, developing skills, building relationships, handling set backs and having a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do . I have developed inner confidence in that I have deep trust in myself that I can handle whatever unfolds.
The beauty of this book club there is not set number of pages to read till the next session. You read what you can, apply what you want and when we meet share accordingly. This takes away the pressure of having to have reached a certain point or to keep up with everyone else. The sharing by all gives deeper and different perspective on ideas, inspires and motivates. A great opportunity to consistently focus on Learning and Growth, an aspect that is key for our happiness and health.
Details here of the next set of dates, if you would like to attend a session to see how it works get in touch:
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
Looking Forward and Creating Magic
Having things to look forward to has a positive impact on us. The holiday or the together that you have planned; you enjoy the anticipation leading up to the event sometimes more than the actual event. Looking forward also can fill us with hope. I’ve enjoyed planning things and having activities to look forward to, they have helped to navigate the turbulent experiences life gives us.
Self Care Retreat
Having things to look forward to has a positive impact on us. The holiday or the together that you have planned; you enjoy the anticipation leading up to the event sometimes more than the actual event. Looking forward also can fill us with hope. I’ve enjoyed planning things and having activities to look forward to, they have helped to navigate the turbulent experiences life gives us.
In December I worked on the Year Compass and the Mel Robbins Best Year planner that I have shared in the Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community. I filled out the planners, looking back on the last year and the plans for the forthcoming year. In addition to more corporate opportunities two I had added as dream/stretch goals were : (1) A retreat and (2) a TED Style talk.
I am excited that plans are progressing for both of these faster than anticipated. This is due to the power of goal setting visualisation, planning, nurturing relationships, taking action. In doing these I set my subconscious in motion and when the opportunities came or I created it was like magic.
In the supermarket after not being in direct touch for many years I bumped into good friend of mine, Saijal. We had served together as volunteers with the Young Jains community. We re-connected and later she reached out with an idea of doing a self care retreat together. I am looking forward to it, sharing our individual skills and experiences to offer great value to the attendees.
We are organising a 3 night / 4 day Self Care Retreat in the Autumn:
Invest in yourself at this self care retreat in a beautiful setting whilst connecting with like-minded people
The retreat offers yoga, breathwork, meditation, gratitude, journaling sessions as well as group life coaching workshops.
Share open discussions & conversations
Providing you with self care tools to be the best version of yourself to perform your various roles.
Get in touch to express interest for more details.
In relation to the TED Style talk, I have been booked for a private session for International Day of Happiness to share about Happiness. Do get in touch if you have any opportunities.
Happiness Boosters: A Shot of Positivity
In addition to the various workshops and talks for the corporate space, businesses, organisations and charities we are offering Happiness Boosters: A Shot of Positivity. BOOST Wellbeing, Productivity, Resilience & Positivity. A fun, interactive, small group, online / in person Happiness Booster that lifts the mood, energy & connection. Designed to support Mental, Emotional, Social Wellbeing & Positive Growth Mindsets. Scientific proven practices (e.g. Gratitude, Mindfulness, Kindness ).
Book this for you team, Department, Clients, Networking / Community / Charity Group
Team building, Wellbeing Days, Mental Health Days. Offsites, Ice Breaker, Orientations, Retreats, Conferences
For each referral you give that leads to a booking we will reward you with the option of: A Happiness Journal or 10% off Happy Life Habits Training courses/workshops or 45 min 1:2:1 coaching session.
Happiness Boosters: A Shot of Positivity. BOOST Wellbeing, Productivity, Resilience & Positivity.
Social Connection - International Day of Happiness
Many a time we have shared the importance of social connection and positive relationships for our happiness and wellbeing. Our Social Connection offering comes together for a meal, conversation and celebration. Last year we gathered in Autumn for Diwali/ Thanksgiving. Our next one is in March for International Day of Happiness.
Join the HLH Social Connection WhatsApp Group if interested.
HLH Book Club
In the 2 book club sessions we have had interesting conversations. Each of us is reading the Arete book at our own pace. We are coming together and sharing our insights, application and seeking perspectives and clarity. It is a great learning opportunity. Some recent information on Brain Health highlighted the benefits of continuous learning, social connection, nutrition and movement for good brain health and to reduce chances of Dementia,
One conversation has been on the Viktor Frank quote:
“BETWEEN STIMULUS AND RESPONSE THERE IS A SPACE.
IN THAT SPACE LIES OUR FREEDOM AND POWER TO CHOOSE OUR RESPONSE.
IN THOSE CHOICES LIES OUR GROWTH AND OUR FREEDOM (HAPPINESS)”
One has been what do we do to create that space to choose our response and another what does it mean by Freedom? Send your answers on a postcard or join the Book Club!
We have also looked at Energy from the Energy, Work and Love triplet. Choosing something we can commit to do, as a small change between one Book Club session and the next in order to put the theory into action. Various actions chosen such as : more walking, less sweets, no biscuits or fizzy drinks for 10 of the 14 days, going to bed earlier and drinking more water. We share our experiences at the next session and choose another small action to commit to for the next 2 weeks.
Happy Life Habits Book Club
Happy Life Habits 21 Day Challenge: Reverence
Before the pandemic and lockdowns started in 2020 I had hosted a 21 Day challenge. It helped me very much during this period that I continued to host a further 4 in subsequent months on themes of gratitude, kindness, simple living and mindfulness.
21 Day challenges are a great way to get new perspectives, shift mindset, develop discipline, consistency, learn, connect and grow.
I am hosting another free 21 Day Challenge on the theme of Reverence starting at the end of Feb and running till International Day of Happiness on March 20.
To join the challenge and receive the daily challenge emails click here :
https://www.kindspring.org/challenge/join/2239/
In addition this time we have a HLH Challenge WhatsApp Group where details of zoom catch ups during the challenge period will be shared.
Join the Happy Life Habits Challenge WhatsApp group for potential zoom sessions during the challenge.
Here is an example of one of the daily emails.
To join the challenge and receive the daily challenge emails click here :
30 Day Gratitude & Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course for Growing Around Grief
In recent months we have experienced grief with anniversary of the death of my father, death of my father in law and other death anniversaries and losses. Gratitude and Journaling helps big time.
We have adapted our core 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course to offer support for Growing around Grief. The live zoom sessions will have activities and exercises related to growing around grief plus opportunity to share and support each other.
The Positive Grief Talk will be part of this offering.
Dates are being finalised, you can join waiting list.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
End Of Year Review 2023
Review 2023
At various points in the year I take a moment to review the preceding time period and what is forthcoming. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
My chosen highlights for 2023
Here are the themes for my chosen personal and professional highlights for 2023 with a brief example. Details on these continue in the blog article.
Commitments, Learning & Habits-
The projects and roles I have committed to I have delivered on. What has helped is consistency, focus, intention & creativity. I have worked from my strengths, stretched, stepped out of my comfort zone, attempted new ideas, used a growth mindset, been resourceful and drawn upon my various past experiences.
Social Connection and Celebration - Various birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated including milestone ones.
Rest & Renewal - much needed overdue holiday break in Kenya with Masai Mara Balloon Safari, forest walks and relaxation at the beach
Community Service & Volunteering - Mental Health Awareness Week digital support and masterclass on Anxiety
Achievements & Creative Innovation - Becoming a certified Heroic Performance Coach from 300 Day coaching program
Review 2023
At various points in the year I take a moment to review the preceding time period and what is forthcoming. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
Here is review from 2021, 2022 and mid year 2023.
