Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a fabulous, fun-filled and happy 2010...

Will speak to you all after our gorgeous summer break:-)

Laura x

Launch of Newly Designed Positive Psychology Seminars and Workshops for 2010

Hi....

2010 is peeking from around the corner...eagerly awaiting the courageous few who are willing to step out from their safe place and take 2010 on...!

Are you ready to create a rich, meaningful and fulfilled life? Are you ready for the challenge?

The challenge....

You’ve postponed this idea for long enough and you know it! So how about making 2010 the year you start to focus on your most beautiful, alluring and irresistible asset, your mind…

I am really excited to be launching a brand new portfolio of psychology seminars and group workshops for 2010. All seminars and workshops will be available from February 2010. The interest generated from the last few seminars I have done has encouraged me to step out from my safe place and get my new portfolio finished. I am very happy to say that I am ready....if you are?

Please don't delay in contacting me to find out more regarding the content and investment of these exciting new seminars and group workshops.

Please note that all February workshops will run in Auckland. Please watch this space for release of information regarding future nationwide dates.

Have fun Christmas shopping and keep enjoying this awesome weather!

Chat soon, Laura x

Thank you...

Hi,

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who I met at GDO who has contacted me. It is a huge emotional decision and investment to make contact with someone outside your friend and family circle... It is great to see people thinking differently and being proactive about the role of psychology in their 2010!

I have also had a fantastic response from exhibitors at GDO - I am very excited about meeting up with a few to discuss potential, exciting collaborative projects for the New Year...

Will keep you updated....

Oh...and I haven't forgotten about our lucky prize winner. Will be announced very soon!!!

Laura x

Girls' Day Out...

Wow....what a massive week and weekend!

The Sweet Life Sanctuary successfully profiled at their first GDO...

Based in the Mind, Body and Soul Lounge we literally, met thousands of women who were extremely excited and interested in finding out more about how The Sweet Life Sanctuary balances traditional psychology with the latest, global developments in positive psychology.

It was awesome to meet you all and spend some time chatting about different ideas and perspectives relating to making psychology more accessible and less intimidating for women in NZ. The feedback was phenomenal and very motivating...thanks!

I was also very excited to be involved in the Brita Better Women Seminar Series. I presented each day to dynamic groups of women who were very keen to learn how to live their lives with less stress:-)

I was also very honoured to be asked to participate in a 'Chick Panel' with six other vibrant women who are leading experts in their respective fields. The response from the audience was very enthusiastic and overall a very meaningful experience for all involved.

I will be announcing the winner of our prize draw very shortly.... Can't wait to see who will be the lucky winner of the bespoke half-day positive psychology workshop designed just for them and five of their friends!

Good luck if you entered....

Chat soon, Laura x

Stress-Less Expert - NZ Women's Health

Exciting News:

I just wanted to let you all know that I am now writing as the Stress-Less expert with NZ Women's Health magazine! Each month, I will be answering Women's Health reader's questions related to stress. I will be providing expert answers on how to stress less in your lives whilst unlocking your positive potential.

Check out NZ Women's Health website: http://http//nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/womens-health/

'K' is for Kick Up Your Heels...

Hiya,

Spring is here - yay!!! Doesn't it feel great to get back into lighter clothes and feel the warmth of the sun on our skin...

I reckon it is time to get into the spring swing - get ourselves prepared for hitting our glorious NZ beaches in a few months!!! What better way to prepare than getting the answers at Sylvia Park's evening with the experts. 'K' is for...Kick Up Your Heels!

You may have seen the ad in the NZ Herald's Canvas Magazine on Saturday. If not check out the invite on www.sylviapark.org/kickup-heels - Wednesday 23 September 2009. Keep checking for the ads in Canvas, VIVA and on the radio.

Looking forward to meeting you there - I will be situated in the Living Section. Come along and look and feel fabulous this summer!!

Love Laura x

Going With The Flow...

Hi everyone,

Hope you enjoyed the first article on mindfulness. Really keen to hear your views on the benefits of being in the 'here and now'...

http://www.gloss.co.nz/Health/Mind-Spirit/-Going-With-The-Flow.html?ac=0

Looking forward to hearing from you x

Back To The Present...

Hiya...

Sorry it has been a little wait for these next few articles... Hope you are all enjoying reading them and as always I love hearing your feedback :-)

http://www.gloss.co.nz/Health/Mind-Spirit/Back-to-the-Present.html

Kindness...Pass it On!

Hi,

Wow! Winter is most definitely coming... You'd think as a Scot, I'd be used to the cold...

I had the sad task of packing away all my summer clothes at the weekend. Although, I must admit, I love pulling on my boots and wrapping a scarf around me. Feeling all cosy is awesome!

However, resist the urge to go hibernate for the Winter. Give yourself the task of optimising your psychological wellbeing and invest in futureproofing your authentic happiness and positivity.

This month’s article will focus on the role of kindness on our social relationships and in turn our happiness and positivity levels. http://www.gloss.co.nz/Health/Wellness/Kindness-Pass-It-On.html

Looking forward to hearing your feedback...

