Dr. Andrea Dinardo, Psychology Professor
https://youtu.be/MXd_bZn1lqo 50 Calming Exercises Light a candle. Notice the flicker of the flame. Open a window. Watch the trees sway in the breeze. Breathe in fresh air. Record last night’s dreams in a journal. Smile while reading this sentence. Dance to a song from your teenage years. Belt out show tunes in the shower. Burn... Continue Reading →
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 →
Today marks my 20th orientation with Bachelor of Science Nursing Students at St. Clair College. No matter how many years I attend Fall orientation, it feels like the first time. No matter how many times I work with students, it never gets old. Their first class is my first class. https://youtu.be/4J4oL093oU0 Their struggle is my... Continue Reading →
Peace happens in moments. Not days. Not weeks. Not years. Hot coffee. Cozy blankets. Birds singing. The sun rising. Peace happens in moments. Not days. Not weeks. Not years. Savour the sunshine. Taste every morsel. Dance with abandon. Stroll by the moonlight. Peace happens in moments. Not days. Not weeks. Not years. https://youtu.be/zRSQw-LjU8k Breathe... Continue Reading →
What consumes your mind consumes your life We live in a world weighed down by tragedy and adversity. And we have been conditioned to believe that tragedies require tragic mindsets and hardships demand hardened spirits. We also live in a world overflowing with abundance and joy. But we cannot see the good from the bad... Continue Reading →
“Your heart is the light of this world. Don’t cover it with your mind.” Lighten Up in 2022 The solution to a problem is rarely found in the source of the problem. This is why it’s important to lighten up before tackling difficulty. Problem Solving from a Higher Place Positive emotions heighten our awareness and open our minds to... Continue Reading →
I am a strong believer in keeping things simple. The less complicated things are, the more likely we are to repeat the behaviour. Especially when it comes to health and happiness habits. https://youtu.be/0i0tuqAmdaw Twelve Days of Self Care Day 1: Mindful Mornings Add five to ten minutes of relaxation to each of your morning routines.... Continue Reading →
What's your perspective on purpose? Is it something you do or something you are? Is it ignited at birth? Or at work? Does it expire at death? Or when you retire? https://youtu.be/0WA8LzF5m3Y The way I see it. Purpose is for a lifetime. It's what lights you up, and sets your soul on fire! Video of... Continue Reading →
How do you express love? Take Quiz The 5 Love Languages Quiz for Singles: Click Here The 5 Love Languages Quiz for Couples: Click Here Paper Version of Quiz — Tap on Photo Below Love and Social Psychology One of the reasons I love teaching psychology is that it gives me the opportunity to share... Continue Reading →
Freedom doesn't come from holding on. Freedom comes from letting go. Again and again and again. Too often we are hard on ourselves for having to release the same thought, emotion, person, or situation over and over again. When in fact this is how life goes. Letting go and surrendering are an ongoing process. And... Continue Reading →
Is it possible to feel joy in the face of adversity? Strength during the lowest of lows? Creativity in the midst of destruction? Peace in difficulty? Vibrancy during cancer? Happiness during COVID-19? In the video below, I share some personal examples from my own upbringing on how my parents found strength and contentment during …
Continue reading Can Trauma and Happiness Coexist?
WHY ARE WE SO HARD ON OURSELVES? Great question! One that I’m asked often. And one that I often ask myself. PSYCHOLOGY INSIGHTSWhat causes this behaviour? The answer is multifaceted and includes several factors including how we were parented (when internalized superego and conscience first develops) and eventually how we parent ourselves. For example: When something... Continue Reading →
Let's not wait until Mother's Day to celebrate moms everywhere. Let’s celebrate moms today. Including my own. Moms of every age. Moms of every country. Moms of every kind. Cat moms. Dog moms. Aunt moms. Friend moms. Professor moms. Neighbour moms. The only thing that matters is love. Sharing Mom Memories And since Mother's Day... Continue Reading →
Wishing everyone an extra dose of hope + optimism at the start of this brand new month of May. Paradoxically, I have never felt so close to friends, family, and strangers since social distancing began. 8 billion people experiencing the same global event, at the same time – together. May we continue to connect on […]
Acceptance and peace go hand in hand. Watch Video — Click Here Consciously accept the good and the bad that exists in your life. The rain and the sunlight. The shadow and the light. Shift your focus. Change your life. Accepting what is does not lower the bar. Quite the opposite. Acceptance shines a spotlight on... Continue Reading →
Resilience & Success In this 8 minute video, I describe three resilience tips for student success: 1. CONNECT 2. CREATE 3. THRIVE https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3OXADYU-pQs&app=m&persist_app=1 Hold On STAY STRONG “Be Fearless in Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul on Fire.” There will always be obstacles. The question is — do you see them as roadblocks or stepping... Continue Reading →
Thriving Under Pressure 