Ever say something that you wish you could take back? Perhaps said in hurt or anger; regardless, it was a knee jerk reaction that left someone else stung and you regretful? Do you know someone who doesn't have a filter; often leaving people in their wake either shaking their heads or doing damage repair? Ultimately, we are responsible for how we speak to others; if we say something that we later regret, repair is necessary or the sting will linger. Perhaps a healthier optio

I came across this quote by Maya Angelou; inspiring and hopeful words that we can use as a thoughtful intention for ourselves, our loved ones, and the greater good: “May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yoursel

Yesterday's post looked at the science behind being thankful; today we look at 5 ways we can increase gratitude: Being mindful of what is around you . When we are consciously focused on slowing down and being attuned to what is happening in our day, we make room for noticing little things such as the sunrise on the way into work, the dog happily meeting us at the door, hugs from our loved ones, the food in front of you at dinner, the cozy way your bed feels at the end of the

In an article entitled "Neuroscience Reveals: Gratitude Literally Rewires Your Brain to be Happier" featured on DailyHealthPost , we read about how the effects of actively being thankful can benefit us. Here are some research findings (paraphrased): It leads to an overall increase in feeling positive and optimistic about life. It improves sleep quality and reduces anxiety and depression. When we are focused on feeling grateful, the areas of the brain that show increased activ

Yesterday we focused on some distress tolerance techniques from DBT that are intended to help us center ourselves for the short term. Sometimes, however; the solution is not to be found in the immediate future. Possible examples include grieving the loss of someone, going through a break up, trying to quit a bad habit, waiting for a better job to come along. When we are faced with a situation that tends to roller coaster our emotions, we can use some of the following techniq

Sometimes we find ourselves with a problem or situation we can't immediately solve. Perhaps our emotions are running high and we need some space to compose ourselves or perhaps it is an issue that just can't be solved in the immediate future but still gives us an element of worry or distress. In either case, we can begin to feel consumed by our feelings. Distress tolerance techniques are a part of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and can be quite helpful when feeling up

In our last on a series about the right and left hemispheres of our brain, we look at how to keep our minds sharp. As we discovered in the last two posts, the two sides work together to help us process information. Here are some ways to keep the right and left sides working at their best: Crossword puzzles and word or number games, writing out lists. Reading daily is a good way to keep your mind sharp; writing (even on a small scale such as in a journal or writing a letter to

Yesterday's post explored the different functions of the left and right brain. Although we can often imagine that they work independently of each other, they work together. Here are some examples of how both sides of the brain tend to contribute to our understanding and processing: We hear someone tell a story. The left brain will compute the logistics required of language such as grammar, whereas the right brain will be working at linking meaning, tone and metaphor. You have

The human brain is divided into two halves or hemispheres with each hemisphere being responsible for certain functions. Although they can sometimes seem as though they work independently of each other, they in fact, do work together and are bound by a bridge of fibers called the corpus callosum. Today's post will look at some of the different functions that each side tends to be responsible for: Left brain: Logic . This is the side of our brain that likes sequences, tends t

Dr. Phil has a saying that he learned from his father: "You can spend 5 % of your time talking about what a raw deal you got and 95 % of the time talking about what you are going to do about it." This quote appeals to me as it focuses on movement. Very often, if we reverse the statistic, we spend too much time in the poor me cycle and not enough time doing something about the circumstances of life that affect us. We do; however, need to feel the 5 %. Sometimes we rush to a

I love this passage by Gary Zukav. It is a lovely reminder that our lives serve a divine purpose; one that may not always be clear to us but is present nonetheless: “Eventually, you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is. The journey may take many lifetimes, but you will complete it. It is impossible not to complete it. It is not a question of if but of when. Every situation you create serves this purpose. Every experience you encounter s

For the longest time it was easier to take a day of rest in our week. Stores were closed on Sundays, there was no such thing as "online" and we got 3 channels on the TV. The pace was slower and we focused more on family time and our imaginations. In an article entitled "A Day of Rest: 12 Scientific Reasons it Works" by Rhett Power and featured on Inc. , Power focuses on the science behind a day of rest. Three points that resonated: " Time out gives you a chance to move. R

Anger can be an intense emotion. It can sometimes get the better of us and we may say or do something we later regret. Here are a few things about anger that can help us to understand this complex emotion: Anger tends to isolate us . No one pokes an angry bear, right? Anger is an emotion that serves a function. It is often our frustrated or angry feelings that prompt movement. Working towards righting a wrong can help us not only in processing the anger, but in affirming tha

To lose our memory; our executive function and our ability to one day dress ourselves is a frightening prospect. It is a grief-filled process for both the person with dementia and their loved ones who experience loss in their journey of caregiving. This lovely poem came to my attention: Maybe - Author Unknown When I wander don’t tell me to come and sit down. Wander with me. It may be because I am hungry, thirsty, need the toilet. Or maybe I just need to stretch my legs. When

I came across this lovely poem reminding us to keep the faith when things feel heavy: Don't Quit - John Greenleaf Whittier When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is strange with its twists and turns As every one of us sometimes learns And many a failure

Ever hear (or say) these kinds of comments? "This old thing? I got it real cheap on sale." "Thanks but I could have done better." "Oh it was nothing, took me no time at all." "I'd look even better if I was 10 pounds thinner." Sometimes receiving a compliment can feel uncomfortable or awkward. Perhaps we don't like being the center of attention, perhaps we learned somewhere along the way that to receive a compliment led to being conceited, perhaps no one ever taught us ho

At the beginning of Anne Lamott's book "Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy," she has a poem written by Naomi Shihab Nye that is entitled Famous; Famous The river is famous to the fish. The loud voice is famous to silence, which knew it would inherit the earth before anybody said so. The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds watching him from the birdhouse. The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek. The idea you carry close to your bosom is famous to your bosom

I have always liked this little quote by Winnie the Pooh and Piglet: "What day is it?" "Today" said Piglet. "Ah," said Pooh, "my favourite day." -Winnie the Pooh We all too often think about our week, our month, what is coming up in the year to come. We fret about what happened yesterday and can get caught up in past events. It may be a natural part of the way we process the world as our past informs us and our future motivates us; nonetheless, it is important to also recogn

I recently read this statement: "Action is the antidote for anxiety." One of the key features of an anxious brain is avoidance; our survival brains are wired to flee danger, to be fearful of what could hurt us. We are grateful for this fear response when a car comes into our lane, when we are standing too close to a cliff edge, when it is pitch dark and we can't see what is behind us. When we worry, we are fearful. It truly is that simple. When you think about any current or

It is often a well-intentioned notion that after a significant break up, we spend some time alone. At least 6 months to a year, relationship free. Well-intentioned, as we need time to heal, and yet difficult to achieve. Landing instead into another relationship fairly quickly, getting right back into the dating world, re-establishing connections with past partners. If you are engaging in any type of relationship/intimate behaviours, you are not alone. It is difficult becaus