What constitutes trauma or adversity? Essentially anything that causes physical or psychological pain or injury. This includes personal illness or injury, witnessing the same in someone else, natural disasters, enduring abuse, the death of someone close to us, job loss, addiction, financial problems, relationship difficulties, and incarceration. The range and magnitude of trauma is vast. […]

It’s been said that we are human beings, not human doings. Reminding ourselves of this concept can help us to keep things in perspective. Busyness can masquerade as “getting things done”, which may temporarily bolster our self-esteem, at least on the surface. However, putting excessive focus on staying occupied can alienate us from ourselves as […]

Be it in work or personal situations, the ability to communicate effectively can make the difference between a cooperative and enlightening conversation and a combative and anxiety-provoking argument. In the longer run, good communication can deepen and enrich a relationship which poor communication might otherwise damage or even end. Some tips for better communication: Let […]

Are you the type who instantly attunes to another person’s experience and seemingly knows the right things to say and do? Or do you secretly wonder if you’re just lacking in the empathy gene? Empathy refers to the capacity to comprehend and other people’s feelings and emotions. It is a vital component of building and […]

“How dare she do such a thing?” “I’ll never get over this!”  “I want him to pay for his actions!” “I’ll never be able to trust him/her/anyone again.” When we’ve been hurt by someone, any or all of these thoughts can plague us. We’re filled with (and tormented by) anger, resentment, tension, anguish, anxiety, and […]

Whether or not you set resolutions for the New Year, you probably would like to maintain or increase your happiness quotient. If so, the following tips may prove to be helpful: Write down three positive things that happened to you each day and think about how and why they occurred. Maybe they seemed to happen […]

In any relationship we are bound to have differences with our partner. This is all the more true when we’re in a close, committed relationship which means a great deal to us – so much is at stake. Given no two people are exactly alike, our goal should be to develop skills in the area […]

How do you usually respond when life just isn’t going the way you want it to? Maybe your spouse forgot your birthday, you got a flat tire on that day when you simply have to get to an important meeting, or you received a scary health diagnosis. What to do? Yes, you could yell at […]

Ah, relationships. They run the gamut from exhilarating, passionate, and deeply intimate to combative, estranged, and hostile. For some of us, there are numerous and widely varying adjectives we would use to describe our current relationship. Since relationships consist of two inherently imperfect people who are continuing to learn and grow (preferably for the better), […]

“I never finish anything I start”. “He’s a complete loser.” “She always gets everything she wants.” At times, do you make extreme statements like these? Do you view things in all-or-nothing terms? If so, how does this habit affect your life? Do you have a hunch that it’s getting in the way of your happiness, […]