I recently returned from a trip to Disney World with my family. It was an exhausting, whirlwind of a weekend. Amidst all the crowds, sights, and sounds, the experience got me thinking about how our expectations can shape our experiences. Despite the expectation of Disney World being “The Happiest Place on Earth,” I noticed a lot of frustrated kids and...
Life has many transitions…births, deaths, marriages, children, empty nest, and the list goes on. While these transitions are normal and expected, there are other transitions that are unplanned. Some transitions are more of a surprise, such as the loss of a job, unexpected moves, or trauma/tragedy. Transitions can be stressful for any individual. However, going through transitions and adjustments as...
There are so many articles circulating on how to “survive” the holidays. Let’s be honest–people survive things like hurricanes, plagues, and 5 o’clock traffic. Sometimes people refer to surviving time with family during the holidays too! (If it is that bad, you should probably schedule with us now)! We dream of romantic holidays, but we question how to connect with...
Everyone knows the holidays can be stressful. While they can provide a great opportunity to connect with family and friends, there’s also a lot of pressure to attend more events, host holiday guests, and pick out the perfect gift for everyone on your list – all while keeping up with the demands of everyday life. While research shows that spending...
Let’s face it – the holidays can be a crazy time. We may joke about venturing into the holiday hustle, but in reality, we all need more help during the holidays. The holidays are full of family, fun, and excitement but that translates to longer to-do lists, special meals to make, people to entertain, gifts to choose from, and money...
Halloween has just passed and the stores are already full of Christmas décor. Most people feel like they don’t have time to catch their breath and the holidays fly by in a blur. Research confirms holiday stress is real and while it can be an exciting time, the holidays can also bring on a lot of pressure. Interestingly, holiday stress...
I can picture it now – the table is beautifully set and filled with delicious food. All of the people I love are gathered around as my Dad gives thanks for the meal. We’re all ready to dig in. My mom stops everyone and asks us to go around the table and share one thing we are thankful for. After...
Living on caffeine, little sleep, and chocolate has been in vogue in the United States. Work, work work, and no play. In fact, researchers have found that people work more and relax less in the United States, and take less time off. All this work and little time off for personal time have resulted in more stress, higher rates of burnout, and...
Spending the holidays with your own family, even when everyone is getting along, can be challenging. Things can get even more complicated if you are part of a divorced or blended family or if you are co-parenting. The holidays are a time intended for celebration, remembrance, and thanksgiving. But for some, it can also be a time of high stress....
Child-centered marriages have been a common theme lately. I hear from couples in my office that this is one of the main reasons their relationships are suffering. Clients often share that the emotional connection within the relationship fades after becoming parents. It is not unusual to hear a married couple describe their relationship as that of roommates. They find the...
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