There was a time when I used to pride myself in how little sleep I needed. I would brag that: (1) I didn’t need as much sleep as other people because I knew how to sleep fast; (2) Not needing much sleep enabled me to not miss as much of life as someone who required…
Summer has unofficially begun in the Northern Hemisphere. It is typically a time for many people to go away on vacation. After several years of Covid-related lockdowns, it is an especially appealing idea this year. Although it’s a terrific idea and should definitely be encouraged, I would like to also make a pitch for exploring…
On many occasions, I’ve discussed the importance of social connectedness. Being socially connected provides you with more opportunities to have fun and to have a support system. Furthermore, during the aging process, there is a strong association between loneliness and poor health and a shorter lifespan. Something that can get lost in the process when…
While medications are often necessary to control or cure certain diseases, there is no medication that provides the range of benefits that accrue from spending time outdoors and enjoying fresh air and sunlight. An overwhelming body of research has identified numerous healthy outcomes that correlate with spending time in nature – including improving mood, enhancing…
I’m old enough to remember when meditation wasn’t much of a thing – at least not outside of Asia. I never learned about it during my Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral programs. When meditation began to gain some prominence in the last third of the 20th century, it was initially kind of a fringe practice before…
A true measure of emotional strength is the ability to stay calm at a time of crisis or chaos or turmoil. The ability to stay calm is such an empowering skill. Staying calm at a time when others seem unable to do so is such a powerful emotional tool. It permits rational decision-making as well…
When I first learned Mindfulness Meditation, I was immediately impressed by several features of the discipline. Obviously, I found it relaxing and a way to help manage stress. I also began to appreciate being “in the moment” more – which enabled me to attain greater pleasure from my surroundings or the people with whom I…
When I teach relaxation skills or biofeedback, I encourage my patients to practice twice a day at roughly the same times each day so that their bodies and brains begin to treat to their “behavior medicine” in the same way that they would adjust to a daily oral medication. People who have regular meditation practices…