We tend to surround ourselves with opinions and ideas that reinforce our own. This happens particularly around politics and social issues, in our modern media age. Living in the echo chamber, they call it. That insulated place can give us a false sense of reality. But when creating new habits and neural pathways, an insulated place also can serve us well. We can create an echo chamber of … [Read more...] about Step 2: Create an Echo Chamber of Healthy Living
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
Step 1: Focus on Where You Want to Go
High above the clouds, more than 10,000 feet above sea level, 18 boys perched on mountain bikes and - somewhat nervously - prepared to descend a steep, rocky trail. Snow flurries blew in the wind. But before the first mountain biker pedaled away, their leader shared a key piece of advice: Focus on where you want to go, not on where you don't want to go. He explained further, if you see the … [Read more...] about Step 1: Focus on Where You Want to Go
What Are Your Deal Breakers for a Healthy Lifestyle?
When starting or staying true to a healthier lifestyle, one must have deal breakers. Right? Boundaries. Lines that cannot be crossed, at least not often. Perhaps you've set out to change the way you eat or decided to get more exercise. Maybe you're swearing off fast food. Or you're planning to take 10,000 steps per day. Or you aim to get 7+ hours of sleep each night. How strong is … [Read more...] about What Are Your Deal Breakers for a Healthy Lifestyle?
When the Outside World and Your Inner World Battle
“My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.” — David Sipress I was on an airplane during the second presidential debate Sunday night, and judging by even what little I read afterward about the exchanges, I felt relieved that I had missed the commotion. Yes, I watched the first debate - on C-SPAN, without a talking head's commentary before or … [Read more...] about When the Outside World and Your Inner World Battle
Does Your Dread Really Lead You to a Gift?
The roles were reversed at my house last week, with me traveling to a conference and my husband staying in town. He's usually the business traveler. The night before my trip, we all cooked together and ate dinner together, sharing time, conversation and sustenance. At the end of the meal, we moved toward the sink. Usually the cook in our house gets a free pass on doing the … [Read more...] about Does Your Dread Really Lead You to a Gift?
Heads Up, Phones Down: A Rule for Life in the 21st Century
When we took our eldest son to college this weekend, I noticed something new in the heart of campus, painted on the sidewalk at each roadway intersection: Heads Up Phones Down In other words, kids, pay attention to the here and now. (And don't get run over.) Students entranced by their devices apparently have had some close calls, necessitating the stenciled letters on the sidewalks. … [Read more...] about Heads Up, Phones Down: A Rule for Life in the 21st Century
