Today I encourage you to notice the little things in everyone you meet. Their smile. What lifts them up. What makes their heart sing. How hard they work. How they get through a day. Celebrate their strengths Show them you care Acknowledge them. Notice them. Lean in. Listen completely. Praise their hard work. Compliment their... 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 →
Social Psychology Class Part 1: Before Class Preparations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAbH9tKzJhA Part 2: After Class Reflections https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfwz7JVkgLU Your Turn What's your love language? What do you value in relationships?
#internationalwomensday #rolemodel Growing up my Mom, my mentor, and the first psychologist in our family, didn’t talk a lot about women’s empowerment. — She lived it. Gracefully. Quietly. Courageously. Today, and all days, I am grateful for a role model who began her journey from challenge to strength with incredible will and a heart of... Continue Reading →
There are two ways of looking at failure. Failure as FEEDBACK. Failure as PUNISHMENT. ⊕⊕⊕⊕⊕ One energizes. The other paralyzes. WHY FAILURE IS NECESSARY I believe that failure is essential for success, at work and in our personal lives. Failure lights our way to what we’re ultimately meant to do. Especially when we embrace it... Continue Reading →
What percentage of the time do you spend talking about your stress versus talking about your dreams? Arguing for your weaknesses versus championing for your strengths? Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power. So please accept this challenge of beginning your conversations with your dreams instead of your stress. In doing so you... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czXG8odb7pY During my TEDx Talk I discuss how to thrive under pressure using three stress resilience techniques: challenge, commitment, and control. The purpose of this talk is to help students develop coping skills in empowering, educational, and uplifting ways. Additional Information Blog: Click Here YouTube: Click Here Twitter: Click Here Contact Form: Click Here Interviews: Click Here Articles: Click Here Speaking Services: Click Here
Good news to share! This month I published my first psychology advice column for a Canadian magazine. The same magazine that profiled my work in positive psychology. My intention for the psychology article is to inspire and comfort individuals experiencing loneliness during the holidays. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JU1eYOWaleg Writing Hopes I have been writing psychology textbooks for McGraw-Hill... Continue Reading →
"Not until we are lost do we begin to find ourselves." No matter what happens today, know that in the end everything works out. Trust me. I speak from experience. My smile comes equally from a place of darkness and a place of light. How would I ever know how good I have it today... Continue Reading →
As we head into the weekend, may we all be reminded of the importance of rest in striving for success. If only for a moment. An hour or a day. Be still and let your dreams find you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mDigR8RVXU “What you seek is seeking you”. You hold the key. Breathe. Believe. Receive.
When the going gets tough do you focus on the dream or the sacrifice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rbWW9jb1Q8 "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Viktor Frankl Boost your motivation and raise your energy by laser focusing on what is within your control during challenge and adversity — Your Mindset
Inspiration is everywhere. Today's post is brought to you from my psychology classroom. I hope it inspires you to claim the joy in your life. Good vibes, after all, start on the inside. We spend so much time creating future opportunities that we often forget to claim the magic we’ve manifested - right in front... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/UlkaArLVg28?si=VVI9DtIw7EIBTC1A You are resilient. You are strong. You are a diamond in the making. You sparkle. You shine. I see it every time I look at you. And one day you will too. Thriving Under Pressure TEDx Talk: Watch Here
Look up ↑ Breathe ↑ Release One quick glance to inner peace. Related Post: Always Looking Up.
Be the light. Change the world. Related Post: Good energy multiplies.
My job description as a psychology professor includes this quote: Because first you foster peace and positivity. Then you teach. 🍎 Related Post: Let peace begin with me
My husband John and I had dinner at this little restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake when I was away speaking at a conference this week. This single pink rose on the table reminded me of the only thing that truly matters during the up and down cycles of life — HOPE I have hope. In you. In... Continue Reading →
“Go 24 hours without complaining and watch your life start changing.” The next time you’re tempted to complain about the same thing over and over again, direct that same frustrated energy into your highest, loftiest goals. Consciously swap one complaint for one baby step towards your dreams. Same energy required. Magically different results. To view... Continue Reading →
Simple pleasures are my favourite. Hot coffee. Cozy blankets. Birds singing. The sun rising. Fast runs. Slow walks. Long days. Warm hugs. Peaceful silences. BLT sandwiches. Tomato soup. Matinee movies. Buttery popcorn. Ice cold pop. Walking on campus. Smiling in the hallways. Laughing with students. Learning from students. Driving home. Soulful conversations. Dreaming of the future. Reminiscing about... Continue Reading →
Trust the process of your life. What looks like the end could be a whole new beginning. You just can’t see it yet.
I want to give the world the best of me. This is my hope every time we meet. And every time I teach. No matter how brief or long our interaction. I want to leave you feeling brighter, lighter, more confident. The bonus is — when your energy rises, so does mine. A boomerang effect of... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/nD4LmUHG2vM Instead of seeing obstacles and stressors as taking you down. Challenge can be difficult. Adversity overwhelming. Growth painful. I agree! Try perceiving challenges as taking you UP ↑ Again and again and again. For it’s in this uncomfortable space in between failure and success; breakups and makeups; exams and graduation that strength is ultimately born. https://youtu.be/ldOlNJ0ds0c
Everything you're afraid of - you've already experienced. Afraid of commitment? You've been dumped. Afraid of failure? You've failed. Afraid of rejection? You've been rejected. Afraid of being broke? You've been without money. Fill in the blanks for me.. Afraid of being _________? You've been _________. And then vow to erase that fear in your... Continue Reading →
Be who you were meant to be. Shine your light for the whole world to see. 🏹 Rise UP and Shine 🌞 Related Post - Trust the music.
