Developmental insecurity in early adolescence can cause cruelty at school. Several books ago I wrote one, Why Good Kids Act Cruel, to help parents help their early adolescents in middle school deal with mistreatment from social cruelty in any of the five forms it commonly takes: teasing, exclusion, bullying, rumoring, and ganging up. Why isContinue reading “Teaching About Social Meanness In Middle School”
Author Archives: Meg Duke, LCSW-S, ADHD-CCSP, LCDC
5 Better Ways to Deal With Disappointment
…and why being hard on yourself isn’t part of the solution. When people marry, they are usually determined to make it through thick and thin, impervious to divorce and discontent, even though two out of five couples will separate and only 30 percent will enjoy a happy marriage. Nearly 80 percent of people have an optimism bias when itContinue reading “5 Better Ways to Deal With Disappointment”
Dialectical (“Open Minded”) Thinking
Many times we can find ourselves in rigid thinking patterns that keep us from being able to effectively problem solve or get our needs met, leaving us in conflict with ourselves or other people. “Dialectal” means that two ideas can be true at the same time. There is more than one way to see aContinue reading “Dialectical (“Open Minded”) Thinking”
4 Ways to Survive Unexpected Situations
Expert advice for maintaining your confidence and finding a positive outcome. Life throws unexpected things at us all the time. Some we like—such as finding a $20 bill on the sidewalk—but many of them we don’t, such as missing a flight due to an extra long line at airport security. Sometimes unexpected events can be muchContinue reading “4 Ways to Survive Unexpected Situations”
Exercise as an Anti-Depressant
The following exercise tips offer a powerful prescription for boosting mood: Exercise now… and again. A 10-minute walk can improve your mood for two hours. The key to sustaining mood benefits is to exercise regularly. Choose activities that are moderately intense. Aerobic exercise undoubtedly has mental health benefits, but you don’t need to sweat strenuouslyContinue reading “Exercise as an Anti-Depressant”
The Power of “No”
How rejection can be a positive form of support. When we talk about our most valuable friends, we usually begin by listing those who are kind and caring, there when we need them, and supportive of our choices. While these qualities are certainly important, there is one other type of support from trusted friends, colleagues,Continue reading “The Power of “No””
Helping a Partner, Relative or Child who is Recovering from Trauma
Trauma can be described as a mental injury that is stored in the body and the brain. It’s an experience that overwhelms our natural ability to cope effectively. Managing the symptoms and daily experience of trauma recovery can be a constant battle, for both the survivor and those around them. Here are some information aboutContinue reading “Helping a Partner, Relative or Child who is Recovering from Trauma”
Muhammad Ali and Where Determination Lives in the Brain
How hard we push ourselves is linked to our assessment of risk and reward. Widely known by the moniker “The Greatest of All Time”, Muhammad Ali has died at age 74. He was born as Cassius Clay Jr. in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky and went on to win the 1960 Olympic light heavyweight gold medalContinue reading “Muhammad Ali and Where Determination Lives in the Brain”
How Much Exercise is Too Much?
If you take it to an extreme, it can become harmful. As good as exercise is for you—and it’s very good for most people—too much of good thing can have negative consequences. Exercise puts physical stress on all your body parts and can ultimately lead to permanent damage to muscles, joints, and bones if youContinue reading “How Much Exercise is Too Much?”
4 Mistakes We All Make When Trying to Cheer Someone Up
We’ve all been there: A friend seeks us out to open up about an issue in their life that’s causing them distress. Maybe we think what they’re going through is trivial, so we spout off a quick reply in attempt to reassure them it’s nothing. Or maybe we think what they’re up against is soContinue reading “4 Mistakes We All Make When Trying to Cheer Someone Up”
Amplify Wellness with Meg Duke 