Life Lessons: a relationship expert shares her wisdom

The relationship expert Diana Parkinson says says it's easy to break bad habits and love is all you need.

Diana Parkinson is a relationship expert and counsellor based in Hertfordshire in the UK. She says it is surprisingly easy to change bad habits, and plans to open a practice in Dubai promoting hypnosis to breathe life into ailing relationships and deal with children's anxieties

1. Trust your instincts. We all have so much more ability than we realise. In my work as a therapist, I have seen thousands of people who have made amazing changes. Life is a journey and each person's journey is unique. Just remember to keep moving forward and who knows what you will achieve.

2. Don't let money fears hold you back. Most of us fear not having enough money, but if you lose the fear you can begin to see yourself as wealthy. If you believe you will always have enough money for your needs, then you will. Value the money you have and use it carefully. Always check your bank statements and don't spend money you don't have. Try to save a little, or a lot, each month. You will be surprised at how quickly your savings will grow and how easily you leave the fear behind.

3. Love is all you need. John Lennon got it so right. It's so easy to love, and love strengthens and protects us, it comforts us and also sets us free. If you can love and be loved, then you are indeed rich; so speak kindly to one another, listen and understand. Love is all about communication and connecting. One of the most important things in the world is a hug - so simple, and it's free.

4. Embrace new experiences and expand your understanding. The more we understand, the stronger we become, so don't allow fear and anxiety to hold you back. Therapy can help us understand and make sense of our world by providing a safe space in which to explore our inner self and to gain understanding. Too often we rush from the past to the future, rather than living in the present.

5. Turn anger into positive energy. So much energy is wasted by harbouring anger. Just imagine turning negative energy, which is what anger is, into positive energy. Use positive actions to change situations that have made you angry.

As told to Tahira Yaqoob