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 night’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 →
Three Ways to Bounce Forward
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 →
Emotional CPR: Catch Pause Repair
One thing that I have learned as a psychology professor and former psychologist is that “simple things on repeat” have the greatest impact on our health and happiness. This is why I want to share a sustainable model of emotional and mental health habits called CPR: Catch Pause Repair. Emotional CPR: Video Edition https://youtu.be/8VvwITnvrhs https://youtu.be/DbBwCkQ9sKI... Continue Reading →
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
POWER OF THE MIND In this psychology video, I share concrete strategies for transforming painful emotional experiences using a model of cognitive psychology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=119i-Qv-ep0 What’s real? What’s distorted? An A-B-C Formula for reality testing that is especially helpful during outer circumstances beyond a person’s control. A-B-C House Flood Scenario The scenario I describe in the... Continue Reading →
Embracing Change
Change is both personal and universal. Everyone goes through changes and transformations. We are born. We grow old. What sets us apart is how we experience change. 1. Personality of Change How we perceive the world has a significant impact on how we experience change. Type A vs. Type B Individuals with a Type A... Continue Reading →
Put a Time Limit on Negativity
Time and Energy Management When I was a kid, my mom set a 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. 1. Passing versus Permanent Difficulties Setting time limits helped us understand that nothing lasts forever, good... 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 of Self Care Day 1: Mindful Mornings Add five to ten minutes of relaxation to each of your morning routines.... Continue Reading →
Staying Motivated During Challenging Times
Today’s story begins in the middle of a spin class. The point in time where 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 pandemic. It was thirty minutes into class, and... Continue Reading →
Resilience Articles
After a two year hiatus, I am excited to share that I have returned to 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... Continue Reading →
Training and Keynotes
Dr. Andrea Dinardo has been speaking professionally for 25 years on a number of psychology topics, including: Thriving Under Pressure Resilient Leadership Embracing Change Positive Psychology Stress and Anxiety Solutions Resilience and Mental Health Energy and Time Management Strength-Based Leadership Peak Performance and Flow Social and Emotional Intelligence Igniting Motivation and Drive Contact Dr. Andrea Click Here Sample Speeches... Continue Reading →
Failure as Feedback
"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=810whIFASFI&feature=emb_title 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 →
Coping With Loneliness During the Holidays
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 →
5 Ways to Cultivate Mental Health Daily
In this psychology article, published in The Drive Magazine, I share simple ways to cultivate mental health daily. 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... Continue Reading →
5 Ways to Focus Better
Why Can't I Remember Anything? One of the most frequent questions I was asked as a practicing psychologist and more recently as a psychology professor is why can't I remember anything. The problem is most likely a focusing issue — not a memory issue. An important distinction between memory and attention that I share in... Continue Reading →
Empowering Conversations About Health
In today's psychology class, we discussed how important it is to empower friends, family, and clients going through difficult times. HONOUR THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU And how even if we are an expert in psychology, nursing, or business - it does not make us the master of someone else's life. Together we explored... Continue Reading →
Community Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqs-qUHSAnA In Celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month CULTIVATING MENTAL HEALTH DAILY In this video, I share an overview of my psychology article in The Drive Magazine (May, Issue 121). An issue devoted entirely to mental health awareness, treatment, and prevention. With the ultimate goal of ending the stigma of mental illness. A topic I... Continue Reading →