As discussed previously, worry, the cognitive side of anxiety, occurs in the higher brain (prefrontal cortex). Thus, it is important to ‘stop-thought’ the brain from worrying about something right from the start, especially if the something is out of our control. It is the mind that tells us that we do or should have control […]
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) […]
Communication: Is Anyone Listening?
Often during conversations we feel we are not fully understood by the listener. Over time, this lack of being heard can lead to feelings of disconnect, ‘Why bother say anything in the first place?’ frustration, self-doubt, and arguments. It takes both a good speaker and a good listener to make meaningful connections. We can start with some […]
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 […]
Learning from Our Projections
You may often be fascinated by finding images seen in the shapes and textures of clouds. Is that the profile of Gandhi or a rabbit? The well-known Rorschach inkblot psychological test works in this manner. How do you get from that cluster of clouds or blob of ink to a distinct image? When unrecognizable images […]
Making Meaning in Life
Most symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, addictions, fear) are related to death anxiety and/or meaninglessness. As Elisabeth Kubler-Ross noted: “For those who seek to understand it, death is a highly creative force. The highest spiritual values of life can originate from the thought and study of death.” One way you can approach death is by focssing […]