What are you most excited about in your life right now? What brings a smile to your face and makes your heart skip a beat? Each time you share your zest for life — you move the world ! Related Post: Enthusiasm is contagious.
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 →
Smile like you’re changing the world. Because you are! We often think of changing the world as some great big, grand gesture. Performed on stage with millions of people watching. When in fact it’s just you and me. And 8 billion human beings. Smiling, connecting, caring, and loving. Every moment. Every encounter. We are the... Continue Reading →
The field of positive psychology has been a blessing for me, both personally and professionally. By focusing on strengths first, I buffer myself against the vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue often associated with the practice of psychology. And in turn, my positive approach heightens the resilience and stress hardiness in others. (Boomerang effect!) Everywhere I go, I'm on the... Continue Reading →
Listening heals more hearts than talking ever will. In my early thirties I was going through a particularly tough time in my life. A trifecta of life events where every pillar in my world came tumbling down. Out of all the sadness, the times that I remember the most were the small joys and simple pleasures... Continue Reading →
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” C. S. Lewis When was the last time you had to start over? This was a big week back at St. College College — and all colleges across Ontario. Students were returning to school after a 5 week province-wide strike. An arduous situation that was well beyond... Continue Reading →
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 →
Every morning and every night I visit my favourite place on Earth. The great outdoors. 🌿 Where do you go to quiet your mind and free your soul? Related Post: Taming your monkey mind.
Today I lift my eyes to the sunshine. No matter the weather. ♥️ Related Post: You hold the key.
Psychology Class https://youtu.be/7KVHUEDYFk4?si=vXjjhNYVg2gCINkCThis post is a summary of a psychology lecture and Chapter 2 in my psychology textbook. Free Psychology Chapter If you want to learn more about this topic, you can download a free PDF of my neuroscience and behaviour chapter by clicking on this link. Understanding Individual Differences Have you ever wondered how your best friend... Continue Reading →
I look up every chance I get. First thing in the morning. On my run. On my way to work. In between classes. Out for a bike ride. From the skylight in my office. On the front porch before I go to sleep. https://youtube.com/shorts/0gMq9BNKvOA?si=4t_RZAoPOFph44ME Connected to Something Bigger The sky connects us to something much... Continue Reading →
Choice is a powerful tool when it comes to stress perception. What we give attention to grows. Which is why we must make the conscious decision to talk about our blessings more than our challenges. Our strengths more than our stressors. Our excitement more than our fears. Our possibilities more than our problems. Every day is... Continue Reading →
Unless someone is going through a major life tragedy, I rarely, if ever, lean in and listen to someone's day-to-day hassles. Instead, I choose to give energy to their strengths not their struggles. To their light not their shadows. To their purpose not their pain. Because I know deep down in my heart that each... Continue Reading →
Some lessons happen over a lifetime. Others happen in an instant. Either way, the paradox of strength is that it develops though pain. Each misfortune cultivates a renewed appreciation. Each obstacle fosters a new level of perseverance. Each sadness teaches a greater depth of compassion. Each challenge harvests a new field of possibilities. We must... Continue Reading →
There's a diamond inside all of us. Waiting to be discovered. Related Post: Your strengths light my way.
We all have stress. It’s a universal human experience. The key is to not let stress become our identity. Instead, with an open mindset and the right set of resilience skills we have the opportunity to reach a whole new level of purpose and well-being. How can educators help foster stress resilience in their students? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUh9qqA0x3Y&t=410s Stress... Continue Reading →
Smile like you're changing the world. Because you are! We often think of changing the world as some great big, grand gesture. Performed on stage with millions of people watching. When in fact it's just you and me. And 8 billion human beings. Smiling, connecting, caring, and loving. Every moment. Every encounter. We are the... Continue Reading →
The stress of waiting. The list is long when it comes to student stress. But by far, one of the greatest sources of stress is waiting! Students are always forecasting into the future. Every single moment of student life is about waiting. Waiting for grades. Waiting for summer. Waiting for graduation. Forever in a day. Students... 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 →
POWER OF LIGHT Even though we often have little control over the “outside forces” in our lives, we can always make a positive difference - from the inside out. Start here. Right here. Right now. Be still. Breathe in gratitude. Be thankful for this very moment. Start small. Notice your passing thoughts. Let go. Awareness empowers.... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/0WA8LzF5m3Y What if our only life purpose is to be kind? What if every decision we made was guided by this shared life purpose? How would you change? Research: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/science-of-kindness.html How would the world change? Research: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_kindness_spreads_in_a_community https://youtu.be/O9UByLyOjBM Today be kind "Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people." Helpful Resources: Purpose Self-Compassion... Continue Reading →
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 →
https://youtu.be/spqoJGxn61A The field of positive psychology has been a blessing for me, both personally and professionally. By focusing on strengths first, I buffer myself against the vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue often associated with the practice of psychology. And in turn, my positive approach heightens the resilience and stress hardiness in others. (Boomerang effect!) Everywhere I go, I'm on... Continue Reading →
Take a long deep breath. Be still. Don't Rush. Find a safe place to challenge your fears and beliefs. Take a long walk. Eat a nourishing meal. Learn something new. Have Fun! Self-Discover. Imagine. Envision. Explore and Begin Again! Sometimes good things fall apart so great things can fall together.
What images give you a sense of safety and protection in the midst of fearful thoughts? I imagine angels in the sky and lions at my feet. You: What images shift you from fear to safety? Related Research ⇒ The Effects of Guided Imagery on Anxiety
In one word describe how you feel when you write. Writing makes me feel ALIVE! For me, writing is all encompassing. The words are the beat of my heart. The words are the oxygen I breathe. The words are all that I touch, feel, and see. For me, writing is all encompassing. I am the... Continue Reading →
Thriving Under Pressure 