I’m following last month’s post about allowing yourself to let the tears roll when you feel like crying with some thoughts about grief. At its core, grief is a response to loss. In her 1969 book On Death and Dying, Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross outlined five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These …
This month, I’m delving into a topic close to my heart: the expression of emotions, particularly crying. Let me paint a familiar scene. Imagine a company meeting where the Head of Human Resources delivers the distressing news of impending job cuts. His voice quivers, visible strain apparent as he tries to suppress tears while sharing …
In Minnesota, we are nearing the end of the fall color season, one of my favorite times of the year to be out enjoying nature. On a recent walk with my dog, I was taken aback by the picturesque landscape ahead, and we paused for a moment to take it all in: me, the beauty …
Setting boundaries in my caregiving role led to a profound realization—many struggle to establish boundaries both at home and at work. Most often, we engage in boundary discussions only after feeling that someone has ignored or violated our own boundaries. However, it’s crucial to understand that this isn’t necessarily because the other person is selfish …
August is National Wellness Month, a time to prioritize self-care and well-being. As you embark on this journey, have you ever stopped to wonder what wellness truly means to you? National Wellness Month, founded by Lisa Michaelis, CEO of Live Love Spa in 2018, serves as a vital reminder to invest in our self-care. The …
In the United States, we are in the height of the summer season, a time that school children and their families associate with vacation or at least a break from the normal schedules of the school year. I heard my first “back-to-school” commercial on the radio and caught myself thinking, “Don’t rush them… let them …
As we reach the end of June, a month dedicated to proudly celebrating my friends who identify as LBGTQIA+ and also Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, I have thought at length about this blog post. I see the value in bringing awareness to all the causes and experiences that we observe throughout the year, yet …
To be human is to have emotional experiences. That many of us prefer that these emotional experiences be positive is not surprising. As this is Mental Health Awareness Month, I would like to start by stating that it is okay to not be okay. Pretending to be okay when you aren’t is not good for …
I recently attended a talk about improvisation, facilitated by Dayna Gowan and Jesse Greenfield, at the Art & Science of Health Promotion conference. During the session, we learned about an important tenet of improvisation. Saying “yes, and…”. For those unfamiliar with improv, this golden rule requires that you accept what your improv scene partner has …
I spent time earlier this week watching my 10-month-old puppy and another dog play a slow game of tug of war over a ball. As they went back and forth, my thoughts shifted from “I wonder who will win” to “Wow, look how much fun they are having with each other!” I took time to …
