Celebrating is Good for Our Mental Health

This year, weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations were canceled or remarkably subdued. Because of that, it might be tempting to downplay the holiday season like we have with other celebrations this year, especially with surging COVID cases. If you are in that mindset, you might want to rethink that decision. Based on an abundance of evidence, it is even more critical for our mental well-being that we engage in rituals of the holiday season, while observing the limitations needed to keep us safe from the virus, of course.

Perspective, Holidays, Celebration, Well-BeingSaundra SchrockDecember 21, 2020Mindfulness, Happy Holidays, Well-Being

The Awe of a Child

Do you remember the holiday season as a child? Can you recall the anticipation and excitement of what Santa might bring you? Or better yet, if you have children now, can you feel their excitement for the upcoming holidays? When I think of my childhood holiday experiences, the word that comes to mind is “awe”. This year, many of us may not be feeling full of awe, however. So, how do we get these feelings back?

Awareness, Holidays, Perspective, PositivitySaundra SchrockDecember 14, 2020Mindfulness, Happy Holidays, Awe, Awareness

Small Things Matter

It’s incredible how much research is coming out on the psychological impact of Covid-19. Today alone, I found twenty new peer-reviewed studies. A helpful study in the Behavior Analysis in Practice offered straightforward advice for successfully dealing with the pandemic's psychological effects. Here are some of the highlights.

Awareness, COVID-19, Healthy Living, PerspectiveSaundra SchrockOctober 12, 2020COVID-19, Awareness, Perspective

We Are In This Together

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “we are in this together” numerous times over the past few weeks. But, who is the “we” for you? If we narrowly identify the group that we belong to, we miss out on the consequences of our actions to those in the broader social circle. Let’s take a look at how to expand our thinking.

Catastrophizing

Catastrophizing is an irrational thought that leads us to believe that something is far worse than it actually is. Every person tends to catastrophize from time to time. And it’s easy to see how this could happen now, more than ever. But, how do we transform these thoughts?

Perspective, Mindset, Refocus ThoughtsSaundra SchrockMarch 24, 2020Awareness, Thoughts, Shift Your Mindset

Hoarding or Stocking Up?

What’s the deal with the run on toilet paper? Why did everyone decide that they need a basketful of this particular product? While many experts have sought to explain this phenomenon with various theories, it might be as simple as this, it’s our way of trying to exert control in a world that feels out of control.