What is self-compassion and why is it beneficial? - Maintaining a Mindful Life - Monash University Explore the difference between self-criticism and self-compassion in this exercise. Step 1 Bring to mind someone you care about who is experiencing some difficulty – perhaps a failure or setback, some misfortune, or is otherwise having a difficult time. Someone you care about who is suffering. Reflect for a moment on how you have tended to respond to them. Notice how it feels in your body as you remember showing up for them in this way. You may like to write this down or record your thoughts in a way that’s comfortable for you. Step 2 Now take a moment to reflect on a time when you experienced some difficulty – a failure or setback, some misfortune, or were otherwise having a difficult time. Reflect for a moment on how you responded to yourself. How does this feel in your body? Again, you may like to write this down or record your thoughts in a way that’s comfortable for you. What did you find out? Did you discover that you tend to be much tougher on yourself than on others? What’s the impact?
The Wellness Collective practicing self confession How to wear a maxi dress or maxi skirt? I mentioned before that although I like the look of a maxi skirt or dress on others, I cannot make this look work for me. I’m not sure why that is but I feel the look overpowers me and makes me look huge. It does not help that I’m usually not that much into prints which are very popular for maxi skirts and dresses. Still, I do really like the look on others. I feel it’s feminine and often deliciously bohemian chic. I’m sure you will agree with me that the women featured today look absolutely fabulous! Suzanne (Suzanne Carillo Style Files) really knows how to rock both maxi dresses and a maxi skirt. MCarmen (MyEmptyBag) is looking beautiful, romantic and dreamy in this pastel flowery maxi dress combined with chambray shirt. Lissa is looking fabulous in her 2 maxi dresses. About this black maxi dress with colorful prints Lissa says: “This is fine for work with the little cotton sweater, but playful and casual without….” Thanks again to all ladies for submitting these glorious looks!
Rewiring the brain for happiness - Maintaining a Mindful Life - Monash University The human brain evolved over aeons to help us survive. Our ancestors had to constantly scan the environment for very real physical threats. If they heard a rustling in the bushes they were much more likely to survive if they assumed it might be a sabre-toothed tiger until proven otherwise, than if they assumed it was a bunny rabbit and kept gazing at the pretty sunset. This got hardwired into their brains, and even into their DNA. And this negativity bias has been passed down the generations to us, since having this negativity bias meant they were much more likely to survive long enough to reproduce and pass on their genes. This is why we have an innate negativity bias. The smart ancestor did make the effort, however, to pay attention to what was actually there so that threats could be responded to on their merits and we didn’t have to keep running from the phantoms of our own imagination. Relating to ourselves compassionately is one way of reprogramming ourselves. Savouring Gratitude
What Causes Depression? Although a challenging life event, such as the death of a loved one or financial hardship, can trigger depressive episodes, the causes of depression are complex and overlapping. There are two main categories of risks that can contribute to depression—those that you can't change, and those that you can. Uncontrollable Risk Factors These variables are out of your control. Your family history. Exercise 1: How would you treat a friend? Please take out a sheet of paper and answer the following questions: First, think about times when a close friend feels really bad about him or herself or is really struggling in some way. How would you respond to your friend in this situation (especially when you’re at your best)? Please write down what you typically do, what you say, and note the tone in which you typically talk to your friends.Now think about times when you feel bad about yourself or are struggling. How do you typically respond to yourself in these situations? Why not try treating yourself like a good friend and see what happens?
Learn Calligraphy - Practice Words Happy Friday! Can you believe we’re on Day 4? I’ve scheduled some “me” time to practice this weekend. How did you do on the lowercase alphabet? Again, we’re going back to basics, practicing words like “if” “it” “cat” & “dog”. Here we go! Here are some tips to keep in mind: start by working through the alphabet – connect a to b, b to c… soft on upstrokes, firm on downstrokes soft in between letters don’t be scared to lift up your pen! it’s okay to go back to basics practice your name For more great calligraphy resources, visit my calligraphy board on Pinterest! You won’t want to miss a thing, so subscribe here & have a bonus worksheet sent directly to your inbox {once a month}. The series, in order: How to Learn Calligraphy Getting Started Back to Basics The Calligraphy Alphabet Practice Words Practice Makes Perfect Calligraphy Resources & Left Handed Calligraphy Minuscules & Numerals Keep in touch – have more inspiring ideas & tutorials delivered to your inbox 3 times a week!
Confronting the Negativity Bias Posted at 13:24h in Blog by Rick Hanson My previous post used the example of Stephen Colbert’s satirical “March to Keep Fear Alive” as a timely illustration of a larger point: humans evolved to be fearful — since that helped keep our ancestors alive — so we are very vulnerable to being frightened and even intimidated by threats, both real ones and “paper tigers.” With this march, Colbert is obviously mocking those who play on fear, since we certainly don’t need any new reminders to keep fear alive. Some Background This vulnerability to feeling threatened has effects at many levels, ranging from individuals, couples, and families, to schoolyards, organizations and nations. Therefore, understanding how your brain became so vigilant and wary, and so easily hijacked by alarm, is the first step toward gaining more control over that ancient circuitry. Let’s start with the brain’s negativity bias. Both are important. But here’s the key difference between carrots and sticks. What to Do?