My chosen highlights for 2023
Here are my chosen personal and professional highlights for 2023. Details on these continue in the article.
Commitments, Learning & Habits -
The projects and roles I have committed to I have delivered on. What has helped is consistency, focus, intention & creativity. I have worked from my strengths, stretched, stepped out of my comfort zone, attempted new ideas, used a growth mindset, been resourceful and drawn upon my various past experiences.
A daily focus on learning, self care / renewal, mission statement review, setting intentions, gratitude, journaling, meditation, exercise, nutrition, virtue cultivation, planning, reflection, developing new positive habits have been the bedrock to allow the successes, opportunities, deal with the challenges and be resilient.
Social Connection and Celebration
Various birthdays and anniversaries celebrated including milestone ones.
Happy Life Habits lunches to celebrate 3 years of 30 Day Gratitude & Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course and second annual Thanksgiving Lunch.
Catch up and get togethers.
Rest & Renewal - much needed overdue holiday break in Kenya with Masai Mara Balloon Safari (Bucket List), forest walks and relaxation at the beach
Community Service & Volunteering
Pure Soul exhibition
Young Jains NEC
Focus on Forgiveness digital offering
Mental Health Awareness Week digital support and masterclass on Anxiety
Workshops for World Values Day - What Values would you die for?
Achievements & Creative Innovation
Becoming a certified Heroic Performance Coach from 300 Day coaching program
Being a Heroic Ambassador
Join the SoulBrite Winning Wellbeing team - taking part in LinkedIn Lives
Launch of Inner Compass - Program for deeper clarity on your life, time, energy and focus
Move to Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community with various subgroups
Dedicated Mental Health group with Master Class on Anxiety and daily support / sharing for Mental Health Awareness Week
Daily sharing of Positive quote in Daily Quote group - to start the day with a positive
Publishing Every Day Happiness Book
Mind In Enfield & Barnet asking us to design and deliver a 10 week course on Happiness in addition to the Gratitude for Wellbeing Workshop.
Happy Life Habits Community Facebook Group - Each week on various days sharing of a question that promotes happiness and wellbeing
Purely digital/online daily offering for Jain Festival of Forgiveness
This was shared at the 6 month review blog in June https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2023/08/01/work-ethic-e585y
___________________________________________________
The year started with a key note presentation for an HR conference in Athens.
We launched a new program Inner Compass and continued with the Master Mind Program.
Took part in 2 podcasts : People on Purpose and Estrella of Happiness - Within You.
Delivered two 3 hour workshops on Gratitude for Wellbeing for the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet and supported Mental Health Awareness Week on the theme of anxiety sharing resources daily in a dedicated WhatsApp group and Master Class on Anxiety.
Our flag ship 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course celebrated it’s 3rd year. We positively impacted trainees when we ran the course in March and a last minute decision for June. June was opened as free gifted refresher to previous attendees.
We celebrated completion of the June course and three year anniversary for the first time with an in person celebration dinner (which was open invite for all Happy Life Habits Community members) at the restaurant Little Resham. We shared delicious, vegan food, conversations and connected deeper with the use of the gratitude cards.
_________________________________
In addition to those shared above here are some more Happy Life Habits and personal highlights
Got Oshwal Connect New Years Honours List Award for the Mental Health and Wellbeing work
Organised a virtual surprise for my friend Priti who was celebrating her 50th Birthday. We had an Inner Compass/Master Mind session scheduled on her birthday. At the end of the session she was surprised on return from break out room when many of her friends and family had joined. We all shared memories and qualities that we saw in her. Awesome part was that in addition it to being a complete surprise we recorded the sharing and she now has that a gift to look upon and savour the memories.
We celebrated my wife Harshna’s 50th too with various get togethers. There were various milestone birthdays and anniversaries we were able to take part in celebrating, connection and creating memories.
Met up with a few university friends from 30 years ago
Ran Daily Facebook part of 30 Day course in November for past course attendees and also had annual Thanksgiving Lunch
My son finished his first year at University, passed his driving test and I’m just beaming with pride at his maturity and cultivation of virtues. The first time we went for driving practice in the family car after he had already been having lessons I was a little cautious. Watching him do all the safety checks and drive diligently the cautiousness went away and I feel really safe when he is driving.
Rest & Renewal
We had an awesome Summer break in Kenya, our first since Covid and lockdowns. Time spent with different family members for parts such as trip to Nanyuki near the foothills for Mount Kenya where the Equator is. A memorable experience was a trek to swim in waterfall lagoon at Ngare Ndare Forest. This was followed with a Masai Mara safari and ended with a whole family trip to the Mombasa including the South coast beach.
Many memories and wonderful experiences created. In particular the Masai Mara trip where on one particular day we set off before sunrise to watch the sunrise from a Balloon Safari (Bucket List) over the Masai Mara plains. An amazing experience followed by a bush breakfast. We did safari the whole day with a delicious picnic lunch inside the Mara where zebras were our backdrop. in In that one day we saw all of the Big Five : Elephants, Rhino (rare), Leopard (rare), Lions and Buffalo. More than 12 hours later we ended the day after the afternoon safari with a sunset sundowners.
Community Service & volunteering
As Happy Life Habits we supported for free Mental Health Awareness Week in May. The theme was anxiety. We shared daily videos, articles and quotes on a dedicated HLH Mental Health WhatsApp Group. An anxiety masterclass was shared.
Late February I was invited to join the Pure Soul team that was delivering 2 weekends of community events as SOAS university as part of the Pure Soul exhibition related to the Jain faith. I joined the team to assist with this project and draw upon my experiences for projects and leadership roles in Young Jains and SCVP as well as those gained from Happy Life Habits. I helped provide support, guidance, communication, create and coordinate a volunteer team. As Young Jains we delivered a workshop on Radical Forgiveness. Priti and I played the MC roles of the Sunday afternoon.
I rejoined the Young Jains NEC (non executive committee) at the end of July to aid the organisation which is facing various challenges.
Within the first few days against the odds I proposed an idea to deliver an digital offering for the Jain forgiveness festival of Paryushan at the start of September. Leading up to the festival, during and after we had a dedicated Focus on Forgiveness WhatsApp group. Each day we shared in English articles, quotes, songs, poems and awareness actions. For four evenings we delivered live online reflection sessions.
On World Values Day in October we offered 2 workshops: What Values would you die for? . One had no attendees despite registrations. This was disappointing. The second session was well received by those who attended. A strong reminder that our role is to show up, do our duty and understand that the results/outcomes are not in our hand.
List of articles shared in 2023
Here are links to articles shared this year.
INNER CHEERLEADER INSTEAD OF INNER CRITIC
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2023 : 15TH - 21ST MAY: THEME ANXIETY
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: ANXIETY RESOURCES
A STRONG WORK ETHIC - WORKING 9 TO ...
Many thanks for your support, encouragement and engagement during the last year. We look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
A Christmas Care - Role (Carol) Who Cares? for the Carer? Dementia/Parkinson's/Old Age/Grief/Loneliness
In the story of Jesus’ birth there are three kings who come bearing gifts. In Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol there are 4 ghosts who visit Ebeneezer Scrooge. His business partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
On 11th Dec 2020 our world changed when my father suddenly passed (https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2020/12/24/live-love-learn-amp-legacy) away within 36 hours. He was the primary carer for my mum. We had the gifts and ghosts of : Old age, Grief, Loneliness, Parkinsons and Dementia. That was part of our inheritance.
