If you have served as a doormat, time to transform yourself into the polar opposite to correct the situation: the diva. Divas ask for what they need/want because they value themselves. Divas sing for themselves.

Menopause connotes negativity - men o pause ¡V the end of male interest; an unwelcome byproduct of this perception would be turning into an invisible woman, or worse, an old woman. Let¡¦s focus on the truer reality: You can age backwards.

The ordinary often turns out to be the extraordinary. Of course, the ordinary does not mean that you accept mediocrity. Here are ordinary activities that yield big results:

The corona virus has triggered dramatic life altering changes in lightning speed. However, some changes might actually take hold, helping us to revise hand-me-down customs for the better. Did you know that after a tsunami and a forest fire the land becomes more fertile?

One would think there would be great unity during a pandemic. Instead two opposing groups are stressing everyone out with judgment like a bad family dinner.

Social distancing has been especially hard for most of us because we are tribal by nature and love getting together with family and friends. With all this free time and space we can percolate what makes us truly happy.

The coronavirus fills us with fear because of its mysterious origin, ambiguous end date and the tremendous change which suddenly has altered our daily lives. Essentially, all three conditions exploded at once! Here¡¦s how to manage:

It is pretty certain that none of us want to lose our minds. Strengthening the mind involves growing new brain cells to replace damaged ones, enhancing sluggish synaptic connections. Here¡¦s how:

Typical New Year¡¦s advice focuses on ephemeral resolutions. All these compulsory promises made during the dead of winter when the days are darker, colder and you have less energy. Seriously, aren¡¦t you tired and bored with this useless and frustrating ritual? Personalities and core values are pret

Like living forever, remembering everything can be fraught with a dark side. The inability to forget can be conceptualized in the same way as the inability to sleep. Here¡¦s how to forget and make your brain smarter.

: At first she said, "Let's see what the day brings." Then she self-corrected: "Let's see what you bring to the day." This simple shift in perspective holds a deep secret to happiness:

Being Tidy is overrated. Keeping my home and work space neat and organized makes me feel like a people-pleaser as opposed to a self-pleaser.

A new year is traditionally associated with the slogan of a new you, but how do you suddenly change your core identity and your physical body? Is this the reason for failed resolutions? Instead let¡¦s try a new resolution: Self-acceptance.

Do you want to feel joy once again as you fortify your identity? Reach a more heightened state of self-awareness? Moreover, do you want to experience a fresh new beginning as you renew your sense of purpose? I have a simple and mundane method:

To feel more energized you need to plug into an energy socket. To find the right socket identify your personal energizers. Here is a menu for you to pick and choose.

When you are upset, you find it difficult, if not impossible, to reframe the picture with a positive one. And at this point you are not only hurting your spirit, but your physical vision. Here’s how:

The yanny-laurel debate did not arrive a minute too soon to teach us a stress- management lesson. Which word do you hear? Yanny? Laurel? If sensory input is not to be trusted, how can you trust that your processing of the truth is right? Here’s how to listen more intently and talk less:

The no mind promotes a calm can-do mindset which can deal with stressors or problems as they arise, one at a time, before they build up due to a fearful, wandering imagination. Here¡¦s how to tap into its powerful benefits:

In response to the constantly expanding endless to-do list I have come up with a counter strategy of what you will absolutely not do in the form of a not-to-do list. Here is what should appear on your list:

If you aspire to resolution success, I have one surefire strategy; ask yourself this basic question: How badly do you want it?

The number one factor which your happiness depends on is your opting to stay relevant throughout the decades. Relevance covers all aspects of daily living: Work, romance, friends and family. Here are 9 ways:

The good news is that happy people are not really all that happy. Happy people do not really have the best of everything; rather they just make the best of everything. Here’s how:

Facebook and Reality TV can subtly rob you of your self-esteem and your spontaneous joy. Too much time spent on Facebook and Reality TV = STRESS.

Did you know that there is a sinister syndrome known as smiling depression? Basically, this can be defined as sadness wearing a mask. Here are the symptoms:

The path to well-being is a remarkably easy-to-follow and clearly marked trail. According to National Geographic Magazine no one has embraced the medicalization of nature more than the South Koreans who suffer from work-related stress, technology addiction, and academic pressure.

Six steps to end destructive arguments. Don’t blow up bridges, build them.

Winter is almost over, so why do you feel fatigued, achy and low-spirited? Get down into the earth and get good and dirty. Nature is a potent antidepressant. I am not just being poetic here. The soil consists of good bacteria.

No one starts out annoying. In fact, most annoying people try to be supportive and helpful. However, their noble attributes can be perceived as negative when others feel stressed in the company of these well-intentioned friends/ relationship partners and avoid them. Here are the habits:

So how do you stay on track with all your New Year’s resolutions ranging from becoming a better person to exercising/ dieting and saving more money? At the root of all resolution success is the one simple act of decluttering.

By the time we reach adulthood all of us carry some sort of relationship baggage. So whether it is a friend, teammate, or a mate you are looking for, a strong relationship can take root when someone feels comfortable in your presence. Here are 9 surefire tips for close friendships:

Most people can identify obvious bad mood triggers like chronic pain, or being left off the invite list to a party. However, there are subtle, sneaky triggers which can be arrested in their tracks with just a little self-awareness giving you more energy to find resilient solutions.

We live in an age of hypervigilance regarding political correctness except for one major demographic: Senior citizens.

New findings claim that environmental factors outweigh genetic profile concerning weight loss: Here’s how to take control of your health:

The rainbow diet just got brighter. People who eat fruits and vegetables reap an important emotional gratification: Happiness.

Reeling from Brexit? Take a deep breath and know that in the larger context, this too shall pass. Change is usually destabilizing and many people already have a negativity bias. Overload and adaptation is the cycle of nature. Here’s how to cope:

As long as you are at work why not up your productivity levels? This will not merely benefit your employer, but you will reap the success and status which accompanies an employee who is a great producer.

If you are worried about getting Alzheimer’s, especially if someone in your family has the disease, then you should supercharge your mental circuits with exercise. Here’s why:

How do you cope with the negative triggers of Mother’s Day? Here are six ways

The primary goal is to ease the other person’s hurtful burden which they are carrying around. The byproduct of a successful apology is that you will feel relieved and absolved. The components of a successful apology:

Do you know the difference between naked and nude? Here is how to feel comfortable in your own skin:

People who feel hopeful about the future spend less and save more. However, when people do not believe that upper mobility could happen for them, they spend their money impulsively. 8 tips to curtail impulsive spending:

The endless-to do list keeps growing because we are basically afraid of having free time – what do you with it? So now that it’s acceptable to be crazy busy and stressed out as part of a normal routine, is it acceptable to be overscheduled and structured on vacation?

Getting rid of stuff and shining up your space promotes personal growth and blossoming. But why does getting rid of things lead to happiness? Mess means stress:

If you have spent a great deal of money on cosmetics – procedures or beauty products – you might want to reconsider. In the course of the female effort to achieve a gender equal society men have drastically changed. Here’s what men want:

Here is an elegantly simple solution tapping into the heartfelt theme of the day: Collaborate and buy/make one gift for the two of you as a couple!

