https://youtu.be/ldOlNJ0ds0c The idea we have for our life rarely matches up with the life we end up with. Plan A is fantasy. Plan B is reality. Growth is not a straight line, which is often a blessing in disguise, yet something we seldom realize in the thick of life. How do we move on from... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=119i-Qv-ep0 The Stories We Tell Ourselves In this psychology video and article, I share concrete strategies. These strategies help in transforming painful emotional experiences. They use a model of cognitive psychology. An A-B-C Formula for reality testing that is especially helpful during outer circumstances beyond a person’s control. What’s real? What’s distorted? A-B-C Scenario The... Continue Reading →
Fight or Flight Threat Response Every time we feel threatened (threat is the fundamental definition of stress) our first instinct is to “fight or flight“. This perpetual “fight or flight” response loop eventually creates a host of secondary problems, above and beyond, the original stressor. Powerpoint Slide from Broaden and Build Leadership Event, January 2022... Continue Reading →
Psychology of Change During this week’s health psychology lecture, we talked about the psychology of change, including the parts of our lives that remain ‘unchanged’ during rapid and unexpected change. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkgwELpI0M What Remains During Change? The Sun Still Rises Coffee Tastes Delicious Trees Greet You on Your Walk Favourite Movie Still Delights Bed is Comfie... Continue Reading →
What helps you adapt to rapid, unpredictable, unexpected change? I asked this question of student leaders at a province wide conference. See student answers on the chalkboard below: My answer on the chalkboard was: GO SMALLER One day at a time. One hour at a time. One class at a time. Microseconds sometimes.. https://youtu.be/rUWGr_GwzhM Your... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VvwITnvrhs Healthy Workplace Awards This week I did a keynote speech at the Healthy Workplace Awards Ceremony. Given all we are collectively going through, I thought the notes and video from the keynote would be helpful to everyone. News Release: CTV News Especially as we wrap up this year. A year where we collectively experienced... Continue Reading →
Staying Hopeful I wanted to share how I have been keeping hope alive in my heart and soul during 2020. Specifically, by expanding my reach with new virtual experiences. Beginning in the spring with my first "live" recorded internet event with Sam Piercell, a fitness entrepreneur, from Windsor, Ontario. 1. F45 Live Event: Community Resilience... Continue Reading →
Mental Health Matters with Dr. Kathy Garland 1. Video Format of Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ttX6h_D8o&feature=youtu.be Watch on YouTube 2. Podcast Format of Interview https://soundcloud.com/user-240189621/mental-health-matters-dr-dinardo-and-situational-anxiety Listen on SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts Reflection Questions What did you learn about situational versus clinical anxiety from our interview? Can you relate to the personal example of heightened situational anxiety shared by Dr.... Continue Reading →
Getting ready for my online summer courses which requires a lot of new psychology videos. Including video discussions on health, wellness, and personal empowerment. Similar to in person college classes, the goal is to stimulate active discussions and open communication. For example: Discussion Topic What happened when I quit drinking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejpt6agt1tk Watch this short video... Continue Reading →
When we feel a painful emotion, our first instinct is to pull away. To numb the pain. To hide from the intensity. This was the case for Sarah and Jack, two unique individuals with vastly different circumstances. But they each experienced the same emotion: loneliness. An emotion that is heightened during the holidays. SARAH Sarah... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVfeKg78fEY Catch Pause Repair (CPR) is a Framework for Sustainable Mental Health & Resilience Habits. CPR includes three simple steps as outlined in the video. 1. Catch Catch yourself before a stress response escalates by becoming more aware of what triggers you. 2. Pause Pause and take a 60 second time out when you feel... Continue Reading →
https://youtube.com/shorts/O-UOPC4wEAI?si=gUNXEk5J5PVB4ekC Boundaries, Personality, and Saying No Do you have a difficult time saying no? While others in your life say no without a second thought. Is this confusing and at times upsetting for you? Are you hard on yourself because of this discrepancy between yourself and others? You may be interested to discover that Saying... Continue Reading →
Choose the THOUGHTS that emPOWER you today. It takes one word one thought one mantra to shift our mind from pain to power. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wIK91yKh0Zo What will your empowering thought be this week? I’d love to know. Share your WORD in comments below! Related Post: Empowering Conversations
Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to the new roster of TEDX Windsor speakers at Beachgrove Golf and Country Club in Windsor Ontario. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URKcpc0rEVQ In the 4 min video I advise new TEDX Speakers on how to stay motivated during the extensive and lengthy TEDX preparation process. Reminding speakers HOW THEY DREAMED... Continue Reading →
Nature is a beautiful way to stop the monkey mind in its’ tracks. What is the monkey mind? “Buddha described the human mind as being filled with drunken monkeys, jumping around, screeching, chattering, carrying on endlessly. Fear is an especially loud monkey - screaming out all the things that could go wrong.” Source: HuffPost When we’re caught... Continue Reading →
The Psychology of Wellness I had the opportunity to be interviewed on the Lemon Soul Podcast by an engaging and bright young woman named Sierra Parr. It was one of the most rewarding projects I have worked on and I hope you find the same value in listening to the podcast as I had co-creating it... Continue Reading →
“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what's left of you." Pause. Be still. Catch your breath. Take a rest. Practice self-care. As often as you can. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H8MKH2-QErg Pause at the end of my video ⬆️ for 30 fun self-care ideas. Do you practice daily self-care? Please share in the comments below.