Without those gifts and ghosts this article would not be written, published and shared.
As time goes by the probability that someone close to you will be impacted by dementia is increasing.
“One of the hardest things in life is to know that you can not stop the decline as you witness firsthand the diminishing cognitive capacity of a loved one due to progressive incurable neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s or Dementia.
To observe them becoming a shadow of themselves day by day; the impact on their physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. Knowing there is nothing you can do to stop that decline. Experiencing the loss each day as anticipatory grief.”
Shaileen Shah - Carer, Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker and Trainer.
This article is about my role as a carer for my mum who is elderly, grieving, lonely and suffering from the progressive and incurable neurological conditions of both Parkinson’s and Dementia. It shares the perspective of the carer, the challenges faced, how best to look after yourself as well as how to look after and interact with someone who has these conditions or someone you are caring for.
I salute all those who are carers of any type and ask you to support those who you know who are doing a caring role.
In the story of Jesus’ birth there are three kings who come bearing gifts. In Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol there are 4 ghosts who visit Ebeneezer Scrooge. His business partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
On 11th Dec 2020 our world changed when my father suddenly passed (https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2020/12/24/live-love-learn-amp-legacy) away within 36 hours. He was the primary carer for my mum. We had the gifts and ghosts of : Old age, Grief, Loneliness, Parkinson’s and Dementia. That was part of our inheritance.
Without those gifts and ghosts this article would not be written, published and shared.
As time goes by, the probability that someone close to you will be impacted by dementia is increasing.
“One of the hardest things in life is to know that you cannot stop the decline as you witness firsthand the diminishing cognitive capacity of a loved one due to progressive incurable neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s or Dementia.
To observe them becoming a shadow of themselves day by day; the impact on their physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. Knowing there is nothing you can do to stop that decline. Experiencing the loss each day as anticipatory grief.”
This article is about my role as a carer for my mum who is elderly, grieving, lonely and suffering from the progressive and incurable neurological conditions of both Parkinson’s and Dementia. It shares the perspective of the carer, the challenges faced, how best to look after yourself as well as how to look after and interact with someone who has these conditions or someone you are caring for.
I salute all those who are carers of any type and ask you to support those who you know who are doing a caring role.
“Once, a student approached Rumi and asked, How should I deal with the pain and suffering in life?”
Rumi, in his wisdom, decided to share a story:
”There was a man who sought the wisdom of a great sage, hoping to find a way to escape his suffering. The sage looked at the man and said, ‘I will help you, but first, you must do something for me. Take this spoon, fill it with oil, and walk through the town without spilling a drop.’
”The man thought this task was simple enough and agreed. He took the spoon, filled it with oil, and began to walk through the town. As he carefully balanced the spoon, he couldn’t help but focus all his attention on not spilling any oil.
”When he returned to the sage, the sage asked, ‘Did you see the beautiful flowers in the town square? Did you notice the children playing and the laughter of families?’ The man realized he had been so fixated on the spoon that he hadn’t noticed anything else.
”The sage then said, ‘This is the key to dealing with pain. Just as you were so focused on the spoon that you missed the beauty around you, when you are consumed by your suffering, you miss the beauty of life. Pain is like the spoon, and life is like the town. Don’t let the pain consume your entire focus. Remember to look around and appreciate the beauty that still exists.’”
The student understood the sage’s message: while pain and suffering are part of life, it’s essential not to let them overshadow the beauty and joy that can be found in every moment. This story serves as a reminder that even in the face of pain, there is an opportunity to find meaning and beauty in life.
”
From Parkinson's UK (https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/what-parkinsons)
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brain because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working.
From Dementia UK (https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/about-dementia/what-is-dementia/):
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain.
Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.
Doctors typically use the word ‘‘dementia’’ to describe common symptoms – such as memory loss, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding – that get worse over time.
Some films and books about Dementia:
Films:
You, Me Aur Hum - Bollywood movie with Kajol and Ajay Devgn. Powerful scenes including one where Kajol has gone shopping and forgets her way home.
Still Alice - Powerful story of a young professor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s soon after her 50th birthday.
The Father - very moving depiction with Anthony Hopkins
The NoteBook
Books
Mum, Me, White Lies and Tea: My journey into the heart of dementia - Ten lessons from accompanying my mum on her journey with dementia by my friend Nick Williams. (Get in touch if you want a signed copy)
Trials and Tribulations of a Carer for Parkinson’s and Dementia
A typical day (though there is no typical day) in my life as a carer for my mum who has progressive incurable neurological conditions Parkinson’s and Dementia. This means she sometimes does not know what to do, cannot follow a sequence of instructions, needs to be told repeatedly, is not independently mobile requiring a Zimmer frame to move about, can lose balance and have a fall, lives in a different reality and can get frustrated easily and have a change in mood. I share here some of the trials and tribulations to give an insight into some of the challenges a Carer has. Routine is important as is regularly giving the Parkinson’s medications at the correct time 5-6 times a day.
Robin Sharma shares the 5am club. Those who get up at 5am and use the hour to reflect, do journaling, learning and exercise. On some days I am part of the 2am, 3:30am, 4am, 4:30am club and everything in between too. (As I write this section mid morning we have been up from 2am -7am). This is when my mum has woken up during the early hours to go to the bathroom or just feeling unsettled. It can be no wakes up, 1 or 2 wakeups or multiple wakeups over a few hours. This broken sleep / sleep deprivation and intensity of interaction can lead to energy lows, heavy head, brain fog impacting plans for the day.
A trip to the bathroom is a 20 min round trip. On average 2 or 3 per night. Sometimes you have just taken, tucked into bed and within 5 minutes need to visit again.
Getting her ready to go to bed involves giving last meds, helping to get changed, settle into bed etc. This is a 30-40 min activity.
She asks for water just after you have got her tucked up into bed.
Due to the medications and changes in the brain she can experience hallucinations, different reality, emotional roller coaster and be illogical.
Both mum and I can share angry words or actions due to stress, lack of sleep, frustration, low energy.
Sometimes when I am on a zoom call I have to excuse myself or switch off video and audio in order to attend to mum’s needs.
When doing deep work or creative work the flow can be disrupted due to distractions and disturbances in looking after mum. This involves task switching which takes up energy.
Even though my father passed away about 3 years ago, mum asks “When will he come? Where is he?”. Having been brought up to tell the truth and not telling lies being a part of my faith I initially used to explain to her that he has passed away. From learning about dementia from literature and the Dementia Club UK Awareness Training we now have to tell a lie or half truths and say he is out but fine or not to worry and he will come later. We have to step into her reality and reassure her.
Each day can be like Groundhog Day, during the day having the same conversation or giving the same instructions again and again, as for them they have forgotten and it is for the first time in their reality.
No real concept of time.
Excellent video about Dementia, I really resonate with this : https://youtu.be/EuRHHmXbzYs
We are fortunate that we share caring responsibilities over the family members and get support from external carers. However if the carer does not come on a particular day it means we have to drop plans and shift focus and responsibilities.
Giving Care
This brilliant article I got from Dementia Club UK in their weekly email. These tips can apply to anyone with whatever they are dealing with. I get it wrong so often, this helps to remind and refocus.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/caregiving-tips-teepa-snow-180395.htm
Dementia Caregiving Tips from Teepa Snow
My name is Teepa Snow, and I am a dementia care and education specialist. My personal mission is to better the lives of people with dementia—as well as the lives of their caregivers—by sharing what I have learned. An occupational therapist by training, I have been called “the horse whisperer of dementia.”
