Thoughts

Does a Busy Mind Keep You Awake at Night?

Does a Busy Mind Keep You Awake at Night?

Do you toss and turn at night? Do you churn things in your mind, robbing you of much-needed sleep? If so, you aren't alone. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night to reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes. Many fall short of this guideline. So, what can you do to improve your sleep?

Ironing: A Mindfulness Practice?

Ironing: A Mindfulness Practice?

I’m no domestic goddess. Because of that, there’s usually a long list of things I would rather not do around the house. But recently, I’ve noticed that I have a newfound urge to clean and organize. Perhaps it is a welcome break from everything that is going on. Or, maybe it is the appeal of getting something completely done and the satisfaction that comes with that. But I think the primary reason is that I have incorporated these routine tasks into my daily mindfulness practice.

Fighting Fear and Finding Hope

Fighting Fear and Finding Hope

Today, one of the predominate emotions we are experiencing is fear. And rightfully so. Yet, our fear often leads to anxiety and depression which has the effect of freezing us in place. It can also drain us of energy and can destroy motivation to take action. So, what steps can we take to manage our fear?

I'll Do It Later

I'll Do It Later

Even before the pandemic, many of us struggled with procrastination. And now that we have lost the predictability and structure of our daily routines, many of us say that our motivation to get things done is waning. So, how do we combat this habit to delay tasks?

On/Off Thinking

On/Off Thinking

Just a few short weeks ago, we were asked to stay at home and not go out unless we absolutely had to. Decisions were made for us about what we could or could not do. We may not have liked it, but our decisions were easy. That’s because we understand “on/off” thinking or “dichotomous thinking”. But, what is it really and how does this type of thinking hold us back when it comes to positive behavior changes?

Journal Like an Astronaut

Journal Like an Astronaut

The other day I heard an interview with Scott Kelly. Scott is a former NASA astronaut who is best known for spending almost a year on the International Space Station. Now, that’s social isolation. A reporter asked him, “How did you handle being alone all that time?”. He said that he journaled every day. Let’s dig in to the research behind this powerful practice…

Be Your Own Best Friend

Be Your Own Best Friend

If you are like most people, you may be having moments right now where you need a little boost. You might be feeling a little down and are not sure if you can handle all of the change. Sometimes all we need is someone to remind us that “we’ve got this”. When there isn’t someone there to do this for you, why not consider being your own best friend and cheerleader? Let’s learn how…