Remember to breathe.

On November 12, 2018November 15, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Happiness, Mindfulness, Peace, Stress Relief and Release, Zen40 Comments

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 door. That extra deep breath; we frequently forget to take.

You possess a power so magnificent, so liberating, right under your nose.

breathe

Breathing is one of the few physiological functions that can be controlled both consciously and unconsciously.

When everything feels out of control, breathing is the one thing that will always be within our control. The times we’re under the most amount of stress is the exact time we need to expand our breathing – not restrict it.

We must become conscious of breath.

The next time you’re under any kind of pressure. Stuck in traffic. Rushing from class to class. Dealing with a difficult customer at work. Desperately trying to recall answers on a final exam. Wake up to the formidable power that exists within you. Right here. Right now. Right under your nose.

The deeper the breath. The deeper the peace.

Related Post: Give pain room to breathe.

Your emotions have a message for you.

On October 20, 2018October 20, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Emotional Awareness, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Peace, Personal Growth, Self Reflection, Video

Create a safe space for emotions to flow through you.

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Emotions are neither good or bad.

Only labeling makes it so.

Don’t run from challenging emotions.

Instead, lean in and ask:

“What are you trying to tell me?”

Related Post: Encouraging someone through life’s challenges.

Set a time limit on negativity.

On October 12, 2018October 12, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Emotional Awareness, empowerment, Mindfulness, Peace, Positive Psychology, positivity, Self Actualization, Strengths, Stress Management, Thriving52 Comments

Time is in such short supply. The sooner we appreciate its value, the better life becomes.

When I was a kid my mom set the egg timer for almost everything we did; whether it was how long we spent doing our homework, weeding the garden, watching television, or complaining about life’s challenges.

It helped us to understand that nothing lasts forever – good or bad.

This was especially important when we felt helpless over things we did not have control over, including chores we did not want to do.

Setting time limits also taught us to respect how our words and actions impact ourselves and others.

Full disclosure: My mom is a psychologist too.

Your time. Your life.

To this day I set a timer on the stove.

A simple, yet effective way to motivate myself through tedious tasks and become more mindful of time itself.

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The timer principle can also be applied to how often we are negative vs. positive throughout the course of a day.

Negativity is the easy (automatic) route. So we need to be conscious of where our mind flows.

Venting feels good in the moment, but when it goes on too long, the costs outweigh the benefits.

Joy needs room to breathe.

Too often we complain about stressors for hours beyond the momentary challenge has passed. Leaving little time in the day for appreciation, wonder, and gratitude.

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Then one day we wake up and realize that life is too short to be all negative, all the time. Even (especially) when life gets tough.

Balance is key.

Negativity is to be expected. It’s part of the human experience.

The question is – how long will you stay there.

Share your challenges. Share your obstacles. Share your difficulties.

But also leave room for what’s good in your life.

Joy needs room to breathe.

And so do you. ♥

▪️Reblogged from October 2016▪️

Breathing Space.

On September 1, 2018October 5, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Emotional Freedom, Flow, Hope, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Peace, Relaxation, Resilience, Self Reflection, Stress Relief and Release

Look up ↑ Breathe ↑ Release

One quick glance to inner peace.

Reading People: Lesson #1 Self Awareness

On July 22, 2018October 6, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Emotional Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness, motivation, Personal Growth, Reflection Question, Teaching, Video42 Comments

“The simple act of paying attention can take you a long, long way.”

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Intrapersonal Intelligence ⇔ Interpersonal Intelligence

The first lesson in reading people, using the principles of emotional intelligence, is to understand yourself more deeply.

What motivates you. What excites you. What angers you. What lifts you up!

As self-awareness is essential for both personal and relationship success.

If you can’t comprehend your own emotions and motivations, how will you ever understand the behaviour of others?

Understanding Yourself ⇔ Understanding Others

Self-awareness as a daily practice.

Notice how your emotions ebb and flow throughout the day.

One way of doing this is to schedule time at the end or beginning of your day for quiet contemplation and self-reflection.

Find your favourite place to relax and unwind. Perhaps in the garden or in a cozy chair by the window. Or on a walk by the trees.

Alternatively, enjoy a 2 minute “Self Check In” at the top of each hour.

Pause. Reflect. Breathe Deeply.

**Journal. Meditate. Create.**

What you will find is the more consistently you pay attention to your own drives and desires, the better you will understand the emotions and motivations of others.

Simple self-awareness exercise.

In the video below, I share the simple exercise I use to enhance self-awareness in myself and others. Can you guess the EQ questions I ask students?

Your Turn:

How would you describe yourself in one word?

To hear my “one word” — check out the 1 min video above. 📌🎥

Coming Soon!

