One line from Dolly Parton’s New York Times obituary caught my eye, “In 2019, The New York Times ran a story with the headline “Is There Anything We Can All Agree On? Yes: Dolly Parton.” I can’t claim to be a Dolly Parton super-fan. But I got a jolt of energy every time I saw her. Her positivity combined with her humor was always good for my … Continue reading Something We Can All Agree On
For decades, the popular narrative around mental health has been binary: you are either sick or you are well. If you aren’t depressed, anxious, or diagnosed with a disorder, you are assumed to be fine. This deficit model ignores a crucial reality: the absence of illness is not the same as the presence of health. Just as physical fitness requires more than just avoiding the … Continue reading The Six Scientific Pillars of Positive Mental Health
After a layoff, a breakup, or a bereavement, the immediate social reflex is to offer a reassuring smile and declare, “I’m fine.” We have all heard that phrase, or even said it ourselves. The cultural pressure to recover quickly is immense. We are taught that resilience is a spring: absorb the shock, bounce back to the original position, and return to business as usual. This … Continue reading Why True Resilience Means Staying With the Pain
Stress has become today an unwelcome companion in many of our daily lives. While yoga and meditation have long been celebrated as powerful tools for stress management, there are times when even our favorite downward dog pose isn’t quite enough to melt away the tension. The good news? A diverse world of stress-relieving activities exists beyond the yoga mat, ready to help us find peace … Continue reading Beyond Downward Dog: Creative Stress Relief When Yoga Is Not Enough
We often get so caught up in daily challenges that we fail to recognize how far we’ve come. It’s easy to focus on what’s not working while overlooking the subtle but significant progress happening beneath the surface. Inspired by the concept of personal growth indicators, here are six powerful signs that you’re actually doing better than you think. 1. The Little Victories That Matter There’s something beautiful about how we learn to celebrate the small things. Maybe it’s finally making your bed every … Continue reading 6 Signs You’re Doing Better Than You Think: Recognizing Your Personal Growth Journey
We’re bombarded every day with headlines that would have seemed unimaginable just a decade ago. Wars rage across continents, climate disasters become routine, and international politics feels increasingly unstable. It’s a global crisis and it’s no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed, anxious, and powerless in the face of such epic challenges. The Psychology of Information Overload The sheer volume of negative news has led … Continue reading Global Crisis: Finding Hope in an Age of Anxiety
The fear of commitment rarely appears out of nowhere. According to psychologists, this anxiety often stems from our relational history: complicated family dynamics, delayed parental separations, unresolved conflicts, or relationships where we felt we lost ourselves or “our freedom.” Consider this experience as example: her parents maintained a long-term marriage despite her childhood intuition that something was fundamentally wrong. Observing this pattern for years has … Continue reading Fear of Commitment: How to Say Yes Without Losing Yourself
The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. Yet, for many older adults, it can be a period of deep loneliness and isolation. A lot of people over 65, that is the average age where in the Western world almost everyone is retired, live alone, and for some, social isolation is a daily reality. Research shows that a significant … Continue reading Winter Holiday: A Time for Celebration, but Also for Loneliness Among the Elderly
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of the global population now lives in cities. And this will likely be the case for your children, grandchildren, and their descendants: by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Billions of people will need housing, often in cities where density has already reached extreme levels, and where new challenges must … Continue reading How Nature and Silence in Urban Design Boost Mental Health
Art therapy is more than painting or sculpting—it’s a transformative journey into the self. Rooted in psychology and creative expression, this therapeutic approach helps individuals explore emotions, overcome psychological challenges, and foster personal growth. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, or simply seeking deeper self-awareness, art therapy offers a non-verbal, yet profoundly expressive, path to healing. What Is Art Therapy? Art therapy is a form … Continue reading Art Therapy: Healing Through Creativity and Emotional Expression
Returning from a well-deserved vacation can feel like a jarring reset. You have forgotten about emails, deadlines, and the relentless rhythm of daily life (or at least you should have). But you are back to the usual routine. This transition isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a trigger for chronic stress and burnout. In the Western world, over 40% of adults report chronic stress, and 75% … Continue reading Post-Vacation Stress: a Hidden Toll
I am sure that you know that working excessively exhausts the body and the mind. But do you know that it may also fundamentally change the structure of the brain? A Korean study warns of the neurological consequences of overwork, a danger that is often underestimated. We already know that working long hours harms personal well-being. But this study, recently published in Occupational and Environmental … Continue reading How Stress Can Alter the Structure of Our Brain
Are you one of the many people who struggles with falling asleep? The constant flow of information and the stress of daily life can make it difficult to quiet the mind and drift off into a peaceful sleep. One method that I found recently is “cognitive shuffling.” But what exactly is cognitive shuffling, and can it really help you fall asleep? Understanding Cognitive Shuffling Cognitive … Continue reading Have You Ever Heard the Sleeping Technique “Cognitive Shuffling”?
My curiosity towards other cultures is never ending and I found another Scandinavian concept worth to be explored, “sisu“. In the heart of Northern Europe lies Finland, a country renowned for its stunning landscapes, innovative education system, and, perhaps most intriguingly, its unique concept of sisu. This Finnish term, which defies direct translation, embodies a profound inner strength and resilience that has become a cornerstone … Continue reading Sisu: The Finnish Secret to Resilience and Happiness
A recent study from Cambridge University has found out an intriguing connection between culture and mental health. Tracking 2,000 British adults over the age of 50, researchers found that just one cultural outing per month—whether to a theatre, museum, or cinema—significantly decreased the risk of depression. At first glance, the link may seem obvious: engaging with art, storytelling, and history can be stimulating, thought-provoking, and … Continue reading How Culture Can Protect Mental Health
With just over a week to go until Christmas and Hanukkah, you may be starting to feel your stress level rise. Do yourself a favour! Pause, take a deep breath, and make a conscious choice to prioritize your wellbeing this holiday season. Setting aside time for you is an investment that will pay great dividends by reducing your stress and helping you be more present. … Continue reading Prioritize Your Wellbeing This Holiday Season
On Saturday night, I saw Keith Urban in concert. One of my favourites of his songs is Wasted Time. It’s a song that reminisces about the lost days of youth and days spent just hanging out with friends. When I hear that song, I’m taken back to my teenage days. I have vivid memories of lazy days by the pool, at the beach, or just … Continue reading In Praise of Wasted Time
As I was thinking about my dad this Father’s Day weekend, I recalled something he often said when I was growing up. “Kindness costs nothing.” It’s a simple phrase—yet a phrase that makes you wonder why kindness appears to be such a rare commodity these days. One of the nicest compliments I’ve received in the weeks leading up to my retirement is “Michelle is one … Continue reading Sprinkling a Little Kindness Into Our World
Multitasking often seems like the ultimate productivity hack, but our brains aren’t built for it. Despite the allure, it involves rapid task-switching, draining precious brainpower without us even realizing it. Let’s delve into the truth behind this way of working, its impact on productivity, and how it affects mental health. What is Multitasking? Multitasking entails attempting to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. However, what feels like … Continue reading Multitasking: Why It’s a Myth and How It Harms Productivity