It can be difficult, frustrating and confusing to care for a person with dementia. In order to be successful in changing behavior when frustration mounts, it comes down to how we respond to what is happening and what we choose to do.
Five Tips to Help Dementia Caregivers Cope
1. Step Back
When an interaction is not going well, you have a choice: you can push your agenda and watch things get worse, or you can step back and think. What’s happening is often more complicated than it appears on the surface. In an effort to be helpful, you may have created a problem. The person who is challenging you is doing the very best they can with what cognitive abilities they have left. Stop judging them.
Learn to be a good detective. Your brain works better than theirs, so use it! Step back and assess their abilities. Know what you are working with. Try to figure out what might be driving the person. Analyze the situation. What are you seeing? What are you hearing? What might be their unmet emotional need? How about their unmet physical need? Why might they be doing what they are doing? What are they trying to communicate? You need to try to see things from their point of view.
2. Respond (Don’t React)
What you thought would happen didn’t happen. The person did not react the way you wanted (or expected) them to. You’re getting frustrated and you’re getting angry. What to do?
Stop reacting and stop your behavior of trying to correct them. Stop pointing out errors or mistakes. Stop trying to fix things. Stop raising your voice, and stop pushing your agenda. “Remember, I already told you that!” Do you find yourself repeating that sentence? It’s time to stop! Don’t argue with them.
What will be more helpful is to use the words they have given you. It’s called reflective narrative language and it will support their ability to make connections. Repeat back to them what they have said to you—acknowledge and validate what they are feeling. It is not helpful to focus on who is right or wrong, but it is often helpful to apologize (for whatever happened). Say something like, “I’m sorry this happened,” or, “I’m sorry I upset you, I was trying to help.”
3. Make Plans, but Expect Them to Change
Create a plan, think it through and get organized. Have a schedule. You know what you want to happen. However, when it doesn’t, you have to be flexible.
If your plan isn’t working, you can’t force it! It’s part of your care agenda. Adjust your plans as needed. It was just a plan! Figure out where to go or what to do instead. Having alternatives ready is necessary and helpful. Create Plan A, but always have a Plan B, Plan C or even Plan D at the ready.
4. Figure out What You Can (and Can’t) Control
Stop trying to control what you can’t control. This is so important to realize. You can’t control their dementia or their past (who they’ve been or their routines and preferences that may now be exaggerated or problematic). And, you can’t control/fix/change their behavior.
You do have some control, however, over their environment—their physical and sensory experiences. This includes where they are, the objects they use or have access to, and how you guide or help to direct their time. Consider how you can make a difference for both of you.
Pay attention to what helps them feel valued and important, as well as when they relax and regain their energy. Try to prioritize the most important things and what must get done. Know your agenda, but don’t show your agenda. Practice recognizing if/when something doesn’t go as you hoped and managing your response.
You can figure out how to get yourself under control, and you can build your skills and knowledge about how to better live with dementia. Change what you can change and then let go of the rest.
5. Take Care of Yourself
When it’s not working, when something you tried to do didn’t work, or when you’re getting frustrated or angry, you absolutely need to learn to take a time out. It’s critical to step away from the situation. Take at least three deep breaths—breathe in and out deeply!
When you are frustrated, angry or in despair, the person you are caring for picks up on and reacts to your stress level and intensity. They may not fully understand what you are feeling or why, but they will be impacted by your tone of voice, body language and emotional state. When you’re angry, you’re no good to them or to yourself.
Breathing deeply will help you get back to neutral, lower your stress level, and help you regain perspective about the situation you are trying to problem solve. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Putting support systems in place for surprising times when living with dementia is critical. Dementia care is hard work!
About Teepa Snow
Teepa is an occupational therapist and dementia education specialist who works closely with dementia specialty service providers to develop and optimize programs and services to people living with dementia, their care partners and family members.
Communicating and Interacting
Here are some tips, rules and information that help with communication and interaction. Useful for general communication not just when with Parkinson’s Dementia patients.
If you interact with someone with Dementia, this is a really useful list of Golden Rules as is the Parkinson’s Dementia leaflet linked at the end
“16 Things I would Want if I Got Dementia”
by Rachael Wonderlin (rachaelwonderlin.com.)
(Copyright Registration No. TX0008332487)
If I get dementia, I’d like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things.
1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality.
2. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.
3. If I get dementia, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.
4. If I get dementia, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.
5. If I get dementia, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself.
6. If I get dementia, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.
7. If I get dementia, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.
8. If I get dementia, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.
9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past.
10. If I get dementia, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.
11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you would want to be treated.
12. If I get dementia, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need.
13. If I get dementia, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.
14. If I get dementia, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.
15. If I get dementia, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.
16. If I get dementia, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.
17. If I get dementia, make sure I always have my favourite music playing within earshot.
18. If I get dementia, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place.
19. If I get dementia, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.
20. If I get dementia, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes.
21. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love.
Click here for the Parkinson’s Leaflet
Self Care
“I can’t afford to become ill. I have to stay in good health and energy in order to do my role as primary carer for my mum who has progressive incurable neurological conditions Parkinson’s and Dementia.”
Health, energy and Self Care are all priorities. I actively, daily and purposefully attend to these with routines and habits I choose. We can’t give from an empty cup.”
What are the 5 balls of life?
A speech about life being a game of ‘5 balls’ has been falsely attributed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. It appears to come from a 1991 Georgia Tech commencement speech given by former Coca-Cola CEO Brian Dyson.
https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-quote-sundar-pichai-idUSL1N2SE1SE/
“Imagine life is a game of 5 balls that you manipulate in the air, trying not to fall these balls.
One of them is rubber and the rest is glass. The five balls are: work, family, health, friends, soul. It will not be long before you realize that (work) is a rubber ball.
Whenever you fall, you will jump again, while the other balls are made of glass.
If one of them falls, it will not return to its previous form. It will either be damaged, bruised, cracked, or even scattered.
You have to be aware of that and strive for it.
Manage your work efficiently during working hours, take the time to be assured of your sincerity, give the necessary time to your family and friends, take appropriate rest, and take care of your health. If you are gone, it isn’t easy to return as it was.”
My habits and routines for Health, Energy and Self Care, most done on a daily basis.
Drink a glass or small bottle of water (500ml or so) to rehydrate
Open the curtains to let natural light in
Using my Happiness journal to note
3 things that you are grateful for
3 intentions for the day, what would make the day great
3 positive affirmations
Review my personal mission statement, values, goals (morning and evening)
A few minutes of mindfulness / meditation with app or focus on breath etc
Choose and share daily positive quote on Happy Life Habits Daily Quote WhatsApp Group
Take time to Stretch / exercise by doing:
3 Sun salutations (surya namaskar from yoga)
3 pushups or situps or burpees
Recite prayers
Read a few pages of a book, watch or listen to something positive that I can learn from
Have a healthy, nutritious breakfast
Mid morning fruit break
Focused work
Planning
Regular breaks away from the desk computer
Go for a walk in morning or afternoon
Spend time with family/friends
Reduce mobile phone use during meals
Journaling
3 highlights or good things from the day
How could you have made the day better?
What did you learn during the day?
