Positive Psychology & Stress Resilience
I hope you enjoy my one minute meditation retreat.
Visit my YouTube Channel for more psychology videos.
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.
I have been writing psychology textbooks for McGraw-Hill Ryerson since 2009 and blogging since 2015.
But truth be told, I have always longed for something more. To write a psychology advice column for a magazine and eventually a book about psychology in everyday life.
My intention is to make psychology accessible, engaging, and easy to apply. Integrate all of the stories, life lessons, and adversities I have witnessed over the years as a former school psychologist and now professor.
Which is why I am thrilled to share an excerpt from the December PSYCH DRIVE column for The DRIVE Magazine.
Lean into Loneliness — Introduction
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.
Knowledge is power
1. Understand the emotion
We need to first understand an emotion before we jump to the conclusion that it’s either good or bad, because in reality, emotions are almost entirely physiological in nature. There’s not a negative or positive to them. It’s in our mind that we make it one or the other. This concept is supported by Schachter-Singer’s theory of emotion..
To continue reading article… click here ←
Today’s post is brought to you from my psychology classroom.
Good vibes, after all, start on the inside.
Stop wishing.
Seize the day.
Claim your prize. 💥
Visit my YouTube Channel for more psychology videos.
Boost your motivation and raise your energy by laser focusing on what is within your control during challenge and adversity — Your Mindset
Related Post: The stories we tell ourselves.
The word motivation stems from the Latin word “movere” which means to move. Which is why MOMENTUM is such a powerful force when it comes to motivation. Motivation doesn’t happen before the creative act — it happens during.
Small steps.
Day by day.
Week by week.
Moving you forward.
Closer to your dreams.
Just show up.
It’s in the middle of a challenge where we need positive energy the most.
So let this be a gentle, encouraging voice reminding you that “You didn’t come this far, to only come this far”.
And that one day it will all make sense.
All the pressure will be worth it.
You are resilient.
You are strong.
You are a diamond in the making.
You sparkle.
You shine.
I see it.
And one day you will too. 💎
TEDx Playlist: Diamonds from Pressure
A statement I tend to agree with.
Understanding ourselves better, including our brains, is always the first step in tapping into what’s possible, within, and all around us.
Did you know that fear and excitement share the same set of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, glutamate, and acetylcholine.
And the best way to shift from performance anxiety to excitement is to say one sentence on repeat.
Watch my latest YouTube video “Shifting from anxiety to excitement” to discover the simple phrase for shifting out of nervousness during high anxiety situations.
And learn why telling someone to “calm down” when they’re anxious rarely works.
Related Post: Are you left brain or right brained?
The idea we have for our life rarely, if ever, matches up with the life we end up with.
Yet something we seldom realize in the thick of difficulty.
Success is not a straight line.
This is the exact time when we need others to hold the light for us. To be an encourager. To show us the way.
Dreams ↔ Failure ↔ Destiny
1. Encourage people by sharing your own stories of difficulty and overcoming.
This helps others understand that no one begins their success journey at the top of the mountain. And that each failure is an opportunity to rise up. Again and again.
2. Hold a safe space for loved ones to ‘not be ok’ when overwhelmed.
Rushing anyone through difficult emotions will prolong feelings of fear, threat, and danger.
Instead, we can flip the switch by leaning into “the overwhelm” and asking: “What are you trying to teach me?”
3. The ultimate encouragement strategy is to believe in someone, especially when they don’t.
This helps shift their mindset from not enough to overflowing. Creating a new heightened vision for life’s unexpected bumps and detours.
My favourite part of this photo is the story behind it.
When the magazine was arranging the photo shoot, they asked where my favourite place to recharge was in Windsor (Ontario, Canada). I shared that it was a top of Blue Heron Hill overlooking Lake Heron and Lake St. Clair. So you can just imagine the photographer hiking his equipment up the hill, with me tagging along in my wedge high sandals!
But the reward was worth it..
All you can see is blue for days. My favourite colour and place. 💙🍃
Click on The Drive Magazine to read the full interview.
Hope everyone’s having a great day! I wanted take a moment and share some good news with you.
In June I was interviewed by THE DRIVE magazine for an article on mental health and thriving under pressure.
The creative director saw my TEDx Talk and reached out for input into their next issue. How cool is that!
Consequently, I will be their mental health expert for their “Pushing through the Boundaries” issue being published in August.
Which includes a professional photo shoot at my most favourite place, Blue Heron Lake. Pinch me please!
Nourishing mental health while reaching for the stars is something I hold dear to my heart. So please stay tuned for the rest of the story!
I’ll be sure to post a link to the interview soon!
I’d love to hear your good news too!
