Published by Dr. Andrea Dinardo
Dr. Andrea Dinardo is a positive psychology expert, keynote speaker, and leadership trainer who helps people thrive under pressure and cope with stress. She is a psychology professor at St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Science in Windsor Ontario Canada and a retired psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She is also the author of several psychology articles and textbooks and a TEDx presenter who shared her insights on how to turn stress into strength. She has a popular YouTube channel and a blog where she offers psychology tips and exercises for mental health empowerment and daily resilience. She is passionate about applying positive psychology to facilitate personal growth and transformational change in individuals and organizations.
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Thriving Under Pressure 
Mind if I share this as I’m still asking myself this question lol
Of course! I’d love you too. Share away! It’s a question that I’m still asking myself too. Daily. The answer changes all the time. Today self-love = a good cup of coffee. ☕️ ♥️
Self love for me lately seems to be a lot of reassuring self talk to try and get me out of a funk self talk self love self care are all vital to our mental health
Amen Andrew! Everything is interconnected. Long deep breaths soften my mind. Every single time. 🍃
I’ve shared one of your posts on fear and love as well as it speaks volumes about myself and the world today
Thank you for sharing my blog with your readers! Moving from fear to love is ultimately everyone’s shared life path. Whatever form it comes in.
So often we put ourselves last but as I’m discovering, as I get older, the best thing we can do is love ourselves and be gentle with ourselves. I tell my 16yo son this all the time, “be your own best friend” and “be kind to yourself” as he’s often very self critical. Wonderful reminders here, thank you.
Thank you Miriam. Your story is a poignant reminder that self-criticism isn’t reserved for any particular age or gender. And how gentleness & love soothes us all.
It absolutely does.
Focusing on seeing positivity in everything all day long. 🙂
A beautiful way to live & love. 💛
I’m going to go for a walk later, appreciate nature and try to think like a mountain. In other words give my brain some time out and perspective 🙂 Thanks for your blog!
Think like a mountain. I love it! Giving your mind space to breathe is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself. Nature always shows us the way. ⛰💚
Reblogged on A stone in the Road. Ditto Andrea!
Thank you for reblogging & sharing with your readers!
I’m going to stand up and stretch. Right now!
Great idea! I definitely need more stretching in my life.
Thank you for the self-care (love) reminder Joanna. 🙂
Reblogged this on Loving Me, Too.
No worries. Either Way: Thank you for sharing the good vibes with your tribe. 🙂
Thank you for reblogging & sharing with your readers!
You are most welcome!
Interesting thought. At times one could say many problems in the world is we love ourselves too much and we have become consumed with self to the exclusion of those around us. Maybe its just my observations after 39 years in the field.
As always, you encourage me to dig deep with your comments. Something I cherish online & in real life.
I agree with you 100% when you refer to the narcissism that is pervading our society today. Which is sad. Because as you know all to well from your work & life experience, growth & strength develop in challenge & adversity.
Depriving young people of the opportunity to be uncomfortable in their early years, robs them of their resilience in times of real challenge. Something none of us can escape through our phone and/or social media.
On the other hand, there is a legitimate need for genuine acts of self-care & love that foster one’s spirit, and in turn give them more energy to take care of the people around them. Just 5 minutes of meditation can recharge one’s body for 24+ hours. 50 minute in nature can fuel one’s spirit for a week.
I believe the important distinction between self-love & narcissism is that one takes from no one and eventually gives to everyone. While the other is simply take, take, take..
What do you think?
You nailed it Andrea. As we read the initial post we agreed with its point but twinged a little but hoped you would understand where we were coming from. You say it so well in there being that “legitimate need for genuine acts of self-care…”. We so often realize we are no good to anyone when we don’t make the time to re-charge our own emotional health. Sometimes we kick ourselves at how long it took us to realize this valuable point you are making. Thank you for making time to get back with us on a topic that is so important to so many of us.
I haven’t really thought about this today so thank you for reminding me that we should express love to ourselves every day. For a while now I have trying to focus on positive thoughts instead of the negative ones. However, due circumstances it became a low-profile goal so today I will make it my primary priority again.
I love how you refer to low profile and high profile goals.
Life happens as you know. Rarely as planned. The key is not to beat yourself up for shifting your attention from thriving back to merely surviving on certain days. Negativity is ok. And should be welcomed from time to time. As you are only human Suzanne. And that’s what makes you so wonderful. Your nuance 🙂
You might also be interested in this post:
https://drandreadinardo.com/2016/10/15/set-a-time-limit-on-negativity/
I have been trying really hard this year not to compare myself with others, which in itself is actually a form of self love. It is so much a part of 21st century life for people to be forever wanting to be prettier, thinner, richer etc and it is only since I have grown older (now 64) that I have come to understand the value of acceptance.
