Children who experience low self-esteem are more likely to be faced with obesity as adults. This is particularly so for girls, according to the King's College London study. 6,500 10 year olds had their weight and height measured, as well as their self-esteem levels. 20 years later, participants reported their weight and height. Those children who felt they had little control in their life, were prone to worrying and had lower self-esteem were found to be more likely to gain weight over the 20 years that followed.

Such research highlights further evidence of the link between mental wellbeing and physical health.

It’s been a tough week for Australians. If ever the work of Positive Psychology is to be of benefit it is now. Keeping up being happy and optimistic when life trundles on normally is one thing; coping under such a catastrophe is another.

Saying that, I have never seen happiness as being about having a life without difficulty. Rather I think it’s more about having a life you are conscious of and have control over. Positive Psychology gives us the skills to cope when times are tough: recognising there is always hope and that there is a way out from the pit of despair.The tips and articles I write are intended to give you ideas that you can use to help you get the most out of your life, deal with stress and bounce back sooner.

So how can Positive Psychology help us during this difficult time?

Their work on hope and optimism is particularly relevant now. It is about recognising and believing that things will get better, no matter how bad the situation is right now.With optimism a person is able to continue on with their life, without giving up. The victims of this tragedy will rebuild their lives. The rest of us should recognise that things will get better with many, many people working together.

By coincidence I was reading A Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl last week. It is about survival and hope displayed by ordinary people faced with appalling suffering in Nazi concentration camps. As I read it, I knew the inspirational stories would soon emerge from the bushfires. And they did. People who showed extraordinary courage and survival. Read these stories. Be inspired by these people and learn from them.And when you are ready, read the book.

Recognise what you can control and what you cannot. So many images have been shown to us over the last week of a situation we cannot control. You need to recognise this. It is of little value feeling guilty because you weren’t affected, or believing there is little you can do.Such guilt can bring on a sense of helplessness and ultimately depression. Instead be aware of what you can control in your life. Know that you can give donations that will help these people. Know that you can use your skills and talents in creative ways to make a difference. If the images are getting too much for you, know when to turn the TV off. Have the courage to speak to someone about your feelings.

Flowing through Positive Psychology is the desire for people to have a life that is meaningful. A life worth living. Often people do not recognise this until they are faced with catastrophe. So rather than feeling powerless at all that you have seen and heard, let a fitting tribute to the many lives lost be for each of you to make the most of your own life. Starting today.

Articles you may find useful:

Optimism

Locus of Control

Strengths

Positive psychology

Workers who are in jobs which are highly stressful may be at anincreased risk of suffering from depression. This is according to a study of over 24,000 working adults in Canada. Of the 24,000, 5% had experienced episodes of depression. For men, having a demanding job coupled with limited decision making opportunities made them twice as likely to suffer with depression compared to those whose jobs were not such a strain. For women, it was their decision making powers alone

that made a difference.

A study carried out over a 19 year period has found a link between stress in the workplace and obesity. People who had reported high work pressures on at least three occasions were 73% more likely to become obese compared to those who had never reported such pressure. Having a demanding job, lack of support and the inability to make decisions defined a stressful working life. There was also a strong association found between work stress and central obesity (which refers to the excess fat around the waistline), which is a particular health concern. The study was conducted at the Royal Free and University College London Medical School.