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 ]
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 ]
Social distancing is not too much fun, eh? Well, it’s bad enough to feel stuck inside during the week when we’d otherwise be at the office or on the job. But, with the “first official pandemic weekend” (feel free to steal this phrase) nearly upon us, if you are like me, you’re wondering how to pass the time in at...[ read more ]
Working from home or ‘hardly’ working from home? The scourge that is Covid-19 or the Coronavirus, if you prefer, continues to cause disruption to our lives and many of us find ourselves working from home as mandated or strongly suggested by our employers. If you have never worked from home before, you may finally discover that the grass is not...[ read more ]
If you are like us, the news of mandatory school closings for three weeks (it may end up being more…) was met with multiple reactions. On the one hand, we were thankful to be relieved of the worry that our children may become exposed to Covid-19 at school and that steps were being taken to curb the potential spread of...[ read more ]
Did you ever play the game called “telephone” growing up? One kid whispered a secret message into the ear of the kid next to him. That kid then whispered the “same” message into the ear of the kid next to her. On and on each kid would whisper the message around the circle until you came to the last kid,...[ read more ]
