Blog for Better Living

What 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 […]

The ‘Nature’ Effect

By: Other | September 21, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. Is it not natural for humans to spend time in nature? Is it not a vital component of our well-being? I’ve been enjoying the outdoors my whole life. During my childhood, being outdoors was the only place I wanted to be. I spent many hours every day on playgrounds or […]

Back to School, Back to Routine: The Cost of Tech Addiction

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | August 31, 2018

The final weeks of summer are upon us. The sun is out, final vacations are being savored. We have the time and space to interact with the people around us. Weekend adventures and warm evenings prompt us to step outside to engage with the natural world. We noticeably “feel” better, healthier, and are consciously aware […]

How to be a “Whole-Brain” Parent as Your Child’s Brain Develops

By: Other | May 11, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. What’s going on when your child throws a tantrum in the middle of a store? Why sometimes does your preschooler refuse to eat breakfast or get dressed? No logical reason seems to exist when these things happen. As a parent, your diligent efforts to calm your child may be met […]

Children, Parenting

How to Talk with Children about Tragedy

By: Other | March 16, 2018

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. Do you wonder how to talk about tragic events with your children? With media seemingly broadcasting such events 24 hours a day, we are exposed to much more information than ever before. We are less able to protect our children from the news of tragedies, allowing our children exposure to […]

Children, Parenting

Talking to Your Child About Violence

By: Other | March 9, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. In the past weeks we have seen and heard a lot about violence in school. Such violence has an impact beyond the place where it happened. Violence in our world today is all around our kids, in the media, in our communities, and even in our schools. Our kids are […]

Talking Hot Topics with Kids

By: Other | February 2, 2018

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. “If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you`ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it”. – […]

Children, Family, Parenting, Teens

Selfie Syndrome

By: Other | November 3, 2017

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. “Selfie” gained fame as a well-known word in our daily lives. Not only adults, but also more and more preteens and young children take endless selfies upon life’s every moments, which constantly change to display an enhanced version of themselves. They post and share these pictures on social media, chasing […]

Children, Parenting, Teens

Raising Assertive and Respectful Children

By: Other | October 6, 2017

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. “Confidence is not ‘They will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be fine if they don’t.’” -Dr. Michele Borba In an era of bullying, we search for the origins of such behavior and wonder about its outcomes. At such times, we might try to understand that aggression is not the same […]

Children, Parenting