Savoring: This Simple Exercise Can Enhance Enjoyment and Well-Being
“These are the good old days.” That’s what my good friend always says when she’s enjoying a moment. It could be when we’re walking our dogs at Umstead park, strolling around downtown Durham, or bicycling through Meadowmont. What I love about the phrase “these are the good old days” is that it doesn’t yearn […]
Many Types of Love: Discover Your Sun, Lighthouse and Disco Ball
When we think of Valentine’s Day, we often think of what the ancient Greeks called eros or passionate, romantic love. A common critique by those that aren’t coupled this time of the year is that the holiday feels exclusive to those that have romantic love, and alienates those that don’t. Though this sentiment is understandable, an exploration of […]
Channel Your Inner Kindergartener
Wouldn’t we all love to spend a day in a kindergartener’s crocs? Isn’t it amazing to think that at one point in our lives we resisted a nap after lunch or an opportunity to take a time-out? Kindergarten, a German word meaning garden of children, is intended to be a safe haven where our young can grow and flourish. We […]
Add “Hygge” to your Holidays
Defrost turkey: check. Candy the yams: check. Set the table: check. Take a deep breath before the doorbell rings: check. Achieve hygge? To be determined… You know that feeling you get when you smell a bonfire on a crisp autumn day? Or when you curl up with a book and cup of tea while a […]
Coping with Depression By Embracing Our Imperfections
“Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.” ― Leonard Cohen Where are your cracks and imperfections? You probably know, everyone does. Do you see them as Mr. Cohen suggests we should? Can you recognize them as opportunities for light to shine […]
5 Reasons to Find the Humor in the Hectic Holiday Season
Choosing to find the humor rather than dwell on holiday headaches positively impacts your mental, physical, and social health. Perhaps you recall this memorable scene from A Christmas Story. As Mr. Parker sits to read his paper amidst the aroma of Christmas dinner, the narrator (Ralphie) notes that “sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is […]
Revive Your Resolutions
As the crowd counts down to midnight and “Auld Lang Syne” plays amidst falling confetti, hopes for a healthier and happier new year are high. We fill our crisp calendars with “to-dos”: exercise daily, spend more time with friends, get organized, the list goes on. It seems to only take a few weeks, though, for […]
Emotional Resilience Workshop. Psychologist, Susan Orenstein shows how you can create your own luck.
Sponsored by TruWealth Strategies In this interactive workshop, Dr. Susan Orenstein will share what psychology research tells us about optimism and resilience. As a group, we’ll learn from each other and dig deep into ourselves to discover how to manage setbacks and build a positive mindset to promote our emotional well being. WHEN: Friday, March […]
Chase away the winter blues, tips by psychologist Susan Orenstein
We’ve been hit hard in the Triangle this winter, with unexpected temperature shifts, lots of cloudy days, and some nasty viruses going around. This can play havoc on our mood, causing “winter blues,” with symptoms that may include sadness, lethargy, restlessness, and loneliness. Following are some ways to refuel, re-energize and relieve those winter blues. […]
Dr. Susan Orenstein explores how lying effects our mental health.
“Always tell the truth. That way, you don’t have to remember what you said.” —Mark Twain When it comes to lies—especially small, everyday kinds of lies—Mark Twain’s advice is right on the money. Lies always exact an emotional toll. They take energy to maintain and keep us from growing in ways that we need to, […]