What do you do when you feel intense upset, anxiety, anger, or despair? Many of us want to get rid of the unpleasant emotions as soon as possible because unpleasant emotions are, well, unpleasant. We may look for a quick fix that helps turn down the volume on the unpleasantness or distracts us entirely.
Good Psychology Reads: “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” and “Furiously Happy”
There’s nothing quite like reading an author who really, really gets it. And if you’ve ever struggled with depression or anxiety, writer Jenny Lawson really, really gets it. She has made a living writing about her personal life with a great deal of emphasis on navigating life with mental illness.
Healing, Recovery, and the Sacrament of Waiting
Several weeks ago, I was sorting a stack of papers at home when I came across this poem, one of my favorites. You never know what treasures you may come across when you de-clutter. As I re-read the poem, I was touched again by its poignancy and achingly beautiful imagery.
“Little-n” Narcissism: The Dangerously Quiet Whisper That Tells You It’s All Your Fault
When we hear the word narcissism, we tend to think of people who are arrogant, self-centered, and entitled, with an inflated sense of their own importance and difficulty feeling true empathy for others. These kinds of people can come across as full of themselves and will rarely admit to making mistakes, if ever.
The Lazy Psychologist in the Kitchen: Quirky Chicken Fried Rice
The Lazy Psychologist has been back in the kitchen this Fall! If you’re new to my blog, you may be asking yourself why a psychologist is posting recipes on her blog about mental health. Good question! Here’s the simple answer: food affects mood.
Please Don’t Ghost Your Therapist: The Importance of Saying Goodbye and Ending Well
Ghosting: the act of disappearing from a relationship, ceasing all communication without warning or explanation. Ghosting is not a new phenomenon but in today’s fast-paced, plugged-in world, ghosting out of a relationship is easier than it has ever been. If you’ve ever been ghosted in a relationship, you know that it feels bad.
Strengthening Breath: A Weird, Twisty, and Wonderful Mindful Breathing Practice
Welcome to my video blog this week. Today, I’ll be sharing another mindful breathing exercise. Breath practices can be a powerful way to modulate stress by helping to calm and sooth our agitated nervous system. This breath is called the strengthening breath but I call it the weird twisty breath.
An Attitude of Gratitude and My Colombia Vacation
Did you know that gratitude is good for your health? According to researchers, people who regularly practice gratitude have better heart health, sleep better, are more likely to exercise and eat healthfully, and are more resilient in terms of emotional wellbeing. That’s awesome, right?!