Source: Marcelochagas/Pexels Many of the estranged have asked me—often in desperation—to help them stop the destructive thought patterns of rumination. Their misery lies in relentless repetition. Over and over, they mentally replay…
Embracing Death with Alua Arthur
One of the things that makes humans unique is our awareness of the inevitability of death. While many of us push this death awareness out of our minds in our daily lives,…
Is Mental Flexibility the Key to Mental Health?
Source: Anna Shvets / Pexels Many of us have an inner monologue that talks to us throughout our day, commenting on what’s going on around us, how we are doing and feeling,…
Obsession: Paving the Path to Success or Demise
Obsession, when channeled positively, can help fuel persistence toward goals. It can serve as an emergency energy supply to persevere when most people’s gas tanks are depleted. Obsession can act as a…
The Neuroscience of Secrets |
The secret is out: Secrets are not bad—well, not always. Not all secrets carry the same weight. Some can even have a positive impact. Distinguishing between positive and negative secrets is a…
Put the Phone Down and Talk to Your Kids
It’s far too easy today for parents and children alike to become absorbed in their screens. We scroll, we tap, we swipe, all while missing out on the moments that should be…
How to Challenge Your Inner Critic—and Win
Source: RomanSamborskyi Shutterstock Sarah, a very successful startup co-founder, was burned out. When she came to my office, she explained that she had been overpromising work and accepting unrealistically early deadlines. For…
The Boredom Antidote: Turning Blah Into Bliss
Source: Victoria / Pixabay Many of us know the movie “The Hangover.” Four guys, bored with their ordinary lives, escape to Las Vegas for a wild bachelor party. It’s a whirlwind of…
Solving Relationship Issues With the Two-Brain Paradigm
Your brain is not one integrated system. Conscious thoughts, the words that go through your head, occur primarily in your cortex, which is the outer six layers of brain cells. It also…
Acute Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: A Public Health Crisis
Late last week, a desperate 46-year-old woman contacted me. She was experiencing symptoms of acute benzodiazepine withdrawal including palpitations, constant pacing, and exhaustion. When her prescribing primary care physician (PCP) retired, she…