Tag: Health

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 →

Delaying Gratification Doubles The Reward

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 →

Self-Talk That Lifts You Up

“Be mindful of your self-talk. It's your conversation with the universe.” As humans, we can’t help but look to the next rung on the ladder. Forgetting the 100 rungs we have already climbed. https://youtu.be/1ALCrzw_1Xo Today’s Psychology Challenge Take note of the trail behind you. The hard work. The success. The heartbreak. The soul awakenings. The... 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 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 →

Emotional CPR: Catch Pause Repair

I would like to share a sustainable model of mental and emotional health called Emotional CPR: Catch Pause Repair - presented below in video and written format. Video Format https://youtu.be/KVfeKg78fEY https://youtu.be/8VvwITnvrhs https://youtu.be/DbBwCkQ9sKI?si=SRgBxAe8uX4boR0n Written Format STEP 1 CATCH What Triggers You? Catch yourself before a stress response escalates by becoming more aware of what provokes you. Take Inventory Make... Continue Reading →

Psychology Interview with Arms Bumanlag

Interview #1 https://youtu.be/qJfPHOVXEPU?si=zAPYaPMLSTS0w8yr Interview #2 https://youtu.be/xwnQthkxSq8 What psychology topics are you interested in learning about?

Embracing Change | Interview & Article

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. https://youtu.be/rUWGr_GwzhM FACTORS TO CONSIDER 1. Personality of Change How we perceive the world has a significant impact on how we experience change. Type A vs. Type B Individuals... Continue Reading →

Put a Time Limit on Negativity

https://youtu.be/jq14fr86-Jk 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 vs Permanent Difficulties Setting time limits helped us understand that nothing lasts forever,... Continue Reading →

Free Your Soul

https://youtu.be/1dwCnVQhpQ4?si=4r9fjY0ii_Cw_QNc Soul Reflections ⚜️ What do you need to LET GO of to feel a sense well-being?  ⚜️ Who and what do you no longer want to be OBLIGATED to? ⚜️ If you had only one year to live, what five things would you STOP doing? ⚜️ What JOY do you wish you had more... Continue Reading →

Face Everything and Rise

Fight or Flight Threat Response Every time we feel threatened (threat is the fundamental definition of stress) our first instinct is to “fight or flight“. This perpetual “fight or flight” response loop eventually creates a host of secondary problems, above and beyond, the original stressor. Powerpoint Slide from Broaden and Build Leadership Event, January 2022... 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 →

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 →

What’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 →

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 →

Let Your North Star Guide You

Mindfulness Tip: Look Up The sky connects us to something bigger than ourselves. Challenges appear small in comparison to the vastness of the sky. Solutions seem plausible. Answers come more easily. In the presence of stars, we embrace the profound and surrender it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gMq9BNKvOA

What helps you adapt to change?

What helps you adapt to rapid, unpredictable, unexpected change? I asked this question of student leaders at a province wide conference. See student answers on the chalkboard below: My answer on the chalkboard was: GO SMALLER One day at a time. One hour at a time. One class at a time. Microseconds sometimes.. https://youtu.be/rUWGr_GwzhM Your... Continue Reading →

What advice would you give your younger self?

ASK DR. D … ANYTHING! At a recent leadership conference, student leaders from St. Clair College's Student Representative Council SRC had the opportunity to ask questions live during the final portion of the training event. Questions & Reflections The student leaders raised the reflection bar high during this discussion period. One Question Stood Out The... 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 →

Anxiety Relief Technique

FEAR is an illusion 5 Why's Technique The 5 Why's is a simple and effective technique for understanding the source of our fears and cognitive distortions (irrational beliefs) one why at a time. Exploring the Unconscious Mind An analytic (below the surface) strategy originating in the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. What's... Continue Reading →

Enjoy Every Moment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd9TrYI75o0 Never let the things you want make you forget the things you already have. Nothing Lasts Forever. Good or Bad. Enjoy Every Moment. Embrace it. Be it. See it. Everything you appreciate is you reflecting back. Homework for Today Look Around You. Notice Things Like You Are Seeing Them for the Very First Time.... 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 ⬇️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ALCrzw_1Xo Try This One Day at... Continue Reading →

Energy Management

What we give energy to impacts everything. Thoughts Emotions Actions People Some drain. Others invigorate. https://youtube.com/shorts/fKBUoSAw1tY?si=XnBDucWk31XIbvrk Awareness is the first step to enhancing vitality. The goal is to identify the source of energy leaks and peaks. Where to start? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK7EzyPXRPA My interview on FM 105.9 The Region was designed to help people become more conscious... Continue Reading →