Mattel has redesigned the Barbie doll with bigger hips and thicker thighs. After years of declining sales this new generation of Barbie dolls might address the emotional issues of the unrealistic body image. Or is this too simplistic? Here’s how to improve body image:

With the first major snow storm of the season about to hit many people are stressed out. So while people plan to dig in at home and then dig out, be aware of the many healthy positives about all that scary snow.

Do you know someone who never gets sick? When you question a random sample of never-get-sick people, a few basic similarities emerge:

Resolving to be better is fueled by confidence. If you are changing habits because of social criticism or self-criticism, the journey will be fraught with anger and each step gets harder when you are weighed down by negativity. However, what if you approached a desired change with a personal delight

Try these new, New Year’s Resolutions in 2016 and see what happens:

Coming home for the holidays can be bittersweet. Older relatives you adore could have become more forgetful in your absence. Ordinary conversation can provide important clues to the workings of the mind. How to assess:

A single polite gesture as simple as, holding the door open for someone, smiling at another shopper while on a frustrating line, or saying a few positive words to a friend or colleague can stop a stress response in its tracks. Here’s what you need to know:

This year record a family story about a life actually lived. It’s as though you create your own reality TV show during a holiday family get-together – this should be interesting to say the least.

The stress of holiday gift-giving could be greater than that of the holiday family get- together. It’s not really the expense, but actually a case of selecting the perfect gift. Here’s how:

Just like stress triggers are all around us, so our food cues. When you become aware of your personal food cues, you can create some pre-emptive measures to stop eating calorie dense foods:

Medical trends concerning diagnosis, treatment and prevention are constantly transforming, often reversing, as medical science learns more about healthy living through controlled studies. Here’s what has changed:

Even if you begin your day with an intense workout around 60-90 minutes, you cannot feel smug and rest on your laurels for the remains of the day. People look down at you if you sit all day!

Did you know that the most requested item other than food in shelters and pantries nationwide are feminine hygiene products for teen girls and women? While food donations are actively called for, who would have thought of donating feminine hygiene products? A man of course!

Sometimes people get caught up in toxic dramas created by family, friends and colleagues. Note that there are inherent costs to this kind of involvement ranging from health to happiness. Protect your brain from negativity which causes stress and inflammation both physically and emotionally.

September is the month of new beginnings, a fresh start to trigger change. So with all that said, isn't it better to make your New Year's resolutions during the new vibrational energy of a crisp fall, as opposed to a cold, dark January?

Did you know that a woman’s sexuality is more adaptive and flexible than a man’s?

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. However, this uniformity is precisely the problem if you want to get ahead at work. The key words are cultural competence. Here’s how to diversify your friendships:

What is a domestic athlete? This is a person who puts in the most effort in the least amount of time and gets results. Here’s how to be one:

Nosy meddlers can seem like Velcro or Teflon. As with all experiences, you get to decide on your perception. Here are 6 effective ways to deal with these trespassers.

Whose life and relationships are so neatly compartmentalized as in a matrix? Here are 7 strategies which could prove helpful when living in hatrix – fixating on the bad:

When school’s out, the pounds go up. If there were a grade given for summer fitness, many would receive an F for fat. However, it’s not too late to reverse the weight gain in mid-summer.

An Alzheimer’s caregiver needs a special arsenal to deal with a loved one because of language impairment. Here’s how to maintain a caring relationship despite cognitive decline.

Are please and thank you defunct? Is making eye contact while speaking to another person old-fashioned? Is listening attentively without interrupting a thing of the past? Here’s why:

Wearing tight clothes could be hazardous to your health, leaving you with internal damage.

That sinking feeling in your gut which heralds an anxiety attack might actually respond to eating fermented foods which contain probiotics.

Since 2015 I have been observing a random sample of women and realized that none have been wearing high heels. When you wear flats, you will be considered a trailblazer because:

If you can become frugal with your fitness, then you will most likely lose weight. Frugal fitness translates to frugal with other things like calories and time.

There is an obligatory form of love, the kind your mother nags you about, so you keep a ledger of a potential partner’s traits in order to compromise. However, love at first sight is an optional form of love like experiencing an awesome moment unexpectedly. Here’s how to make it happen:

Creativity will set you on fire, not consume you. Create your reality. You might wonder why creativity so important. Let me count the ways for health and happiness.

Exercise empowers the self physically and mentally awakening your potential to grow and move forward in life. Working out provides a natural high, so you can look down at your relatively small problems to see the total picture to then find a solution. Here are 5 benefits:

It’s time to spring clean your stressors in order to reduce inflammation and lighten your mood. Create a positive new script : To lighten up and be happier with less as you accomplish more for yourself instead of others. Because you are so busy, here are 10 quick stress-busters:

Currently, Alzheimer’s has become the “A” word in diagnosis similar to cancer having once been the “C” word – the diagnosis nobody wanted to discuss. But not telling a patient can have dire consequences. So why are doctors keeping this a secret?

Slowing down the aging process to a crawl is everyone’s dream. Here are a few strategies which could help you revitalize and regenerate. Do all of them and you will have discovered the fountain of youth

Is it just me or have you encountered more narcissists these past few years? Recently, studies have emerged that we are raising a generation of narcissistic children.

Who among us has not wished to be invisible similar to an undetected fly on the wall, safely overhearing conversations and observing others? However, many of us grow increasingly upset and tired of being invisible for example:

If you are not part of a romantic duo, exposure to mushy marketing about love will reduce not only your self-image, but your self-spending. You feel undeserving. If you want to find the love of your life:

Fifty Shades legitimizes dark sexual fantasies in a fairytale romance novel. Suddenly women have permission to feel liberated - great; Unrealistic expectations of a relationship – not so great.

Quantum Caregiving uses the past to heal the present. Here’s how to do it:

Traditionally, January signals a new beginning and for some this means divorce proceedings. Matthew D. Johnson, director of the Marriage and Family Studies Laboratory at Binghamton University sees an increase in breakups when holiday energy ends and winter depression sets in. Here are the signs

If you are looking for love, stats indicate that Venus and Mars are best aligned in the winter as you cast your arrows towards Valentine's Day. Here are 5 great strategies for a stress-free relationship success.

Good riddance to a grim, stressful 2014! Here are 5 simple ways to be better in 2015

2014 was definitely the year of the butt. Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Meghan Tranor’s song, It’s All About That Bass, are some fine examples. So what is all this bare butt business about?

Trying to be happy, you feign super cheerfulness. This means smiling a lot and pretending everything is fine, and of course, verbalizing that you are grateful for everything! Consider that acting as if could lead you down the road of depression. Here are 9 grounded happiness tips:

Sleep has taken on a new health status these days for both prevention and healing of physical and mental health issues. Concerning quality sleep timing could be everything:

Temptation peaks during the holidays. It is as though the shorter, darker, colder days set up a stress craving to alleviate the absence of spring and summer. Here are 5 strategies:

Do you dread the holiday season because you have to spend time with family members who embarrass you and spark confrontation? If your past is always present, you haven’t worked through your relationship issues. While you are wondering, “Is it me, or is it them?” here is an arsenal of strategies:

The latest frontier in body envy is cited by USA TODAY's Arienne Thompson who questions female obsession with celebrity post-baby bodies, like Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson, who look skinny and toned soon after delivery.

