As an Eating Disorders Therapistand Body Image Warrior, I was absolutely delighted to watch the incredible movie “Dumplin” on Netflixrecently. I declare it the best body-positive film of 2018 and feel it will pave the way for many more like it. I’m usually not a huge fan of Jennifer Aniston, but she was spectacular in her role as a single mother of a bodacious teen girl navigating her way through a fat-phobic culture in the heart of Texas. I also loved it because Dolly Parton was one of the main focuses of the movie and I’m a huge Dolly Parton fan and used to listen to her records when I was a kid and sing along. I thought I wanted […]
How to Build Resilience Within Yourself Starting Right Now
In this piece, I want to talk about the power of resilience- an incredible power and quality that all of us possess. Sometimes, we don’t know we have it until we’re put to the test. I come from a long line of resilient women and have written about their incredible struggles and triumphs: The Reluctant Matriarch My Mum and her mum In Memory of Granny Ruth on Mother’s Day One of the best pieces on resilience came to me via a two-minute video someone sent me called: 4 life lessons from Auschwitz survivor Dr. Edith Eger Watch the video before reading the rest of this article to hear her invaluable tips and then I’ll go through each tip separately, gleaning the […]
Homework for the Holidays: Study Your Family-of-Origin
I am well aware by witnessing the angst all around me, that the winter festivities and get-togethers are in full swing. Between obligatory work parties, friends’ gatherings, and family dinners, some people feel like running off to the woods and holing up in a cabin until the whole thing is over. I’ve spoken before on how to successfully navigate family holiday gatherings, so if you need a primer, listen to me being interviewed about this topic- It’s the fifth interview down called “Surviving Family Over the Holidays”. Also, if you’re concerned with dealing with people other than family over the holidays, read this: Letting Go of Other People’s “Stuff” During the Holidays Another helpful article I was interviewed for: An […]
Best Resources on Perimenopause: The Power of Progesterone
At the age of 47, I am surfing the high and low tides of perimenopause. And let me tell you something sisters- it’s a really rocky ride at times and I feel like I’m white-knuckling it. I’ve talked to countless women about this stage of life and I have come to realise that we are unique in how we experience it. The biggest clue to figure out what it’s going to look like for you is to ask your mother how it was for her. The medical professionals I’ve spoken to tell me that biologically, we follow in our mother’s peri/menopausal footsteps. For me, it’s an unfortunate torch to carry as my own mother went through somewhat of a personal hell […]
Esther’s Recommended Read on Resilience: Broken Open
I have become particularly interested lately in Resiliency Theory because after being a therapist for over 20 years, I am still gobsmacked by what traumas and losses people can handle and overcome. Here is my favourite definition of resilience from the American Psychological Association: Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means “bouncing back” from difficult experiences. Research has shown that resilience is ordinary, not extraordinary. People commonly demonstrate resilience. One example is the response of many Americans to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and individuals’ efforts to rebuild their lives. Being resilient does […]
One Woman’s Incredible Journey Through Grief
In a previous article, one reader shared her “dark night of the soul”. In this article, another reader, professional writer, and good friend of mine, shares hers. From personal experience, and having known Maryanne since her husband John’s death, I am here to tell you she is one of the most resilient, wise, and loving people I have ever met in my entire life. She had taught me, and so many others about overcoming a tragic loss and rebuilding a life based on meaning and purpose. Mind Your Grief: When a Traumatic Event Leads to Mental Health Issues My experience with mental health issues was the result of a traumatic event. In September 2000, my police officer husband, John, died in […]
Choosing Happiness: Positive Psychology
One of the founders of Positive Psychology is Martin Seligman who is famous for his experiments and theory of learned helplessness. If you’ve taken Psychology 101, you’ll remember this slightly disturbing but fascinating study he conducted on dogs: In Part 1 of this study, three groups of dogs were placed in harnesses. Group 1 dogs were simply put in a harnesses for a period of time and were later released. Groups 2 and 3 consisted of “yoked pairs“. Dogs in Group 2 were given electric shocks at random times, which the dog could end by pressing a lever. Each dog in Group 3 was paired with a Group 2 dog; whenever a Group 2 dog got a shock, its paired […]
How to Increase Confidence in Two Minutes: Power Poses
Recently, someone I was talking with told me how she prepares for a job interview. Picture this if you will: she stands in front of a full-length mirror posed as Wonder Woman- hands on hips with elbows out at her sides, head tilted slightly up and at a wee angle, and with her chest puffed out. She puts an egg timer on and gives herself a pep talk for an entire two minutes while maintaining this pose. And judging from the incredibly powerful positions she has acquired in her working life, I decided to learn more about the art and science behind ‘power posing’. Power Posing 101 Power Posing is the brainchild of Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy who […]
Meditation in Motion: Practising Walking Meditation
I don’t know about you, but I am by nature a very fidgety person and therefore find it really difficult to sit and be still for extended periods of time. I do however, force myself to sit cross-legged on a meditation cushion once a day for 20 minutes and just practise breathing because I am incredibly aware of the benefits to both mind and body. For me, it is a challenging practise but I feel a lot better when I stay still and breathe deeply. As I do it more, I find I feel more grounded and that this practise sets the tone for the rest of the day ahead which usually involves more peace and serenity. But I am […]
A practice to increase self-love: tending to your ‘inner orphan’
As I’ve shared before, I’m a huge fan and subscriber of Gaia TV. For a very reasonable price, I use it at least once a day (sometimes more) to do any number of excellent yoga classes, meditations, and to watch inspirational, uplifting and informative documentaries and films which are highly unique and nourishing for mind, body, and soul. One of my favourite yoga teachers on Gaia TV is Meghan McCraken. I love her gentle guidance, along with her deep knowledge of yoga teachings and traditions and her authenticity. While I was following along with one her excellent yoga classes, she mentioned a poem that she wrote about “orphans of my heart” which greatly intrigued me and resonated with me as […]
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