Hey there! Today, let's dive into the fascinating world of stress – that unwelcome guest that always seems to show up uninvited. But fear not, because understanding stress and how our bodies handle it is the first step towards conquering it.

Let's dive into a profound exploration of the captivating concept of hedonic adaptation, often colloquially referred to as "the hedonic treadmill." This refers to our innate tendency to revert to a predetermined level of happiness, irrespective of life's tumultuous ebbs and flows.

As we step into the new year, many of us are familiar with the cycle of setting ambitious resolutions only to find ourselves abandoning them by the second week of January. It's a common scenario, and often, the lofty goals we set can feel overwhelming and unattainable. However, there's a more practical and effective approach: setting daily intentions.

Hey high-achievers! 🌟 Welcome to my corner of the internet, where we're ditching the New Year's resolution frenzy and diving deep into the science of sustainable personal growth. Buckle up as we explore why those resolution binges often fall flat and how embracing small, consistent habits can lead to monumental change.

In the intricate tapestry of psychology, defense mechanisms are the mind's intricate tools designed to shield us from distressing thoughts, emotions, or realities. Picture them as mental strategies, often automatic and unconscious, employed to manage internal conflicts and preserve a sense of psychological well-being.

Anger, that familiar flame within us, often plays a role far more complex than what meets the eye. Picture it as an iceberg—what we see on the surface is just the tip of a much larger emotional structure, hidden beneath the water.

As we approach the holiday season, many of us look forward to cherished traditions, quality time with family, and the warmth of connection. However, for some, the holiday season can illuminate the challenges of family dynamics, particularly when it comes to the intricate web of enmeshment.

Let's talk about the all-too-familiar dance we engage in when the demands of life become overwhelming. Picture this: you find yourself sinking into the digital abyss of mindless activities, be it scrolling through social media, binge-watching TV, or any other distraction that requires minimal cognitive effort. It's a tempting escape, a brief reprieve from the incessant demands of reality. But here's the twist—it's a trap, and anxiety is the web it weaves.

In this week's blog post, I want to tackle a concept that's near and dear to my heart as a psychotherapist who specializes in anxiety and perfectionism: the idea that it's the effort and process, not just the outcomes, that truly matter when it comes to success and our mental well-being.

In the realm of psychology, let's unravel the fascinating concept of self-serving bias and how it intertwines with our anxieties, perfectionistic tendencies, failures, and overall mental health. The self-serving bias, at its core, is the way we attribute positive outcomes to our personal virtues and actions, while conveniently pointing the finger at external factors when things go south. In other words, we like to take credit for the highs and shift the blame for the lows.

What's the Polyvagal Theory, and Why Should You Care? Hey there! Today, I want to dive into the world of the Polyvagal Theory. Now, I know it sounds a bit fancy, but I promise to keep it approachable.

You know, we all have that little voice in our heads, the one that says, "I can't do this" or "I'm not good enough." These are what we call limiting beliefs, and they're like the unwanted guests at the party of our minds. As a Chicago-based psychotherapist, I've seen firsthand how these limiting beliefs can contribute to anxiety and self-sabotaging behavior, and I'd like to share some insights with you.