Dr. Andrea Dinardo, Psychology Professor
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 →
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 →
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 →
The 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. 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 →
Our point of power is always in the present moment. 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... Continue Reading →
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
Never let the things you want make you forget the things you already have. Nothing Lasts Forever. Good or Bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd9TrYI75o0 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 →
Embrace Uncertainty 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... Continue Reading →
We’re on a trip to California for our December birthdays and wedding anniversary and I couldn’t imagine a more mindful place to be. Nature everywhere we look. Luminous moonlight. Dancing campfire. Fresh ocean air. Water as far as the eye can see. Sunshine in every nook. 100 year old fig trees. Just outside our hotel... Continue Reading →
You have the ability to make positive changes in your life. Right here. Right now. Don’t wait for “the perfect time” to transform your life. NOW IS YOUR POWER.
Nature is a beautiful way to stop the monkey mind in its’ tracks. What is the monkey mind? 🐒 🧠 “Buddha described the human mind as being filled with drunken monkeys, jumping around, screeching, chattering, carrying on endlessly. Fear is an especially loud monkey - screaming out all the things that could go wrong.” Source: HuffPost When we’re... Continue Reading →
“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.
Our left brain lives in the past and the future. Our right brain lives in the here and now. One scrambles for solutions to problem after problem. The other sinks into the present moment, trusting all is well. Which side of the brain will you live on today? I choose my right brain. Right here.... Continue Reading →
This post was inspired by a stressful situation that I couldn't let go of, long beyond its solution. No matter how hard I tried. Day in day out. The worry would reappear. Then someone close to me suggested "I shed the stress". And a lightbulb went off. Each time the repetitive thought appeared, I imagined... Continue Reading →
The next time you are under any kind of pressure. Stuck in traffic. Rushing from class to class. Dealing with a difficult customer at work. Desperately trying to recall answers on a final exam. Wake up to the formidable power that exists within you. Right here. Right now. Right under your nose. Breathe https://youtu.be/zRSQw-LjU8k The deeper the breath, the deeper... Continue Reading →
Look up ↑ Breathe ↑ Release One quick glance to inner peace. Related Post: Always Looking Up.
Thriving Under Pressure 