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
Know Thyself – Listen to Your Feelings
May 13, 2012
We have feelings for a reason. They provide valuable information that can help to steer us in the right direction in life…if we learn to listen to them. Imagine if we didn’t have the emotion of fear and we ran across a grizzly bear. Without such emotions I think the human race would have been …Read More
Do Our Emotions Fit the Situation?
Apr 2, 2012
This quote from Aristotle is a mouthful…so I honestly have to look it up when I need it. It doesn’t make the cut as a “pithy” maxim, yet Aristotle points to a very profound and sublime Truth. The Truth that he points to is something that I always keep with me and try to heed. …Read More
The Power to Accept What Is
Mar 9, 2012
Last week, I had one of those “series of unfortunate events” days. I won’t bore you with the details, but I was trying to run a few quick errands before going into work and one minor frustration after another added up until I was running 10 minutes late for a client. I really don’t like …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
Why Teens Cut Themselves
Dec 1, 2009
Self-injurious behavior, such as cutting, is generally more than an attempt to get attention. Teens who cut themselves often report that they do it to stop or escape from intense, unpleasant emotions, such as anxiety or depression. For these teens, the pain of the moment provides a distraction to the overwhelming myriad of confusing thoughts …Read More
Tips on How Parents Can Respond to an Angry Teen
Dec 1, 2009
When a teen is angry, he or she is trying to tell you something. Sometimes they are simply frustrated with your rules and limits. Other times their anger reflects underlying fear, sadness, confusion, or feelings of rejection. Whatever the reason for your child’s anger, don’t let it drive you apart. Your teen still needs you, …Read More
Teen Behavior: Emotional Problems or Just Hormones?
Dec 1, 2009
The changes that teens experience as they enter puberty affect them in many ways, including hormonal changes that can impact their mood and behavior. Increases in testosterone levels in boys can result in greater irritability and expressions of anger. Hormone changes in girls can have similar effects. However, when your teen’s emotional or behavior disruption …Read More
The Importance of Exercise
Dec 1, 2009
Exercise is a powerful method to improve emotional and cognitive functioning that is relatively simple. We’ve all heard it – the mind, body, and spirit are all connected. The more that I learn and grow, the more I view this as an essential truth. There is plenty of scientific research that supports the mind-body connection. …Read More
The Importance of Sleep
Dec 1, 2009
There are several simple things that you can try to improve your emotional and physical well-being. One of these is getting enough sleep. As a nation, the U.S. is sleep-deprived. About 100 years ago, we averaged 9.0 hours of sleep. Now we average 6.9 hours per night, and 60% of American men average less than …Read More