When strong negative emotions kidnap the thinking brain, we become scarcely more coherent than a wild animal
You may have seen a video recently of a man punching a fellow pedestrian who he felt took his photo without authorization. Once the video was released, the man came forward and apologized for what he called his uncharacteristic behaviour. Whether it’s a result of stress, the state of the world or a variety of…
When it comes to fear and anxiety, we tend to fight our feelings even though we would be better off using them
We all tell ourselves stories that cause us to behave in peculiar ways – even if our behaviour seems logical in the moment. We might not even be aware of how compromised our problem-solving mechanisms might be perceived by others (or ourselves if we were more objective). There’s an old joke about a fellow walking…
Optimism helps you stay healthy in mind and body – and it makes you a lot more fun to be around than life's pessimists
“That silver lining in every cloud you’ve heard about? It’s sleet.” We've likely all run across people whose outlook on life can be summed up that way. And not just on a bad day – pretty much all the time. This pessimistic person is conditioned to focus on the down side of life. But is this the perspective you…
How have we been so easily persuaded to abandon our livelihoods and embrace isolation with barely a question?
No one enjoys a holding pattern. Not when planes circle and wait to land and not today, while we wait for a virus to pass. Yet this is exactly the place most of us have found ourselves over the past six weeks. We’re restlessly awaiting the moment when health and political authorities loosen restrictions and…
If we don’t learn how to navigate change, we’re setting ourselves up for a lifetime of stress, anxiety, fear and doubt
My husband and I once headed out on a camping trip with some of our new Rotary friends. The weather was hot, we were supporting a great charity and the river was perfect for floating along. I cherish such chances to do something a little different and just be in the moment. When a group…
Don’t let your concerns about COVID-19 create blind spots and unnaturally tighten your focus
Plenty of uncertainty is tugging on our thoughts these days. We’re distracted by social media rants, relentless death counts, conspiracy theories and challenging financial situations. During these days of sheltering in place, what’s compelling your focus? What’s increasing? The reality is there are some real threats related to COVID-19 to be concerned about. These threats…
Worrying about the world isn’t fixing anything and it’s certainly hazardous to your emotional well-being. So redirect your thoughts and activities
“The night is dark and full of terrors.” This phrase has been stuck in my head since I began binge-watching the series Game of Thrones. It’s a bit like getting a song stuck in your thoughts that just won’t go away. You find yourself humming it regardless of the tasks you’re attempting to do. This…
Dog lovers know having a pet brings many upsides. Science tells us dogs keep us active, de-stressed and loved. But inevitably there is also sadness and loss
As a dog lover, there’s no doubt in my mind that having a dog brings many upsides. How can I not live happily waking up to a smiley face and wagging tail? Or come home from a long trip to the crying excitement of a pup that likely thought he might never see me again.…
We’re living in unprecedented times, and perhaps that's exactly what we needed to shift our priorities and our energies
I’ve spent more time on social media in the past 10 days than in the past 10 years. I confess it has done very little for my enthusiasm, motivation or equilibrium. I feel the same way about televised news. Sure, there are the odd amusing posts that keep me chuckling. I especially liked the memes…
Imagining that someone else has all the luck and opportunity slowly eats away at our mental strength and resourcefulness
My daughter has a Facebook friend whose life seems perfect. She lives in a gorgeous house, has a really rewarding career, and she and her family go on all kinds of exciting adventures. No matter where they are or what activity they’re involved in, the whole family appears carefree and joyful! This friend is constantly…