If another person stresses me out by telling me how the lack of sufficient sleep can lead to a long list of ailments, I will stay up all night worrying. Here are some sleep solutions:

The great horror of Halloween is that it heralds the cycle of holiday overspending and overeating. This year the National Retail Federation estimates that consumers will spend $7.4 billion. Here’s how to make things more positive:

Women who are worried, anxious, nervous, jealous and experiencing sleep problems, you have yet another reason to be stressed: Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s how to improve your stress profile.

No One is immune to medical mishaps. Whether you examine Dr. Nancy Snyderman’s breaking her Ebola quarantine, or Joan Rivers’ endoscopy, doctors appear to be behaving badly. Can a patient simply trust the doctor? Here’s how to avoid a medical mishap:

Many of us believe that art is quite useless. Can you feed hungry people a painting of bread? Can you heal a cancer with a song? Or maybe you can! 7 quantifiable things art can do for you:

There are universal romantic notions: Love at first sight, “the one” who reads your heart and knows what you are thinking, and that overwhelming passion. But then daily realities set in. You feel wedlocked. Is sustained wedded bliss even attainable? 8 paths to happiness

The stress response originates from specific potent points known as your weakest links. When one of these points gets activated, you need a specific treatment to target that particular stressor. One size does not fit all. Here are 4 stress types. Which one fits you?

The ultimate question: Can your spouse be everything you want rolled up into one throughout the decades? When it concerns marital advice, like any advice, tread carefully especially if it is authoritarian. Consider how often the medical community reverses itself. Here’s how to navigate:

Summer is the best time to save a sinking marriage. Here are 7 ways:

Research asserts there is a greater link between stress eating and weight gain than previously thought. Living stress-free is not a realistic option. And most of us won’t reach for broccoli and celery sticks when we are upset. Here’s how to deal:

Clutter has gotten a bad rap. Psychologists are always telling you to de-clutter and various specialists are eager to help you to discard and organize. Not so fast: Could it be that you are not hiding behind all that clutter, but rather using it for self-discovery?

If you are experiencing stress in your relationships, Independence Day can signal a major improvement. Tap into the energy! You don’t need a revolution to begin. How to become an independent/interdependent you:

The mere thought of a loved one getting Alzheimer's is stressful. But what if you were next in line? Alzheimer's starts in the brain decades earlier before it manifests. Currently cocoa extract is being studied as a cure.

Most of us have been told to act “as if,” and then we will become what we pretend to be. However, this might not necessarily be the case. Faking a smile can actually make you sick and stressed.

Some people talk too much, barely pausing for a breath. Ever wonder why?

Don’t be cynical about this fact: Cynicism could hurt not only your spirit, but your heart and your brain.

The best health care provider - readily available, affordable and without the wait- can add years to your life and life to your years. Here is the inside story:

In a time period of perfecting the art of the selfie improving your self-talk is a logical extension. Talking to yourself is quite common and what you say can impact your mood and energy. Here are 4 benefits in self-talk.

Whether you have been on more dates than you wish to count, in an unsatisfying relationship for years, or reevaluating your various friendships, you might be wondering why things have not been exactly going your way. Here’s the special missing ingredient:

Aren’t you tired of being told to be your authentic self, the best person that you can be, to feel more positive, happier and grateful? Here’s what you can do when you feel anxious, unhappy and ungrateful:

If you find yourself in a relationship rut, you don’t have to spend a lot of money and fly to Paris for the weekend. Think about where you want to be a year from now and what you need to do to get there. Here are 8 directions on how to get there:

When you feel that you are being taken for granted in any relationship whether romantic or work-related, this could signal the demise of that particular relationship. Here are 9 ways to transform the dynamics for the better:

While stress doesn’t cause allergies, it exacerbates and triggers flare-ups. Once you experience annoying allergy symptoms, you become irritable – which puts you into a negative loop. Here’s what to do:

Gwyneth Paltrow’s decade-long marriage ended in a conscious uncoupling. Here’s how to consciously re-pair your marriage to become the dynamic duo:

Spring tempts us out of our baggy sweaters to shed the layers. But how do you jumpstart your exercise regimen? Do you work out with a friend, a trainer, take a class or go it alone? Here are the benefits, so you can decide:

It’s time to spring clean those health myths that have settled like cobwebs in the recesses of the mind. 5 health myths unmasked:

A report from the Alzheimer’s Association says that women over the age of 60 have a 1 in 6 chance of getting Alzheimer’s while men have a 1 in 11. Why this gender disparity? The answer is stress!

Sleep can become a chronic stressor if you aren’t getting it. So if your night time rituals aren’t working, consider that what you do during the day will impact your night.

What does the Jewish holiday of Purim and St. Patrick’s Day have in common? There is the power of the pack with nature signaling us to flock together for safety and close relationships.

Have you been a victim of well-meaning toxicity? In other words, do you get the sense that people prefer you a bit lower down on the ladder, so that they can feel higher up?

Who hasn’t felt awkward, uncomfortable or even worse said the wrong thing to a friend with a chronic illness? Here are forbidden phrases and conversation topics to avoid:

Bright light has a dark side which can up the intensity of our emotion – for the good or the bad. Here’s how to use it to your advantage.

As V- Day draws near, your jealousy meter could rise to the danger zone. However, instead of throwing yourself a pity party, aim Cupid’s arrow at your own stressed-out heart. Stress-management works best when you prepare before the main event. Here’s how to come and get your love:

So, what does the other woman have that you don’t have? The other woman is not necessarily younger, or more beautiful. There is good news here because you can easily access the other traits.

Consider this game, as the ritual end to the entire football season and so, a celebration in nod of Valentine’s Day. In other words, a good relationship is based on reciprocity. Here’s how to make the most of the Super Bowl:

Feeling that your life is filled with the blahs? It’s time to learn what happy people know: How to make the best of everything. 9 ways to spark your sense of wonder:

We all engage in a bit of celebrity gossip. However, when the story line concerns us common folk, we have a different standard, feeling hurt when we discover that a friend has gossiped about us, or revealed our secret.

Do you feel like the unwelcome third wheel in an animated conversation between two friends? Do you perceive yourself as banished to loneliness, excluded from the clique? If you are lonely, reconnect with yourself – enjoy your own company. Create a presence which will attract others to your side. Her

Tired of making grandiose resolutions which lose steam within a couple of weeks? While the year might be new, you are the same person on Dec. 31 as you are on Jan. 1. Here are 10 long standing strategies for the old you:

Do you want to end back pain forever? Then it’s time to look forward and make a fresh start. An orthopedist/friend recently confided that he suffers from sciatica like some of his patients. This piqued my interest.

A man living with a woman during the holidays can feel so stressed, that it impacts him physically and emotionally. What is it about the holidays that can derail a loving relationship?

Gift-giving is a complex human story which can either be inspired by the expectation of reciprocity, pure unselfishness, or even revenge. The Christmas season creates a gift-giving frenzy. Do you know and understand your gift-giving style?

The holidays are noted for weight gain, but what if it were possible not to gain any weight at all? You can counteract the excesses of the season: De-clutter and lose weight. This cause and effect works because there is an emotional component in both clutter and overeating.

