https://youtube.com/shorts/Bvo0FXfS7t4?feature=shared When faced with a choice, ask yourself: Do I need to slow down? Am I being impulsive? Will I have regrets? Do I have all the information? Is it worth the wait? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXZvf2_UHJ0 Reflection Questions 1. Do you consider yourself a patient person, an impatient person, an impulsive person? Does your answer depend on... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
Free Your Soul
https://youtu.be/1dwCnVQhpQ4?si=4r9fjY0ii_Cw_QNc Soul Reflections โ๏ธ What do you need to LET GO of to feel a sense well-being? โ๏ธ Who and what do you no longer want to be OBLIGATED to? โ๏ธ If you had only one year to live, what five things would you STOP doing? โ๏ธ What JOY do you wish you had more... Continue Reading →
Honour Your Limits
Todayโs Reminder That You Are Human Honour Your Limits. In every area of your life. Itโs not a race. https://youtube.com/shorts/OT3d7YLBthQ?feature=shared Itโs a lifetime. Pace Yourself The world needs what you have to give โ long-term. In every area of your life. Itโs not a race. Itโs a lifetime.
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 →
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 →
Your Dreams Have A Message For You
One of the first things I do every morning is analyze my dreams. What about you? Do you remember your dreams? Do you write them down? Do you interpret their meaning? Have you ever dreamt the same dream repeatedly? In the video below I share the dream I had last night. A "dream theme" I... 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 …
Compassionate Listening
Even as a psychologist, I often donโt know what to say. Especially now with so many people experiencing pain and trauma in escalating ways. So rather than assume what someone needs, I have learned over the years to ask one simple question: How Can I Support You? In doing so, I create a safe space... Continue Reading →
Rethink Time in COVID-19
I find the perception of time fascinating.Everyone experiences time differently. Because time truly is relative. Changing from situation to situation.For example: Work Week vs. Vacation Week COVID vs. Pre-COVID Bored versus in Flow Time perception also varies from person to person. For example: Teenager vs. Baby Boomer Good Health vs. Poor Health Type A Personality... 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 โBe 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 →
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 →
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 →
Radio Interview: Why People Refuse to Change Their Minds
Interview Now Available: I begin 6 min 24 sec into radio segment: http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/audio/sunday-morning-live-dr-andrea-dinardo-1.9561424?mode=Article JULY 28 RADIO SHOW TOPIC: COGNITIVE DISSONANCE Why facts don't change our minds I would love your questions and reflections on the topic of why people refuse to change their minds and/or adjust their stance on a political, personal, relationship, or health... Continue Reading →
Radio Interview: Social Media and Mental Health
Social Media and Mental Health is a frequent topic and active discussion in my psychology class with college and university students.Social media is here to stay. The question is how can we teach our children, students, and each other to use it responsibly. How do we lead the way? LIVE FROM AM800 STUDIO https://omny.fm/shows/am-800-cklw/april-anderson-talks-to-dr-andrea-dinardo Your... Continue Reading →
Self-Talk in The Eye of the Storm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FHAotUT2eAY How we talk to ourselves matters. Particularly in the eye of the storm. Having a โgo toโ mantra in times of uncertainty helps. Especially in the uncomfortable, agonizing moments between stress and strength. An image that helps me is imagining myself growing roots and wings during dark times. Chanting โI am expandingโ as the... Continue Reading →
Save Your Energy For What Matters Most
Time + Energy Audit 1. What area of your life do you need to slow down in? 2. What area of your life do you need to REV IT UP in? https://youtu.be/jq14fr86-Jk ABCD Priority List Make a list of all the things that you have to do today. Order them in terms of A to... Continue Reading →
Reading People: Lesson #2 Social Awareness
Reading People Begins with Awareness In reading people lesson #1 I discussed the importance of self awareness before attempting to understand and read others behaviour. โSelf-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom.โ Reading People: Lesson #2 Adding to the first lesson is an excerpt from my Pitch with Passion presentation with student and community entrepreneurs at the EPIC Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre.... Continue Reading →
WHY change NOW?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWGr_GwzhM&app=desktop The first question I ask clients wanting to make a change is โWhy Now?โ For there is no doubt that they (and you and I) have been wanting to transform an aspect of our lives for a very long time. But the intrinsic motivation just isnโt quite there. The kind of motivation that is... Continue Reading →
Health and Happiness
Reflection Questions 1. When someone asks you "What makes you happy?" does your answer differ from "What makes you healthy?" https://youtu.be/LgACYyFv2YQ 2. Do you consider your health requirements essential and your happiness needs selfish and superfluous? 3. Or do you rate health and happiness as equal and interdependent. https://youtu.be/z_DNIWYh6vE For me: health and happiness are... 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 →
Change your life. Five minutes at a time.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Bvo0FXfS7t4?si=VS8zekxAt08kVAE4 Are you tired of doing the same old, same old? Are you ready to end the repetitive cycles in your life? Is it time for a change? But ..... you..... don't..... have... time... Surrender your fears, your resistance, your excuses. Change need not be overwhelming. Start small. End Big. Little changes make a big difference. They... Continue Reading →
We were made to thrive!
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 →
The Paradox of Strength
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 →
Expanding Time
I was thinking about time tonight. Itโs a never ending circle that starts and stops at the same place. A perpetual loop heightened on a Sunday night. And the only way to slow it down is to breathe in each moment. To notice each ephemeral hour. To rest gently in the embrace of time.
How will you thrive today?
So many choices when it comes to stress relief. Which one will you choose today? Thriving Test โ Click Here
Complaining Keeps Us Stuck
The next time you are tempted to complain about the same thing over and over again, direct that energy into your highest, loftiest goals. Consciously swap one complaint for one baby step towards your dreams. Same energy required. Magically different results. ๐ https://youtu.be/RK7EzyPXRPA
The Art of Allowing.
Today vow to allow life to happen on its own terms, not your own. Sometimes your greatest power is in letting things go.
Follow your feelings.
Instead of focusing on what you want TO DO. Focus on how you want TO FEEL. Desired Feeling โ Supporting Behaviour Strong โ Move your body. Valuable โ Help someone. Lighthearted โ See a funny movie. Joyful โ Go dancing with friends. Free โ Unshackle from daily regimes & routines. Inspired โ Spend time with... Continue Reading →
The miracle in this moment.
Miracles are everywhere. The only catch is that we have to "be here now" to notice them. Gratitude speeds their discovery.๐ซ What are you grateful for? Right here. Right now. In this moment - Iย am grateful for this hot cup of coffee. And for this delicious lunch. I am grateful for Tim Horton's camp day.ย I... Continue Reading →
Love is my highest motivator.
What motivates you? Guides you? Encourages you? Strengthens you?