Reading People: Lesson #2

Social Awareness

Gratitude changes everything.

On July 11, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Affirmation, Gratitude, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Peace

When problems feel big.

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Savour the small. 🍄

“The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do.”

Related Post: The Sweet Spot.

Here I am.

On May 28, 2018May 29, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Affirmation, Coping Strategies, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Peace, Self Reflection, Zen41 Comments

The aftermath.

No matter how many times I give a speech or participate in a big event, I am often left with the same feeling for a day or so.

Sadness. A kind of longing. A sense of emptiness.

For weeks, sometimes months, I practice, prepare, and edit my work. Immersed, focused, lost in the creative flow.

At night. On weekends. During all my free time. Hoping to do my best. Not wanting to let down.

Researching. Anticipating. Building up to the main event.

Afterward, what was once was filled with busyness is an open space. A hollowness that cannot be filled by looking back or planning ahead.

An ache. A void. For no good logical reason.

A place inside that can only be filled in present time.

So I go for a bike ride knowing how Mother Nature always soothes my heart and replenishes my soul.

There is no more looking back or ahead when I am outside.

At that moment I hear three words deep in my heart.

Here I am.

For solace cannot be found in travelling through time.

It can only be found in where you are right now.

Here I am.

in the blooming trees

in the birds soaring

in the sun setting

in the water flowing

in this moment wherever you are.

Here I am. 💚

Ordinary Joys.

On May 8, 2018May 8, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Mindfulness, nature, Peace, positivity42 Comments

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 the past. Living fully in the moment. Riding bikes. Dancing down the street. Barbeque dinners. Chocolate almonds. Stephen King novels. Hot Tea. Cozy Blankets. Birds Singing…

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Nothing is more extraordinary than our ordinary joys. For how we live our days is how we live the whole of our lives.

What brings you joy on an ordinary day?

Less fight. More serenity.

On May 2, 2018May 2, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Flow, Happiness, Mindfulness, Peace, Stress Relief and Release28 Comments

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The next time you’re gearing up for another big fight with reality.

Morning Traffic

Office Politics

Loud Neighbours

Unpredictable Weather

Try rolling with it.

Giving up the fight.

Waving the white flag.

Surrendering to what is.

And always has been.

The upside.

You conserve energy for the joyful in your life.

The meaningful in your life.

The soulful in your life.

Including this very moment.

This is where your life SHINES.

Breathe and Receive.

On February 20, 2018February 22, 2018 By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Coping Strategies, Mindfulness, nature, Peace, Stress Management

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that have the greatest impact on our happiness.

You possess a power so magnificent, so liberating, right under your nose.

Breathing is one of the few physiological functions that can be controlled both consciously and unconsciously.

We must become conscious of breath.

The deeper the breath. The deeper the peace.

Share this:

Like this:

Create a safe space for emotions to flow through you.

Don’t run from challenging emotions.

“What are you trying to tell me?”

Share this:

Like this:

Time is in such short supply. The sooner we appreciate its value, the better life becomes.

Your time. Your life.

Joy needs room to breathe.

Balance is key.

Joy needs room to breathe.

And so do you. ♥

Share this:

Like this:

Look up ↑ Breathe ↑ Release

One quick glance to inner peace.

Related Post: Always Looking Up.

Share this:

Like this:

“The simple act of paying attention can take you a long, long way.”

Intrapersonal Intelligence ⇔ Interpersonal Intelligence

The first lesson in reading people, using the principles of emotional intelligence, is to understand yourself more deeply.

As self-awareness is essential for both personal and relationship success.

Understanding Yourself ⇔ Understanding Others

Self-awareness as a daily practice.

Notice how your emotions ebb and flow throughout the day.

Find your favourite place to relax and unwind. Perhaps in the garden or in a cozy chair by the window. Or on a walk by the trees.

Pause. Reflect. Breathe Deeply.

Journal. Meditate. Create.

Simple self-awareness exercise.

Your Turn:

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Coming Soon!

Social Awareness

Share this:

Like this:

When problems feel big.

Savour the small. 🍄

“The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do.”

Share this:

Like this:

The aftermath.

Researching. Anticipating. Building up to the main event.

A place inside that can only be filled in present time.

Here I am.

Here I am.

Share this:

Like this:

Simple pleasures are my favourite.

Nothing is more extraordinary than our ordinary joys. For how we live our days is how we live the whole of our lives.

What brings you joy on an ordinary day?

Share this:

Like this:

The next time you’re gearing up for another big fight with reality.

Try rolling with it.

The upside.

This is where your life SHINES.

Share this:

Like this:

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.

Share this:

Like this:

**Journal. Meditate. Create.**