If a marriage license were valid for ten year-increments with the option of renewal just like a driver’s license, do you know what would happen?

You unwrap your long awaited gift with enthusiastic curiosity, but soon you are puzzled. How to interpret his gift: The inside story:

Thanksgiving provides a terrific opportunity to manage stress and in fact, set the tone for the rest of the season: A reasonable happiness with realistic expectations.

During times of extraordinary stress we feel that we have little or no control. At this point it would be wise to go the opposite route to get back in control: Reestablish the ordinary routine.

You can wear your biggest fear inside-out, revealing it to the world without any shame attached in order to help you reduce its powerful hold. Here are 10 costumes that can help:

Past research studies have touted housework and gardening as good exercise. However, in a new study from the University of Ulster about exercise habits, those who counted housework as exercise were more obese. Did the study account for personal execution of housework and gardening?

If you have been taught to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you might want to reevaluate this truism. A good lie has many fundamental benefits which include promoting well-being, compassion, good humor, and happiness.

As long as you have to clean your place, why not use it as a targeted method for coping with stress?

Self-control means understanding the difference between reacting and responding. However, how do you get more self-control when confronted with habitual temptation-gratification during moments of stress?

Regret is like clutter, messing up your mind with dark thoughts. However, don’t regret that you feel regret. Your regrets serve a vital evolutionary purpose to make you better.

Conversation is more than an art. The spoken word can convey confidence, power and authenticity. Wouldn’t you like to reduce the stress of a courageous conversation and know how you really appear to others?

There is an epidemic of “I’m tired” and “I have no energy” spanning all age groups. Yet most people are too tired to consider their root causes. If you are tired of being tired, here are 9 sparks:

A stressor which inflicts great physical and emotional pain is the perception that you are STUCK which then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The greatest stress in life is the stress we cannot control. You don’t have to give up on a relationship, quit a generally solid job or give up a professional educational track because you feel powerless or diminished. Simply, let go of self-criticism.

Every day you are bombarded by well-intentioned, “good” advice ranging from stress management to diet and exercise. Sorting it all out can be difficult. So why isn’t it working? Here’s what will:

Distraction usually happens inside out. Be master of your mind rather than be mastered by it. Here’s how:

Many people opt to take their much-needed vacation in the summer when work slows down a little. However, who would ever guess that a vacation from work could be more stressful than the job itself? What can you do to stress less and enjoy more?

Stress trespasses into our lives no matter where we live and work. Since living a stress-free existence is virtually impossible, the next best thing is to know how to dilute the toxicity:

Whether you are a noun or a verb holds an important clue to self-awareness: Are you static or evolving?

If you want a monogamous relationship to go the distance, you have a lot to learn from strategies of the client-based business world. Here’s what a well-run business does:

Does Facebook promote an exaggerated sense of self, a false façade of self-worth, or does it in actuality cultivate real self-esteem?

Most of us know that the brain is the most erotic organ in the human body and sexual behavior originates in the mind. However, did you know that sex boosts brain power?

Summer is the best time to practice stress-management strategies, so that they can become knee-jerk responses for cold, dark, rainy days. Here’s how to chill:

Throughout the ages gardeners have known the secrets to longevity and health. Why gardeners are healthier:

When doctors administer a dose of empathy, it is reserved for normal weight patients. The overweight patient who stands to benefit from understanding experiences medical prejudice - a judgment about their lack of will power.

It is common knowledge that most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time because we play favorites. However, we continue shopping and spending money that we could have used more wisely or saved. Time to reduce your closet.

An interesting trend correlates with women packing on the pounds – they are doing less housework than previous generations. There has been an attitude shift in the female population and housework has become a dirty word.

A popular myth exists that being kind and compassionate means that we give ourselves away. However, it is time to realize that kindness and civility are selfish and advantageous.

Animals can teach us a great deal about good health – physical and emotional. 13 animal lessons for human nature:

Thankfully and a bit magically, every woman holds her own stop watch for work /life balance.

While the workplace can be a seething cauldron of stress for both genders, women tend to experience the following work-related stress symptoms like, short-term memory loss, lack of clarity, suppressed anger, fatigue and weight gain.

Since we are so busy and have little time for relaxation, this spring take an inventory of your friendships. By now we all know the true meaning of “friends with benefits:”

When a man is the main breadwinner and does stereotypical male chores around the house (like wearing a tool belt), a couple is likely to have more sex than the reverse arrangement.

The New Year resolution path is paved with good intentions. What makes a resolution successful is the ability to discern a wish from a resolution. Here’s how to get back on track:

This special day designated to celebrate love is a good example of the range of the love relationship, for better or worse. Which will it be for you?

If a woman outweighs her male counterpart there will most likely be tension in the relationship. However, if the male is the heavier of the two then the quality of the relationship usually remains stable. Why the disparity? And what can you do about it?

January signals a fresh start in self-improvement. But what if the person you live with does not entertain the slightest thought about change? Many women who read self-help books have absorbed the notion that “if I change my own dynamics, everyone around me will change.”So does this strategy work?

What keeps you from simply asking for what you need, enlisting the support of family members, friends, colleagues and your boss? Basically, it’s too little “identity equity.” The problem is that many people confuse asking for help with a sign of weakness.

2012 has been the health and wellness year of the mind and body connection. The winner for the most surprising research of 2012 is

We love the high of happiness, but the pressure to be happy is making us upset, especially during the holidays- the oy in joy. Then the unthinkable happens. Stress-management during a crisis means:

Anyone who has ever loved and lost knows what it feels like to suffer from a broken heart. However, if you just step back and look at the larger picture...

Holiday stress can trigger depression, generalized anxiety and overindulgence. Overindulgence is the frenzied side of stress – partying, feasting, drinking and substance abuse. The consequences of overindulgence:

Forget about the myth of the dreaded holiday weight gain. You can actually lose weight during the holidays sampling delicious menus while feeling attractive and in control.

Does the mere thought of free time, a vacation, or meditation and deep breathing fill you with anxiety and dread? Why do many of us fear relaxation, taking time out for the self to do nothing at all? Eye- opening research leads to better coping strategies.

It is easier to vent about waiting on a long line or cutting ahead of others to beat the system than dealing with a fundamental loss or grief. Here is what to watch out for and how to cope with all that stress:

Stress management tips for extreme stress from a Hurricane Sandy evacuee. Even when you lose power, you still have power.

Halloween spending hikes in this terrible economy is a real horror show! A recent National Retail Federation survey shows a record 170 million Americans plan to spend $8 billion on Halloween. You can get to know people better on Halloween.

Have you been objectified in the doctor’s office, felt underappreciated at work or de-constructively criticized at home? Does that gallon of ice-cream control you? Getting more control often begins by going the opposite route:

October is a month of self-discovery and fortifying personal identity. Identity is a complex matter, filled with contradictions.

So, why do people who get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet feel tired too?

Part of the problem with the end-of-summer blues lies in the following season’s name, fall. The word associations we have are: Fall down, fall apart, the biblical fall of man, and falling leaves – what a mess! 9 benefits of the season:

Is your job stressing you out? The good news: You are the boss

Are we too clean? Apparently, dirt is part of the delicate balance of healthy living. Learn how to reduce the inflammatory process.

