Do you have a BWBF, attention seeking behaviour, pet a pet...
Have you got a BWBF? I've written about this type of friend in today's Express newspaper.
We all know what ‘fair weather friends’ are [only around in your good times] but these are ‘bad weather best friends’ - they only get in touch with you when they're in trouble.
You won't see them for dust if anything good's happening to them - but in their bad times you're always their lifeline, their shoulder to cry on, their saviour. Take a look at my article if you have a friend like this and maybe it's draining you.
Funny enough have been writing a lot about friendships recently [I pointed out my ‘toxic friend’ article on MSN the other day]. But friendships are so important for our well-being which is why you need to cherish our great friends, and improve the friendships that aren't working but are worth saving.
And as for the damaging ones? You may just have to leave them behind.
Kitty on the X Factor might drive me nuts! She's a pretty young woman with a great voice so why doesn't she just let those qualities shine through? Underneath all the attention-seeking behaviour maybe a true singer lurks.
She didn't need to wear a stripper-like outfit last night - I wouldn't be happy with young children watching such sexualized moves & outfits. It's one thing to dress super-sexy - but not on a family show.
I swear I have one of the smartest cats in the world - my Tinkerbell Betty Boo - I know, rather a silly name but she's far from silly. [btw, doesn't one of Jonathan Ross's daughters have that same name??] Well, back to how smart she is - she saw me get down my overnight case last night and immediately was fussing around my feet thinking I was soon-to-be off leaving her behind.
Actually I'm lending it to a girlfriend today who needs an overnight bag for conference... so this is definitely going to confuse Tinker - the case is out but mummy isn't leaving!
TODAY’S TIP: never underestimate the intelligence of your cat or dog - I've had many of both and not only do they become aware of things like suitcases meaning you're going away, but they definitely sense your mood.
Research shows that if you're having a troubled day simply stroking your pet can sooth you. The research didn't say this but I'm convinced it's because you then produce the emotional-well-being hormone oxytocin from the stroking action.
With that whizzing around your system you can't help but feel better!
If you can't have a pet then auto-massage has been shown to increase oxytocin... This involves stroking your own arms are reaching around and stroking your shoulders. Do this repetitive action for five or 10 minutes and it'll calm you down.
Happy Monday, Pam x