Laura

Creating your own happiness...

Hi,

Ever wondered the 'secret' to happiness? What is happiness? Who is happy? How long does it last? How do I 'get' it? Will I ever 'get' it?

Switch of the distractions, grab a drink, give yourself ten minutes to read my new article in Gloss... Don't go Chasing Happiness...Create It!

Over the next few months I hope to dispel some of the myths surrounding happiness and positive wellbeing...keep reading.

'...let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.' (Marcel Proust)

Loving hearing your views and opinions... Thanks!

Laura

The Sweet Life Sanctuary is profiling at Girls' Day Out 2009

Hi,

Grab a pen and jot these dates down... Friday 20th-Sunday 22nd November 2009. The Sweet Life Sanctuary have just confirmed their stand at Girls' Day Out 2009 at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland!

I am very excited about having this awesome opportunity to meet with you all in person and get a chance to chat about how positive psychology and The Sweet Life Sanctuary can become a regular and 'normal' part of your self-care.

Keep reading my blog for the release of what to expect during this gorgeous weekend of celebrating being a woman in NZ!!

Below is a little excerpt from The Girls' Day Out monthly newsletter. check out their site for more info... www.gloss.co.nz/events/girls-day-out-2009

'Our Exhibitor profile this month is The Sweet Life Sanctuary. Laura Braid is an experienced NZ Registered Psychologist. The Sweet Life Sanctuary is about focussing on the positive, determining what works well and encouraging people to live their life with meaning and increasing satisfaction for what they've got.

The 'sweet life' and the freedom of loving life comes from knowing what you like, what you do best and then using these strengths in your daily life, love, relationships, socialising, career and parenting for optimal living. The Sweet Life Sanctuary offers the ability to realise, identify and create a sustainable, fulfilled life.

Girls' Day Out is excited to have The Sweet Life Sanctuary on board in our Health & Wellness Zone.'


Looking forward to meeting you...and your mum, sister and girlfriends...

Speak soon, Laura

Home Sweet Home...

The Sweet Life Sanctuary has moved...

We have a gorgeous new consulting room in Albany, Auckland. We are located in Suite 3, 10A 215 Rosedale Road, Albany. We are only 15 minutes North fon the motorway from downtown - Greville Road exit. Take a left onto Tawa drive, then a right onto Rosedale Road. The business suites are opposite Heletranz. We are located above More Than Mail.

Come visit us, appointments are essential...

Looking forward to welcoming you into our new home...

Laura

Resident Psychologist with Gloss Magazine...

Hi,

What great news! I am so excited to have been asked to be the resident psychologist for Gloss magazine (http://www.gloss.co.nz/). What an amazing opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of positive psychology!

Please feel free to check out my most recent article.... Demystifying Psychology - The Pursuit of the Sweet Life!

Have a wee look at the Meet Our Psychologist page and let me know what you think... This is an awesome opportunity to ask a question that you may have been pondering for some time...in private and free!

I'd love some feedback...

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Laura

Sun, Sea, Sand and Strengths...

Summer is definitely here! The sun is shining. The days are long and light. The nights are filled with friends, family and fun! Feeling good? It is time to start discovering how to maintain these positive and optimistic vibes through into Autumn!

Don't let your positive mood go down with the sun...

Here are some helpful hints to allow you to discover and develop your personal strengths.

• Energy - think about what makes you buzz. Look out for what you do, who you are with, what you are thinking and feeling the next time you feel 'in the zone'. What makes you feel completely alive and kicking?


• Authenticity - what are you doing and who are you with when you 'real'? Think about a time when you felt safe and happy to be yourself.


• Ease - what activities come naturally to you? What are you good at? What attributes and traits do people compliment you on?


• Motivation - What do you love doing? What makes you feel like you can achieve and thrive? What makes you smile?


• Words and Phrases - listen to yourself, you know you best! When do you say 'I love it when...', 'Isn't it great that....' or 'I really enjoy...'

Let me know how you get on...

Laura

Welcome to The Sweet Life Sanctuary!!

Hi,

Wow...this feels pretty amazing! Finally my website has gone live and I can now chat with you.

When I was wee, I used to love to make secret dens and hideaways: elaborate structures (a sheet over two chairs...) that were just for me and whoever I'd chose to join me. I would sneak in a secret stash of biscuits and juice, pens, paper and whatever other goodies that I could carry without being noticed. I'd be happy for hours.

Regardless of age, we all need a den, a safe place - a sanctuary. Whether it is an actual physical place or something created completely in our mind. Our mind is our most powerful, alluring and beautiful attribute. I think it is about time that we gave our minds as much of a makeover as everything else in our lives! Feel free to be inspired, relaxed, comforted, engaged, empowered...whatever you want to think and feel by this site. Let it be your... bach on the beach; your long hot shower at the end of the day; the last Rolo in the pack; the first sip of a gorgeous Sauvingon Blanc - consider it your sweet life!

Have a browse through the site, let me know what yout think. Looking forward to hearing from you...

Laura