"Every day in every way I'm getting better and better." Is a well-known specially-invented saying of a French doctor, Émile Coué [original in French was "Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux."]

more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Cou%C3%A9

I was just trying to think up my own bit of positive Couéism to end the evening. The best I could come up with (so far) is:

Today was a pig, but tomorrow might well only be a paper tiger!

(I think it still needs a bit more work.)

When you first walk on to this site you just want to get things off your chest and shout a lot of expletives etc (Life makes you do things like that).

Once you actually become part of the community however, there is the likelihood that you will self-censor to a far greater extent and be extra-careful about what you publish.

Conclusion? Blogging is a real part of modern-day society and once you're part of society you have to follow certain rules.

Well no, you don't really 'have to', but it probably helps if you are trying to win friends rather than alienate them.

A good question to ask yourself every day, is: "What can I do to minimise stress and maximize happiness today?"

My solution today was to have one work-related task fully done and dusted by 5pm and then to set off for a fun-filled evening of party celebration spending time with friends old and new for the remainder of the day.

The answer to this question takes imagination and there is no one unique solution to it. Each day presents its own difficulties that have to be dealt with accordingly!

Looking out from my desk of total sanity, I see a troubled world full of problems. But that's enough about me.

I am opening the incomparable mental health chatline early this evening to fit in with busy schedules everywhere.

This should at least see an end to "S.A.D." Seasonal affective disorder, where people feel doomier and gloomier due to the winter weather and lack of sunshine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder

We are far more competitive over here than in Spain. Competition of this nature causes larger gaps between real or perceived success and failure.

We are all under more stress over here because of this.

I am not saying that we can instantly adopt the Spanish (relaxed, more laid-back & chilled) lifestyle, but it's worth keeping in mind that life as we experience it in the UK is not the only choice!

I am concerned on this blog with the psychological p.o.v. of everyday life and how it affects you and me (particularly me!) I am trying to reduce my own personal stress levels and also endeavour not to pile stress on to other people as I go about my business.

Identify the cause of your biggest stress. This could be a person (or group of people), job, or other annoying factor, there's also "self-inflicted" stress.

For starters, name the person/thing that is stressing you out.

For the purposes of keeping things as anonymous as possible, if it is a person or people that are driving you crazy, use a "ridiculous" nickname that only you can identify.

We will call this stage one! Let's name and shame!!

How many times have you lost your temper this year?

One of my friends (a fellow goldfish) remarked that he hadn't ever seen me lose my temper (we've been friends since 1983).

So tell me what you've done to de-stress today (I could use a few tips!)

Lie down on the couch and tell me about everything. Keep it short though, I'm a busy fish (and my attention-span is not up to much).