Want more brain power? Try increasing your BDNF—brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Neurotrophins are the proteins that stimulate and manage the growth of new neurons—cells in the brain and nervous system. While there are many different neurotrophins in the brain, BDNF is the most active and important. In addition to promoting the growth of new neurons, BDNF […]
Category Archives: Mindfulness
Drop the Narrative
Most of us have narratives or story lines we’ve constructed over the course of our lives about ourselves. Some of these story lines serve us better than others. The narrative “I’m a fighter, not a quitter,” can boost resilience and motivation to persist in the face of difficulty. But, “Nothing ever works out for me,” […]
Be Present, Not Perfect
If you’re a perfectionist, you may believe you need to be perfect to be loved. For some, this means being always upbeat and never expressing negative emotions. For others, this means achieving a physical ideal and so they stress about their body, their weight, face, skin and hair. For others, it’s having the perfectly decorated […]
Invite sound in
So often it’s the case when we practice mindfulness we think we need to have silence. We may look for a quiet place in our living space to practice. Before the quarantine, we may have gone to a meditation studio. Then, when we hear noise we respond to it as an unwanted intrusion. Living in […]
Don’t judge your emotions
Our emotions rise and fall like waves. Sometimes they’re factual, e.g., we feel fear because there is actual danger, sometimes they aren’t. Emotions are part of what makes us human. But, sometimes, as a result of particular life experiences, we can develop negative views or beliefs about our own emotions. These beliefs can lead to […]
Practice gratitude
Even in the midst of the most challenging circumstances there are things and people in our lives to be grateful for. Through the practice of deliberately bringing our awareness to them, we can cultivate a mindset of gratitude. Gratitude can be a source of strength that helps us to better cope with challenging situations and […]
Mindfulness in a crisis
In the midst of a crisis, we’re driven to seek refuge—places of safety, peace and calm. But, for many of us, because of responsibilities in our daily lives, it’s not possible to escape the stressful situation we find ourselves in. The good news is that by practicing mindfulness you can create a refuge that’s always […]
Don’t worry! Problem solve!
Does your mind often leave the present moment and travel into the future anticipating negative events? Do you often feel anxious and restless, but have difficulty pinpointing why? If you answered yes, you may be a worrier. From a CBT perspective, worry is a mental habit or bias in thinking. It’s the tendency of your […]
Powerball as an Opportunity
In the wake of last week’s Powerball drawing, you’ve undoubtedly read or heard about the potential psychological hazards of Powerball. It preys on our delusional belief that the practically impossible from a statistical viewpoint could be possible for us. Then, we’re left reeling with the crushing disappointment of not winning or (more likely) the embarrassment at having played. I would like to suggest a different point of view: the Powerball is an opportunity. It’s a catalyst to begin acting more in keeping with your values and priorities NOW…