Blog
Some thoughts about disaster
Saturday morning I was walking to Target. If I have to self-isolate, I need bubble bath! The streets were empty, like a summer Sunday morning when school is out and everyone in my neighborhood is...
Post traumatic stress: An ancient history
Our reactions to trauma result from basic human biology—no one is immune, and no one ever has been. Because trauma has been around as long as humans have. The word trauma came into English in the...
Napping Day—Can You Sleep Your Way to Better Mental Health?
We all know there are steps to take to improve our mental health. Meditation and yoga, reduced phone and computer use, participating in physical exercise – these are just some of the activities...
Women Experience Trauma Uniquely
Trauma is universal. Any person, young or old, rich or poor, man or woman, any nationality, religion, and socio-economic status can experience trauma. According to PTSD Alliance, in the U.S. alone...
Three Things I’ve Learned Talking about My Trauma
About a year after walking away from bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, a friend asked me to share my story at a conference. That was the start of what has now been several years of...
National “I Want You To Be Happy” Day—How Trauma Survivors Heal Making Others Happy
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”—Dalai Lama Happiness is best when it’s shared, with as many people as possible. Just like giving...
Phases of Recovery after Trauma: Victim – Survive – Thrive – Transcend
You don’t just recover after trauma. Although the traumatic event may have been a one-time event or last for years, the recovery is a journey, with stages—stepping stones, small victories—along the...
I’m Just Stressed Out—When Stress Becomes Chronic
Some level of stress is part of everyone’s life, it’s part of being human. At some points in your life, you will experience demanding situations which cause the body to surge with hormones like...
Self-Compassion After Trauma—Society is Hard Enough on You
What Really Is Compassion Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. When we...