Jessica Simpson is struggling to meet Weight Watcher’s 5 month deadline. But it took Simpson 9 months to put on the weight, so isn’t it logical that it might take her 9 months to lose it?

Most of us are aware of the big stressors which rob us of health and happiness. Did you know that sneaky little stressors can do greater damage, exacting a huge toll on mind and body because we are unaware of them?

Feeling rejected by your group? Don’t get stressed. You might be reaping the benefits of a strong sense of independence and a huge dose of imaginative thinking.

According to new findings a long-term marriage curbs men’s drinking, but women actually drink more. Does marriage benefit men more than women?

Reciting affirmations, listening to motivational coaches – who needs the stress of being happy all the time, or overly optimistic in precarious situations? If you repress your bad thoughts to be more upbeat, you might become anxious.

How do you attain self-confidence to complete goals when throughout life others chip away at you?

Since studies show that women tend to bear a disproportionate load of the housework, it is a given that a relationship might be stressed if one member tends to be a shirker while the other an over-doer.

While you sit and watch the Olympics where other people are active, consider this: Being inactive is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths worldwide. 5 tips for a more active lifestyle

Our society is preoccupied with busyness. Can you tell the difference between a high energy person who lives intensely and the stressful energy of someone always living in the future for what’s next on the to-do list?

We know the basics about happiness, but we still don’t have a handle on it. What we really need is something concrete to go on.

I wonder why we spend so much time trying to understand the nature of reality for an entire gender when it is far more productive to create that reality for the self.

Shoes support the various roles you play in life. As soon as you step into a specific shoe, you take your cue regarding mood and purpose.

Technology overload has led to multi-tasking which has given most of us a micro-attention span – even doctors. Have I got your attention now?

To live longer and with a better life quality you need to know how to harness your power. Here is the formula:

People in a relationship who disagree do so to communicate their feelings and pave the way for compromise and change. However, when anger is always present during a “discussion,” do you know that anger could signal sadness?

According to the American Medical Association women tend to suffer greatly from self- suppression. Therefore this Mother’s Day whether you are a mother or a daughter, it is time to nurture yourself: Have your say! Nice people don’t really like being nice.

Many quality people have been laid off during this tough economy. Yet some ordinary people are finding jobs, but how?

Daily juggling dilutes, depletes, depresses and oh that stress! Then why do we still multi-task?

Weight Loss has gone awry, even a health hazard. Why pay hefty prices to starve because you can do that on your own for free? Successful weight management has always been free and sustainable…

The difference between a sad person and a happy person could hinge on the ability to tell a “good” lie.

It might not be readily admitted, but many people once they live with each other, “the person whom they fell in love with and initially wouldn’t change for the world,” will do everything in their power to change their loved one’s habits.

The best thing about America’s health crisis is that you can take charge of your health profile to reverse much of the damage and live healthier than ever before.

It’s positively depressing how much has been written about happiness. However, if you have ordinary HDD - Happiness Deficit Disorder –here are two practical and profound approaches to happiness:

Spring cleaning coincides with the changing of the clocks and so, we need to reset our biological rhythms once again. These physical activities inevitably lead to spring cleaning relationships and if there has been a breakup:

Perhaps you have heard the buzz word, neuroplasticity. If you haven’t, you might be unaware of the scientific magic of increasing your willpower, motivation, happiness and health.

The Oscar winner “The Artist” makes a huge statement about our current stressful lifestyles: It’s time to go silent, simpler and spontaneous. Movies present a wonderful opportunity for emotional therapy.

Food can bring people together making them feel either welcome or alienated. If you want to know what someone is really like, share a meal together.

Venus and venom come from the same root, meaning love. Which will it be: Love potion or poison?

Throughout life I have always heard the phrase, “Find your passion.” Quite frankly this quest has made me feel a bit pressured at the same time chipping away at my self-esteem when I didn’t find it.

When people wear scant clothing on the beach, stripped down to core behavior, you learn a great deal about human nature and most importantly your own. Here are 4 happiness generators.

It’s easier to lick a bruised ego than take an inventory of personal strengths and act. Whether trying to lose weight or get a job during difficult times, you might say, “Oh, what’s the use?” when you’re not successful. Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

A supervisor who is abrupt, inconsiderate, condescending, or hot-tempered can cause an employee to feel stressed and unhappy about the job he or she was eager to get in the first place. Here’s how to deal:

New Year’s is a potential minefield which could explode your well-being both physically and emotionally. The best way to deal with imminent danger is to be alive and alert. Here are some alarming things that can happen and how to prevent them.

As the Aladdin story goes, if you find an antique brass oil lamp and rub it vigorously, a genie will appear and grant you a wish. Probably you would request something that you needed or believed you wanted to make you happy. So, it makes sense that when you rub sad and glad together you unleash…

Did you ever notice that the more you do for family and friends, the less it is appreciated? Or have you bought a pricey gift and included a cute token gift, only to find out that you have undermined that bigger gift?

This moment you can tap into the special energy of Christmas and Chanukah to conquer the very addiction you have always hoped to get under control! Here are 8 ways to change:

A surprising source of simmering female resentment is the myths generated about men. These fictional stories have the power to stress a relationship by triggering habitual ways of listening and responding because you already know character and plot.

I’m getting an early start on my New Year’s resolutions to change my life for the better today. Here’s what this resolution can do for you:

We’re busy having so much fun during the holidays and then they’re done - only blahs and blues remain. If you want to sustain happiness after the holidays, learn from retailers.

It is difficult to have a fair fight with your best friend because you know all the buttons to push and so does this person. Keep in mind that it is often easier to forgive an enemy than a good friend. Here’s the inside story:

Described as hyper-vigilant, anxious and worried, women have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep while their male counterparts for the most part sleep more soundly. Here's how to become a morning person.

Those little lies which just trip off the tongue are seemingly innocuous: Or are they? Your lies are a barometer of your empowerment.

Life is peppered with contradictions. Bad and good can be used to describe an event or a person depending on the angle of perception. What seems bad today could potentially be good tomorrow and vice versa. So, is your cup half full or half empty?

A disturbing trend in medicine - doctors using more technology and less human(e) observation to diagnose and treat their patients - has created era of the “iPatient.” Here’s what you can do about it:

Saving your relationship could be as simple as switching roles. Gender roles often lock us into predictable, repetitive arguments where no one makes any changes because who is listening anymore? A new sociological study from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee shows why.

When did women start to use poisons in the quest for beauty? The Brazilian Blowout gives the phrase, drop-dead gorgeous, new meaning as it contains a deadly carcinogen. Here are 6 healthy tips to refresh, enhance, and celebrate your beauty:

Back to school, back to work, to-do lists are growing with all this busyness and you wonder how quickly casual, spontaneous summer melted away. Don’t fight fall, embrace it and fall in love. Here's how.

From an evolutionary standpoint human survival has always depended on our ability to get along with others. Is there someone like a family member, friend or colleague with whom you can repair a bridge?

Women who follow endless to-do lists and drive themselves crazy with perfectionism show more symptoms of depression than women who are able to shed some of their duties to achieve greater work-life balance. Here are 6 self-concepts to keep in mind to transform your life to what you want it to be:

This is the time to breathe, reflect and take an inventory both nationally and personally: Stability before mobility.

