Last time we learned about the ACE Study and how childhood adversity has long-term impacts on a person’s mental, psychological, and physical well-being, as well as one’s spirituality/sense of Self. Whether in childhood or as an adult, because of chronic adversity (read ‘stress’) elevated levels of toxic molecules (e.g., adrenalin, cortisol, etc. ) are released […]
The Role of Boredom
Boredom is a universal state of mind and emotion. Being bored has a negative connotation and yet, originally it was associated with the monarchy and elite society as they had nothing much or urgent to do, thus, became bored. As with all emotions, the purpose of boredom is to move one into action; it asks […]
Your Brain on Anxiety, Stress & Worry (and what to do!)
Did you know that while everybody experiences some level of anxiety, 23% of Canadians aged 15 or older report most days as quite or extremely stressful (Statistics Canada, 2012). What exactly is anxiety? Anxiety is a natural danger alerting response which includes: body sensations (e.g., increased heart rate, tight chest) behaviour (e.g., talking fast, avoiding/withdrawing) […]
Loneliness in Our Lifes
“Loneliness … is the central and inevitable fact of human existence.” Thomas Moore Loneliness is defined as “the quality or state of being alone including isolation, singleness and solitude.” Loneliness is a discrepancy between one’s desired and achieved levels of social interaction, while solitude is simply the lack of contact with people. Loneliness is a […]
The Benefits of Laughter
A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter stimulates many organs (heart, lungs and muscles) by enhancing the intake of oxygen-rich blood. It also increases the amount of endorphins released by the brain. Laughter stimulates […]
The Myth of Happiness
As many of us are now experiencing the often ‘happier’ days of spring perhaps it is an opportune time to question the concept of happiness and in ‘feeling good.’ Jungian author James Hollis suggested that, “Feeling good may be a very poor measure of the worth of one’s life.” He furthered queried, “Think of the […]
