Source: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash Have you ever felt so overcome with emotions that it’s difficult to control your response to others? Perhaps you feel fine one moment and the next you are slamming doors, sending an unfiltered text message, or yelling at your partner. You may also feel your heart pounding and…
mindfulness
Making the Most of “Me Time” During the Holiday Season
Source: Photo by Audrey Fretz on Unsplash Despite the pervasive message that the media and society in general send about being with family and friends during the holidays, we recognize that this isn’t the case for many people. Please know that you are NOT alone in that, whether it be due to logistical or personal…
5 Things You Can Do Today To Start Being More Productive
Source: Photo by Ian Dooley on Unsplash Have you ever looked at your to-do list, felt overwhelmed by how much is on it and ended up taking a nap instead? If so, you aren’t alone. According to a research study conducted by Reutskaja et al. in 2018, while our brains find the idea of choice…
The Language of (Emotional) Pain and the Case for Expanding Our Vocabulary
[Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash] “I feel melancholy sometimes, especially lately” said my friend as he leaned back in his chair. We were sitting in my backyard. The sun had just set and the sky had that lovely deep blue hue that appears for just a few brief moments as the day and…
Mindful Parenting
Many new parents and parents-to-be reflect on the question, “What type of parent do I want to be?” This question can seem so monumental and challenging to answer. This article offers a way to sort through how to arrive at answers. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help us in this exploration. The goal of…
How to Ground During Times of Uncertainty
During this uncertain time, it is inevitable that many of us are experiencing stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm. This stress can take a toll on the brain and the body. One way to work through these feelings of anxiety is to draw on grounding skills. Grounding skills can allow you to step away from…
Mindful Movement Exercises to Reduce Tension
If you, like many of us, have been finding yourself sitting more than usual or have been noticing some increased muscle tension or soreness, a little movement can be a lifesaver. The two brief practices below are designed to invite some mindful gentle movement and release tension. These practices are great for small spaces and…
Anxiety during the Pandemic: When to Seek Help?
Is it possible to not be anxious when the coronavirus pandemic threatens our lives, health, and economic wellbeing while disrupting routines and relationships in ways most people until now associated with science fiction movies? Experiencing restlessness, unease, and worry about what is to come is understandable in the light of the sudden loss of control,…
Mindfulness-Based Tools for Coping during Difficult Times
Mental health professionals often speak about mindfulness, or non-judgmental attention to the present-moment experience. I also like to think of mindfulness as an invitation to engage with ourselves and our environment just a bit differently from what might be our norm. Mindfulness is about cultivating awareness and welcoming the full range of what shows up…
Finding a Way out of Fight, Flight, and Freeze Response
Our bodies and minds are experiencing the current global crisis as a serious threat to survival and all that feels familiar and safe. Living in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze is exhausting. We must find ways to release this stress on a daily basis. Connect with friends and family, exercise, knit, scream…
