Blog for Better Living

Coping with Re-Grief

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 4, 2018

In our society, we are often expected to “get over” our grief and “move on.” Sadly, grief does not work this way as it is not an event but a process as unique as each individual griever. When you lose a loved one, coping with loss is something you do every day for the rest […]

Grief, Holidays

Take Care of Yourself During the Holidays

By: Other | December 22, 2017

Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. The winter holidays are supposed to be a time of joy. For some of us, that expectation may not match our experience. Typically in our society, for those of us who celebrate the holiday season, the winter holidays are spent with friends and family, engaging in traditional activities, sharing certain […]

Family, Holidays, Stress

Giving Really is Better than Receiving

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | December 15, 2017

You may hear the phrase “it’s better to give than to receive” more often around the holidays, that time of year associated with giving and receiving gifts. In our consumerist culture, we can lose sight of what we already have to focus exclusively on our needs and wants. Money cannot buy happiness despite what advertisements […]

Remaining Positive about Ourselves and Our Lives

By: Other | December 8, 2017

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. “The Good Life is a Process…Not a State of Being.” –Carl Rogers Are the demands of seasonal social gatherings and family getting you down? Are financial pressures or employment piquing your positive perspective? Does it feel like chaos and worry are taking over your life? The practice of Positive Psychology […]

Living a Giving Life: The Psychological Benefits of Generosity

By: Other | December 23, 2016

Written by Marisa Padilla, Intern As the holiday season approaches, we are constantly surrounded by the message that we should be buying gifts to make others happy. Some of us may get carried away with this material aspect and lose site of the act of generosity. Generosity is a wonderful concept, but interestingly enough, many […]

Holidays, Personal Improvement, Stress

Mindful Eating for a Successful Holiday Season

By: Other | December 2, 2016

Written by Kelly Anderson, Ph.D. Winter has finally made its way to San Diego! Along with the cooler weather and shorter nights, many Americans are finding themselves in the middle of the holiday season. Whether or not this time of year holds significance for celebrating holidays, winter is a time that begs for comfort food […]

Gratitude

By: Other | October 28, 2016

Written by Asal Azizi, Psy.D. As the month of October comes to a close, and we look ahead to November, tis the season for gratitude. The upcoming holiday season, and especially Thanksgiving, reminds us of the importance of expressing what we are most grateful for in our lives. Throughout the season, in the news, we […]

Activities to Brighten Your New Year

By: Other | January 18, 2016

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. A new year brings a sense of refreshment. A fresh time of hope, reflection and opportunities for change. There seems to be a general consensus that 2015 was a more difficult year for many people. Our World has been exposed to great tragedies, locally and globally. Many have experienced personal […]

Holidays, Personal Improvement

Getting the Most from a New Year’s Resolution

By: Other | December 28, 2015

Written by Kelly Anderson, Ph.D. It’s hard to believe that 2016 is almost upon us! This time of year often prompts people to reflect on the past twelve months and think about goals for the New Year. In fact, almost 50% of all American adults set a New Year’s resolution every year. However, research has […]

Family, Holidays