Not comparing is the most wonderful of self-love goals! I bet that you, me, and everyone in between could trace 99% of their negative thoughts back to some come of comparison. Which is only enhanced by magazines, television, and social media. And the craziest part is that none of it is real. We are comparing ourselves (using our imagination) to “what you think” others are doing. It is certainly the thief of joy!
What I have found helpful is to do a 60 second appreciation exercise where whatever comes into my line of vision is experienced through all 5 of my senses (ok maybe not taste… hee hee). When the 60 seconds are up, you’ll forget what you were comparing yourself to. You’ll have time travelled back to the ‘here & now’. The most grounded place on earth.
Hello Dr Dinardo,
A beautiful thought and you know it’s something I’m now passionate about too…
For me it now begins with the gentler self talk. I may still ruminate over something I said and I still sometimes second guess myself, but the words are much kinder.
Thank you for a lovely blog 💐💕
“Gentler self talk”. Just reading your words softened my thoughts. Especially when you don’t expect yourself to be “perfectly positive” in the process. Instead, these 3 simple words “Gentler self talk” move you closer to a place of peace. Thank you for sharing Di. xo
Thank you for your kind reply, Dr Dinardo 💐🌟🌟
Greetings and Blessings to you! 🙂 As I read the first part of the question about list of things I love… I started to make a list. Then I read the rest of question and starting laughing. I sure did skip right over myself. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for sharing a positive message! 🙂
Now you have me laughing too! Such a giver you are. Always thinking about everyone else that you love. Now it’s your turn… What loving thing will you do for yourself today?
Thank you! I don’t know, but I will begin with telling myself ‘I love you!’😇 Praise God, and thanks again!🙂
The best! Keep up the self-love.
The more you receive…
The more you have to give. xo
🙂
What a great question!
Thanks Yamina! Now it’s your turn.. 🙂
What loving thing will you do for yourself today?
Getting a massage. 🙂
What an inspiring, uplifting thought you posted today, Dr. D. After my morning run, I always spend time working in the gardens and it’s lifts my spirits throughout the day, just like one of your bloggers mentioned. Your creative thoughts always amaze me. Thanks!! from Dr. Di (aka) mom ☀️👨🌾🏃♀️🤗
Smiling ear to ear as I read your comments. What better way to show your daughter how to love than living your own self-love. Simply the best. Thanks for sharing Mom! 🌹♥️🌿
What an incredible inspiration! Thank you for sharing this uplifting reflection ♥
Thank you so much Mirissa! For your encouraging words & for sharing the message with your readers. #grateful 💖
Reblogged this on mirissa d. price.
Thanks I am not always effective 100% of the time only the other week I was beating myself up about something. Hence it always good to read thought provoking content such as your own to get me focusing on the positives. 🙂
Thanks James! Wonderful knowing my blog helps shift you positive. Yours does too. ☀️
I am going to go full on into gardening. Nurturing nature is a good thing for me. Thanks for turning a chore into a meaningful process. xo Harlon
How wonderful Harlon!
Spending time in nature is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself. My mom, who is also a psychologist, lives & thrives by the healing power of her garden. 🌏 💙
You may also be interested in my post on nature & mindfulness https://drandreadinardo.com/2016/04/01/taming-your-monkey-mind/
I am working on addressing my self-limiting beliefs. I am more aware of this and ever, so when one of these beliefs pop up I always try and put a positive spin on it. So for example if I say “I am not good enough at X”, I then say “But I will be with more effort/if I try/believe in myself”.
Regards
James
I admire how self-aware you are James & so willing to change. Flexibility & openness are key to loving relationships with oneself & others. Thank you for sharing! You given me some wonderful ideas for reflection.
Reblogged this on Paleo Marine and commented:
This is something I never thought of, but it’s definitely something to think about. Every time I run, or pass on a food item I know isn’t good for me, ultimately, I’m expressing a respect and love of self.
Exactly! What a great reframe for us all. Rather thank looking at healthy choices (fitness, proper nutrition) as “sacrifices”, reframe them as (self) loving choices. Your ♥️ will thank you. And so will your family.
I spent an hour in my garden pottering and came back inside a new woman.😉
Brilliant! I can just picture you flourishing in your Irish garden. It’s the smallest acts of (self) love that make the biggest difference in our lives. 🌷💚
Shared on my blog. I hope that’s ok. My apology for asking after…
Of course! I am honoured every time you share my posts with your readers. 🙌
Fantastic message ❤️
Thank you! ♥️ Now it’s your turn… What loving thing will you do for yourself today? Me: A lazy, bike ride around the pond in our neighbourhood. No goal. No rush. Just me & the breeze.
I’ll up that to two ❤️ I spent some time in the sun, which always elevates my mood and makes me feel great… and I am about to go buy a fit bit
I love what you’re doing. I wish I had a bike and a place to ride like that!
💛☀️💛☀️💛