Go to bed around same time each day
Additionals that are not daily
Time for laughter – live comedy, shows, films, shared jokes
Live experiences: music, theatre, art, sport, travel
Sauna or massage
Time in nature, gardening
Volunteering, Service, Community, Faith
Reflecting on achievements/qualities – monthly, quarterly or every 6 months
These habits positively impact my health, energy and wellbeing and cover the scope of the 5 well being dimensions of Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual while at the same time releasing happy chemicals and flushing the stress ones away.
This is what I am learning
A friend said that they could not do the caring for a parent as it is a big commitment and sacrifice. For me it is not a sacrifice but a way of serving - though to be honest sometimes frustration and not having control on a lot of things makes it feel like a sacrifice. It’s a way of working through my karma.
This is what I am learning
Apply the tools, practices and routines, Develop Habits, Cultivate virtues. Reflect and Introspect. Accept reality.
Mindfulness, being present and in the moment
Slowing down
Centre and ground yourself
Understanding emotions better
Listening with full attention
Empathy, Compassion, Care
Connection is so important
Patience
Go with the flow
Proactive, Plan and focus on what’s important now and what need to be done soon
Focused moments of work
Self care, practices and routines
Sleep, rest and recovery
Keep being taught the lesson till we learn it
Resilience
Accepting the things I can not control
Responding rather than reacting
Not to take things personally
Fundamentals : Eat, Sleep, Move, Breathe, Focus
Very conscious of how I use my time, what I say yes to and what I commit to
People call less and visit less
“THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR’S PRAYER
I pray not to be protected from life’s battles,
But to have the courage to conquer them fearlessly.
I pray not to escape from my struggles,
But to learn the lessons the universe is trying to teach me.
I pray not to work for fame and recognition,
But to make it my mission to love and serve others in all that I do.
I pray not to measure my wealth and success by what I own,
But by how grateful and abundant I feel in my heart.
And I pray not for my circumstances to change so that I feel happy,
But to be a beacon of light in the world wherever God places me.
”
For a better Future we have to be very Present when the Dementia patient is living in their Past.
Use it or lose it
As I have understood it, those who have Dementia have experienced a shrinkage in their brain. My theory based on what I have learnt and having no medical research is by keeping the brain active, learning new knowledge and skills, practising gratitude, journaling and mindfulness/meditation, exercising help to increase the neural connections, the grey matter and different parts of the brain thereby delaying or preventing the shrinkage. These practices also help our health, happiness and wellbeing.
The Heroic Coaching and App helps me with my Energy, Work and Love (Relationships/Connection).
Our 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Training Course I am immensely proud of as I feel it not only helps with happiness, mental and emotional well being, hope, optimism and resilience but also is releasing the happy chemicals washing out the stress ones. We know stress exacerbates inflammation and all underlying illness or disease we have.
People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brain because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. Gratitude releases dopamine. What if the regular practice of gratitude releasing dopamines keeps those nerve cells active, healthy, working well and alive for longer?
The hardback, cloth bound Happiness Journal feels lovely in our hands, the act of thinking, reflecting and writing makes use of different parts of our brain at the same time (sight, touch, feelings, thoughts, memory, future thinking. motor skills etc) thus keeping them engaged and active. As shared in Gratitude is my Superpower - gratitude is a higher vibrational frequency energy.
We are going to run limited sessions of the 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training course specifically for:
Carers
Coping with Grief
General Wellbeing
For Carers attendees will only be carers giving it a particular focus and support.
For Coping with Grief attendees will only be those who have experienced a loss and are working through the grief process giving it a particular focus and support.
The General Wellbeing session will be open to all.
If you are interested or know someone who may benefit from either 1, 2 or 3 please join the waiting list or message me.
If you are involved with a charity or organisation that supports Dementia, Parkinson’s, Grief or Carers (for any condition) I would love to explore the opportunity to make the 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course available to support patients, staff, volunteers or carers with their mental and emotional wellbeing. Or to give a talk from a Carer’s perspective.
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Resources
Some films and books about Dementia:
Films:
You, Me Aur Hum - Bollywood movie with Kajol and Ajay Devgn. Powerful scenes including one where Kajol has gone shopping and forgets her way home.
Still Alice - Powerful story of a young professor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after her 50th birthday.
The Father - very moving depiction with Anthony Hopkins
The NoteBook
Books
Mum, Me, White Lies and Tea: My journey into the heart of dementia - Ten lessons from accompanying my mum on her journey with dementia by my friend Nick Williams. (Get in touch if you want a signed copy).
Organisations
Parkinsons UK https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/ - great resources including leaflets on specific aspects
Dementia Club UK https://dementiaclubuk.org.uk/ - resources / training and support sessions for carers and those with the condition
Alzheimer’s UK https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ - wonderful Caring for a Person with Dementia book (free)
Barnet Carers https://barnetcarers.org/ - local borough carers support
How mindfulness can help cognition https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_mindfulness_helps_you_age_better
This has relevant content in relation to exercise and brain cognition.
https://youtu.be/UyNotKnAFkM?si=FEUF0gAGzl3wiYLp
Another great video that links foods, diet and dementia.
https://youtu.be/98szU7WJySk?si=uKcmni03JpDTd1t6
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR'S PRAYER
We are now in the final 3 months of the year. A good time to revisit your goals, aspirations and plans from the end of last year or start of this year and review where you are and what you want to do before the end of the year. Happy Life Habits has a few projects till the end of the year and into the new year that may interest you. These include:
HLH Thanks Giving Lunch
World Values Day
HLH Book Club for 2024
10 Week Training Course for the charity Mind In Enfield and Barnet
What I love about cultivating virtues, qualities and living values is that they help me grow, be aligned to who I am or want to be and bring my best self to situations. This is all part of inner work. No short term fix but long term transformation.
“THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR’S PRAYER
I pray not to be protected from life’s battles,
But to have the courage to conquer them fearlessly.
I pray not to escape from my struggles,
But to learn the lessons the universe is trying to teach me.
I pray not to work for fame and recognition,
But to make it my mission to love and serve others in all that I do.
I pray not to measure my wealth and success by what I own,
But by how grateful and abundant I feel in my heart.
And I pray not for my circumstances to change so that I feel happy,
But to be a beacon of light in the world wherever God places me.”
Rest, Recovery, Rejuvenation, Review
We are now in the final 3 months of the year. A good time to revisit your goals, aspirations and plans from the end of last year or start of this year and review where you are and what you want to do before the end of the year. Happy Life Habits has a few projects till the end of the year and into the new year that may interest you.
Through learning and person experience about personal energy, circadian rhythms, ultradian rhythms and balance I have understood it is important to have time for rest, relaxation and recovery in order to let us keep performing well and do the things we want to and need to do on a continued basis. The Summer provided me with a few weeks to go on a family holiday. This we planned at the start of the year and looked forward to throughout the year. I was able to switch of from “work”. In order to do that I had to plan and action before and after the holiday. The break was a welcome respite to re-energise, connect, make memories with family and friends, have some wonderful experiences including bucket list item of hot air balloon ride, trek to waterfall and swim in it’s lagoon, be on safari from before sunrise till after sunset, see the Big 5 all in one day, have a bush breakfast and picnic lunch in the Masai Mara with zebras nearby, sunrises at the beach, full moon over the ocean and enjoy being in the moment.
Forgiveness and Gratitude
Just before going on holiday I had committed to lead a community project related to the Jain Festival of Forgiveness. This meant being very organised, planning and getting on with a lot of prep work in advance as the festival was just a few days after returning from holiday.