Freedom is realizing you have a choice

Freedom doesn’t come from holding on. Freedom comes from letting go. Again and again and again. Universal Experience Too often we are hard on ourselves for having to release the same thought, emotion, person, or situation.  When in fact that’s how life goes. For all of us. Letting go and surrendering are an ongoing daily... Continue Reading →

IS THIS NORMAL? Temporary Emotions vs Mental Illness

The most common question people ask when they discover I'm a retired psychologist is - "Is This Normal?" https://youtu.be/7DigCXbQKnE?si=7283ifRMjUT3fgm8 This question is a significant motivator for creating this psychology blog in the first place. Because too often people suffer because of lack of understanding versus a diagnosable medical condition. differential diagnosis  ·  the process of... 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?

Stay Open to the Possibilities

One of my favourite ways to energize before teaching psychology classes at St. Clair College is to summarize a theory in practical and concrete ways in the parking lot.Literally! 🚘  I filmed this video 5 minutes before I was about to teach a lecture on personality and positive psychology in my liberal arts class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUC7f_3EdHA Just... Continue Reading →

Peer Pressure: What happened when I quit drinking?

Getting ready for my online summer courses which requires a lot of new psychology videos. Including video discussions on health, wellness, and personal empowerment. Similar to in person college classes, the goal is to stimulate active discussions and open communication. For example: Discussion Topic What happened when I quit drinking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejpt6agt1tk Watch this short video... Continue Reading →

Emotional Freedom Technique for Social Anxiety & Imaginary Audience

Have you ever felt like you’re being watched?  Judged and scrutinized. Like all eyes are on you and every potential error you make? Everyone experiences this phenomenon from time to time, especially when trying out something for the first time. Think back to the first time you gave a dinner party, swung a golf club,... 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 →

Psychology on YouTube

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlPm9OCnSiX1LK7Mef6fn19tKZqIkxzn1&si=pz4QC7U84ulksfmc ORIGIN STORY I launched my YouTube channel in 2015 to share quick, three-to-five-minute psychology lessons for busy viewers. Over time, I expanded the content to include interviews, workshops, and speeches—making psychology accessible through fun, educational, and uplifting formats. Join the Journey: https://m.youtube.com/c/DrAndreaDinardo LEARN MORE YouTube: Click Here Blog: Click Here Twitter: Click Here TEDx Talk: Click Here Interviews: Click... 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 →

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 →

FOMO ANXIETY Simple Tips for Feeling Better

This post is for anyone experiencing FOMO. Particularly on a long weekend holiday! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I2P5VhC-Ih8 Psychology Insight: Holidays heighten social anxiety of every kind. FOMO especially. Consider these questions as you explore what’s going on below the surface. 1. Do you remember the first time you experienced FOMO? 2. How did you cope with the anxiety... 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? I’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 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 →

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 →

The Happiness Class

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KbyDnDI4QA Reflections on Happiness One of my favourite things to do as a professor is to stay after class and talk to students about what hit home for them about each week’s lecture. Fresh Perspective Students look at the world in a very unique way. Motivating me to think about psychology at a whole different... 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 →

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. “Being different isn't a bad thing. It means you're brave enough to be yourself“... 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 “go to” 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 “I am expanding” as the... 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 →

Optimism Bootcamp Workshop and Article

OPTIMISM BOOTCAMP: Overcoming Learned Helplessness is a dynamic, interactive psychology workshop based on an article I wrote for The Drive Magazine https://youtu.be/z_DNIWYh6vE 1/ Optimism Article https://thedrivemagazine.com/posts/optimism-bootcamp 2/ Optimism Bootcamp - April 2019 https://youtu.be/z_DNIWYh6vE 3/ Optimism Bootcamp - August 2019 https://youtu.be/LgACYyFv2YQ

Manage energy not time. Positive energy multiplies.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ZS9KiA6uQ This was my first video blog (vlog) ever!  (Filmed July 2018) I was equal parts terrified and excited. Hence the breathlessness. Upside: I had a blast filming it

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?

The Shadow Effect

Psychology Class The Shadow Effect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aECfb8QNp0 One of the things I love to do is share what’s happening on campus in my psychology class. Today’s Topic: The Shadow Effect Watch this short video and consider the following questions: What is your shadow?How does it serve you?Where does it come from?How do I bring it into... 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 →

Catch your breath.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what's left of you." Pause. Be still. Catch your breath. Take a rest. Practice self-care. As often as you can. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H8MKH2-QErg Pause at the end of my video ⬆️ for 30 fun self-care ideas. Do you practice daily self-care? Please share in the comments below.

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 you’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 →

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