First, if you are not familiar with oxytocin, in short, it is a chemical in the brain “believed to be involved in controlling fear, stress, social interactions, love, empathy, and the bonding with and acceptance of others.” It is a chemical that can strengthen good and positive feelings. Who wouldn’t want that? Last time I…
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“Well,” you may think, “That’s a dumb question. Of course I want to slow aging but there is just no way to do it. The candles on the birthday cake just keep adding up.” While it is true that our aging numbers get larger every year, that doesn’t mean that we have to age at…
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Imagine that you received a promotion at work that came with a nice raise in your salary. This is a pleasant surprise and will provide money that you had not expected. So, what would you do with it? You are excited to share the news with your spouse, but when you do, a conflict ensues.…
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According to the 2020 World Regret Survey of more than 15,000 people from 105 countries, 80% said that they experience occasional regret, approximately 20% reported regret most all the time, and only 1% stated they never feel regret. If you are part of the 1%, you may believe that is a good place to be.…
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You may think this a strange question. But I would really be curious to know. You see laughter is so easily lost. I mean, life is serious stuff – there are wars and rumors of wars (hmm), hurricanes, wildfires, political divide, and the list goes on and on. You might think, “What is there to…
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That question may seem a bit strange. You may be thinking “I would understand if you asked “What is the meaning of Christmas?” But the purpose? Well, I’m asking about the purpose of Christmas. Was it established to support the fir tree industry? Or maybe its purpose is to give us a reason to decorate…
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I just finished a counseling session with a couple who talked about wanting to be on the same team, but then everything they discussed demonstrated that they are clearly fighting for their individual agendas. They are far from embracing a “team” concept. In a marriage we are two individuals who “become one”, creating a new…
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We have all heard those words and the importance of paying attention to food, exercise, and stress if we want to live long healthy lives. We especially hear it this time of year. But what if there is more to it than that? While researchers who study longevity acknowledge that these factors play an important…
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While those sound like good kind words; an offer to assist, to provide support – individual’s reactions often don’t seem appreciative. Why? I have found myself trying to carry an armload of stuff (probably too much stuff) to the recycle bin, and my wife says, “Would you like some help?” To which I reply, “No,…
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Burnout has been defined as, “an extreme state of psychological pain.” “It’s a response to facing prolonged, chronic stressors that go beyond your ability or available resources to overcome.” Professor Michael Leiter of Acadia University in Nova Scotia states that burnout has three components – “overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, and a sense of discouragement.”…
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