I really found it beneficial to be engrossed in the project focusing on Forgiveness, researching material, creating digital posters and a detailed plan for various days. The festival was for 8 days, however I was able to be with it for weeks, deepening my understanding of forgiveness. Here are 2 wonderful videos that I shared. One is on the relationship between Gratitude and Forgiveness and the other a powerful one on saying sorry while we can.
Gratitude and Forgiveness video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKDM5QH_wlo
If you need to say Sorry to Someone : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6QwXyE0J9c
What I love about cultivating virtues, qualities and living values is that they help me grow, be aligned to who I am or want to be and bring my best self to situations. This is all part of inner work. No short term fix but long term transformation.
Who are you? Who do you want to be?
World Values Day
Happy Life Habits is again supporting World Values Day on Thurs 19th October by running 2 sessions as part of the Valuesthon. From World Values Day website:
“World Values Day is an annual campaign to increase the awareness and practice of values around the world.
Values are what matter most to us. They motivate and guide us. They are the passion in our hearts, the reason we do the things we do.
In a world that can feel increasingly divided, values help unite us. They are the glue holding together our communities and wider society. This year’s campaign theme is Values Bring Us Together.
So on World Values Day let’s concentrate on what brings us together. Let’s put our values into action, reaching across the growing barriers that divide us to build stronger communities and a more united world.”
What values are important to you? Which would you die for?
Book at here for either of the 2 sessions.
Mind in Enfield and Barnet 10 week Happiness Course
We are delighted to have been asked by the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet to design and deliver a 10 week training course on Happiness. We start sessions on the 6th of October.
Annual Thanks Giving Lunch
Having started last year we continue with our Thanks giving lunch at the end of November. An opportunity to connect with like minded people, have great conversations and gratitude related activities while sharing a lovely meal.
The waiting list for the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course is open. We will discuss potential dates with those on the waiting list.
If interested join Thanksgiving Lunch group : https://chat.whatsapp.com/LeYGtRvATZUKZXTfPSr04h
Book Club 2024
The Happy Life Habits book club returns in 2024 with the Heroic book : Arete by Brian Johnson.
Arete means living virtues to excellence or being your best self, living to your potential.
The book ((releases at the end of the year) is a product from the Heroic Public Benefit Company through which I have done the Heroic Coach Life Coaching, become an Ambassador and been using the fantastic materials for over a 2 years in the Master Mind Group and coaching sessions.
It is the best personal development platform I have used for learning, resources and actually applying the learning to move from theory to practice to mastery. Combining ancient wisdom with modern science. Reducing the learning cycle and making change happen. Various Happy Life Habits Community members via the Master Mind Group have used Heroic materials and training.
If you wish to join the book club, have a hard back copy of the book (1000+ pages), want the Heroic App or know more about Heroic let me know.
The book club is a great way to have a disciplined way of working through a book, embedding the learning by sharing with others and being inspired to apply the learning. We will initially commit to 5 sessions for the new year.
For more info see https://www.heroic.us/optimize/the-book?fpr=happylifehabits
Follow this link to join HLH Book Club WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DsELdIg3tQyIB6GC0cTs6q
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
A Strong Work Ethic - Working 9 to ...
Strong Work Ethic
With Labour day celebrated this weekend in the USA I reflect on some of my work experiences and work ethic.
Observing a strong Work Ethic in my early years
I grew up observing a strong work ethic. Hearing about how my grandfathers emigrated from India to East Africa in their early teens for the want of a better life and opportunities. They faced many hardships and challenges in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community. They went into business at a young age. It was part of the cultural blood. Higher academic education was less of a priority at that time.
My father and his brothers were running business in Kenya while in their teens, being trained and taking over from my grandfather. Then having to restart in a different city before taking the step to emigrate to London in the early 70s and going through the same hardships and challenges of being in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community with the added aspect of cold, wet, raining miserable weather for seasons of the year.
My mother followed 6 months later on her own travelling with 3 young children, the oldest 7 and the youngest, me only 1 years old. Imagine how the airflight was then going through luggage control to get and carry the luggage with a 1 year old in her arms. The cold of the December month and are then a quite racist environment - very distance from the now diverse, accepting, aware and cosmopolitan nation the UK is.
My working career - early days
In my youth I polished shoes and washed cars for family members to earn a little bit of money. Helped my brothers on their paper round. Worked in the holidays and some weekends in my uncle’s news agent shop as well as in another uncle’s jean shop. Mid teens around GCSEs (‘O’ Levels) and ‘A’ levels I had my first Saturday job. I would go to Oxford Street, London to work in Olympus Sport at Selfridges. Did the Christmas season there too.
Strong Work Ethic
Observing a strong Work Ethic in my early years
I grew up observing a strong work ethic. Hearing about how my grandfathers emigrated from India to East Africa in their early teens for the want of a better life and opportunities. They faced many hardships and challenges in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community. They went into business at a young age. It was part of the cultural blood. Higher academic education was less of a priority at that time.
My father and his brothers were running business in Kenya while in their teens, being trained and taking over from my grandfather. Then having to restart in a different city before taking the step to emigrate to London in the early 70s and going through the same hardships and challenges of being in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community with the added aspect of cold, wet, raining miserable weather for seasons of the year.
My mother followed 6 months later on her own travelling with 3 young children, the oldest 7 and the youngest, me only 1 years old. Imagine how the airflight was then going through luggage control to get and carry the luggage with a 1 year old in her arms. The cold of the December month and are then a quite racist environment - very distance from the now diverse, accepting, aware and cosmopolitan nation the UK is.
In those early years I hardly saw my dad as he would leave to go to work as a sales assistant before I was awake and return after I was asleep. I do recall my mum taking on various jobs such as sewing and stitching. Dad did various sales / retail related jobs and was very good at it becoming the manager of the store.
Later he would join the John Lewis Partnership on recommendation of his younger brother. I remember we would visit him on Oxford Street and feeling pride seeing him in action serving customers. He would joyfully introduce us to all his work colleagues.
Mum continued to do various jobs, raise the children, run the household and when I was 7 she went to evening classes to learn skills such as typing. This lead to her getting part-time and full time office related employment.
These observations of work ethic has an influence on me.
My working career - early days
In my youth I polished shoes and washed cars for family members to earn a little bit of money. Helped my brothers on their paper round. Worked in the holidays and some weekends in my uncle’s news agent shop as well as in another uncle’s jean shop. Mid teens around GCSEs (‘O’ Levels) and ‘A’ levels I had my first Saturday job. I would go to Oxford Street, London to work in Olympus Sport at Selfridges. Did the Christmas season there too.
After ‘A’ levels I worked on the famous Bond Street in a Moss Bros clothing store. Often going to Mayfair and Park Lane to deliver tailored cloths to customers or take to tailors to make alterations. Just realised that playing Monopoly helped me become familiar with these places.
During the holidays of the university years I worked Marks & Spencers during the summer, Christmas and Easter. My first summer I was holding 2 jobs at the same time. The Marks and Spencer retail job and also as a steward at Wembley Stadium and Arena. This was really memorable as Prince, Madonna and The Rolling Stones played their gigs.
After my Masters I graduated into a recession hit work environment finding it very difficult to get an IT job. That first Christmas I worked at the retails store Next in the morning and Argos in the afternoon, observing the madness during the sales.
Sometimes you have to make your own luck and opportunities
The recession made it difficult to get employment. You did not get employment as you had no relevant work experience. How do you get the relevant work experience if you did not get opportunities?
