In those early months, I, along with most of the rest of the country, was using “surge capacity” to operate, as Ann Masten, PhD, a psychologist and professor of child development at the University of Minnesota, calls it. Surge capacity is a collection of adaptive systems — mental and physical — that humans draw on for short-term survival in acutely stressful situations, such as natural disasters. But natural …more
8 Techniques to Help You Master the Art of Relaxation
August 18th, 2020 - By Melisa in Anxiety, UncategorizedLife is stressful. From health and safety worries to balancing work and family, we have a lot on our plates.” What I hear from my clients the most is that it’s hard to turn off their minds. They’re constantly going, which prevents them from relaxing,” says psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD. “But we need to think of relaxing not as a stopping point, but as a necessary …more
Stoicism and Tigers who come to Tea
April 13th, 2020 - By Melisa in AnxietyChildren spend a lot of time worrying: that there may be a crocodile under the bed, that a gigantic cat may take them away in the night, that a flood might sweep away their home. When they seek comfort in the early hours from the terrors of their dreams, they tell us of having imagined being buried alive, of being chased by dogs down underground …more
Meditation in an Emergency
March 21st, 2020 - By Melisa in Anxiety, UncategorizedListen to full podcast: Waking Up by Sam Harris, “Meditation in an Emergency”
Mindfulness during the coronavirus: Harvard professor’s tips to help lower anxiety
March 15th, 2020 - By Melisa in Anxiety, UncategorizedThe coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, continues to disrupt life as we know it. As the World Health Organization officially declared the virus a “pandemic,” cities across the country are implementing preventative measures, like “social distancing,” to try to mitigate the number of cases. To combat the scary news and anxiety around it, meditation and mindfulness can be your best friends. Read full article: ABC Action News, “Mindfulness during …more
Learn How to Do Nothing With the Dutch Concept of Niksen
January 26th, 2018 - By Melisa in Anxiety, Neurofeedback News, UncategorizedInstead of constantly occupying your mind with what you need to do next or bouncing from one task to another, niksen is the practice of slowing it all down. As Mecking writes, it’s a welcome reprieve from societal expectations about work and productivity that permeates the culture. Read full article: lifehacker, “Learn How to Do Nothing With the Dutch Concept of Niksen.”
Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety?
October 12th, 2017 - By Melisa in Anxiety, TeensParents, therapists and schools are struggling to figure out whether helping anxious teenagers means protecting them or pushing them to face their fears. Read full article: The New York Times Magazine, “Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety?”
Tests Raise Hopes for Radical New Therapy for Phobias and PTSD
November 22nd, 2016 - By admin in AnxietyScientists have raised hopes for a radical new therapy for phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a procedure that can dampen down fears linked to painful memories. Read full Article in The Guardian,”Tests Raise Hopes for Radical New Therapy for Phobias and PTSD”
Teaching Teenagers to Cope With Social Stress
October 7th, 2016 - By admin in AnxietyThough academic and social pressures continue to pile on in high school, teenagers can be taught effective coping skills to skirt the pitfalls of anxiety and depression. Read full article: The New York Times, “Teaching Teenagers to Cope With Social Stress”
Silence is good for your brain and lowers stress, but where can you find it?
July 19th, 2016 - By admin in Anxiety, Athletic/Performance Enhancement, SleepEven as the world gets noisier, scientists are learning more about the very real negative physical and mental effects of noise. And it’s through those studies of noise pollution that we are also getting a handle on how important silence is to the brain and mental health. Read Full Article: mother nature network, “Silence is good for your brain and lowers stress, but where can …more