Did you know that there are therapeutic benefits to journaling? Not only does it help you to purge negative thoughts and feelings as you write them down, but it also helps you to gain perspective. In a recent study exploring resiliency factors in women who lost their husbands to suicide, five of the six women discussed how writing in a journal or on a blog…
Far too often, I hear people talk about falling in love as if love is similar to tripping and falling into a pit. If you can fall into love then you can fall out of love. This “falling” most people talk about is based on feelings. When a couple first “falls” for each other, the brain releases dopamine which is a feel-good hormone. Your brain…
Several years ago, I took a course where I not only learned a great deal about doing therapy, but also gained a few pearls related to being a mom. One of those “pearls” relates to special time. So often, we get so busy that we give our children our leftovers. What would happen if we would schedule 30 minutes a week when we give our kids…
I love to snuggle in a warm blanket and watch a good psychological movie that portrays mental illness in a real life context. One of my favorites is an old movie I show my Human Growth and Development classes called, The Bad Seed. Also among my favorites are A Beautiful Mind and Shutter Island. I am looking to expand my library. What are some of…
I have resolved to start 2016 without sugar — no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and minimal carbohydrates. The first few days were rough, I won’t lie. The withdrawal symptoms included headaches, aches and pains, and even an upset stomach. I pushed through and finally, I am beginning to feel myself again. Why would I do this? One word — my health. Last year I spent…
It seems like much of my stress comes having too much to do or huge projects hanging over my head. We all know the answer to the infamous question, “How do you eat an elephant?” Knowing that taking bite sized pieces eats away at the elephant does not make the task any less daunting. I’ve learned that I do better when I break large tasks…