Recently, I had the opportunity of visiting with Katherine Kisiel of Fox News here in Austin about coping with holiday stress. In particular, what should we do when we need to visit certain relatives and others with whom we don’t get along? Here are a few quick tips: 1. Recognize that you are not alone. …Read More
My Unsolicited Advice About Unsolicited Advice
Dec 15, 2008
First of all – yes, this post is somewhat hypocritical. However, if you are reading this, on some level you are interested in this advice, so it’s not truly unsolicited. Here’s my unsolicited advice about giving unsolicited advice – don’t give it. We are all tempted to give this…but why? Oftentimes it comes out of …Read More
Role Modeling – The Power of Apology
Dec 12, 2008
Nobody’s perfect, right? At least that’s what we tell our kids. However, sometimes it’s hard to live up to our own standards. This post, in a way, is a continuation of the previous one about the importance of being a role model to our children and teens. As parents, we make plenty of mistakes along …Read More
You Are a Role Model for Your Child/Teen
Dec 10, 2008
Regarding parenting, I’ve never been a big fan of the “do as I say, not as I do” approach. Our kids see us as role models – for good or for ill. If we have a positive relationship with our kids, we can leverage this and influence them as a positive role model. Rather than …Read More
Countering Depression & Anxiety
Dec 7, 2008
We all experience feelings of depression and anxiety from time-to-time. Periodically, these feelings become almost overwhelming and interfere with our daily functioning in areas such as school, work, and social relationships. There are many things we can do to counteract feelings of depression and anxiety (as well as ongoing stress). Oftentimes it can be beneficial …Read More
New Report on Mental Disorders in Young Adults
Dec 2, 2008
A new study that appears in the most recent issue of Archives of General Psychiatry covers the prevalence rates of mental disorders in young adults. It is based on interviews with 5,000 people ages 19-25. One of the alarming findings is that fewer than 25% of college age Americans with mental problems get treatment. On …Read More
Social Comparisons – Working for You or Against
Oct 8, 2008
We often compare ourselves to others. We are social creatures, and it’s natural for us to do this. In a way, we are trying to see where we stand in the pecking order – what is our social status? The manner in which we compare ourselves to others can be to our benefit or to …Read More
An Impoverised Present
Aug 24, 2008
I was listening to a CD of a presentation by noted British philosopher Alan Watts, who passed away in 1973. He lived and traveled extensively in Asia, and was probably best know for interpreting Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Watts spoke of how we often look to the future as offering something better than …Read More
What If You Tried This?
Aug 14, 2008
If we want to make ourselves anxious, a good way of doing it is by asking ourselves, “What if _________ happens?” Our brains are wonderful tools that can help us imagine and predict things. This quality separates us from other mammals and allows us to create inventions, solve problems before they occur, and anticipate possible …Read More
These Are Days
Aug 7, 2008
There’s a song by the group 10,000 Maniacs, who disbanded in the early 90s, entitled “These Are Days.” It’s a beautiful song, as sung by lyricist and frontwoman Natalie Merchant. Probably everyone has heard it at one time or another by now. The sentiment is very strong, and it contains a wonderful mindfulness concept. The …Read More