I knew that spending time outside was good for me before reading Florence Williams’s, “The Nature Fix.” To be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d learn anything new from the book. I was wrong. Williams decided to write the book after a move from Boulder, Colorado to Washington D.C. left her depressed and wondering if it had to do with the sudden shift to metropolitan living. Nature, Williams concludes in the book, isn’t just something nice, it is a necessity - and one that is profoundly undervalued. Researchers have found that time in nature can reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression, stress, rumination and mental fatigue. It can also improve attention, memory, cognition, sleep, self-esteem and happiness. And … [Read more...] about Why Nature Makes Us Healthier, Happier and More Creative
Anxiety
Is This Useful?
The human mind is uniquely brilliant. Our remarkable cognitive capacity has allowed us to develop cures for deadly diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis, build skyscrapers and land on the moon. But we humans have a tendency to misuse this wondrous capability. We imagine horrible outcomes that are unlikely to play out. We lie in bed at night and fixate on our to-do list or the stupid comment we made or the email we forgot to send. We overthink, we ruminate, we obsess, we worry. In short, we create a whole bunch of unnecessary suffering. Getting in the habit of asking a simple question, “Is this useful?” can help curb these behaviors. Whether we’re worried about the wording of an email or over-thinking the consequences of … [Read more...] about Is This Useful?
Airports, Anxiety and Overcoming Emotional Eating
A few weeks ago, I found myself standing at the baggage carousel at Denver International Airport - overcome with anxiety. It was Monday – and I had just returned home from a funeral in New Jersey - but the anxiety had nothing to do with the funeral. In the past, I likely would have dashed into the nearest convenience store and bought three or four candy bars. Snickers. Three Musketeers. Milky Way. Twix. I would have locked myself inside a bathroom stall and scarfed them all down - one by one. There would have been no savoring – just a frantic attempt to distract myself from the discomfort of the anxiety. That's not what I did. Instead of devouring candy bars, I focused on what I was thinking... "I just want to go home.” "I wish I didn’t … [Read more...] about Airports, Anxiety and Overcoming Emotional Eating
The Implications of Avoiding Fear
Fear. It comes in pretty handy when we encounter a rattlesnake. Which I did – while camping in New Mexico this spring. Holy freaking crap. Fear can save our lives. But sometimes fear doesn’t protect or serve us. Sometimes it holds us back. And keeps us from realizing our dreams. A few weeks ago an amazing opportunity was presented to me. An opportunity to work with a brilliant mentor who could help me improve and grow my business. I almost let it pass me by. Why? Fear. Fear of failure Fear of putting myself out there Fear of success Fear of this person thinking that I’m not good enough I felt the fear… …and said yes anyway. Everyone experiences fear. Fear is just a feeling. It can’t hurt you. Unless you … [Read more...] about The Implications of Avoiding Fear