Don’t rush. Don’t be startled. Don’t try to trick yourself into feeling happy and well again. In fact, the best thing to do is nothing at all. Breathe into it. Exhale, out loud, if you are up for it. Breathe in freedom. Exhale the captivity grief seems to put your heart into. Accept grief as a toolContinue reading “When Grief Bleeds”
Tag Archives: mental health
The 7 Rules for Texting in Relationships
6. Don’t let a committee interpret your partner’s text. Source: Syda Productions/Shutterstock While waiting for a table at a busy restaurant the other day, I witnessed a man angrily banging away on his phone. This well-dressed man in a charming suit had a grimace on his face and would pause to look at his phoneContinue reading “The 7 Rules for Texting in Relationships”
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation starts with finding a comfortable position – in a chair, laying down, or even standing if you like. Begin by focusing on your breathing for a few breaths – listen and feel your breaths go in and out, and try to extend your breaths so that they take about 4 seconds in,Continue reading “Progressive Muscle Relaxation”
Bipolar/Mood Disorders – What can I do to help me feel better?
Know the difference between your symptoms and your true self. Your health care providers can help you separate your true identity from your symptoms by helping you see how your illness affects your behavior. Be open about behaviors you want to change and set goals for making those changes. Educate your family and involve themContinue reading “Bipolar/Mood Disorders – What can I do to help me feel better?”
Teaching About Social Meanness In Middle School
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”
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””
Amplify Wellness with Meg Duke 