Lately there have been a lot of heated… hmmm… I really wanted to use the word “discussions” but since most haven’t remotely resembled a discussion (an act or instance of discussing; consideration or examination by argument, comment, etc., especially to explore solutions) I suppose rants, diatribes, lectures would be more appropriate.

The winter holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year” but too often they don’t quite live up to the hype. There’s the lifelong disappointment of never getting that fire truck you wanted when you were five, extra demands, binging (food, drink, parties, take your pick), and our all time fav, family conflict.

During this post Thanksgiving meal recovery I’ve been reflecting on the practice of gratitude.

Anger. We’ve all felt it. We've all wanted to punch someone's face in (or our version of that). Some more than others. Many have felt a lot of it recently. Anger’s a strange emotion.

Sometimes saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough. So this Veteran’s Day I’d like to also be of service. Approximately 11-20% of veterans suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and many more experiencing other mental health issues. While PTSD is becoming more commonly talked about, many still don’t know much about it and many suffer in silence.

Affirmations are everywhere! On the subway. Painted as graffiti. In online articles like this one. Things aren’t going so well? Chances are your friend or therapist or mom told you to repeat an affirmation.

Self-care often tends to be ignored in our western society while it’s instinctively built into so many others. Siestas, fiestas, tribal rituals, reverence for nature, gratitude practices, slow walks after long dinners. I find that many of my clients are mystified by this thought of self-care.

After I wrote an article about incorporating mindfulness into everyday life the comment I kept getting was, “Okay, thanks but why should I do it?” The Reader’s Digest answer: Because it makes everything better. For those who are looking for more specific benefits here's a sampling of the everything (with scientific research to back it up for you fact checkers):

Mindfulness has become quite the buzzword these days. Yet there’s still this misconception that it is only sitting quietly, cross legged, attempting to empty your mind.

“Follow your heart,” is often what I tell clients (or anyone really) when I don’t know what else to say. We’ve already been through the frustrated, tearful pleas for help. “What should I do? Please just tell me!” We’ve exhausted as many possibilities as we can come up with and what’s left of any patience. So what’s left is “follow your heart.” “But how do I do that?”

Self-help products can be very tempting. Especially for those who lack time and resources (and who doesn't) or are too embarrassed or proud to seek outside help (no shame). Even those who have sought professional help often use self-help products as additional coping tools.

Being “green” has been the fad for awhile now, which few could argue is a bad thing. The part that many aren’t aware of, even the greenest environmentalists, is that the benefits of the green movement aren’t only about clean air, water and soil.