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Lately, I have noticed a quiet shift in how people talk about work. Not the obvious stuff, like bigger workloads or tighter deadlines. I mean the subtler recalibration of what “reasonable” now looks like. Drafts appear in minutes. Summaries land instantly. Edits happen in real time. And without anyone formally announcing it, the expectation moves from “tomorrow” to “before lunch”. On paper, that sounds like progress. In real life, it can feel like living inside a permanently

Valentine’s Day is basically a full-scale marketing festival built around anticipation. Not the love part. The lead-up part. The build-up is loud, shiny, and everywhere. And your brain is very good at getting hooked by the cues. Roses are red, dopamine is… unpredictable. Here’s the science bit, without the wellness glitter. Dopamine is not a “pleasure button” Dopamine gets talked about like it is the brain’s pleasure button. It is not. It is more like a pursuit-and-learning s

Most of us know what we "should" do for our wellbeing. Sleep more. Move our bodies. Say no sometimes. Log off. Breathe. And yet, between meetings, children, caring responsibilities, notifications and the constant buzz of modern life, the gap between knowing and doing can feel very wide. This is where "workable" wellbeing comes in. Not a perfect routine. Not a complete life overhaul. Just small, realistic shifts that fit inside the life you already have. Why I created this boo

“Good vibes only” looks inspirational on a mug but sounds trite in real life. Here are responses that calm the body, honor reality, and move things forward. You’ve seen the slogans: “Good vibes only.” “Look on the bright side.” Cute on a coffee mug; clumsy when someone is grieving, burned out, or scared. Toxic positivity  is the pressure to stay upbeat no matter what. It often grows out of hustle culture and our discomfort with hard feelings. It can sound caring, but it shuts

Chatbots can take the edge off a lonely night. Used well, they help you find concrete steps to try, then you step back into human life. You open a chatbot at 11 p.m., ask a real question, and get a tuned response. You feel a bit better. That’s not magic; it’s how the brain reads responsiveness as social safety. Recent Harvard-led research in the Journal of Consumer Research  found that brief, responsive exchanges with an AI companion produced small but notable drops in loneli

In this era of rapid change and evolving workplace dynamics, the integration of neuroscience into corporate wellbeing strategies is not just an academic exercise; it is a critical tool for fostering a resilient, healthy, and productive workforce. As a mental health social worker with extensive experience in the corporate sphere, my academic journey through the exploration of neuroscience has led me to a profound understanding: the brain's functioning profoundly influences wor

As a clinical consultant and a neuroscience enthusiast, I've spent over a decade attempting to unravel the complexities of the human mind, focusing particularly on trauma and resilience. One of the early informative concepts I came across in my studies is the idea that "neurons that fire together wire together." This simple phrase encapsulates the essence of habit formation—a principle that has significantly shaped both my professional practice and personal life. In my recent

In today’s digital age, social media platforms are flooded with messages promoting positivity, self-empowerment and happiness. While spreading optimism is generally positive, I have joined the voices of many mental health professionals over a growing concern for the phenomenon known as toxic positivity.   In my latest article, The Dark Side of #PositiveVibes , published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioural Health, I explore the psychology behind this emerging trend an

On July 15, 2024, I had the privilege of presenting at the Behavioral and Social Science Conference, held in Dubai. Participating online from Mauritius, I discussed "The Age of Understanding: Rethinking Generations in the Workplace," a topic also explored in an academic article which can be accessed here 1. The Dynamics of a Multigenerational Workforce Today's workplace comprises a diverse array of generations, each contributing distinct perspectives, skills, and values. This

I recently had the honor of attending and presenting at the Asia Pacific Behavioural & Addictions Medicine (APBAM 2024) Conference, held in the vibrant city of Singapore. This esteemed conference gathered experts, practitioners, and researchers from around the world to share the latest advancements and insights in the fields of behavioral and addiction medicine. Highlights from APBAM 2024 The APBAM 2024 conference was an assembly of minds, providing a platform rich with knowl

Trauma is a complex emotional response to an intensely negative event or series of events that can overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope. It is not defined by the event itself, but rather by the individual’s experience of the event, which can be influenced by past experiences, personal resilience and available support systems. Critical incidents in the workplace can be traumatic, as they are unexpected, often sudden events that can cause significant emotional distress an

As a Mental Health Social Worker and global clinical consultant, I'm passionate about fostering well-being across cultures. My background in trauma and resilience research, particularly focused on Cambodia (as reflected in my PhD research), has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the dynamic role of culture in human experience. This same cultural lens is what excites me about the emerging field of neuroscience in the workplace. Neuroscience offers a captivating glimpse in

It's with immense pride and gratitude that I mark my 12th anniversary as an associate with Optum Health in 2025. What an amazing journey it has been, filled with invaluable experiences, challenges and opportunities to grow. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall wellbeing and I'm deeply committed to sharing knowledge and insights, that can make a positive impact on people's lives. From my little home office in Mauritius, I talk to Fortune 500, leadership teams and peop

Stepping into the world of Women Deliver 2023, the world’s largest women's rights conference, was a venture I eagerly anticipated. As the event unfolded in the vibrant setting of Rwanda, the first African country to host this quadrennial gathering, the stage was set for an unforgettable journey into empowerment, inspiration and camaraderie.Rwanda, a nation where over 60% of its parliament are women, proved to be a fitting backdrop for this monumental occasion. Journeying to R

I was introduced to Hagar on the Deakin University Cambodia Study Tour during my studies back in 2016. I sat in Hagar’s Phnom Penh office with some Melbourne university students and listened to a team member unpack how they ‘walked the journey’ with trauma survivors with lived experiences of childhood trafficking and modern-day slavery. In that moment, I could never have foreseen how this one presentation was going to change the course and direction of my entire life. I was i

"I Am Not What Happened to Me, I Am What I Choose to Become” Walking the Journey with Cambodian Wounded Healers The term “wounded healer” was originally coined by psychologist Carl Jung (1951), who believed that individuals are compelled to treat clients because of the “wounds” they carry from their own earlier experiences. This paper explored Jung’s wounded healer concept through a trauma-informed lens, situated within a Cambodian context. Findings presented in this paper em

The majority of trauma and resilience research in Cambodia has focused on survivors of the Khmer Rouge. This qualitative study set out to discover what protective factors promote resilience in young trauma survivors who are at least one generation removed. A Grounded Theory approach offered a guiding resilience framework that shaped 40 interviews: 26 participants comprised of Cambodian young people (ages 18-30) who had experienced significant early childhood trauma and 14 key

A vast number of children and young people globally face the harsh realities of war, genocide, natural disasters and other such tragedies. Yet there is limited research and few published studies that look specifically at how spirituality can be utilized as a trauma-informed approach to promote resilience and wellbeing for young people. Earlier research conducted with teachers and clinicians working with traumatized children at Hagar International Cambodia indicated a converge