psychological advice

Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: Part 2

My last blog addressed the challenge of maintaining enthusiasm for life at a time when our lives are being altered and restricted by a pandemic. Admittedly, during these months of uncertainty, it is difficult to be inspired to take an interest in ourselves.  The fear and challenges of today throw us into survival mode and… Read more »

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Saving Lives from Suicide During a Pandemic

There are ways to intervene and help one another through the darkest of times. The current crisis we’re enduring with Covid-19 is taking a toll on more than our physical well-being. A recent Kaiser poll showed that nearly half of Americans feel the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health. Suicide and crisis call and text hotlines… Read more »

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Experts at Home: Kevin Hines on the Mental Health Crisis and Getting Help

In this Experts at Home conversation, Dr. Lisa Firestone talks with suicide attempt survivor and mental health advocate Kevin Hines. They discuss the current mental health crisis, and how people can get help or help others during this challenging time. Watch Now: Subscribe to PsychAlive (it’s free!) to see more Experts at Home.      

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Paying Attention to Your Mental Health

These trying times are hard on us psychologically! With the focus on the very real threat of the Coronavirus to our physical health, it is easy to overlook the impact that this pandemic is having on our mental health. The virus and our necessary response to it are creating two of the emotional conditions that… Read more »

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The Importance of Accepting Compliments

Receiving compliments may be one of the areas we all have room to stretch and grow!   Whether compliments are from someone we know and love or a complete stranger, we can struggle to accept the kind words of others. However, this struggle goes deeper than manners or cultural norms, it shows that the recipient is… Read more »

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Emotional Contagion and the COVID-19

If you’re concerned about your health and safety, you should be. It’s human. But be cautious that your anxiety isn’t playing into a psychological phenomena. At this point, many of us could probably be employed as reporters to give detailed updates on the coronavirus. The informal running commentary, coupled with witnessing the headlines that stimulate… Read more »

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The Hidden Powers of Gratitude

Four science-backed reasons to practice more gratitude… and three ways to do it Laughter has long been hailed the best medicine, but a growing body of research is showing gratitude to be a major player in the path to a happy and healthy existence. Scientific findings have revealed that when we make a habit of… Read more »

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Why It’s Important to Break Routines

Failing to examine or alter our habits can have a deadening effect on our lives. Having a routine isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can help you stay organized, be productive, or even, according to some researchers, find meaning. Certain studies have associated family routines with parenting competence and marital satisfaction. However, not all routines are created equal, and failing… Read more »

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Love Yourself: Doctor’s Orders

The phrase “self-love” is more common in today’s vocabulary than ever before. Social Media has especially drawn a spotlight on this now colloquially used concept, which ultimately encourages people to not only accept—but love—themselves for who they are. Moreover, many outspoken celebrities and self-love advocates ranging from Demi Lovato, Chrissy Teigen, and Amy Schumer have… Read more »

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Deep Sadness Can Deepen Love

Joy’s smile is much closer to tears than it is to laughter. —Victor Hugo, Hernani We often retreat from love when it unconsciously arouses painful feelings of sadness. This is not the kind of sadness that comes when our feelings are hurt or our heart is broken. That sadness makes sense to us. This type… Read more »

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