During one of the forms of relaxation training that I teach my patients, I ask them to picture themselves in a relaxing scene that has personal meaning to them, and I ask them to experience with all of their senses. While that is often an effective exercise that leads to a relaxed state, it often…
For many years, I couldn’t imagine that I would sit down to a dinner that was composed of salad or fish or anything that wasn’t meat and potatoes. Although I always participated in sports, for many years I resisted the discipline of a regular exercise program. The profession of psychology has been a good career…
One of the most negative and counterproductive questions that exists is the question of “what difference will it make?” It is often posed not as a question but rather as a statement to justify inactivity. Aside from the fact that the very nature of the question pre-supposes a negative outcome, as well as a certain…
This blog is being written shortly after Pope Francis concluded his visit to Philadelphia. During his two days in our city, everything else ground to a halt. Center City has been closed to vehicular traffic. My office and all other outpatient offices at the medical school and hospital where I work have been closed as…
In July, for the first time since I started posting blogs – with the goal of posting three a month, I didn’t post a single blog. There have been months when I only posted two, but this is my first blog in over a month. I hope that some of you noticed and maybe even…
In one of those ironies that Mother Nature brings about from time to time, the biggest snowfall of the winter came to Philadelphia this past week – a couple of days before the beginning of Daylight Saving Time and a couple of weeks before the start of Spring. It has been a cold winter in…
I’ve got a cure for those of you who have gotten into a rut and are living life without enthusiasm. I’m not talking about depression. I’m talking to those of you who living life in neutral. You may feel unenthused about your job – but you do it. You may feel unappreciated at home –…
There is a lot of research verifying the fact that positive people tend to accomplish more and have better health. The research is all well and good, but observation is also important. And there is one thing that I have yet to observe. I’ve never observed a positive-oriented person suggest that s/he would somehow be…
Do you wake up with enthusiasm? Or do you wake up with apathy or even dread? If you are not beginning your day on a positive note, it is probably because your expectations are low. You may be going to a job you don’t like or dealing with a project that doesn’t interest you or…
May is Mental Health Month. Each year, when I hear that a month is being devoted to mental health awareness, I’m reminded of the time when I was a young parent and was taught the appropriate response to the question that almost all children would get around to asking. When a child becomes old…
Stock market experts tell us that one of the common mistakes that average investors make is to invest in “hot” stocks that are doing well, and then to become disillusioned and sell when the stock loses significant value. The typical amateur investor thus often winds up doing the opposite of what people hope to accomplish…