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Personal Change that Works: Forget “Resolutions”
Despite their historical popularity, personal “resolutions” (such as those made around New Year’s Day) usually don’t work, and tend to set us up for failure. Specifically, let’s examine a typical New Year’s Resolution: Let’s say I have the thought, then to hold myself accountable, I tell a friend that “losing 15 pounds” is my New Year’s […]
You, Too, Can Become Wealthier This Year!
If you are like many Americans, you work hard…and perhaps you play hard, as well. You enjoy nice things, and why shouldn’t you?? After all, you work hard! You deserve it, right? It is tough to live within your means…your credit debt stays stretched to the limit. You often dream of having a better job, […]
Parents and Power Struggle
A “power struggle” is a clash of wills. It is normal for parents and children to have them from time to time. They can happen with kids of just about every age, from toddler to teen to young adult. Some kids are more “oppositional” or prone to elicit power struggles than others, but occasional tugs-of-war […]
When Spirits “Fall Back”: Seasonal Affective Variations and Sleep Difficulties
Much has been written about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also called “winter depression,” a bona-fide variation of depression where certain individuals experience relatively (or completely) normal mood through months with longer days, more sunshine, and weather conducive to spending more time outside. In contrast, during the shorter, colder, more cloud-covered months, they experience many more […]
Depression: Strategies for Coping, Healing, & Living
Give yourself as much structure as you to get through your work day today. Instead of pacing yourself until the end of eight hours, pace yourself only until the end of THIS hour. Does doing this make the day very long? Oh, yes. Is that OK? Probably. Will things get better eventually? Yes. Are you […]
Depression 101
It is normal for our moods to vary up and down, and even for us to have brief periods of depression, especially around times of loss, change, or transition. However, our mood should recover within a reasonable amount of time, especially if our circumstances improve. (Grieving for a loved one which has died can require […]
Dealing With Grief
Grieving is a normal and natural response to the losses and changes we experience. Even positive changes (like moving to a new department when a huge promotion has been granted) can evoke grief, as we have to re-adjust to what has been familiar territory and faces. Grieving over the death of a loved one easily […]
Care and Self-Care for Caretakers
Yet another demographic group has been identified in our country, and I am actually a part of this one! Yes, many of us mid to late Baby Boomers are now a part of the so-called “Sandwich Generation.” Why are we a sandwich?—Because so many millions of us are burning the candle at both ends, raising […]
Tips for Parents: Prevention of Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Parents can go a long way to prevent their pre-teens and teens from abusing alcohol or substances. The keys are KNOWING your child, and COMMUNICATING with them often. And what do those involve? You guessed it: SPENDING TIME AROUND AND WITH THEM. What you say??…How?? They don’t want to spend time with me! I didn’t […]
Alcohol & Drug Abuse by Youth in Alabama: Sampling of Pride Survey Returns
This article is not meant to depress you! Rather, it is offered to give an important “heads up” to parents about teen alcohol and drug abuse. You may already have thought about and planned for this common risk. If so, good for you! If not, we hope to provide important information and guidance which you […]