“Digital” addictions—to things like the Internet, video games, social media and smartphones or other technology—are increasingly common but widely misunderstood. Despite not yet being recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM), experts are increasingly warning of the risks of various types of technology addiction. The claim that things like the…
DetailsMaking the commitment to do something proactive to overcome drug and alcohol addiction is an excellent first step, one that’s crucial to learning how to live a healthy and happy life without the crutch of addictive substances. But the road to recovery is often fraught with unexpected turns, not the least of which is attempting…
DetailsTry as we might, some problems are so vexing and difficult that it seems impossible to arrive at any sort of workable solution. This is not an unusual situation for anyone in today’s stress-filled society, but it can be even more frustrating for those who are in recovery. When faced with simultaneous, and often conflicting,…
DetailsMindful walking was introduced to the Western world by the Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese writer and teacher who first brought his unique brand of Buddhism, known as mindfulness, to the U.S. in the early 1960s. Hanh defines mindfulness as “our ability to be aware of what is going on both inside us…
DetailsDuring her keynote presentation at the Freud Meets Buddha conference, the wise and witty Joan Borysenko, PhD, shared the following poem, written by Sufi poet Hafiz in the 1300s and translated by Daniel Ladinsky: The Subject Tonight is Love The subject tonight is Love And for tomorrow night as well, As a matter of fact…
DetailsPeople who grew up feeling securely attached to their caregivers tend to replicate that dynamic in their adult romantic relationships. They form secure bonds with partners. They tolerate the ebbs and flows inherent to long-term relationships. They trust that their significant other is not going to get the hell out of dodge after a difference…
Details“When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be, you are creating drama.” — Eckhart Tolle Chaos and drama: Some people thrive on them, seemingly on a mission to find ways to stir them up lest life become boring. Drama shows up in many situations. It can appear as a couple…
DetailsYoung adult Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 are far more likely to abuse a prescription medication than older adults or younger teenagers. In addition to drug addiction, consequences of this abuse include non-fatal and fatal drug overdoses. In a study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review, four U.S. institutions sought to…
DetailsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just confirmed what many already knew: women between the ages of 40 and 59 have higher rates of depression than any other subset of the population.
The High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are considered the most sacred on the Jewish calendar. The autumnal holidays signal a time of personal reflection and reconciliation of attitudes and behaviors that occurred in the previous 12 months. Prayer, fasting, asking for and offering forgiveness, as well as time in synagogue await…
Details