Laughter is the best medicine

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cFzHZ8JYVWk 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. https://youtu.be/d4C0_7En6ZY But we cannot see the good from the bad when we are blinded by... Continue Reading →

50 Ways to Calm Your Nervous System

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 nightโ€™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 →

Growth Mindset in Challenging Times

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 →

Lighten Up in 2022 โ€” Positive Emotions & Problem Solving

โ€œYour heart is the light of this world. Donโ€™t cover it with your mind.โ€ Lighten Up in 2022 The solution to a problem is rarely found in the source of the problem.  This is why itโ€™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 →

Twelve Days of Self-Care

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 Day 1: Mindful Mornings Add five to ten minutes of relaxation to each of your morning routines. Time expands when... Continue Reading →

Anchor Yourself With Light

Take a moment and anchor yourself with something that lights you up. That reminds you that you are not alone in this storm. You have been here before. It may have been a personal pandemic, not a global one. But somehow, deep inside, you made it through. And you will again. You have the courage,... Continue Reading →

Whatโ€™s my purpose?

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 →

Love is a Language – What’s Yours?

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 โ€” 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 →

You are enough, just as you are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygkRUiRacSE You are enough, just as you are.๐Ÿ’• Mirror Exercise: Waking Up with Love

Failure as Feedback

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=810whIFASFI&feature=emb_title "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit."  With time, I have come to realize that failure has always been my greatest teacher. Each failure pointed me in a better direction and helped me to develop strength and authenticity, ultimately unveiling who I was and... Continue Reading →

Energizing Self-Talk

How we talk to ourselves matters. Especially at the start of a brand new day. The way I see it, our thoughts are the lyrics to the daily soundtrack of our lives. A topic I discuss with love and laughter during my Women With Drive Speech. Video below โฌ‡๏ธ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ALCrzw_1Xo Try This One Day at... Continue Reading →

The Stars and The Scars

I see your light. And your darkness. And all your shades of grey. Thatโ€™s what makes you complete. All the parts of you.Integrating. Changing. Transforming. Simply being. Accepting. This moment. Yourself. Whatever the day may bring. โ€œRing the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how... Continue Reading →

Psychology Insights: Self Criticism to Self Compassion

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2DrNWX5JBGk WHY ARE WE SO HARD ON OURSELVES? Great question! One that Iโ€™m asked often. And one that I often ask myself. PSYCHOLOGY INSIGHTS What causes this behaviour? The answer is multifaceted and includes several factors. These factors include how we were parented. This aspect pertains to when the internalized superego and conscience first develop.... Continue Reading →

Celebrating Moms Everywhere

Let's not wait until Mother's Day to celebrate moms everywhere. Letโ€™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 →

May Hope Rise Within You

Wishing everyone an extra dose of hope + optimism at the start of this brand new month of May.ย  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.ย  May we continue to connect on […]

Acceptance: Your Peace Depends on It

Acceptance and peace go hand in hand. Watch Video โ€” 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 →

Student Resilience and Success (YouTube Video)

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 โ€œBe Fearless in Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul on Fire.โ€ There will always be obstacles. The question is โ€” do you see them as roadblocks or stepping... 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 →

Signs are everywhere

Signs pointing us in the direction of our dreams are everywhere. Everywhere! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE3fD-8aSF8 But we have to look UP to see it. OPEN our minds to BELIEVE it. Visualization Exercise Look for the signs The next time you see a 40 km, 50 km, or 100 km sign โ€” take it as an opportunity to... Continue Reading →

Ambitious Mama Podcast: Thriving Under Pressure & Posttraumatic Growth

Podcast Details & Show Notes I was recently interviewed by wellness entrepreneur Christa Realba for her Ambitious Mama Podcast Series. During the podcast, Christa and I discussed how posttraumatic growth and thriving under pressure are possible for all of us. In different gradients, and at different times for sure. Depending on where you are on... Continue Reading →

Celebrate how far youโ€™ve come.

Today letโ€™s celebrate all the dreams that came true. Merely an idea 5 years ago. It is so easy to get lost in our hopes and motivations for the future. Without realizing how many of aspirations we have already achieved. Together letโ€™s honour how far weโ€™ve come. Only then will we have the fuel and... Continue Reading →

3 Cโ€™s of Thriving Under Pressure

https://youtu.be/czXG8odb7pY A map for transforming stress into strength In my TEDx Talk and leadership training, I discuss how to THRIVE under pressure using 3 stress resilience tools: dr.-andrea-dinardo-thriving-under-pressure-training-and-speaking-servicesDownload 1. Commitment Envisioning a higher purpose above and beyond the immediate stressor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjxCsK2qudw 2. Challenge Reframing stressful challenges as opportunities for growth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7TFtJHASn8 3. Control Focusing on the things... Continue Reading →

Coping With Loneliness

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 →

Improve Mental Health with Positive Psychology

https://youtu.be/I08EUaQ8g9Y Reevaluate Your Approach to Mental Health Instead of thinking of mental health as a burden you must shoulder, imagine it as an opportunity to experience peace and joy. In the same way that we make time for our physical needs, we must devote equal attention to our psychological needs. Original Source โ€” The Drive... Continue Reading →

HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING

H old O n P ain E nds During difficult times, I often tell myself: โ€œWhat a difference a day makes.โ€ This one simple sentence helps me to remember that tomorrow is a brand new day. Illuminating the possibility that what looks like the end in that dark moment, could in fact be preparing me... Continue Reading →

Happiness and Healing in Present Time.