You’re literally as good as your word. Words create your reality. They also hold clues to your deepest feelings. Being aware of imagery, pronouns and conjunctions you regularly use can provide important insight into your state of mind.

It is great to fully experience the present and not dilute it with invasive thoughts of the past or even future worries - the way animals live moment to moment; however, humans are far more complex. Here are 7 Steps to understand where you’ve been to get where you want to go.

While you might have hated the painful reminders about standing or sitting up straight when you were a child, good posture actually helps manage pain.

Even those who claim that they are not prejudiced and would never stereotype anyone, are actually tough on their significant other, even pushing their buttons to actualize the negative behavior in the relationship story.

Declare your independence by creating quiet time to reconnect with yourself and become aware of how you differ from everyone else. Are you ready to take the Unplugging and Reconnecting Challenge?

While good friends are healthy for us both mentally and physically, many tend to make themselves sick over not having a close friend at the moment. If you want to make new friends…

We can all notice celebrities and even become celebrities.

Both men and women are stressed environmentally, physically and emotionally. However, researchers in social psychiatry point out women are twice as likely as men to develop depression. Why? And what can you do about it?

Someone else’s stress is relatively easy for me to relieve. However, this week when I personally felt overwhelmed, here’s how I reset my natural rhythm.

Female stress hormones rise ominously when men don’t pitch in around the house. Male stress hormones rise when they do! Apparently, women live on Venus and men need to get off Uranus!

The placebo effect proves the positive power of mind. However, you might be surprised to learn that the contrasting dark side is also true. Here’s what you can do about it.

We just love to give advice. But take my advice: Resist the urge to give advice, solicited or unsolicited and you won’t feel resentful when people choose not to take your advice!

Wouldn’t you like to be able to identify the subtleties of relationship damage when you are best able to treat them?

An ordinary person can write her own eulogy now while healthy, so that her words,her thoughts, her buried treasure could be revealed by the person who knows her best.

Did you know that only about 50% of women like their bodies? And if a woman doesn’t like her body, then she is less likely to eat healthy, exercise and take care of herself.

Women have cornered the market regarding intuition - a woman’s intuition is equivalent to possessing a sixth sense. So what is intuition, how do you access it and should you trust it?

Could your perceived weakness turn out to be your signature strength?

There is a strong correlation between the need to accumulate/hold unto possessions and feeling disconnected from others.

If you have slackened off your New Year’s Resolutions, luckily you get a big boost: March begins the Motivational New Year and you are likely to succeed now.Here are 3 questions I use every March to help make a fresh start.

Did you know that failure can turn out to be a good thing?

Many of us marvel how quickly resolve dips and dissipates. Are you aware of the different motivational styles – which one (s) strikes a chord with you?

Most men dread buying their woman a gift – She will not like it, or she will pretend to like it and hang it away in her closet, never to surface again.

8 simple, cheap, heartfelt strategies to create the mood: Consider doing these love tasks together or dividing them up based on your skill-set – a relationship is a team effort.

Few associate Super Bowl Sunday with danger. However, the medical community warns that on this day some men will visit the emergency room for heart attacks, gastrointestinal problems and broken bones.

How strange that we celebrate a cute rodent every February 2nd (his predictions are correct less than 40% of the time) to determine if we are going to have a long winter! By now many of us are tired of winter, here we snow again, and suffering from a bit of seasonal affective disorder.

Unfortunately, the fence between the two properties wasn’t tall enough, the way Robert Frost would have liked. The shoveling was quickly generating its own angry storm soon to explode in violence: “You shoveled snow into my backyard!”

What is all this fuss about Amy Chua overtly confessing to be a tiger mom? Jewish mothers, if they would tell you their age, have been around for centuries working behind the scenes and the animal that would best describe them would be a hybrid of kangaroo and dragon.

If you sometimes feel that you are married to a stranger, you might be right! Couples who live together tend to overestimate their ability to communicate.

Many pursue happiness, but only some catch up with it. Part of the problem lies in the verbiage, “Trying to be happy.” Trying implies that one is not there yet and possibly never will be.

The problem with weight loss is the word, "loss". It has too many negative connotations. Instead, let’s focus on what is gained…

Exercise can literally be our lifelines because it is self-healing and grounding - generating positive energy. It helps us realize that we can exercise control over our lives.

I interviewed a random population of women and men of various ages and found that most survey participants were not making any resolutions this year. Here is why?

Stuck on: a long line, in traffic, a rude remark, it’s time to change the unpleasant mental movie to a calmer, more enjoyable one.

Many of us worry about making a good impression at the office party, a family get-together, or a net-working event. We worry about making intelligent conversation, if we will remember names, if we will be able to join in a group conversation already in progress.

Thanksgiving is almost here and many of us feel compelled to be grateful.

Fall, the season of the harvest, is the time when winter weight gain creeps into our lives at a steady pace. Then the holidays arrive to cheer us up around the winter solstice, ironically bringing more stress and oh, the dinners and parties replete with rich, calorie-laden cuisine.

Many people view Halloween as unhealthy because trick-or-treat candy fuels an irresistible sugar fest, the beginning phase of winter weight gain. However, Halloween has important health benefits.

After interviewing a random sample of self-proclaimed lucky people, here are the basic attributes I have found. Study them, so that you can improve your luck or even better, consider yourself blessed.

People-pleasing is a self-induced pressure, a lifestyle pattern, associated with weight gain. The goal in stress management is to go from people-pleaser to self-pleaser.

Women apologize frequently even when they believe they have done nothing wrong. When a woman apologizes even when she is not guilty of anything, she wants to please.

Females worry about their bodies as early as elementary school and as late as midlife. Men are often puzzled by female body dysmorphia. You might be surprised by their preference.

Loneliness is recognized as a growing health problem. The surprising findings: Addressing loneliness is not about attending support groups with other lonely people or teaching better social skills.

Being sociable, like going out with friends, hanging out after a class or volunteering, is physically and emotionally vital for well being.

Your friend used to be a confidante and cheerleader; suddenly, she turns into a frenemy. Are you in some way responsible? Should you try to mend fences?

Recently, I have been hearing adults complaining that they are bored even on vacation. While new studies assert that it is vital to keep busy to feel happier, many of us might be taking busyness to a new level.

Would you describe yourself as critical like you can’t help but notice the flaws? Your negative perceptions might be due to projection. Similarly, positive comments can be self-revealing. Most things that upset your equilibrium challenge your self-worth in some way.

Author and former mistress Holly Hill has written Sugarbabe to let women know that the best way to keep a man in a relationship is to let him sleep around with her permission. However, monogamy doesn’t mean monotony.

Previous research has shown that men are more attracted to women in red. Apparently, the lady in red wants a man in red.

While Mel Gibson might be an extreme, we all have some unresolved anger within which we believe we have come to terms with, but then… Anger is a good barometer of your own insecurity – a lack of true power.

We want immediate gratification and no one wants to work hard to enjoy a reward. Here are 8 powerful keys to good health – plain, simple and fast.

Is she assertive or ruthless? The stereotype of the she-devil boss abounds in the workplace. Here’s how to navigate the workplace when you don’t like your boss:

What’s up with moms and grandmothers forming about 40% of the Twilight fan base? Twi-Moms reflect current female concerns.

