Category: Health Psychology

Coping with Holiday Stress: Tips to Thrive

https://youtube.com/shorts/tIKPb7edW_w?si=rJrQdgtgJ8SR9krs Do you find Christmas holidays stressful? If you’re anything like Santa, you answered yes! Santa feels the pressure too. Something I wrote about in the Drive Magazine . Including the benefits of leaning into difficult emotions. Because the more we resist discomfort, the longer it lasts. "The root of all suffering is attachment." Buddha https://youtu.be/JU1eYOWaleg?si=m1ItZDTBNHMoLdTN Stop... Continue Reading →

Self-Talk That Lifts You Up

“Be mindful of your self-talk. It's your conversation with the universe.” As humans, we can’t help but look to the next rung on the ladder. Forgetting the 100 rungs we have already climbed. https://youtu.be/1ALCrzw_1Xo Today’s Psychology Challenge Take note of the trail behind you. The hard work. The success. The heartbreak. The soul awakenings. The... Continue Reading →

Back to school!

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 →

Psychology Class on Addiction and Stigma

https://youtube.com/shorts/3WYW4vkbSMU?feature=shared BELOW THE SURFACE PSYCHOLOGY LESSONS In psychology class this week we are talking about stigma and drug addiction and why it’s important to lean in, listen, and get curious about why people do what they do. End the stigma. Change lives. COMMUNICATION CLEAR AND CONCISE The second topic of discussion in psychology class is... Continue Reading →

Face Everything and Rise

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 →

Empowering Conversations About Change

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 →

Psychology of Body Image: Don’t Believe Everything You Think

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9hhtrE8yxCU Perception versus Reality I was motivated to write this post and film an accompanying video after witnessing so many students overwrought by thoughts of inadequacy about how they looked. In reality, there was no doubt that they were healthy and whole, but in their minds, they believed the opposite. A phenomenon heightened by imaginary audience... Continue Reading →

Catch Pause Repair (CPR): Healthy Workplace Awards Keynote Speech

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 →

New Virtual Experiences

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 →

Energy Management

What we give energy to impacts everything. Thoughts Emotions Actions People Some drain. Others invigorate. https://youtube.com/shorts/fKBUoSAw1tY?si=XnBDucWk31XIbvrk Awareness is the first step to enhancing vitality. The goal is to identify the source of energy leaks and peaks. Where to start? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK7EzyPXRPA My interview on FM 105.9 The Region was designed to help people become more conscious... Continue Reading →

Situational Anxiety Interview

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 →

Peer Pressure: What happened when I quit drinking?

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 →

Breathe

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSQw-LjU8k Every time we take a long deep breath, we are telling our bodies that we are safe. Each breath connecting our mind, body, and heart. Bringing us back to present time. 5 Breathing Techniques: Follow Your Breath Become aware of each inhalation and exhalation. Focus on the sensations you feel as air passes through... Continue Reading →

CPR: Catch Pause Repair

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 →

5 Stress Relief Techniques

Life is complicated. Stress management shouldn't be. 5 Stress Relief Techniques 1. Gratitude https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ 2. Breathwork https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSQw-LjU8k 3. Movement https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d4SyONPkus0 4. sur·ren·der https://youtu.be/I7YD4A900-4 5. This moment https://youtu.be/moc-AtmSSGU Repeat Daily 💕

Psych Insight 💡 Saying No Is Not A One Size Fits All

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 →

Save Your Energy For What Matters Most

Time + Energy Audit 1. What area of your life do you need to slow down in? 2. What area of your life do you need to REV IT UP in? https://youtu.be/jq14fr86-Jk ABCD Priority List Make a list of all the things that you have to do today. Order them in terms of A to... Continue Reading →

Manage energy not time. Positive energy multiplies.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ZS9KiA6uQ This was my first video blog (vlog) ever!  (Filmed July 2018) I was equal parts terrified and excited. Hence the breathlessness. Upside: I had a blast filming it

Taming Your Monkey Mind

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 →

Lemon Soul Podcast: Thriving Under Pressure

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 →

Thriving Under Pressure Leadership Training

Fitness is more than physical I was invited to do a Leadership Training and Development Workshop at a local kickboxing club. https://youtu.be/4468XR7wyyI The ultimate stress release This is where I go to cool my jets and find my joy. So, I was more than excited to take the leadership team's mental fitness up to the next... Continue Reading →

Growth Moment Meditation

Reframe stressful moments as growth moments. Opportunities moving you one step, one breath, one moment closer to your dreams. One thought debilitates. The other levitates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ucdU7URx5g

Biology of Stress

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 →

Enhance Time and Energy with Positive Psychology

In this article and interview, I share why putting a time limit on negativity enhances time and energy. https://drandreadinardo.com/2022/04/16/put-a-time-limit-on-negativity/ https://youtu.be/RK7EzyPXRPA Pay attention to how you spend your energy today. Joy needs room to breathe. And so do you.

