Simply Better Living

The Five Pillars of a Better Life (Part Five): Stay Connected     Looking after ourselves was never meant to be something we do entirely by ourselves. When I first thought about this series, there were only four pillars. Eat well. Move more. Make time to reflect. Sleep well. It seemed a pretty good recipe for looking after ourselves. Then I realised something rather important was missing. Other people. We can eat perfectly, exercise every morning, meditate every evening and sleep for eight glorious hours, but human beings are, whether we like it or not, social creatures. Most of us need to love, talk, laugh, argue, share, help, touch and simply be around other people. So my fifth and final pillar of a better life is social connection . The fact that it should have been there all along is a reflection of one my personal flaws: I think I can get by on my own. Wrong. Relationships Are Good for Our Health Friendship can sometimes sound like one of life's optional extras, or, if we...

Crucial tips on handling your money Most of us were never formally taught at school how money works. We learned from our parents, friends, newspapers, social media and life experience. The problem is that some of the most common beliefs about money are either incomplete or simply wrong. Here are seven money myths that may be affecting your financial decisions without you even realising it. 1. If the Economy Is Growing, You Must Be Getting Richer You often hear politicians celebrating economic growth and rising GDP (Gross Domestic Product). While economic growth can be good news, it doesn't automatically mean your personal finances are improving. House prices, energy bills, rent and food costs may rise faster than your income. In other words, the economy can be growing while your own financial situation remains unchanged—or even worsens. Better approach: Focus less on national statistics and more on your own income, savings rate, debt levels and long-term financial goals. 2. All De...