Youtube, Reality TV, American Idol, have brought dissatisfaction into our lives. Now we all wish upon a star to be DISCOVERED. Here’s how to feel happy as an ordinary person.

The BP oil spill has leaked into every American home which owns a TV and reads a newspaper, reminding us of personal memories that made us feel powerless as far back as childhood.

The quest for health could be a full-time occupation. Medical studies periodically change their minds. Here are some seemingly healthy actions which could actually turn out to be unhealthy.

You’re in a long term relationship or married and while you can’t pinpoint exactly when things changed in your romantic heart, you realize now that the quirks you once adored have become irritating. It’s never too late to make over your man.

Relationships have an ebb and flow; life’s stressors can drive you apart subtly and perniciously. There are fine points you might want to know about to take your relationship to the next level.

We all boil at different points and some of that steam heats up the workplace. Try these mood-boosting strategies to lower workplace stress. When you are happy, you pay it forward.

The words, Happy Mother’s Day, can sting. A commercial day set aside to celebrate mothers can be fraught with stress, grief and pain. I don’t mean wracking your brain to buy a generic gift. On Mother’s Day don’t dodge your despair…

While some back aches and neck pains are a disease process, many are a biophysical response to an emotional state. Your body often serves as a metaphor for what is happening in your mind.

Are there inner conflicts which hinder you from self-actualization and happiness? Discover your self-reliance by confronting your do-I-dare mindset. What’s bad might turn out to be really good for you.

It’s not what you do, but how you do it when it concerns chores. You can do your tasks more efficiently and even whistle while you work. Here’s how to let work - work for you:

Most everybody at one time or another has doodled. Stress and anxiety negatively impact memory while drawing funny little sketches reinforces learning. Here’s what your doodling might symbolize:

Happiness is not attained through pursuit; rather, it is created. To create happiness you need expansive, meaningful conversations, not small talk.

Getting off the sugar roller coaster is not just beneficial for your waistline. Without the stress of a sugar surge which is always accompanied by a fatiguing crash, you will experience greater inner peace and stability; also there will be a big boost to your immune system.

If your environment is cluttered and you are overweight, you might be wondering if there is an emotional connection. Perhaps, if you cure one, you cure both.

One of the most common complaints from people in a monogamous relationship is that they miss the initial high of falling in love. Monogamy does not mean monotony. Here’s how:

How ironic that Valentine’s Day which is supposed to inspire romantic love stresses people out. Go triple A: Avoid the hype. Alter your life story. Act to others the way you want them to behave to you.

Mental time travel is represented in the sensory motor systems that regulate human movement. Your thoughts can move you backwards or forwards.

This is the interim when we all resolve to be better. Then a couple of weeks down the road we lose our momentum and revert to what we always do. What if we could get fit and improve our mindset at the same time?

When it concerns happiness, many studies focus on how to achieve it. However, this is not getting to the heart of the matter as even depressed people experience happiness; instead the focus should be not merely finding your bliss, but rather holding on to it.

We have been through many ordeals this past year from the recession to relationship karma. However, we can finally stop feeling lonely, distressed and angry. We don’t have to keep repeating the same mistakes with different people and relive the same old story.

Many people who feel lonely never admit that they are lonely because loneliness carries the connotation of being a “loser.” Interesting to note: women are more likely to catch loneliness from other lonely people.

For the holidays and the New Year you might consider letting go as one of your resolutions for self-improvement.

If you are feeling messed up, have been trying to clear the air, or are ready to infuse your life with a brand new vigor, here are some symbols for the various cleaning counterparts

The holiday season sets us up for the McHoliday syndrome, a prefab happiness – a wonderful life for us all. As the holidays approach, we drive ourselves crazy looking for the perfect gift, preparing for the perfect dinner and trying to look perfect. Time to turn the extraordinary into the ordinary.

The holidays are a tension of opposites: happily anticipated from a distance, yet fraught with stress as they approach. Here are 7 tips for holiday. resiliency

A huge stressor ominously looming in the near future is holiday gift giving during these hard economic times. It’s time to shine a light on the virtues or re-gifting.

You step up on the scale, hold your breath and the moment of truth seems like a big fat lie: you have not lost one ounce. In fact, you gained a pound! What’s going on?

People go through great lengths to achieve contentment like getting all fired up in sweat lodges to attract success and happiness, a secret they have to pay for. This is why I am revealing my free “Self-Stimulus Package” to show you how to be the person you want to be TODAY.

Feeling stressed - who doesn’t reach for comfort food? Since you are what you eat, food choices can reveal major clues about the buried treasure of personality. Here are some popular comfort foods - what they symbolize and their healthier versions:

To create time and space to ease into yourself you need to believe that you have a right to an unfettered happiness. Begin by creating an inspiring environment at home

Most of us develop a strong connection to our hairstylist. We confide our innermost secrets and share our problems as though the hairstylist were a therapist. Ever wonder what you mother is not telling you, but telling her stylist?

Whether singing in the shower, in a choir or with a small child, “sound therapy” is linked to health benefits for body and spirit.

From the moment a male is born statistics show that on average he will live a shorter life span than a woman. He dies first because of the “ideals” of masculinity. Here’s how to help him change his thinking.

We are all freshmen during different times in our lives.Significant weight gain during a period of transition means that we are out of balance. Here is how to embrace change.

A new study by marketing professor Joe Sirgy of Virginia Tech's has some surprising findings which might help you to make a more cost effective decision to gauge if the trip is worth the expense and your time.

People who are already battling the bulge seem to really pack on the pounds when they experience stress.

There are coffee personalities; this means the kind of coffee you drink can speak volumes about your personality. Many of us don't know who we are or what we want out of life; the coffee we like can provide a much-needed clue.

We all know the familiar phrase, “The Truth will set you free,” and we all claim to want to know the truth both inside and outside of ourselves. However, new research shows that we really don’t want to know someone else’s truth if it differs from ours.

Saying no to others can be a daunting experience. When it comes time to actually use the two-letter word, many feel anxious and stressed. It’s time to learn how to say “no” – nicely!

Body dissatisfaction does not promote healthy behaviors. Being preoccupied with appearance is a way to avoid facing internal unhappiness and feeling out of control.

We have all heard the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for,” but nobody believes it. How did Susan Boyle get so exhausted, upset and drained by all this good fortune?

Do you live with a chronic case of self-doubt? Do you feel like you don’t deserve your success? You might have the impostor syndrome which is a real, psychological disorder.

Most women who take their marriage vows do so with the understanding, the unwritten agreement that their man will be home only: for dinner, weekends and holidays, and of course the occasional flu or sprain.

Have you been tripping on uneven pavements and bumping into furniture or people more than usual? Have stairs become your enemy? Have you become a menace in the produce section of your local supermarket?

The calendar says spring and a feeling of imminent dread creeps into your heart as your mind imagines a beach with a beached whale and you are the whale. Here’s how to get in shape fast.

There are two barriers separating you from your bliss:

Tree pollen and mold accompany the beauty of nature and the wind is spreading the news. Seasonal commercials bombard us with idyllic images of allergy medication.