Shifting from anxiety to excitement

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 →

Good news to share.

Hope everyone’s having a great day! I wanted take a moment and share some good news with you. In June I was interviewed by THE DRIVE magazine for an article on mental health and thriving under pressure. The creative director saw my TEDx Talk and reached out for input into their next issue. How cool is that! Consequently,... Continue Reading →

Just what the doctor ordered 🕺 🩺

What if your doctor prescribed dancing as a fitness activity instead of time on a treadmill or at the gymnasium. Would you be more likely to follow through if exercise was fun and uplifting? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=02XQw-LjrXo This doctor’s prescription for today: Dancing! Which is why I love this commercial. It's a great reminder that getting healthy... Continue Reading →

Health and Happiness

Reflection Questions 1. When someone asks you "What makes you happy?" does your answer differ from "What makes you healthy?" https://youtu.be/LgACYyFv2YQ 2. Do you consider your health requirements essential and your happiness needs selfish and superfluous? 3. Or do you rate health and happiness as equal and interdependent. https://youtu.be/z_DNIWYh6vE For me: health and happiness are... Continue Reading →

Shifting Positive on a Stressful Day

“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 →

The unexpected benefits of stress

Most people wince every time they hear the word "stress". It's as if the whole world has been conditioned to respond to stress the same way, by word alone. A habitual thought response that is often more dangerous than the stressor itself. What you believe matters. The latest research in psychology examines stress in an entirely new... Continue Reading →

Inner Peace

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

Life is complicated. Stress management shouldn’t be.

5 Simple Stress Relief Techniques 1. Gratitude https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ 2. Breathwork https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSQw-LjU8k 3. Movement https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d4SyONPkus0 4. sur·ren·der https://youtu.be/I7YD4A900-4 5. This moment https://youtu.be/moc-AtmSSGU Repeat Daily 💕

Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP)?

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 →

You were born to thrive!

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

How will you thrive today?

So many choices when it comes to stress relief. Which one will you choose today? Thriving Test — Click Here

Fear and Anxiety Solutions

FEAR ->Forget Everything And Run. Each time we feel threatened (threat is the fundamental definition of stress) our first instinct is to "fight or flight". PUFF UP or Shrink.  This perpetual "fight or flight" response loop eventually creates a host of secondary problems, above and beyond, the original stressor (or oppressor). It does not matter how we... Continue Reading →

The Upside of Stress

Most people wince every time they hear the word "stress". It's as if the whole world has been conditioned to respond to stress the same way, by the word alone. A habitual thought response that is often more dangerous than the stressor itself. It’s Time to Rethink Everything Including how you have been conditioned to “think”... Continue Reading →

Peace begins within

https://youtube.com/shorts/zRSQw-LjU8k?feature=share A glimpse of my psychology classroom. Today’s Reminder to Breathe.🌿 Related Post: The Sweet Spot

To change your life, change your habits.

 What’s the one habit you have been vowing to change for good? What are you waiting for? The right time? The right place? The right person? Today I challenge you to wait no more. For now is the right time. For here is the right place. And YOU are the right person.  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWGr_GwzhM&app=m&persist_app=1 Helpful Video:... Continue Reading →

Give yourself a break.

I work hard. Too hard sometimes. And I bet you do too. On one hand, that's fantastic. You wouldn't be where you are without steadfastness and sacrifice. On the other hand, having a singular focus on work ultimately shortchanges your potential. Rest is part of the equation. Rest is critical for success. At life and... Continue Reading →

Psychology Tips for Managing Time, Energy, and Negativity

TIME • ENERGY • HEALTH In the following videos, I share techniques for enhancing time and energy with mindfulness and positive psychology: https://youtu.be/qJfPHOVXEPU https://youtu.be/jq14fr86-Jk https://youtu.be/RK7EzyPXRPA https://youtu.be/N7ttX6h_D8o https://drandreadinardo.com/2022/04/16/put-a-time-limit-on-negativity/ TAKEAWAY Pay attention to how you spend your time and energy today. Joy needs room to breathe. And so do you.

Summer school.

Bittersweet Ending The end of a college semester is always bittersweet. Summer school is no different. The final psychology exam was just this week. And I miss my summer students already. Full disclosure: Psychology is my passion. Pre-Nursing Psychology I am grateful to have met so many wonderful St. Clair College students in the pre-nursing... Continue Reading →

Breathe • You Are Safe

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 →

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