Sometimes you have to make your own luck and opportunities. My brother shared a snippet from a computing journal that a US based consultancy was going to set in Europe including in London. The article the the company name: Cambridge Technology Partners (CTP) and that it was based in Richmond and perhaps the name of a manager as part of a quote. Armed with this information before the time of the internet or Google search I proactively called the phone directory service with the company name and area based to get a phone number. Calling the number I said I had seen the article and was interested in joining the company. I was asked to send my C.V. This lead to an interview and subsequently a job offer where I become the 6th or so UK employee of the firm.
The IT Career
I travelled to Cambridge, Massachusetts near Boston for a few weeks of orientation training. The next few years as junior consultant I learnt lots, worked many long hours, developed skills, travelled within the UK and US for projects with household FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies like: BT, Unilever, Prudential, Norwich Union Health Care and Disney Consumer Products. One of the main things I learnt was that the life of a travelling consultant living out of hotels without home food, family, friends, routines was not the life for me, especially after becoming newly married.
I moved into financial technology working for Schroders and thereafter becoming a contractor for a few years with long dry spells. Working on projects for United Bank of Kuwait, Equitas (Lloyds of London insurer) before joining Greenwich NatWest. I joined Greenwich NatWest as very soon after Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced it was taking over NatWest. I witnessed redundancies, fear, confusion and lots of uncertainty. As the various systems from the merger were integrated I worked on those projects for Finance Technology moving from being a contractor to an employee. Going from a developer to senior developer to technical team lead/project manager. Some projects were very demanding and involved working for long hours for an extended period of time.
I experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress during the financial crisis on 2008 and thereafter. Leaving RBS in 2016 through redundancy the next chapter of my career begins.
During all of this I actively volunteered for community groups and took on roles in the Jain faith based charities : Young Jains and SCVP. This further helped my development, growth, skill set, leadership, organising and public speaking skills and confidence.
All Change
All of these varied work and volunteer experiences contributed to :
Understand what is important to me
Clarity on my values and way of working
That I wanted flexibility and control in the work I do
What my strengths are
How I want to contribute and serve
Whatever you do, do you best and give your best
In a way I semi-retired, choosing on how I use my (limited) time. It led to some time exploring various options before training in the Science of Happiness. This leading to starting Happy Life Habits were I combine my interests in : Personal Development, The Science of Happiness and Spirituality to positively impact Happiness and Wellbeing Levels.
I have a portfolio career where I have been a workshop facilitator for NCS The Challenge ( National Citizen Service) and exam invigilator for school exams.
Currently the portfolio career involves:
Carer for mum who is elderly, has Parkinson’s and Dementia
Speaker, Trainer and Coach with Happy Life Habits
Heroic Ambassador and Life Coach with Heroic Public Benefit Corporation
Author for Bookboon
Workshop and Course facilitator for the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet
Wellbeing Coach with SoulBrite
Non Executive Committee Member at Young Jains
To balance or harmonise work, personal life and community work requires me to be proactive, have plans with priority and flexibility and be organised and really work my habits/routines/protocols for energy, self care, focus and productivity. The Heroic training has helped with this.
What has been your journey? What has helped?
Are you happy with your work?
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
6 month Review 2023
Review
At various points in the year I look taking a moment to a review of the preceding time period. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too. This year I have had the mid year review in mind, thought about it in my head, made notes but not been able to write up and share till now.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course Celebration Dinner at Little Resham
Review
At various points in the year I take a moment to a review of the preceding time period and what is forthcoming. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too. This year I have had the mid year review in mind, thought about it in my head, made notes but not been able to write up and share till now.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
Here is review from 2021 and 2022.
2023: 6 month review Highlights
The year started with a key note presentation for an HR conference in Athens.
We launched a new program Inner Compass and continued with the Master Mind Program.
Took part in 2 podcasts : People on Purpose and Estrella of Happiness - Within You.
Delivered two 3 hour workshops on Gratitude for Wellbeing for the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet and supported Mental Health Awareness Week on the theme of anxiety sharing resources daily in a dedicated WhatsApp group and Master Class on Anxiety.
Our flag ship 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course celebrated it’s 3rd year. We positively impacted trainees when we ran the course in March and a last minute decision for June. June was opened as free gifted refresher to previous attendees.
We celebrated completion of the June course and three year anniversary for the first time with an in person celebration dinner (which was open invite for all Happy Life Habits Community members) at the restaurant Little Resham. We shared delicious, vegan food, conversations and connected deeper with the use of the gratitude cards.
Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course Celebration Dinner
We have a discount available at Little Resham for Happy Life Habits members. Be on the WhatsApp Community Group and email mailing list to show proof you are member of Happy Life Habits Community.
Little Resham discount code for Happy Life Habits members
Regular positive focus
The Happy Life Habits Community on Facebook now has regular weekly questions to help focus on positivity, happiness, optimism and hope.
These include :
A check on how happy you currently are at this moment
What small wins can you celebrate from the week?
What did you learn?
What good things happened to you?
What are you grateful for?
Come join us in the group and share your thoughts.
We have set up a Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community Group. This is the main way to stay informed of Happy Life Habits activities followed by the email mailing list.
To start the day with a positive focus we have a HLH Daily Quote Group.
Daily Quote, Question or Reflection. Max 1 a day, 4-7 days a week. A regular dose of positivity, happiness and meaning to help counter the world's negative bias.
I became an author! The ebook is “Every Day Happiness”.
I joined SoulBrite as a Wellness Coach, part of a team delivering wellbeing workshops into companies.
I am a hero and so can you be
I completed the 300 Day Heroic Coach to be a certified Heroic Performance Coach and also an Ambassador. This is a great personal development program and platform. Something for everyone who wants to learn, grow, change and make a positive impact. I really like the theory and practice delivered in short videos. audio are written format along with live training calls. You can check out the impact of the Heroic materials here in this research done by the Happiness Researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky and get free access to book summaries and great content.
The Heroic training has helped me focus on three areas:
Energy
Work
Love
With each of these areas I define 3 elements:
Identity
Virtues
Targets
Who I am or want to be in each area, my Heroic best self. How I want to show up to be that Heroic best self and the daily things I need to do to show up as best Heroic self. These are reviewed and committed to daily as part of morning routine.
I have got immersed again in voluntary roles for Jain faith based community groups and projects.
looking forward
Some of the the future plans and activities are:
Supporting World Values Day with some workshops
Continuing Gratitude Wellbeing Workshops for Mind In Enfield and Barnet. They have asked me to design and deliver a 10 week course in the Autumn.
30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course and Thanksgiving Dinner.
Reading 1 book a month - inspired by the book Limitless by Jim Kwik
Keep focus on Energy, Work and Love.
Keep sharing what I learn and making a positive impact.
Shaileen Shah - Happiness Coach, Speaker, Trainer and Author
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Every Day Happiness
In addition to being a coach, speaker and trainer, I am now also an author of the ebook, “Every Day Happiness”.
‘Every Day Happiness’ provides understanding, tools and habits we can utilise to navigate a world with rising uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This increase makes more demands on our Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Wellbeing. Everyday Happiness is a nonfiction book written for professionals, business owners, leaders and managers reminding them to choose to put Happiness and Positive Emotions at the heart of everything they do. Thereby they will have better happiness, mental and emotional wellbeing, productivity and life satisfaction in all areas of their life.
In addition to being a coach, speaker and trainer, I am now also an author of the ebook, “Every Day Happiness”.
