Victoria Womersley

Learning to train the mind through meditation for better focus, concentration and relaxation provides a host of benefits, both physical and mental. Just as we may practice a range of physical exercises to train our bodies and increase the level of difficulty as fitness improves, the same principle can be applied to meditation – start gently, increase the time and vary the practices as we become familiar with each exercise. Below we explain five of the benefits meditation will bring and how to...

Our mental health impacts our physical health and overall well-being. Someone struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, an eating disorder or addiction can find it difficult to maintain focus, find motivation for tasks and relate to peers an...

Technology is moving so quickly it can be a challenge to keep up with the latest and greatest options to make ‘your home smart’. S Interior Design recommends that you don’t get carried away and install every option available, but rather assess your personal lifestyle and determine the best products to support that.
Thanks to continued advances in technology, even a 16th century cottage can be turned into a “smart home”. Connecting lights, thermostats, sound systems and even garage doors to th...

Relaxing your mind and body for a great night’s sleep and waking up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead is not always easy to achieve. Poor sleep hygiene, air quality, and the temperature in our bedrooms can all impact how well we sleep and whether we get enough shut-eye to wake to feel refreshed in the morning. Here we list some of the best plants to help you get a great night’s sleep.
Why Plants are Beneficial in Your Home
Air quality on our homes can be enhanced by well-chosen in...

Cannabidiol (CBD) has received a lot of press in recent years as more states in the US legalize the use of medical marijuana. Touted as a remedy for arthritic pain, cancer related symptoms and even acne; one may think the CBD compound found in marijuana is a cure all for any ailment. While research is still in its infancy, CBD oil for the treatment of anxiety is showing promising results.
Traditional treatments for anxiety
Traditional medications for the treatment of anxiety typically lean to...

Are you thinking of adding and additional pets to your happy family?
Adding another dog to your furbaby family can be an enticing idea – especially if your dog likes the company of others. Dogs bring such love and fun to a household it’s easy to think this will be multiplied with the addition of a new pooch. Before you start searching for your next puppy however, it is important to consider how best to accommodate for another pet.
Why it can be beneficial to have more than one pet in the hous...

Just as we can feel anxious and find it difficult to get through the day, so can dogs. Anxiety can affect all breeds of dog and lead to behavioral issues if not identified and acted upon. Understanding your dog’s behavior is helpful in spotting signs of anxiety – destructive and excessive vocalization (crying and barking) can be clues pointing to anxiety in your pet. Noting these and addressing to the underlying issues can help reduce anxiety for you and your pet in the home.
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Getting engaged to the person of your dreams is amazing. Planning the wedding can be one of the most stressful (yet exciting and satisfying) events of your life. A study of 500 newlywed and engaged couple found that a whopping 96% considered wedding planning one of the most stressful things they had done. Wedding planning can seem like a mammoth task, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Read on for my tips for stress-free wedding planning.
Why wedding planning can be so stressful
It’s hard...

From guest columnist Kaelin Waters kaelinwaters@gmail.com
When it comes to furnishing your home, it can be easy to over-spend or tempting to cut corners to save cash. American’s spend an average of $15,215 on furnishing a three-bedroom home. While it’s fine to try and reduce the cost of creating a comfortable home, there are certain household items you shouldn’t skimp on.
Sofas and Couches
Disposable furniture is bad for the environment and your budget in the long run. Great looking couches a...

Interesting Facts about Weight Loss
Losing weight can be difficult, and although 80% of your body composition can be attributed to diet the other 20% is influenced by a number of different factors – our genes, when we eat, and how much stress we’re under on a day to day basis is just the tip of the iceberg. Read on to find out some interesting facts about weight loss that could be making it difficult to shift those extra pounds.
Why weight loss can be difficult for some
Some people are natura...

Please welcome guest blogger Stephanie James to Mindfulpathways as she discusses ways to kick the blues and feel better.
Developing daily habits to improve your mood, health, and general wellbeing needn’t be difficult. While feelings of happiness might not come ‘naturally’ to you, it is easy to foster happiness and improve your mood with a few simple changes or additions to your regular routine. By making these small changes each day, you’ll find your mood becomes lighter and your outlook a l...

Not getting enough sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling and looking tired the next day. The quality and quantity of sleep you get has a massive impact on both your physical and mental health. For students — who deal with numerous stressors on a daily basis and are susceptible to mental illness — proper sleep is especially important.
Mental Health in Students
The rate of mental illness and student suicide has increased in the UK over the past decade, giving rise to a heightened focus on mental...

Spring is in the air and for many of us, that means giving our homes a good clean to welcome the warmer months with a fresh start. When you have a dog to look after, spring cleaning can be a little more challenging; that’s why we’ve put together some essential tips for getting your home ready for spring!
Get Organized
Over the winter months, it’s likely your dog has spent more time indoors with you and out of the cold. Start the warmer months by organizing and preparing things for the warmer ...

The air quality in your home has a direct impact on you and your family’s health. Even the cleanest of homes can suffer from poor air quality; a number of common household products can emit toxins and harmful chemicals into the air of buildings. Thankfully, there are easy and cheap ways to boost air quality in your home.
Understanding Air Quality
There are a range of at-home kits available for checking and monitoring air quality. Many can be found at most home improvement stores and will prov...

Thank you so much to Stephanie James for this freelance collaboration to the blog! Find her Bio down below!
The excitement of booking an overseas trip is often overshadowed by the long-haul flight needed to get there. Spending hours on a plane can result in dehydration, jet lag and lost days once you reach your destination. Getting enough sleep while you fly to your long-awaited vacation destination is key to making the most of your time once you arrive. Sleeping on a plane needn’t be impossi...