The ability to successfully adapt to challenges is linked to an individual’s level of resilience.
Being in 2021: A new kind of resolution
Managing our Feelings - The Buddha's 2 Arrows
Have you ever noticed the way your mood and outlook can spiral quickly downward after one bad thing happens? Before psychologists started talking about primary and secondary emotional responses, the Buddha noticed this human tendency, which he talked about in terms of arrows. The “first arrow” hits us when a painful event occurs, and...it hurts. The “second arrow,” which is our reaction to the event, only adds to our pain.
Mindfulness During times of Stress
With all this talk about it - and some would say too much talk about it - you may find yourself wondering if the concept of mindfulness has been overdone, and what it even means at this point? At the risk of adding to the pile of materials on the topic, I’m writing about it today, because I think simple strategies for presence and self-care are essential during stressful times (like in a pandemic), and mindfulness fits the bill.
The Therapeutic Power of Breathing
Few things rival diaphragmatic breathing for its simplicity and therapeutic payoff. I’ve made a short video to share some of the health benefits of deep breathing with you, including how it helps us to move out of the stress response, aka “fight or flight,” and into the relaxation response. And I’ve included a short demonstration. Enjoy!
Managing Stress in a Time of Crisis
Discovering Ourselves: Reflections from a Bungalow
“I’d love to get away from it all….”
Have you ever imagined just taking off, maybe to a beach or mountain retreat, to be free of the business of daily life? Recently I had the opportunity to do just that. I spent time in a quiet beachside bungalow near the Equator, where I had time alone every day. No television or radio, very limited phone and internet, and only a few, simple chores to do. Time to relax, read, rest….just be, with no one looking for me. Total relaxation. Only, it was often quite stressful….