Got this video blog done just under the wire before Thanksgiving, but the point is that we shouldn’t just save our thanksgivings for Thanksgiving! I hope you find this helpful – Happy Thanksgiving!—Dr. Brooks
Every Moment Is Precious
Jul 27, 2012
When tragedy strikes, when we lose someone we love, or when we are confronted with our mortality we often experience a renewed appreciation of the things we usually take for granted: the people we love, our health, being alive… All the little things we usually get so worked up about don’t seem to matter so …Read More
Running With the Mind of Meditation – Book Recommendation
Jun 27, 2012
We are all familiar with the benefits of regular physical exercise. Physical activity increases our strength, flexibility, stamina, can prevent cancer and heart disease, lower blood pressure, and keep us at a healthy weight. Physical exercise is also a powerful way of reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many of my clients have benefitted …Read More
Know Thyself 2 – Listen to Your Conscience
Jun 1, 2012
In my previous post entitled Know Thyself – Listen to Your Feelings, I discussed the importance of using feelings as sources of information that can help guide our decisions and actions. Along these lines, our conscience is also a crucial source of information. Oftentimes, our conscience sends signals to us through feelings of guilt or …Read More
Remembering What Is Important
Apr 3, 2012
Often we can become very wrapped up in our obligations, such as making money to pay the bills, meeting deadlines, or making a good impression on our managers and colleagues. These things can take up so much of our time and energy that we forget what is really important in life: the meaningful relationships we …Read More
Say Om…and Improve your Attention
Mar 30, 2012
In a previous blog, I discussed executive functioning deficits with ADHD, specifically how these affect impulsivity, working memory, attention, and organization. It is also known that stress interferes with executive function and emotional regulation. It turns out that there are many exploratory studies on the benefits of meditation and relaxation. It is a common means of …Read More
Stubborn Is As Stubborn Does
Feb 1, 2012
A few weeks ago, I was in a minor argument with a friend of mine. I, of course, was trying to get her to “see the light” by logically and systematically presenting evidence as to why she should take my advice. Despite what I thought were very convincing arguments, she remained unswayed and unconvinced. I …Read More
Putting Your Own Oxygen Mask on First
Jan 18, 2012
It is sometimes hard to remember when you are a parent that it is also important to take care of yourself and your own needs. Dr. Brooks recently discussed research that suggests that parents’ ability to manage their own stress is one of the top three predictors of positive outcomes for children. So when you …Read More
Mindfulness Book Recs – East Meets West
Jan 15, 2012
Mindfulness is an approach to living that involves an open, active attention to the present moment in a non-judgemental fashion. In this way, we can observe our thoughts and feelings without becoming swept away by them. We can experience various thoughts and emotions, but they are not who we are. By being able to observe our thoughts …Read More
Turning a Liability into an Advantage
Dec 24, 2011
We all run into negative thought “loops” at times that are difficult to shake. Sometimes these negative thought loops can contribute to our suffering because the way we think affects the way we feel. For instance, incessantly thinking about a romantic relationship that went south can lead to strong feelings of sadness, anger, regret, and jealously (if …Read More