If you met me when I was in my 20’s and 30’s, one of the easiest ways to bore me would be to engage me in a conversation about the importance of saving for retirement. It seemed so far away; I didn’t have a lot of extra money to put away; and I assumed that…
When you take out your car to drive to your job or the market or a restaurant or the gym, there is a good chance that you will be following a course that involves making several turns at different corners before you get there. If you drive in a straight line, you will probably find…
Occasionally, a retired friend of mine asks me why I continue to work as much as I do – probably more than I ever have before – even though I could also be retired. My response is, “Because I can!” It’s pretty much the same response that I give when I’m asked why I go…
One of the most widely adapted practices in the psychotherapy field in recent years has been the inclusion of mindfulness in conjunction with more conventional therapies as well as being a distinct treatment modality on its own. While formal Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs (MBSR) have received the most notice, the use of mindfulness in addressing…
At The Mental Health Gym, we make a big deal about doing the right things to maximize your potential. Nobody accomplishes all that they can achieve, but you can come pretty close by maintaining a positive mindset, taking reasonable risks, being willing to make mistakes, and learning from our non-successes rather than dwelling upon them.…
I’m a pretty competitive guy. There have been times, however, particularly when I was younger when my competitiveness worked against me. Why? Because I hadn’t yet learned that I am my competition. Whether I was in the classroom or in the gym or in a social setting, I sometimes held myself back from trying as…
The 2016 presidential campaign and election in the United States, as well as the events preceding and following the inauguration of the new president, have symbolized a phenomenon taking place in many parts of the world. There is an increasing polarization based upon political beliefs, ideologies, religions, and other factors. It’s logical byproduct is a…
In her revolutionary and creative book, Mindset; The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck pointed out how some people acquire a Fixed Mindset – believing that they have very little control over the direction of their lives, while others develop a Growth Mindset – recognizing that their efforts play a huge role in how their…
The research is really very clear. Health, longevity, and happiness are associated with staying active intellectually and socially, maintaining a positive attitude, and especially with keeping oneself physically fit. In 2003, Dr. James Fries identified four physical health habits that are protective against disability. In fact, individuals who do not smoke, drink only moderately, follow…
A few years ago, when I came up with the concept of the Type P Personality, I identified 5 P’s – or sets of behavior, all beginning with the letter P – that I had found to be associated with emotional health. Based on my experience in working with people over the years, I found…
I’m writing this blog while waiting to go out for Father’s Day dinner with my family, and I have last year’s Father’s Day on my mind, as I have had every day since then – because I have an ongoing reminder on my wrist. My wife, children, and grandchildren pooled their resources and got me…