Blog for Better Living

Compromise the Coffee

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | December 20, 2014

We know what happens when we don’t get our morning fix – withdrawals! It’s funny how a stop to my neighborhood café and one sip of my favorite drink can take away my headache and cheer me right up. Unfortunately, buying coffee everyday isn’t too kind to my wallet, nor is it to my health. […]

Personal Improvement

Families Having Fun!

By: Other | November 6, 2014

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. I remember when my daughter was still a young girl and October marked the beginning of “FUN”, and I found myself exhausted just thinking about Halloween, Halloween Parties, Holiday School Events, Thanksgiving, and the Celebrations that followed. My feeling overwhelmed at the big events sometimes obscured my ability to see […]

Relationships, Stress

The Psychological Benefits of Yoga

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 17, 2014

“Come with me to a yoga class!” said my friend Caroline to me sometime last year. “Why on earth would I want to go to a stretch class with strangers that I don’t know in a blazing hot room?” I thought to myself. “No thanks,” I quickly replied. Despite my reluctance and skepticism about the […]

Stress, Therapy

Emotional First Aid

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 27, 2014

Most people experience some emotionally traumatic events, ranging from the manageable to the overwhelming, over the course of their lifetimes. Yet, few people know how to help with the emotional aftermath of traumatic events. Both victims and witnesses of trauma may experience feelings of confusion, fear, sadness, and isolation, and often feel at a loss […]

Grief, Stress

You Might Be an Introvert

By: Other | September 9, 2014

Written by Missy Betts I was asked once in a job interview whether I identified myself as an introvert or an extrovert. I answered honestly by saying that I’ve always been more of an introvert. I immediately felt the weight of my answer as the entire focus of the interview veered off of my experience […]

Personal Improvement, Therapy

The Personal Impact of the Death of a Public Figure

By: Other | August 15, 2014

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. Like many of you I found myself shocked and dismayed with the recent death of Robin Williams. He was a public figure who made us laugh, showed us that humor and silliness is an acceptable way to understand the world, and he helped us reflect on critical social issues like […]

Grief, Stress, Therapy

How to Use Both Sides of Your Brain

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 13, 2014

Have you ever heard people say that they are more of a ‘right brain’ or ‘left brain’ thinker? You’ve probably heard the term before, whether it is on the radio, in a TV show, or sometime long ago in your bio class. But, what does the expression really mean? Do we really think with one […]

Personal Improvement

Laughter is the Best Medicine

By: Other | August 6, 2014

Written by Missy Betts Why can’t you trust atoms? …Because they make up everything! Did you laugh? No? I’ll admit that maybe this isn’t the most hilarious joke of all time, but if you read this with someone else who did laugh, chances are, you would have too. According to an article in Real Simple […]

Personal Improvement, Stress

Getting Married on Your Terms

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 30, 2014

Recently I had the privilege of traveling to Alaska for my very first “Extra Tuff Wedding”. Extra Tuffs, for those of us in the lower 48, are the footwear of choice for South East Alaskan natives. The big brown boots are clunky, rubber and not very attractive at first glance – but to those who […]

Family, Relationships