For many people, the beginning of autumn triggers anxiety with its shorter days, reduced sunlight, changes in schedules, and allergies. Fortunately, many foods and spices that are easy to find during this season can help us stay emotionally resilient and boost our mood. So as the leaves begin to fall and the temperature cools, enjoy the following...

Perfectionists tend to regard boredom, distraction, and procrastination as the axis of evil. But they can actually benefit your mood and productivity. In his blog, Why You Need Boredom, Distraction, and Procrastination in Your Life, Thorin Kloswki defines boredom, distraction, and procrastination as the “holy trinity of inactivity.” According to his research, the brain can’t...

Admittedly, I have always been a skeptic of art therapy until recently. I didn’t understand why psychiatric units included occupational therapy into the mix, where suicidal people painted birdhouses. However, having recently joined up with a group of women to paint free form, I now understand that this creative form of expression can access emotions...

Study after study demonstrate that our thoughts and emotions affect our body. Our mood very definitely drives our physical state of being. One story in Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book Full Catastrophe Living illustrates this point better than any research study. Although she was functioning quite well, “Mrs. S” had a narrowing of one of the valves...

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men of the same age, with about one in four women experiencing symptoms at some point during her lifetime. Although different factors must be considered — such as societal expectations of women at home and at work and the stress involved — the fact that...