Hate exercising? You’re definitely not alone. At any time during the year, thousands of people across the country commit to working out, only to fall off the wagon weeks later. So what gives? Why does exercising feel so hard and is there any possible way to like it more? Exercise feels like a chore because there are so many misconceptions...[ read more ]
Today, awareness of autism is at an all-time high. As an adult, you may look back on your childhood and realize that you've possibly had an autism diagnosis overlooked. If you're a parent, you may have come to realizations about yourself after observing behaviors in your child. However you've come to notice the signs, you may suspect that you have...[ read more ]
We are born knowing that we are infinitely lovable. Babies and toddlers demand love and attention. They ask to be held, they ask for toys and presents and they feel they deserve them. When we’re very young, we simply somehow just “know” that we are amazing and deserve nothing but goodness. But then something happens… We get programmed by kids...[ read more ]
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 15 million U.S. Americans, or 6.8% of the population, suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD, also sometimes referred to as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations. The sufferer believes they could become humiliated and embarrass themselves somehow in front of other people. They tend to focus on...[ read more ]
Most of us from a young age are taught how to be kind, considerate and compassionate toward others. But rarely are we told to show the same consideration to ourselves. This becomes even more true for individuals brought up in abusive or unloving homes. What is Self-Compassion? Self-compassion refers to how we can relate to the self with kindness. Self-compassion...[ read more ]
Having a baby is one of the most amazing and awesome events in a person’s life. Babies bring joy and laughter into the house. But the reality is, they also bring sleepless nights and inevitable and irreversible change. Having a baby also brings changes to a woman’s body. During pregnancy and right after, a woman will experience shifts in her...[ read more ]
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in innumerable ways. But, as stressful as this lockdown has been for most of us, we have learned much about ourselves as individuals and as a nation. Another silver lining that has emerged from this crisis is a new awareness and embracing of treatment tools that have been available for some time. Telehealth...[ read more ]
“What is a week-end?” Maggie Smith’s character from Downton Abbey famously inquired while in conversation with her soon to be grandson-in-law. While she enjoyed a life of luxurious leisure, today we may find ourselves asking the same question, but for different reasons. Many of us have been working from home now for several weeks, though who’s to be sure how...[ read more ]
“Be kind” I gently remind my intimate neighbors on NextDoor. "Stay home" I subtly reprimand my loyal Instagram legion. “Congratulate me” and “heed my expert advice” I humbly share to my audience to make my contributions to society known on FaceBook. “Imagine” I sing to the sick and downtrodden intimating that quarantine is not so bad even within a mere...[ read more ]
As the great researcher, Harry Harlow, confirmed decades ago, contact comfort is essential for human development and a sense of security. A mere 20-second hug with a loved one, loved pet or loved stuff animal releases the "cuddle hormone" oxytocin. Oxytocin has been shown to contribute to positive emotional responses including relaxation, trust and psychological stability. With many of us...[ read more ]