This post was inspired by a stressful situation that I could not let go of. No matter how hard I tried. Day in day out. The worry would reappear. Then someone suggested that I “shed the stress" and a lightbulb went off. Each time the repetitive thought appeared, I imagined a tree shedding its leaves.... Continue Reading →
Resilience Training & Education During my psychology speech at the “You Can Do College Event” I share the biological origins of stress and anxiety with 600 grade 10 high school students during a 2 day event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0tKO_mV7uY&t=25s Stress & Anxiety Management I also demonstrate simple strategies for coping with stressful, anxiety-provoking situations. Including: deep breathing... Continue Reading →
PSYCHOLOGY THOUGHTS They say we only use 5-10% of our brain’s full potential. A statement I agree with. Psychology Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwisq9hn8q0 Know thyself Understanding ourselves better, including our brains, is always the first step in tapping into what’s possible, within, and all around us. Hacking the brain Did you know that fear and excitement share the same... Continue Reading →
FOCUS ON THE GOOD This is my mantra. I write it on my bathroom mirror. I post it on my refrigerator door. I tape it to my office wall. I speak of it every time I teach. These 4 words remind me to focus on what's good, what's working, what's infinitely possible. Even (especially) when everything... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/BcKL7x18Fc4?si=DIMK9PLpsOuAAiHQ The Aftermath No matter how many times I deliver a speech or engage in media and events, I am frequently left with the same emotion for the next day or two. Sadness. A kind of longing. A sense of emptiness. A Change of Pace I spend weeks and months practicing, preparing, and editing my... Continue Reading →
“Every day might not be good, but there is something good in every day.” In psychology class this week, I teach one of my favourite subjects - Stress, Coping, and Health Psychology Chapter 11 in my psychology textbook. I purposely teach this topic during the height of midterms. Raising awareness about the healthy (and not so healthy) ways students manage... Continue Reading →
What are the most powerful words in the universe? The ones you use to talk to yourself. Choose the words that move you forward, the emotions that lift you up, and the actions that empower you. Believe in the one reason that a difficult situation will work out. You! You have everything it takes to... Continue Reading →
When I'm struggling to get through a difficult day, I look to the trees for inspiration and refuge. All they do is give. And all we need to do is receive. Again and again. With every single breath. And every single step. Peace lives here.
What we believe matters as it’s our mindset that shapes our physiological and emotional response to stressful circumstances. Ultimately, determining our ability to face our fears, overcome resistance, and bounce back after adversity. Watch Video - Click Here https://youtu.be/p58APeFQEmM RELATIONSHIP: BELIEF PATTERNS For example, when a relationship ends, if we view it as a personal... Continue Reading →
When life changes direction, are you able to change with it? Are you flexible and open to new experiences? Are you able to break free from old patterns and habits? Or do you struggle to adapt to anything new and different? Flexibility and Change In this interview on CBC-TV, Chris Hyndman and I examine the... Continue Reading →
Take a long deep breath with me. Inhale Calm Exhale Chaos Release Let Go You are more powerful than you know. https://youtu.be/zRSQw-LjU8k Breathing Video — Watch Here
Psychology Reflection Questions Do you experience more stress than the average person? Are you overly sensitive to external stimuli? Chances are, there is nothing wrong with you or your coping strategies. Instead, your brain may be more sensitive to stress than the average person. You may in fact, be what Dr. Elaine Aron has coined "A Highly Sensitive... Continue Reading →
Do not fear challenge or adversity. Run towards it. Not away from it. Use it consciously. As a stepping stone. To ascend. To soar. To propel yourself forward. To begin again. For strength is ultimately built from challenge, from difficulty, from overcoming. You were born to thrive! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ento8DliEOs
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWGr_GwzhM Need help embracing change but don’t know where to start? Video In my interview on CBC-TV I share 5 positive ways to embrace change using the principles of positive psychology. Article I also... Continue Reading →
So much happens in the course of a day that is beyond our control. 100 ways to respond. Only 1 way that feels right. Overslept. Choose peace. Ran out of coffee. Choose peace. Stuck in traffic. Choose peace. Missed a deadline. Choose peace. Technology overload. Choose peace. Nonstop meetings. Choose peace. Bossy coworker. Choose peace. Burnt dinner. Choose peace.... Continue Reading →
Question your stress. It has something to teach you. Psychology Worksheet 1/ Identify a stressor / challenge in your life. Be specific. For example: Not enough money. Too busy. Lack of sleep. Pushy relative. Your Answer: ______________________________ 2/ What is this stressor / challenge trying to teach you? For Example: Slow down. Change jobs. End... Continue Reading →
Stressful Times. The one word I hear repeatedly from students this time of year is drowning. Drowning in bills. Drowning in midterms. Drowning in research. Not a pleasant thought. And definitely not energizing. A sinking feeling that takes student motivation from 100 to 0 in an instant. By thought alone. Empowering Lessons. How can we... Continue Reading →
Trust that you are exactly where you need to be. Good or bad. High or low. East or west. Be still. Have faith. Hold on. Stay strong. What you seek is seeking you. https://youtube.com/shorts/6mDigR8RVXU?si=NSu3TDp6aspumwv5
Instead of focusing on what you want TO DO. Focus on how you want TO FEEL. Desired Feeling ⇔ Supporting Behaviour Strong ⇔ Move your body. Valuable ⇔ Help someone. Lighthearted ⇔ See a funny movie. Joyful ⇔ Go dancing with friends. Free ⇔ Unshackle from daily regimes & routines. Inspired ⇔ Spend time with... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/zRSQw-LjU8k Sometimes it's the smallest things that have the greatest impact on our happiness. Something so close, so within reach, we often forget it was there in the first place. The good night's sleep we're yearning for.. waiting patiently at the end of each day. The connection to nature we're searching for.. available 24/7 just beyond our front... Continue Reading →
Thriving Under Pressure 