The following is Part 2 in a 4-Part Series of Self-Care experiments, conducted and reported on by the fabulous Psychology intern: Adra Brown. For more "Experiments in Self-Care", see Part 1: Mindfulness Meditation. Is a "Tidy Room" Really a "Tidy Mind"? We have all heard the phrase, “tidy room/desk/home; tidy mind”, and as children we may have even rolled our...[ read more ]
It’s the end of January, which means the majority of people have given up on their New Year’s Resolutions. Only to try again next year. Why is it so hard to change? This next blog series will address the anatomy of change: First-Order vs Second-Order Change The Stages of Change How you can align yourself with the kind of changes...[ read more ]
Life transitions, such as moving or starting a new job, hold both the excitement of untapped opportunity, and the stress that comes with change. During these transitions, health and wellness-related goals often take a backseat. What if it didn’t have to be that way? What if you had created healthy habits that were as second nature as brushing your teeth,...[ read more ]
How do you know if your Body Image needs a tune-up? Do any of the following apply to you: Do you pinch, measure, weigh, and suck in body parts obsessively? Is your day ruined when you compare yourself to someone with a “better” body (like an Instagram fitness guru)? Is your day ruined when you weigh yourself? Have you given...[ read more ]
You and your spouse used to bond over eating out & pigging out, watching TV, or partying (or all of the above), but you have decided to make some changes and start living healthier. You've started to exercise, or you're cooking fresh meals, or you're drinking less, and as a result you're noticing improvements in your energy level, your mood, and...[ read more ]
Whether you are a new fitness enthusiast, a seasoned athlete, or somewhere in the middle, we all have in common the mental struggle of talking ourselves into showing up for the next workout. It's helpful to remember that being fit is not some magical, end goal, but a constant process of becoming. What determines whether someone is successful with their...[ read more ]
In this quickie article I will simply summarize what Dr. Ralph Carson cites as the 5 Elements of Healing the Brain from depression, bad habits, compulsive behavior, or addiction: Psychotherapy Adequate sleep Good nutrition Exercise Mindfulness meditation You can check out my full blog post here or watch as Dr. Ralph Carson elaborates somewhat on each of these in this...[ read more ]
"What if I told you, there was something you could do right now, that would have an immediate positive benefit for your brain, including your mood and your focus...and that could last a long time, protecting your brain from conditions like depression and alzheimers?" What is this brain-altering phenomenon? EXERCISE! In her TED talk, The Brain Changing Effects of Exercise, neuroscientist...[ read more ]
"Mindfulness" is a buzzword lately, and with good reason. Countless studies tout it's benefits, ranging from enhanced memory & decision-making, to improved relationships, to reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. I personally practice mindfulness meditation regularly, "attempt" to practice it with my kids, and often use it with my clients. For those unfamiliar with mindfulness, here is a primer: "Mindfulness" is...[ read more ]
If you're like most parents, you expend fair amounts of emotional energy worrying about how to protect your child from the stresses of growing up in an uncertain world. This article is for you, as loving parents of stressed or anxious teens, and for your teen, who is truly doing the best they can. These brief tips will help you...[ read more ]