How do you achieve happiness, the kind that lasts all day? Here is a sample weekday happiness schedule:

You might be surprised to learn that it’s not just a crime or a lie that makes most of us feel guilty, rather happiness and fun.

What did this pain symbolize? All transformations involve some sort of pain. Could I beat this pain? I decided to get along with it and get to know it better.

In many relationships some as soon as the second year of marriage, others after the seven-year itch and a couple of kids and then unexpectedly many after the silver anniversary – “I woke up one morning and realized that I am living with a stranger. Is this all there is?”

In a highly demanding stress-filled world our children are battered by academic, social and enrichment demands. So, how do you boost your children’s self-esteem and insulate them from a one-size-fits-all world?

Could you be feeling so stressed, so second-rate, that you have lost your own voice, your own image in the mirror and need to be reflected in someone else’s eyes? You just might be suffering from compassion fatigue.

Changing a bad habit into a good one can be daunting to say the least. However, you can silence your stern inner critic and make small easy changes, both at the same time! Your bad habits actually have a lot of good in them!

Many of us feel pressured to be happy and when we are not feeling optimistic and upbeat, we become disappointed; after all we failed at Happiness 101. However, what if every night we compiled a list of “Look What I Did Today?”

During these financially difficult times with massive layoffs and the dollar being devalued we need to get a handle on our expenditures and stop shopping to fill an empty heart or keep up an image. Most of us are aware of the placebo effect. However, do we know the far-reaching effects of a placebo?

Tap into the natural rhythm of spring by engaging in spring cleaning and other spring activities. As I spring into action to de-clutter my space, I clear out my mind, to see my goals in a different light and I announce my intentions as a way to bring them into reality.

According to Dr. John Ratey, a Harvard Medical School professor the primary benefit of exercise is to supercharge our brains to beat stress, boost memory and so much more.

The joyously surprising news is that even if you are born to be sad, you can imitate the characteristics of happy people to change your nature.

“I wish I had your will power,” people often tell me when they see me at the gym or read my writing. What is will power anyway? Apparently, it is the vast wasteland between I will and I won’t.

Being overweight and feeling depressed go hand in hand. In fact, they fuel one another according to a new study involving women ages 40-60. How do you boost your self-confidence when you are feeling unattractive, heavier or older?

Instead of making resolutions on the spur of the moment, make a commitment to just one goal of self-improvement, for you and no one else.

Normally, we don’t consider an egg, caterpillar, or pupa, to be beautiful. It’s the dazzling butterfly that lures our attention. We must give up our need to control and surrender to our animal nature, letting ourselves be overtaken by transformation. Change happens in stages.

Studies show that a shift in happiness has occurred: Men have cut back on unpleasant activities and relax more while a woman’s "to do" list has increased with less time to do everything. The obvious question: Why can’t women relax more, the way men do?

We have it all, but don’t know what to with it. And now Thanksgiving is almost here and many of us feel compelled to feel thankful. Why then do we drive ourselves crazy overloaded with chores and tensions concerning a holiday of gratefulness?

There are two basic impediments to making new friends. The first is our fear of rejection. The second is not as obvious as the first, our need for instant gratification. It´s not easy making friends anymore or is it?

Halloween celebrates deception, costumes and masks, which disguise who we are. However, are we wearing a disguise or revealing an internal truth, a fragment of our personality we have suppressed, the shadow side? Here are some popular costumes and what they might reveal about you:

In order to tune into him you need to observe what he tunes into on TV. The programs he watches on TV will help you figure him out because while he is absorbed in TV, he does not have his guard up or act defensively.

Why do we get so angry at the other side, unable to accept a different opinion? In order to be right does someone else have to be wrong? The real power struggle in the mommy wars is within the self.

One of the most basic steps on the pathway to happiness is forgiveness. Holding on to grudges, entrenched in being absolutely right, we doom ourselves to living in the past while poisoning our present. What is really bothering you: That someone hurt you or that you allowed yourself to be hurt?

I just returned from a whirlwind TV news station tour out West, five cities in five days. When you travel for business or pleasure and your schedule is hectic, don’t let yourself get depleted. Here’s what worked for me:

Has the word "but" been creeping into your statements? I am happy, but. I gained weight, but those holiday meals. I would exercise, but I’m tired.

The urge to gossip can be irresistible. According to recent statistics both men and women gossip about the same subjects and just as often! Considering that 2/3 of our conversations consist of gossip, there are some redeeming qualities.

It feels good to be bad once in awhile because we liberate ourselves from restrictions. Regrets fall into a different category. Since everyone experiences some sort of regret when reflecting on the past, it only becomes a problem if:

You have built your life around the kids and because you have done your job right, the last little bird is about to fly away. How will you fill up your life?

Love relationships are almost impossible to unravel. Let’s not bother to chew over the same old things and overanalyze them. When you said, “I do,” you really meant, “I do for me; then I do for you!”

Even at the very end, when we think we have nothing to contribute, nothing new to give birth to, we can make the biggest changes and do the most good.

To manage your daily stress and feel reasonably happier you need to broaden your associations and liberate your mind from the blind respect you have given teachers, parents and professionals – people pleasing.

Everything has become ordinary and unacceptably mediocre. There are concrete signs of potential breakups; some of which come from feng shui, that cannot be rationalized away. Often words obscure issues, but the tangible facts don’t lie.

These days everyone wants a faster metabolism to be able to eat more, lose weight and have everyone admire that you have a fast metabolism. Wouldn’t it be great to metabolize your past – the anger, the regrets and the sadness?

We all know how it feels to be stuck in a bad mood. Bad moods are contagious. However, if you are infected by someone else’s bad mood and don’t even know it, what can you do to get over it?

When you grow patient with yourself, you lighten that tense burden of accomplishment.You are in touch with your internal energy. Just as your muscles grow during periods of rest, so does your soul!

Some couples choose to stay together even though there is no romance. This type of marriage can best be described as the non-divorce.Listen to callers-in to my radio show who reveal their secret lives concerning living in marriage limbo.

Color has a powerful sensory appeal and many of us learn from visual cues. Understanding what different colors transmit and say about people can improve communication and engender respect and acceptance for personality differences. Here are some colors and what they might mean to you:

Everyone in a relationship argues. Most revealing about the happiness factor of your relationship and of course, how good you feel about yourself is your fighting style. See if you fit any of the four categories:

To stay positive requires restoring your natural rhythm to be in sync with others. Here are some suggestions for turning a negative work environment into a positive.

Could "non-divorce" be a trend in 2007? Many couples see the "non-divorce" as a way to stay married, keep up social appearances and maintain community status. Why has your romance drifted apart?

This is the time of year that I worry about my clients who are closet shopaholics. How can you tell if you are a shopaholic? And what can you do to control those impulses?

Humor can make your marriage happier than ever! Neuroscience explains that what makes you laugh is not only subjective, but based on gender. Understanding his style of humor can make him more endearing as well as reveal important clues about how to be in-sync with him.

Are you feeling tired, the kind of tired where nothing really matters anymore? Have your energy levels dipped to the point that you feel like you are dragging around a leg iron? Here are some suggestions to help you get fired up:

In these troubling times many of us are not sleeping well.The best remedy is stress-reduction, letting things slide. There are concrete steps we can all take to improve our sleep. Here´s how: