Posted in communication, stress management on Dec 21st, 2010
Particularly at this time of the year, when emphasis is on being together and enjoying each other’s company, we are reminded of those who are no longer with us. This is when we feel their absence more deeply and intensely and miss having them close. This does not apply only to the people close to [...]
Posted in communication, stress management on Dec 17th, 2010
There are times – and holidays rank high among these – where we build up incredibly lofty expectations, often setting ourselves up for disappointment.
We want our children to have golden memories of the holidays that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. We want family members who don’t get along with one another [...]
Posted in communication, stress management on Dec 14th, 2010
If the holidays are so much fun and all of us look forward to them, why is it that people like me – psychotherapists and counselors – are the busiest at this time of the year?
Simply put, it is because being with family is the most enjoyable and yet the most stressful of experiences. Maybe [...]
Posted in brain and mind, stress management on Dec 7th, 2010
The holidays has started with a big bang on Thanksgiving day evening, when for the first time some stores opened to shoppers who wanted to have a head start on Black Friday. From now on most of us will be busy, running around trying to get everything done and ready… ready for what?
There is a [...]
Posted in brain and mind, stress management on Oct 12th, 2010
Imagine having a big presentation in front of a whole hall full of people you don’t know and who intimidate you. You are restless, agitated. Your palms are sweaty and clammy. Hour heart beats much faster than normal. You feel sick to your stomach. You are afraid you are going to pass out and everybody, [...]
Posted in communication, stress management on Oct 7th, 2010
Arizona has a very large elderly population, so issues about the end of life are often raised by people here, possibly more than in other parts of the country with younger populations. Patients themselves and their families are continuously searching for ways of making the last days of life as comfortable and serene as possible.
In [...]
Posted in brain and mind, stress management on Sep 23rd, 2010
A lot of new studies have been published recently about the value of exercise for physical and mental health.
We had known for some time about the value of endorphins, hormone-like substances that are released in the body when we exercise. Endorphins are natural opiates that give us a feeling of euphoria and well being. This [...]
Posted in brain and mind, stress management on Aug 31st, 2010
The ability to touch people around us in deep, meaningful and long lasting ways is a gift we all have. We need to remind ourselves of the powers and strengths of human connections and use them wherever we see an opportunity. We also need to be mindful of the fact that, in the same way [...]
Posted in brain and mind, stress management on Aug 19th, 2010
A recent analysis by the Rockefeller Foundation indicated that most Americans feel more financially insecure now than ever before in their lives, due to the effects of the current economic recession. And, worse still, they don’t believe things are going to change any time soon.
Data from 2009 indicates that more than 20% of Americans experienced [...]
Posted in brain and mind, stress management on Aug 3rd, 2010
Who doesn’t like vacations? We all love and look forward to them with eagerness and excitement. Planning and anticipating them, seeing new places, going on new adventures, doing different things than what we do regularly are very appealing. Aside from the enjoyment, however, is there other value in taking time off from our regular schedules [...]
