People are creatures of habit. Science shows that self-regulating systems—like people—constantly work to return to the same form and behavior after they have been stressed or traumatized. That automatic rebound response—the same response that fuels healing and recovery—also makes behavioral changes uncomfortable and hard to implement for many people. Let’s face it, we all do […]

Burnout. More and more, I am seeing colleagues, friends, and my patients fraying at the edges. Some are on the edge of burnout and some are already there. More than a year after COVID-19 first entered our vocabulary, we are still seeing its effects in ways we might not have predicted. Women are leaving the […]

Prepare and take care during the campaign season Just when you think you have a handle on the craziness, along comes another presidential election. With the rancor of 2016’s race in mind, you may not be looking forward to another round, but here it is. In 2020, the circumstances of daily life are disrupted by […]

Journaling is a way of going on a retreat without leaving your home. It is a way to access and acknowledge past experiences that may be causing you pain and reintegrating them into your life so they become a part of you. It helps bring order to your deepest thoughts and fears and enables you […]

Isolation is not our normal state. That fact has become abundantly clear these past few months as we have been relegated to socializing less frequently and using virtual means when we do. And while these are certainly necessary precautions during our current health crisis, the effects of isolation can be all too damaging. As we’ve […]

It has been scientifically proven that our physical and emotional presence influences the healing of other human beings—it’s a phenomenon that is as fascinating as it is beautiful. The following excerpt is from my book, How Healing Works, and describes the role a “healing presence” can play in the recovery, or maintenance, of one’s health. […]

As we continue discussing loneliness and isolation in these times of COVID-19, it is crucial to note how remaining in touch with family and friends can be essential to your health. And, while it is vitally important to keep your circles small and adhere to basic social distancing guidelines, the impact of being around loved […]

As we’ve seen in our recent COVID-19 survey, and in our latest collection of blog posts, isolation and loneliness can have a real, negative effect on our health—impacting our body, minds, and even our spirits.  The following excerpt is from my book, How Healing Works, and describes the science of love and loss, and is […]

Social distancing is essential in helping flatten the COVID-19 curve but it’s also having a devastating effect on our patients’ physical, mental and spiritual health. Nearly half of American adults are feeling socially isolated from family and friends and are struggling to maintain their health, according to the Social Distancing Survey by Harris Poll. Social […]

If your doctor, family, or friends tell you that you seem depressed, they might be right. Pain and depression often go hand in hand, with pain both a symptom and a cause of depression. That doesn’t mean the pain you feel isn’t real, or that it’s “all in your head.” In fact, headaches, body aches, […]