If you’ve ever felt too much in your feelings and you can’t move on from negative, intrusive thoughts, you might be experiencing rumination. People who ruminate seem to be at higher risk for multiple psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. Rumination appears to be caused primarily by difficulties in shifting…
Q: What is more important? Following your heart, mind, body, and soul, even if it means hurting others’ feelings and emotions, or continuing to live in denial to make your dying spouse, special needs child, and others happy? A: Thank you for reaching out. I really feel for you and…
Q: I am feeling super overwhelmed and alone. What are some things that I can do to calm down? A: We’re so sorry to hear that you’re feeling overwhelmed and alone. Those feelings are really difficult and we understand that it can be hard to find ways to calm and…
Many of us take care of our physical health without thinking twice about it: We eat and we exercise; we stretch and relax; we moisturize dry skin and apply sunscreen; and we consult a doctor when we feel physically ill or hurt. But when it comes to our mental and…
Due to COVID-19 and the lifestyle changes we have been forced to make, many of us are struggling with anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness, and other difficult emotions. Fortunately, self-care activities such as mindfulness can help us to work through these emotions and relieve any anxiety or stress we might…
Numerous methods of therapy and spiritual practice discuss mindfulness. Dispositional mindfulness (also recognized as trait mindfulness) is a category of consciousness that has lately, been given more serious research attention. It is defined as a keen awareness and attention to our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, and the…
I have been sober for over four years. I am in amazement as I type that, but I also reflect on the terribly long and hard road it took me to get to where I am today. I used to be known as a “chronic relapser.” In other words, I…
The average person spends around four hours each day on their phone; you can better spend this time looking into helpful apps for improving wellbeing. You can start with an app like Booster Buddy, which helps you stay mindful of your mood and track it over time. Meditation applications are…
Compassion is sharing someone’s pain without sharing their suffering, according to meditation teacher and researcher Shinzen Young. While this sounds kind of contradictory, there’s a point to Young’s logic. One of the core skills of meditation involves focusing on the details of your experience while also accepting that experience…
Those who develop posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of experiencing trauma often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, hypervigilance, and/or depressed mood. They may also go through periods of heightened irritability, hostility, and self-destructive behavior. But the question is when? Jessica Tappana, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in…
A lot of people are intimidated or turned off by the terms “mindfulness” and “meditation.” But in reality, there’s nothing to be afraid of. And there’s no reason not to give them a try. Because time and time again, the same individuals who were skeptical of the practices discover just…
Mondays might bring your weekend to an end, but they also have the power to be truly extraordinary. It’s time to take advantage of our Mondays—to stop loathing the beginning of each week and to start enjoying it. Master the first day of the week every week. Just follow these…