You have been receiving a lot of information about self-compassion from me in recent emails. Today, I want to briefly explain what happens in your brain when you practice that skill. It's pretty fascinating! The two parts of the brain that are most involved are the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. (Photo courtesy of Albuquerque Journal) [...]
We have all, collectively, been through an immense amount of uncertainty throughout the past nine months, and the impact of that is evident in our stress levels. This week, I wanted to share a bit of information about what goes in the brain when we are faced with new experiences or uncertainty. For me, having [...]
(SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR THE SUPERPOWER OF SELF-AWARENESS GUIDE) Every. Single. Day. Shoes, socks, and shirts are strewn around the living room, dropped at the very point where they were removed, which is no more than 20 feet from the shoe bin or laundry room. I know you can relate to the frustration! Every [...]
(SCROLL DOWN TO DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET AND WATCH THE VIDEOS) You might not be aware of this, but today is World Mental Health Day! As a way of honoring the importance of mental health, I have created a gift for you. It is a printable worksheet that will guide you through your triggers in order [...]
Ready or not, here comes school! After months of global uncertainty, you’d think we would be pros at handling the unknown, right?! Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and many of us are feeling unsettled as we wait and see what this new school year brings. Before I share my 5 tips for getting through the [...]
We, like so many others, have been experiencing an abundance of emotion throughout the past few months. As a therapist, I know the benefits of emotional expression, and highly encourage it in my clients and my children. Most of the time, emotions serve as valuable information and give us clues about what we need: Anger [...]
It can be argued that anger is not a feeling, but a reaction to a feeling. * When your child says hurtful things to you, you feel sad, or hurt, and react by yelling at her to go to her room until she has something nice to say. * When your partner doesn't follow through [...]
Me, too! I often hear parents like you tell me they feel so much guilt and fear on this parenting journey. Guilt that they aren't spending enough time with their kids, or giving them enough opportunities. Fear that they are saying or doing the wrong things. And, you know what? I feel those things, too! Which is [...]
Last week, I told you about the newest research on attachment, and how you can help your child develop a secure attachment with you just by "showing up" for them on a consistent basis. If you missed that email, you can read it on the blog HERE. But what if showing up and being emotionally [...]
Do you ever think to yourself, “I wish I could stop yelling at my kids”? I get it! Yelling was my vice, and the ensuing guilt was what motivated me to parent differently. The thing is—when you are trying to do away with one behavior, you have to replace it with another, or you [...]