You have the ability to make positive changes in your life. Right here. Right now. Donโ€™t wait for โ€œthe perfect timeโ€ to transform your life. NOW IS YOUR POWER.

Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off

What is meant for you is coming for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHAotUT2eAY E  X  P  A  N  S  I  O  N happens in the space in between stress and strength, pain and power. Trust and Believe in Your Divinity. HONOUR this day, this moment, the unknown. You got this! What is meant for you is on its way. https://drandreadinardo.com/2020/05/13/stay-open-to-the-possibilities/

Uplifting Mantras for Uncertain Times

Life lived backwards makes perfect sense.ย  You finally understand WHY the job, the partner, the degree, the house, the friendship, the ______ didnโ€™t work out.  BUT what about in the โ€œhere and nowโ€? How do we make the leap of faith during the darkest of days? Mantras Are My Answer https://youtu.be/nD4LmUHG2vM?si=j88ssJBGT3y6KepP Find a phrase that... Continue Reading →

My philosophy of teaching

I have one intention in mind when I walk into a classroom: How can I warm up the room? Enthusiasm is contagious! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J4oL093oU0 In this short video I share the thoughts that go through my mind as I walk into a classroom and meet my psychology students for the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8uxAo-kfnE I also discuss the specifics of... Continue Reading →

EMPOWERING THOUGHTS

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? Iโ€™d love to know. Share your WORD in comments below! Related Post: Empowering Conversations

Optimism Bootcamp for Health Empowerment

Nathalie Begin author of the Gutsy Feeling Blog invited me to give a positive psychology workshop called Optimism Bootcamp at a Symposium for Crohnโ€™s & Colitis Canada. The audience was filled a very special group of people. Individuals that have been battling the chronic condition of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) their whole lives. Optimism and Health... Continue Reading →

Words of Encouragement

The first thing that goes when we are faced with a stressor of any kind is the memory of all we have overcome in years gone by. Let this be your daily, weekly, hourly reminder of how wildly capable you are. Truly. Incredibly. Capable. We might not be a genius at everything. But we are most... Continue Reading →

Peer Pressure and Alcohol: Stand Your Sacred Ground

The Social Side Effects of Change Motivation to make a change is as much about you, as the people all around you. And unfortunately, not everyone agrees with our decision to grow, change, and evolve. In whatever form it may take. โ€œBeing different isn't a bad thing. It means you're brave enough to be yourselfโ€œ... Continue Reading →

TEDX MOTIVATION FOR NEW SPEAKERS – WHAT’S YOUR WHY? WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE?

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 →

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 →

5 Love Languages: Social Psychology Class

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?

Women with Drive Summit

“Expand your knowledge by expanding your community.” In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day I had the opportunity to speak at a Windsor Summit called Women with Drive. A local conference organized by a young woman named Cierra Bray, who poured her heart and soul for months into planning, organizing, and promoting the exhilarating …

Continue reading Women with Drive Summit.

International Womenโ€™s Day: Who Inspires You?

#internationalwomensday #rolemodel Growing up my Mom, my mentor, and the first psychologist in our family, didnโ€™t talk a lot about womenโ€™s empowerment. โ€” 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 →

Directory of Bloggers on Social Media.

Expanding Our WordPress Writing Community. Connecting - Sharing - Expanding The Power of Community This post is an opportunity for you to share all the wonderful things that you're doing as a writer on the world wide web. Including your: WordPress. LinkedIn. Pinterest. Google+. Facebook. Snap Chat. Twitter. Instagram. YouTube. Vimeo. etc. Please share in... Continue Reading →

The power of beliefs.

Belief plays a pivotal role in success. Believing that you have what it takes. Believing that you can try again. Believing in something greater than yourself. Believing you are never alone. Believing your power is greater than your pain. Believing that things are going to get easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKimTCawJls In this 5 minute training video, I... Continue Reading →

Failure as Feedback – The Drive Magazine

There are two ways of looking at failure. Failure as FEEDBACK. Failure as PUNISHMENT. โŠ•โŠ•โŠ•โŠ•โŠ• 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 weโ€™re ultimately meant to do. Especially when we embrace it... Continue Reading →

Exploring Purpose in Psychology Class

So many people in this world are struggling with what to do with their lives. An existential struggle that did not exist 100 years ago when jobs were more clearly defined. Which is why it is essential to explore purpose in many different ways. PURPOSE ๐Ÿ†š JOB We must not confuse life purpose with occupation.... Continue Reading →

Keep Dreaming. Keep Believing.

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 →

Empathic Listening: How Can I Support You?

How do you respond when a close friend shares a problem with you? Are you a fixer or a listener? If youโ€™re anything like me, my first instinct is to fix the problem. To try and save loved ones from adversity. To rescue them. To make them instantly feel better. I suggest we do the... Continue Reading →

TEDx Talk: Thriving Under Pressure

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:ย Click Here Twitter: Click Here Contact Form: Click Here Interviews: Click Here Articles: Click Here Speaking Services: Click Here

Lean into Loneliness: The Drive Magazine

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 →

From darkness comes light

"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 →

What you seek is seeking you.

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 โ€œWhat you seek is seeking youโ€. You hold the key. Breathe. Believe. Receive.

Mind over matter

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 โ€” Your Mindset

How do I motivate myself when I feel completely lost?

JUST SHOW UP The word motivation stems from the Latin word "movere" which means to move. Which is why MOMENTUM is such a powerful force when it comes to motivation. Motivation doesnโ€™t happen before the creative act โ€” it happens during. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYWHVvKW4GY Small steps.Day by day.Week by week.Moving you forward.Closer to your dreams.Just show up.... Continue Reading →

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