If you need to cheer yourself up this holiday season, don't rush out to the mall to buy a new trinket. Don't overeat, or reach for alcohol, tobacco or whatever else you used to turn to for comfort. Instead, comfort others. It's the surest ticket to uplifting your mood. This Christmas, remember the forgotten at Christmas, and feel your spirits soar. (more…)

Social pressure, fear of loneliness, boredom, material interests, willingness to succeed in life… these are just a few of the wrong reasons for which both men and women enter a relationship. Although modern society has much evolved during the last century, singles are still rather often regarded as social pariahs. Nevertheless, this status comes with a series of advantages, and those who choose to remain single for the right reasons fully benefit from them. (more…)

Mince meat or pecan Pies? Fruitcake? Eggnog? Candy Canes? Gingerbread? We all have our weaknesses over the holidays. It is a six-week gorge-fest that goes through holiday dinners, parties, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve celebrations. Before you know it you are filling out like Santa Claus.

Research suggests that if you are already packing some extra weight you are particularly at risk of weight gain during the holidays. And usually more than just a few pounds.

Here are some tips on how you can plan so you can both stay slim and not sacrifice any fun during the holidays. (more…)

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to share with family and friends; kicking back and enjoying a break from the daily grind, tucking into too much food, spending too much money and probably imbibing a little too much alcohol. All things are fine in moderation, but going over the top can lead to longer term problems especially where the booze is concerned. (more…)

The next step. Those are the three words so often said in relationships when they have progressed to another level of intimacy or seriousness. If you had asked me two years ago if I would be experiencing a next step in my previous relationship, I would’ve said it was not likely to happen. (more…)

Its that time of year again. Where it gets colder and the sun goes down early. Its easy to get caught up in the warmth of your home and say "Yeah, I'll just go work out tomorrow". It also doesn't help that the holiday season brings not only family and tradition, but also many unhealthy food choices. Here are a few easy tips to help keep you in shape this holiday season! (more…)

Although eating at fast food restaurants is not the healthiest of activities, there is something you can do at the drive-through that is good for your heart, body, and soul: You can pay it forward.

I'm talking about paying for the person's order in the car behind you. Perhaps you've done it before, or perhaps it's been done for you. If so, you are probably already familiar with the giddy, warm sensation you get when someone practices a random act of kindness at, of all places, a fast food restaurant. (more…)

December is a far from traditional time for a detox or indeed starting any type of diet, but if you can eat well and drink little during a month known for its excesses you’ll be well on the way to a healthy new year. Of course you would need the resolve of reinforced steel to avoid a few treats and the occasional tipple for the whole of the month, but why not pledge to start off December by maintaining a few good habits? Here are a few tips: (more…)

During the holidays there are parties and all types of joyous celebrations where alcohol is available for those who may choose to imbibe. How you decide to conduct ourselves before and after such events determines how "under the weather" you are going to be the next day or so. (more…)

Smoking in Indonesia is a very common practice; in fact it is the 5th largest tobacco market in the world. The smoking of kreteks (clove-flavoured cigarettes) is considered to be part of the national culture. Frighteningly, a large number of these smokers are children, and the tobacco (more…)