2 Ways to Cultivate a Good Attitude

- Be Grateful - "Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. The disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life." - Robert A. Emmons - Researcher , professor at

Me And The Dalai Lama

This week I will be attending a talk by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, who will speak about non-violence. I’m looking forward to it and expect it to be an inspiring talk. In addition, I am going with a good friend who spent two years in Tibet so she brings a unique perspective. I will update you on how it goes, but in preparation, I did a little research on his Holiness. I realized that although

Heart to Heart

Valentine’s Day bombards us with movies, TV specials and a landslide of things to buy to show our ‘love’.  The flowers sellers and candy manufacturers  are working around the clock. The LA Times reports that jewelry sales rose 7.7% last year, recovering somewhat from the previous year’s recession so bling is back.

Don’t get me wrong; jewelry is great. I’m a fan!!! I also think that flowers and

Well Being Increases With Our Ability To Make Choices

*This post is from the cutting edge psychology blog Life Ain't For Sissies by Dr. Linda Edelstein

Researchers in New Zealand performed a meta-analysis of 638 research studies that asked 420,599 men and women (mean age =37) from 63 different countries about their Health, Wealth and Happiness. They found that a strong sense of well-being could be predicted if a person scored high on individualism,

Thank You!

Repeatedly, in psychology, researchers have linked the experience of being "grateful" to mental health and well-being. Here is an informative summary of the findings from some researchers in the field of gratitude.

"Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. The disposition toward gratitude appears

How To Have A Terrific Holiday Party ~ 5 Surefire Tips For Success

Are you a good hostess ? I try to be, but I know I'm still a work in progress. Lucky for me, and all of you reading this post. My mom has a Ph.D. and is here to help.

~We are headed into the season of social gatherings. For many people (especially those who suffer from anxiety), these get-togethers can be awkward or uncomfortable.  Hosts and hostesses hope that their guests will be comfortable

Acupuncture In A Music Video ? You Bet !

Acupuncture is serious work but, last year I had the opportunity to have some fun with my needles. My friend Don Pogany is the founder and creative director of a marketing company called Sticky. He asked me to place acupuncture needles in a model who was going to appear in his company's video. I had a blast on the set and here is the finished product....enjoy.

 Click here to see the video

How to tell if you're happy...

My sister and I

You Have A Sister ! 

"People with at least one female sibling report better social support, more optimism, and better coping abilities, according to a study presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference. Sisters appear to encourage communication and cohesion in families."

Love it ! This morning, my sister forwarded me this article ~ 9 Signs you're

Learning the Truth; Elin Nordegrin

Another compelling post from my favorite blogger (my mom : ) Linda Edelstein P.h.d., be sure to check out her new website and blog.

Reading an except from People magazine’s interview with Elin Nordegren, Tiger Woods’s ex-wife, I was reminded of a dynamic that people often talk about in therapy after they have been surprised by some horrible revelation. Here is the portion from People:

“I’

Crises Can Lead to Personal Growth

From Therapy Evanston
By Linda Edelstein P.h.D.
 
There has been much good information written about the harmful effects of trauma, whether the damage was done from war, sexual abuse, violence, natural disasters or the other zillion ways of being harmed in this world. When I teach Adult Development to the Counseling Psychology graduate students at Northwestern University each Spring, we

Check Out My Amazing Mom's New Website and Blog !

One of my favorite guest writers on this blog is my mother, who is also a psychologist. I am happy to announce that she has finally joined me in this brave new world called the internet. Here is her new website therapyevanston.com and blog, way to go mom ! 

Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D.

I am a clinical psychologist who has devoted more than thirty years to working with individuals and couples. I

A Mind Only Functions When it's Open

“Minds are like parachutes: they only function when they are open.”James Dewar (1842 – 1923) Scottish Chemist and Physicist