Category: Resilience

Speaking and Training with Dr. Andrea Dinardo

Contact Form: Click HereArticles & Speeches: Click Here https://youtu.be/y3bWmoKule8?feature=shared https://youtu.be/6zlJDM58-a0?feature=shared Background and Overview: Dr. Andrea Dinardo is a positive psychology expert, keynote speaker, and leadership trainer who helps people thrive under pressure, build resilience, and cultivate mental health daily. She is passionate about applying positive psychology to facilitate personal growth and transformational change in individuals... Continue Reading →

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=119i-Qv-ep0 The Stories We Tell Ourselves In this psychology video and article, I share concrete strategies. These strategies help in transforming painful emotional experiences. They use a model of cognitive psychology.  An A-B-C Formula for reality testing that is especially helpful during outer circumstances beyond a person’s control. What’s real? What’s distorted? A-B-C Scenario The... Continue Reading →

WHAT’S IN MY CONTROL?

Locus of Control is a key ingredient in resilience. Assessing what is within your control and sphere of influence is crucial. Decide what to let go of and what to surrender. This exercise should be practiced daily for optimal mental health and energy. https://youtu.be/W7dz0FvnkxY?si=WhAFJHR53EIV9q_p PSYCHOLOGY TEST Locus of Control TestDownload PSYCHOLOGY REFLECTION What’s within your... Continue Reading →

Staying Motivated During Challenging Times

Today’s story begins in the middle of a spin class. The point in time when you feel like giving up the most. Because the middle is always the hardest. Whether it be the middle of a semester, the middle of a week, or the middle of a year. It was thirty minutes into class, and... 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 →

Resilience Articles

I am excited to share that I am once again writing the Psych Drive column for The Drive Magazine. Topics include mental health, motivation, wellness, stress, resilience, and positive psychology. Resilience Talks In addition to writing for The Drive Magazine, I also offer virtual and in person keynotes and workshops on stress, resilience, and mental... Continue Reading →

5 Mindfulness Techniques

1. Be Here Now https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EiuTpeu5xQc&feature=emb_title Stop Take a breath Observe Proceed 2. Create Space https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fXNo7GUDizM “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our freedom.” Viktor Frankl 3. Find Your Flow https://youtu.be/mZ_bI_t_L_E In psychology, flow, also known as being in the... Continue Reading →

What has 2020 awakened in you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRxRpaWISMc How is everyone doing? How are you coping? How has your perception of yourself and the world evolved? How has 2020 transformed you? What do you believe is the higher purpose in all of this? I Am Waking Up After socially distancing and working full-time from home as a psychology professor (now online), I... 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 →

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 →

What Trauma Taught Me About Happiness

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?

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 “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 →

Windsor Updates Spotlight

Community Spotlight  Today I would like to shine a light on a local entrepreneur named Alex Binaei, the creative mind behind Windsor Updates and the video highlighted in this post. Adversity → Creativity Alex’s video for Windsor Updates is one of the best examples of how crisis and adversity create innovation and ingenuity. In both... Continue Reading →

What has COVID-19 awakened in you?

How is everyone doing? How are you coping with our universal global event? How has your perception of yourself and the world evolved? How has COVID-19 transformed you? What is the higher purpose in all of this? I Am Waking Up After socially distancing and working full-time from home as a psychology professor (now online),... 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 →

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 →

3 C’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 →

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 →

Posttraumatic Growth: Can Adversity Be Good for You?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlkaArLVg28 Psychology Keynote In this video you will hear the remarkable stories of teachers, social workers, and principals who suffered greatly through illness, injuries, and difficult pregnancies. Eventually rising up with time and support to greater heights in their current lives. Personal Experience In this video I share examples of how my parents coped with dark times... 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 💕

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 — The Drive... Continue Reading →

HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING

H old O n P ain E nds During difficult times, I often tell myself: “What a difference a day makes.” 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 →

Uplifting Mantras for Uncertain Times

Life lived backwards makes perfect sense.  You finally understand WHY the job, the partner, the degree, the house, the friendship, the ______ didn’t work out.  BUT what about in the “here and now”? 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 →

When you change the way you think about things, the things you think about change.

How you perceive stress. Changes everything. Challenge or opportunity? Ending or new beginning? Stumbling block or stepping stone? Coal or diamonds? If you can't change the stress. Change the way you think about it. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl8hUkZ39dQ Week 2 at College: Short Video

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 Crohn’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 →

CULTIVATING MENTAL HEALTH DAILY

In Celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wrote a psychology article and did a series of videos and training on community mental health. I hope you enjoy! The Drive Magazine Psych Drive Article Video One Professional Development & Training This is a video of professional development for educational assistants and mental health support staff... 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 →

International Women’s Day: Who Inspires You?

#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 →

Failure as Feedback – The Drive Magazine

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 →

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

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: 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 →

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 — Your Mindset

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 →

You are a diamond in the making

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

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 →

Breathing Space.

  Look up ↑ Breathe ↑ Release One quick glance to inner peace. Related Post: Always Looking Up.  

Positive Psychology Interview

Happy Monday Everyone! I am excited to share my interview with The Drive Magazine on positive psychology and stress resilience. Inspired by my TEDx Talk: Thriving Under Pressure. The 3 C's of Positive Psycholog My favourite part of this photo is the story behind it.When the magazine was arranging the photo shoot, they asked where... 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 →

I believe in you.

As a psychology professor and former school psychologist, I talk about mental health issues with students every single day. My classroom is a safe place for students to be themselves. Which is critical when working with youth (18-24) who represent the highest proportion of individuals with mental illness. Education helps bridge the gap between fear... Continue Reading →

1000 views on the official TEDx site!

I am so excited to share that my TEDx video hit 1000 views today! 🎥 A BIG thank you for watching and sharing my TEDx talk with your friends and family. We are stronger than our stress. This I know for sure. Together we will thrive under pressure. 💥 Click on TEDx Video → Thriving Under Pressure

Thriving Under Pressure TEDx Talk

Good news to share! I have been working on a TEDx project with the University of Windsor TEDx team since last year. Today I received the news that the finished video was uploaded to the official TED Talks site. Video below — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czXG8odb7pY Stress Resilience In my TEDx Talk I discuss how to THRIVE under pressure using 3 stress... Continue Reading →

You have the power to change the story!

What are the most powerful words in the universe? The ones you use to talk to yourself. Choose the words that move you forward, the emotions that lift you up, and the actions that empower you. Believe in the one reason that a difficult situation  will work out. You! You have everything it takes to... Continue Reading →

From Stress to Strength

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

TEDx Photos: Diamonds from Pressure.

“Don’t tell people your dreams. Show them.” I am excited to share an interview, photos, and a short video clip from yesterday’s TEDx Event at the University of Windsor. It was one of the most positive speaking experiences I’ve ever had. Truly magical.   TEDx Videoclip   TEDx Slideshow TEDx Dream Team Thank you for letting me share... Continue Reading →

Face It – You are Strong!

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 →

TEDx Preparation: Diamonds from Pressure.

I have some exciting news to share! I was recently chosen to be a TEDx speaker for the University of Windsor TEDx Event on Sunday, January 28, 2018. The theme of the event is “Diamonds from Pressure”.  Which fits in beautifully with my psychology blog — Thriving Under Pressure.   What are TEDx Talks? "A... Continue Reading →

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

Up ↑