Blog
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Is Post-Traumatic Growth Possible?
Most people have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the set of negative symptoms that arise after trauma, such as insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, unstable moods, behavioral changes, etc. But have you heard of post-traumatic growth or PTG? PTG refers to the positive mental shift that can be experienced as a result of adverse events. The
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Developing Your Own Spiritual Practice
If asked if we follow a particular religion, many of us would say “I’m spiritual, not religious.” But can we claim we’re as spiritual in our lives as we want to be? In truth, we’re all very preoccupied — with our jobs, our families and the hundreds of distractions that fill the modern world. So
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The Mental Health Blessings of Spirituality
In the last blog post, I mentioned two recent studies that provide further evidence of the contribution religion makes to personal well-being. It’s clear religious affiliation is a positive force in people’s lives. Religion provides an individual with membership in a tight-knit social group, with meaning and purpose, with moral and ethical guidance and with
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New Clues to Why Religious People are Happier
Much research in the past 30 years has demonstrated that people with strong religious beliefs tend to exhibit greater well-being in their lives. The psychological benefits of religiosity are known to include: increased social connections, greater resilience to life challenges, cultivation of compassion, forgiveness and gratitude, and reduced risk of suicide and addiction. But how is
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Big Change at Soul Wisdom Therapy
“The only constant in life is change,” a quote attributed to the Buddha, but it could have come from any wise sage. Sometimes life will challenge us with unexpected, difficult changes — like a job loss, serious illness, divorce or death of a loved one – that will completely upend our lives. Soul Wisdom Therapy,
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Further Proof that Exercise Improves Mental Health
Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of physical diseases, such as heart problems and diabetes. But research has yet to prove with certainty that physical activity can improve mental health. Now a new, large-sample study published in Lancet Psychiatry provides further evidence of exercise’s psychological benefits. The study’s authors examined data on 1.2 million
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Can Sleep Loss Promote Loneliness?
We know insufficient sleep can lead to an array of physical and psychological problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, depression and memory loss. But can it trigger loneliness and social isolation in individuals? That’s the conclusion of a recent University of California study published in Nature Communications. The researchers examined the social, psychological and even
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How to Safely Express Anger
Anger is a natural human emotion. While it is unhealthy to ignore or suppress these feelings, it is also unhealthy to act on them without restraint. How then can this “negative” emotion be released in a healthy way? You may get angry when you feel: Frustrated Powerless Threatened Disrespected If you are not shown appropriate
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Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?
We can tend to focus more on our shortcomings or failings than we do our gifts and successes. The old aphorism is true: You can be “your own worst enemy.” Why is that? Take a few minutes to listen to the thoughts going through your mind. “I’m fat.” “I don’t look good in this outfit.”
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Recognizing Teen Eating Disorders
Too often, families dismiss changes in their teen’s eating habits as “normal adolescent behavior,” however experts warn that this may not be true. Eating disorders are never “normal,” and with vigilance parents can help stop a downward spiral before it begins. The Family Institute at Northwestern University says that, “Nearly 3% of teenagers between the
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Why Humor is So Important
Have you ever known someone who appears to have no sense of humor? They seem to have a rather dry personality and take life seriously. Many of us have known someone at the opposite extreme – they are rarely serious and often seem rather manic in behavior, which is often used as a defensive strategy
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How to Overcome Addiction to Busy-Ness
Do you thrive on deadlines and being busy? So do many people. In fact our country’s culture often emphasizes the importance of “busy” as a valued trait, even while marketing increased leisure time activities to us. Why do so many people value being busy? “Busy-ness” has become as potent an addiction in our society as