Baths are an ancient healing practice in almost every culture around the world, from the hothouses of Scandanavia and banyas of Russia to mud baths in Ecuador, hot springs in New Zealand, and ancient Indigenous parajes of the American Southwest. The therapeutic use of water to soothe mental and physical ailments (also known as hydrotherapy), […]
Life Coaching
This Cool Scientific Survey Accurately Identifies Your Character Strengths
I was first directed to the VIA Character Strengths Survey in the course of taking Dr. Laurie Santos’ class, The Science of Well-Being, which is the most popular course ever offered in Yale‘s 300-year history. As part of an initial happiness assessment, Professor Santos directed us to this character strengths test as part of a […]
3 Helpful Tools & Insights From Dr. Michele Kambolis’ Stress-Focused Book, “When Women Rise”
For the last 25 years, Vancouver-based Dr. Michele Kambolis has worked in private practice treating women with various degrees of stress, anxiety, and trauma in their lives. Accordingly, her new book on women and stress, When Women Rise: Everyday Practices to Strengthen Your Mind, Body, and Soul is both a primer and masterclass on […]
Watch Will Smith’s Powerful Red Table Talk on Resolving Conflict
One of last year’s most poignant episodes of “Red Table Talk” (Jada Pinkett-Smith’s new family-focused talk show on Facebook Watch) was an episode featuring Will Smith that centered on conflict resolution. In this episode, Will Smith hosts a conversation with Janet Hubert, who played the original ‘Aunt Viv’ on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” with whom […]
Understanding Ho’oponopono: A Beautiful Hawaiian Teaching About Forgiveness
People who struggle with the concept of forgiveness– both for themselves and for others– often find comfort in a deeply healing age-old practice that comes from Hawai’i. The beautiful Hawaiian teaching for Forgiveness is called “Ho’oponopono” (pronounced HO-oh-Po-no-Po-no), and it’s lovely. This ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness functions as both a communication concept for reconciliation […]
Sarah Blondin’s “Honoring Life Meditation” is A Thing of Beauty
As we previously wrote in our guide to the Best Free Meditation Apps & Podcasts, we adore Sarah Blondin’s poetic, beautifully-written meditations, which the Vancouver-based writer and meditation teacher puts out for free on her Live Awake Podcast. Recently, we came across Blondin’s “Honoring Life” meditation, which strikes us as a perfect meditation for our […]
A Prayer For When You’ve Hit Rock Bottom
So– you’ve hit rock bottom, you’re feeling scared and lonely, and this is what you consider to be your lowest point. Maybe you’re sick, maybe you’ve experienced massive loss, maybe your worst fear or greatest terror in life has been realized: now what? Even if you’re not religious, you can still use mindful self-talk– which […]
Why Your Partner Shouldn’t Be Your Therapist
After one of our posts went viral on Instagram, we figured it was best to expound on the thread that Sandra from Twitter, below, so thoughtfully started. Why is it, exactly, that your partner shouldn’t be your therapist? The idea here is tempting. You can save money on therapy, allow yourself to be vulnerable and […]
Watch This Amazing Motivational Speech by Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey has given a surprising number of motivational speeches in his life– and for those who don’t know, the man who presents as a goofball in most of his acting roles is actually quite a thoughtful, measured, and inspiring guy. His philosophy on life is filled with gratitude, poise, and an emphasis on choosing […]
17 Money Saving Hacks For When You Can’t Stop Worrying About Money
According to Amazon therapist Bea Arthur, “financial anxiety is the biggest crisis in America” right now. And while it’s true that money itself undergirds many of today’s most divisive political issues (health care, campaign finance, and the like), the experience of financial anxiety in daily life is real and pronounced. For example, according to a […]