Despite our best intentions, the holidays can be demanding . . . . . . so it’s probably not surprising that levels of anxiety, stress, and depression tend to ramp up around this time of year. Now imagine living at a high level of stress year round (and trying to learn at the same time). […]
How to Help People Overcome Social Anxiety (and Change Their Brain Response)
There’s something that affects about 15 million people in the United States alone . . . . . . and it can make simple things like talking to others, or even looking in the mirror, seem absolutely terrifying. I’m talking about social anxiety disorder (SAD) – a feeling of overwhelming emotional distress that, for so […]
Mindfulness Brings Together Neurobiologists, Therapists, and Spiritual Leaders (but the List Doesn’t Stop There)
In the news, on the Internet, even behind bars . . . . . . mindfulness is everywhere, and it’s being used in new and exciting ways everyday. As the Making Mindfulness Work series comes to a close, what better time than now to look back and reflect on what we’ve learned. These past six […]
The Danger of Turning to "False Refuge": Overcoming Harmful Patterns with Mindfulness Practice
Everyone is busy (or at least, it certainly feels that way). There’s always people to care for, things that need to be checked off the list, and deadlines to meet. In the business of life, it’s easy to fall into harmful shortcuts instead of seeking out long-term solutions. And sometimes these habits may seem like […]
Tara Brach shares one way to find true refuge
Think about the last time you had a stressful day. Maybe you snapped at someone you love. Or you rushed yourself and made a critical mistake. Our knee-jerk responses to stress and difficulties often turn into reactions we regret . . . . . . and that only compounds the problem. But here’s one strategy […]