Change is inevitable; life’s only constant. Whether change is happening to us, and we need to adapt, or we are setting out to shift habits, mindsets, and behaviors, change is within each of our grasp. The old adage “you can’t teach a dog new tricks” has no scientific basis. In fact, research shows that we…
Mental health is everything. Here’s how to protect it this year. Few of us would argue that mental health should be low on our priority list. In theory, we know it matters—but then reality takes over. Deadlines dominate. We’re too tired. The kids get sick. We get lost in the vortex of our screens. Even…
Here’s what science shows can help keep us on track. We’ve crossed the threshold into a new decade. There’s a lot of resolution advice swirling, but not all of it is evidence-based or realistic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global mental health crisis. It projects that, by the next turn of the…
Move from passive bystander to active change agent. Do you find yourself wishing for a better world, one where people are given a fair chance to thrive? Where we can work together to find solutions to looming social and humanitarian crises? One that affords more opportunities and fewer disparities? Do you sometimes feel like you’re…
These six strategies can help you get to the finish line in one piece. Finals are coming. The end-of-semester finish line is in sight, but there’s still a massive marathon to get through. The adrenaline of the final push when you’ve already been running all semester can be anxiety-provoking. As intense as it can be,…
7 insights from the therapy room to help you in the classroom The whirlwind of college demands at every level of study—from freshman year all the way to Ph.D. life—can feel excruciating. There’s the constant push. The perpetual state of adjustment. Never-ending checklists. Rare downtime. It’s like a Whac-A-Mole game—the moment a challenge or task…
Science shows that prevention is less costly than repair. Self-care might at first strike one as another pop-psychology buzzword in this Age of Anxiety, when burnout is being called the “new normal.” But science reveals its critical nature. Self-care is a regular, intentional process of devoting oneself to protecting and sustaining mental health. It is…
When disclosure becomes a moral responsibility, not a breach of boundaries. When I stepped into higher education a decade ago, I figured the same way I’d been trained to engage with patients in my therapy room would apply. Be the polished professional. Show students empathy-but limit any personal disclosures to a few vague hypothetical anecdotes….
One-size-fits-all for self-care falls short. Here’s what you can do instead. Everyone’s talking about self-care. We’re lambasted with motivational slogans, self-love memes, and feel-good tips that barely scratch the surface of what we’re up against. We’re sold templates for alleged relief: The Quick Fix Template: Do these five easy steps, and everything will be perfectly…
Embrace your weirdness. KEY POINTS Well-being can feel elusive during times of global mental health crisis. The twists and turns of the pandemic require us to be agile in our mindsets and behaviors. Creative, nontraditional self-care strategies can serve to complement our existing wellness routines, bolstering optimism, awe, and gratitude. Unconventional times call for uncanny…