Loving Kindness Meditation Helps Smokers Quit
Judson Brewer, MD is a psychiatrist who has studied Mindfulness techniques to help with addictions. This article talks about his work with smokers.
Fri, January 1 2010 » Weight Loss, Nuitrition » Comments Off on Loving Kindness Meditation Helps Smokers Quit
Licence to Fill
Contrary to intuition, when fast food restaurants publish nutrition facts, many people choose higher calorie foods! Go figure! Find out more in this Psychology Today article.
Fri, January 1 2010 » Weight Loss, Nuitrition » Comments Off on Licence to Fill
Conquer Your Food Cravings
This article gives an up-to-date understanding of the role of brain chemistry on food cravings. It offers insight into when to indulge in “a little bit” of the craved food and when to eliminate it entirely.
Fri, January 1 2010 » Weight Loss, Nuitrition » Comments Off on Conquer Your Food Cravings
Memory
I’m always on the lookout for information that can help us understand how the brain functions. This article points to some interesting research about the formation of memories and inspires hope in the treatment of PTSD.
Fri, October 9 2009 » Trauma » Comments Off on Memory
The Fear Equation: Solving a Complex Parent-Teacher Problem
Many teachers find themselves challenged by the dynamics of the relationship between administration, parents and themselves. The Fear Equation is an insightful article that describes the psychological issues any teacher brings into the arena of the school conference and offers useful coping strategies. It also describes the psychological issues that parents bring into the relationship, which helps the teacher relate more successfully. Parent Teacher Conferences offers specific tips for teachers, parents and administrators to deal with the fear, anxiety, and anger that often emerges in these relationships.
Sun, September 20 2009 » Teachers » Comments Off on The Fear Equation: Solving a Complex Parent-Teacher Problem
Stress May Not be Bad for You
I’ve been concerned about the guilt people feel these days about the stress they experience. This guilt leads to more stress. less self-efficacy, and diminished self-esteem. These Newsweek articles offer a more balanced perspective about stress. Click here to read the articles.
Sun, September 13 2009 » Stress » Comments Off on Stress May Not be Bad for You
Tamoxifen and anti-depressants
Some anti-depressants decrease the effectiveness of the anti-cancer drug tamoxifen. Click here to learn more
Sat, August 29 2009 » Other » Comments Off on Tamoxifen and anti-depressants
Car Rental Discounts
Driving bargains: AARP members can receive discounts from six major car rental companies. Visit: www.aarp.com/carrentals
Sun, August 9 2009 » Consumer Advocacy » Comments Off on Car Rental Discounts
Funeral Costs and Resources
Common themes in my practice are the high cost of funerals and the victimization people feel when arranging for burial/funeral services. Click here to read a Newsweek article that sheds light on the topic. It talks about a local (Seattle area) resource (Barton Family Funeral Service) for low cost arrangements. I can personally recommend Solie Funeral Home in Everett, WA. They are in the mid price range. Their staff are very personable, informative and supportive.
Another local resource is the Peoples Memorial Association. I’m impressed that they post their prices on the internet. The Neptune Society has a long history of helping provide low cost cremation services.
Sun, April 12 2009 » Consumer Advocacy » Comments Off on Funeral Costs and Resources
Quieting Reflex
Quieting the “limbic system”, the emotional part of the brain is useful in conquering any habits linked to emotional triggers. Twenty minutes of meditation twice a day has been the standard prescription for accomplishing this calming effect. I find that most people have been unable/unwilling to carve this much time out of their day. Plus, there is another way! In 1982, Charles Stroebel discovered that taking 6 seconds to relax in the following way had the same effect.
Here are the instructions:
The quieting reflex is used to cope with urgent and emergent stress. The technique needs to be practiced often, the more the better, in order to improve the skills when needed during a stressful time period. The quieting response may be used with eyes closed or open, and at anytime or place. The goal is to have the quieting reflex become an easy to use skill that works.
Be aware of what is distressing and irritating. The annoyance is the trigger or cue to begin using the quieting reflex now.
Say and repeat the phrase “Alert mind, calm body” to yourself.
Smile inwardly with your mouth and your eyes. The inward smile is a feeling and is not obvious to anyone. This “smile” prevents the facial muscles from adopting negative, hostile and stressful expressions.
Inhale slowly to three. Imagine that the breath comes from down at the bottom of your feet! Let the breathe go slowly…Feel the breath travel back down your legs and out of the bottom of your feet…Allow your face, jaw, tongue and shoulder muscles to relax and become loose and limp.
With practice, the “quieting reflex” will become an “automatic skill”.
Sun, March 15 2009 » Stress » Comments Off on Quieting Reflex