I had not planned to write a book yet. The opportunity was presented and I chose to take it.
I've shared as much as possible both of science of happiness and actual ways to apply in order for the reader to choose to have Every Day Happiness. Every Day!
I hope it provides the reader real benefit. More so when they apply the ideas. That's where the magic is.
‘Every Day Happiness’ provides understanding, tools and habits we can utilise to navigate a world with rising uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This increase makes more demands on our Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Wellbeing. Everyday Happiness is a nonfiction book written for professionals, business owners, leaders and managers reminding them to choose to put Happiness and Positive Emotions at the heart of everything they do. Thereby they will have better happiness, mental and emotional wellbeing, productivity and life satisfaction in all areas of their life.
The Contents are:
What is Happiness?
How Happy Are You?
What Makes You Happy?
What Makes You Unhappy?
What Do We Mean by Happiness?
You Cannot Make Everyone Happy: The Fable of the Father, Son and Donkey
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Why is Happiness Important?
The Science of Happiness
The Negativity Bias
How Does Happiness Help?
What Can We Do?
The World Happiness Index and Report
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
The Happiness Chemicals – Daily D.O.S.E
The Happy Chemicals
The Daily D.O.S.E
What did I learn? What will I do?
How to Increase Happiness
Models and Frameworks for Happiness
Which Model to Use?
What did I learn? What will I do?
Mindfulness Meditation
What is Mindfulness?
Benefits of Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Kindness
Kindness and Compassion
Benefits of Kindness
Practicing Kindness
Self Compassion
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Gratitude
Gratitude and Blessings
Benefits of Gratitude
Practicing Gratitude
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Journaling
The Magic of Journaling
Benefits of Journaling
Types of Journaling
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Happy Life Habits: How to Structure an Every Day Happiness Day
What Do We Include in an Every Day Happiness Day
Habits
The Investment Banker and the Fisherman
Do You Choose to be Happy?
Support
Quotes & Key Messages
Happy Life Habits is available for corporate talks, workshops and training.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Mental Health Awareness Week: Anxiety Resources
The Week of Mental Health Awareness is ending. Mental Health is ongoing. We need to put in effort and practice to maintain good Mental Health and Mental Fitness.
Included in this blog article is the recording of the Anxiety Master Class sharing a concept from the Bollywood film The 3 Idiots, suggestions on dealing with exam/test anxiety/stress and actual scientific backed practices to help cope with anxiety. We are also sharing the resources such as videos, articles and pdfs shared during Mental Health Awareness Week.
To live life fully, develop skills and habits for positivity, happiness, resilience and productivity
Happy Life Habits provides 1 to 1 coaching, group coaching, workshops, training and regular learning sessions and programs such as Master Mind Group, Inner Compass the 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course. All with science, practices and information to help you go from Theory to Practice to Mastery.
The Week of Mental Health Awareness is ending. Mental Health is ongoing. We need to put in effort and practice to maintain good Mental Health and Mental Fitness.
Included in this blog article is the recording of the Anxiety Master Class sharing a concept from the Bollywood film The 3 Idiots, suggestions on dealing with exam/test anxiety/stress and actual scientific backed practices to help cope with anxiety. We are also sharing the resources such as videos, articles and pdfs shared during Mental Health Awareness Week.
To live life fully, develop skills and habits for positivity, happiness, resilience and productivity
Happy Life Habits provides 1 to 1 coaching, group coaching, workshops, training and regular learning sessions and programs such as Master Mind Group, Inner Compass the 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course. All with science, practices and information to help you go from Theory to Practice to Mastery.
Here is the Happy Life Habits Anxiety Master Class
Happy Life Habits Daily Mental Health Video Series
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 : 15th - 21st May: Theme Anxiety
Happy Life Habits (HLH) is again supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) and the theme of Anxiety.
Mental Health and anxiety is about what is going on inside with our thoughts and feelings. We all feel moments of anxiety due to various things which can include health, work, loved ones, money worries, exams and life/world events.
You are not alone in feeling anxiety. It has been show to increase in recent years.
According to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation 25% (1 in 4) adults reported feeling anxious.
It's how we cope with it that matters. HLH has a dedicated Mental Health WhatsApp group as part of its Community. During MHAW we will share daily tips, quotes, resources to cope with anxiety.
Join HLH Mental Health WhatsApp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/D6ILNpZcxQ1KT8OAlwZIma
Happy Life Habits (HLH) is again supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) and the theme of Anxiety.
Mental Health and anxiety is about what is going on inside with our thoughts and feelings. We all feel moments of anxiety due to various things which can include health, work, loved ones, money worries, exams and life/world events.
You are not alone in feeling anxiety. It has been show to increase in recent years.
According to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation 25% (1 in 4) adults reported feeling anxious.
It's how we cope with it that matters. HLH has a dedicated Mental Health WhatsApp group as part of its Community. During MHAW we will share daily tips, quotes, resources to cope with anxiety.
On Thurs 18th May we have these free events:
(1) Gratitude for Wellbeing Workshop for Mind in Enfield & Barnet
(2) MasterClass on Coping with Anxiety 8-9pm ( Zoom details will be shared in WhatsApp group)
Join the Happy Life Habits dedicated Mental Health WhatsApp group
I just couldn't wait to share this. Yesterday I spent a few hours curating additional resources for Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) starting next week which included watching more than a dozen TED Talks.
I've got some fantastic material including an anxiety test, TED Talks, Quotes, Articles and the HLH MHAW Video series.
I will start sharing this today on the HLH Mental Health WhatsApp group today as it spans more than a week's worth of content.
During MHAW there will be about 3 or 4 messages throughout the day to share the content: Video, Quote, Article, TED Talk.
I watched all the short HLH MHAW Video series which I had shot during the pandemic. The material in my biased opinion is still awesome.
Here is the intro video - please watch, the title page has the topics.
Each video is short, content rich, has my personal experience, science/facts, an inspiring quote and most importantly an action for you to do each day.
Only in taking action will we make a difference and change. Information is information. When applied, actioned and lived it becomes experience and wisdom.
Here is one of the first TED Talks I curated a few weeks back, it is packed with great information and also has 2 practices you can immediately apply to help with anxiety. Reassuringly the 2 practices are shared in the mini video series.
Here is link to Anxiety Test
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/results/stress_and_anxiety
How did you score?
What an amazing Coronation concert. Absolutely loved watching it on TV. Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Take That rocked it.
Do you think they were anxious? If so, they certainly did not show it. They owned the stage, the moment and engaged and connected with the audience both at Windsor Castle and those watching at home.
Watch the video with Katy Perry and Take That videos - they exudes calm confidence and you can see the joy in their performances.
How did they cope with any anxiety?
I believe they all have learnt to develop calm confidence, an antidote to anxiety.
What makes you feel anxiety?
We all feel moments of anxiety due to various things which can include health, work, loved ones, money worries, exams and life/world events.
How do you cope with Anxiety?
Calm Confidence is something we will share at the Free Happy Life Habits Anxiety Master Class in support of Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). We will also share :
What is Anxiety?
Symptoms
Ways to Cope
Do actionable activities
Q&A
The zoom link will be shared in the HLH Mental Health WhatsApp Group.
Starting soon and also during MHAW we will share daily resources including videos, quotes, articles, actions etc. in the Mental Health Group.
Please share with those who you think may benefit from this.
I am hoping to write an article with various resources and additional material after MHAW.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
