Blog for Better Living
The Season of Gratitude
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | December 24, 2021
Thank goodness for online shopping. Seriously, how did parents, or really anyone for that matter, get all their holiday shopping done before the internet? Or do life without it? As a new parent, I am so grateful for the conveniences afforded to us through modern technology. Grocery delivery on days I’m too tired to drive […]
Read MoreFinding R.E.S.T.
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 16, 2020
I and others I know seem to long for rest more than anything else these days. Between the news on natural disasters, the political climate, and COVID-19, I find that many of us experience too much stimulation from too much information input resulting in too little space for rest. For some, working from home provides […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Sleep/Relaxation
Letting Go of F.E.A.R.
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | July 31, 2020
Let’s be real: Right now most of us endure some level of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty in this ever-changing pandemic reality. Now more than ever must we find ways to manage our stress and worry as we continue living our lives in these uncertain times. Coping can take extra creativity, given the limited or non-existent […]
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The Hidden Benefits of Owning Our Own Pain and Facing It Head On
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | February 28, 2020
Coping with our own pain and suffering is something I talk about often in therapy. Coping skills help us own our own pain and suffering while offering powerful options for dealing with them head on. But that’s not all. Many skills exist for helping us cope with difficult emotions, such as accepting our experiences for […]
Read MoreOpen the Gift of Gratitude this Holiday Season
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | December 13, 2019
What do the holidays mean to you? For many, they symbolize a time for family, connection, and rest. And yet we easily let the holidays drive our culture of consumption, of giving and getting gifts, or try to achieve the perfect holiday experience. No wonder the holidays make for significant stress and conflict for so […]
Read MoreWhat Color Do You Feel Like Today?
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | September 19, 2019
Our English language often uses the psychology of color to depict emotions. We “see red” when we are angry. We “feel blue” when we are feeling down. Yellow is often associated with happiness (think smiley face!), and we are “green with envy” when we feel jealous of someone. These associations are so embedded in our […]
Read MoreMusic for Mental Health
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | July 5, 2019
Music is an integral part of our culture, history, and daily lives. It provides the backdrop to our favorite movies, our significant life events, and our most vivid memories. Hearing a song can nostalgically bring you back to the first time you heard it and who you were with. It can also evoke painful emotions […]
Read MoreThe Psychological Benefits of Tidying Up
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | April 12, 2019
Is joy lurking in your closet? Is satisfaction hiding under your stuff? While browsing Netflix I found a new show entitled “Tidying up with Marie Kondo.” Intrigued, I watched an episode of Marie Kondo’s world of tidying and organizing. Known as her KonMari Method, it includes, for example, new ways to fold clothes efficiently and […]
Read MoreWhat it Means to be a Highly Sensitive Person
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | January 29, 2019
You probably know what it means to be an introvert versus an extrovert. Such psychological terms are now mainstream. They help us understand and empathize with one another’s differences. Few people, however, know what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) versus a non-HSP. Psychologist, Dr. Elaine Aron, wanted to better understand herself […]
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