Article | May 1, 2024
Riding the Wave: The Practice of Urge Surfing
Riding the Wave: The Practice of Urge Surfing
We all have thoughts and behaviors that we would like to reduce in frequency or intensity. These might include use of substances, intrusive thoughts, impulsive behavior, or intense emotional reactions. These impulses and desires can be approached with a unique mindfulness technique called urge surfing.
Instead of avoiding...
Article | May 1, 2024
Embracing Conflict: How It Can Strengthen Your Relationship
Conflict within a relationship often gets a bad rap. It's commonly associated with discord, tension, and stress, but what if I told you conflict can be normal and beneficial for a relationship? When managed constructively, conflict can lead to deeper understanding, stronger bonds, and personal growth for all individuals involved. Let's delve into why embracing conflict might just be...
Article | April 1, 2024
Creating Habits of Connection
Many couples struggle to maintain romance and connection as time goes on. Opportunities to improve romantic connection with your partner may be more reasonable than you’d think.
Research by relationship specialists such as Bill Doherty, professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Minnesota, and Dr. John Gottman, author of the book Why Marriages Succeed...
Article | January 11, 2024
Attachment Styles and Their Impact on Adult Relationships
Attachment theory focuses on psychological bonds in relationships and suggests that connections with primary caregivers serves as a guide for how we behave in other relationships, including friendships, partners, and our own future children. Our style of attachment impacts our feelings of security, meaning, and ability to build and sustain connection with others. According to research, there...
Article | January 11, 2024
A Deeper Dive into the Four Horsemen: Defensiveness
If you haven’t read the past article on criticism (Link here), it may be helpful to get a quick refresher. If you don’t have time to read the first blog post, this semester, we are taking a deeper dive into Gottman’s Four Horsemen: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. This month, we are digging in further on defensiveness.
Defensiveness is an...
Article | January 11, 2024
A Deeper Dive into the Four Horsemen: Criticism
Conflict is normal in every relationship although not all conflict is created equal. Conflict can provide a space for an individual to increase understanding, trust, and positive connection. Contrarily, when conflict becomes negative, frustration, conflict, isolation, withdrawal, and negative interpretation follow. The next four relationship blog posts will take a deeper dive into Dr....
Article | January 11, 2024
The Contemptuous Road to Destruction
As it relates to interpersonal dynamics, few emotions are as destructive as contempt. Often referred to as the "silent relationship killer," contempt is a deadly force that erodes the very foundation of relationships. Dr. John Gottman's extensive research has revealed that contempt is detrimental to communication and a possible predictor of relationship failure. In this...
Article | January 11, 2024
Navigating Moral Injury: The Hidden Struggle Among Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals are often seen as the pillars of compassion and care, dedicating their lives to healing and alleviating suffering. However, beneath their white coats and stethoscopes, many dedicated individuals grapple with an under-discussed issue: moral injury. This blog post will delve into moral injury, its significance in healthcare, and ways to address and prevent its...
Article | October 23, 2023
Nurturing Resilience: The Unseen Pillar of Strength in the Health Profession
In the world of healthcare, there lies an intersection of dedication, combination, creativity, and innovation. However, resilience may be the most powerful force driving healthcare professionals forward. Just a quick look behind the curtain will reveal the unwavering ability to not only endure but thrive in the face of multifaceted obstacles. Let's delve into the significance of resilience...
Article | October 23, 2023
Understanding Gottman's Stonewalling: The Silent Destructor of Relationships
In the intricate tapestry of relationships, emotions are the threads that weave the bonds of connection. Yet, within this tapestry, there exists a pattern that, if left unaddressed, can unravel the fabric of even the most resilient relationships. This pattern is stonewalling – a behavior dissected and studied by Dr. John Gottman, offering profound insights into the dynamics of emotional...
Article | October 23, 2023
Mastering the Art of Sleep: A Guide to Cultivating Your Perfect Sleep Routine
Creating a consistent sleep routine is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. A well-structured sleep routine helps regulate your body's internal clock, improves mood, and helps you think more clearly. As a student, ensuring that you get enough sleep each night is a crucial component of success. Here are some steps...
Article | October 23, 2023
Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is defined as being kind, warm, and understanding to ourselves during times of pain or failure and can lead to a greater sense of well- being. When we're self-compassionate, we tend to be happier, more hopeful, and less critical of ourselves. On the flip side, being hard on ourselves and feeling isolated can lead to sadness, anxiety, and dwelling on negative thoughts. The...
Article | April 3, 2023
Communications
“I want to work on communicating better with my partner/s” is not an uncommon phrase to pass through the minds of those in romantic relationships. Unfortunately, “better” is vague, and “communication” can be a very subjective and nebulous term. For some relationships, there may be plenty of talking going on, but you still feel like you aren’t being...
Article | April 3, 2023
“Buzzwords” in Mental Health: Toxic Positivity
“Toxic positivity” is not an official psychological term or diagnosis, but rather a phrase that describes a pattern of behavior that denies uncomfortable or unpleasant emotions and asserts replacing these “negative” emotions with positivity. Positivity through optimism and gratitude can be helpful for resilience, however consistently denying uncomfortable emotions can...
Article | December 19, 2022
I Just Cannot Sleep
Do you have difficulty falling asleep? Does it take more than 20 minutes for you to fall asleep? Do you agree with the statement, “wired but tired?” Initiating sleep is a common challenge for many in the United States. Sleep issues can occur for many different reasons. One reason is poor sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene relates to the quality of your sleep routine or lack thereof. If...