Stress Management Psychological Resiliency
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 what... Continue Reading →
The Stories We Tell Ourselves In this classroom video and article, I share strategies for transforming painful experiences. Especially those beyond your control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=119i-Qv-ep0 Background Reality Testing: Psychology Theories Cognitive Reframing and Restructuring Identifying and challenging irrational or maladaptive thoughts ABC Model - Cognitive Behavioural Technique Antecedent, Belief, Consequence Application Reality Testing: Real-Life Example In... Continue Reading →
Transforming our mindset from pain to power and stress to strength is key during uncertain times. And particularly important for students across Ontario as they complete final college and university exams this semester! What mantra or affirmation shifts your mindset from stress to strength? From pain to power? I would love to know. Watch the... Continue Reading →
What consumes your mind consumes your life 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. But we cannot see the good from the bad... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Healthy Workplace Awards I recently did a virtual keynote at the Healthy Workplace Awards Ceremony. Watch Video: Click Here Given all we are collectively going through, I thought the notes and video from the virtual keynote presentation would be helpful to everyone. News Release: CTV News Especially as we wrap up 2020. A year where... Continue Reading →
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 →
Mental Health Matters Interview with Dr. Kathy Garland Situational Anxiety vs. Clinical Anxiety 1. Video Format of Interview Watch on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ttX6h_D8o&feature=youtu.be 2. Podcast Format of Interview Available on SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts. https://soundcloud.com/user-240189621/mental-health-matters-dr-dinardo-and-situational-anxiety Reflection Questions What did you learn about situational versus clinical anxiety from our interview? Can you relate to the personal example of heightened... Continue Reading →
The most common question people ask when they discover I'm a retired psychologist is - "Is This Normal?" 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 differentiating... Continue Reading →
A map for transforming stress into strength In my TEDx Talk and in the leadership videos below, I discuss how to THRIVE under pressure using 3 stress resilience tools: 1. Commitment Envisioning a higher purpose above and beyond the immediate stressor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjxCsK2qudw 2. Control Focusing on the things you can change and letting go of the things you can’t. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVEjYGl9c0k... Continue Reading →
sus·tain·a·bil·i·ty /səˌstānəˈbilədē/ The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. Catch Pause Repair (CPR) is a Framework for Sustainable Mental Health & Resilience Habits. CPR includes three simple steps as outlined in the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVfeKg78fEY 1. Catch Catch yourself before a stress response escalates by becoming more aware of what triggers... Continue Reading →
Life is complicated. Stress management shouldn't be. 5 Stress Relief Techniques 1. Gratitude https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ 2. Breathwork https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSQw-LjU8k 3. Movement https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d4SyONPkus0 4. sur·ren·der https://youtu.be/I7YD4A900-4 5. This moment https://youtu.be/moc-AtmSSGU Repeat Daily 💕
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 →
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.
Thriving Under Pressure 