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New Beginnings
A new year often means new beginnings. While that may not look the same for each of us, any new beginning first requires taking an honest inventory. Embarking on the journey of self-exploration can be scary, especially when it comes to taking a clear look at ourselves. In fact, one of the bravest things we can do is to look - truly look - at who we are. Perhaps even braver than that though is to look without judgment. As humans, we judge constantly. This is likely because our brains try to...
Screen addiction and kids
Mind Body Health Associates practices mental health and treatment with a strong awareness of the role of trauma, specifically how the developing body and brain absorb experiences that develop into patterns for surviving. These patterns may or may not later serve us positively in our daily living. For example, addiction behaviors can be "helpful" in numbing pain and avoiding the full impact of painful life experiences; however, addiction also disconnects us from loved ones, damages our bodies...
Curiosity and learning
When it comes to brain development, researchers and teachers are both finding that one of the best ways for learning to happen is through the process of inquiry. First, the brain enjoys curiosity, which creates a natural positive feedback loop to learning. With curiosity leading the way, the hippocampus lights up, paving the way toward a pleasure-reward circuit, attaching a hit of "feel good" dopamine. That positive sensation leads to a greater desire to return to the function of learning...
Asking good questions
The Nobel prize-winning Jewish physicist Isidore Rabi once explained that his mother taught him how to be a scientist. ‘Every other child would come back from school and be asked, “What did you learn today?” But my mother used to ask, instead, “Izzy, did you ask a good question today?”’ (Source) There is divided opinion on if a person can ask a “bad” question, but it’s unanimous that some questions are better at bringing about thoughtful or rich responses. If a person wants to get better at...
Getting Curious
As the new year commences, many people use the fresh start to create new habits or work toward new goals. At Mind Body Health Associates, we want to support you in those endeavors. One element we believe can help sustain long-term growth and creation of healthy lifestyles is to arrive at any point of change with a spirit of curiosity, rather than approaching yourself with shame, fear, dread, or relying on inner strength and willpower. This year the Mind Body Health Associates team is asking,...
New Eating Habits for Kids
As the year progresses, the resolution to continue to move toward nutrition in family meals can start to wane. Rather than only inspiration, consider new habits to help carry your intentions. Therapist Holly Schweitzer Dunn, LISW, works specifically with individuals on food and body related issues and knows the benefit to keeping the body running on nutrient-dense foods while not approaching food in a way that creates a mind of "good foods" and "bad foods." Instead, creating baseline...
Holiday Joy
Between Hallmark movies and the constant stream of All I Need for Christmas is You, it's easy to believe that everyone around us is having a jolly time in the month of December. But this is a socially reinforced construct. For those who regularly sit to either side of the emotional spectrum, these messages can make us feel shame or guilt for not wanting to fa la la la la our way through the day. Our emotions do not simply change to happy during the four weeks between Thanksgiving and...