January seems to be the month the diet industry takes over the internet, radio, and television with promises to create a new you. It’s the perfect time to find willing customers ready to buy anything that will help them overcome the indulgences of the holiday season. The diet industry continues to be a multibillion-dollar industry even though the failure rate of diets is huge. Why do we still get hooked? (more…)
You know the saying, “fail to plan you plan to fail.” I have lived by that rule throughout my life. Everywhere I go I have lists, mainly to help me to remember important events or projects and their approaching deadlines. What I’ve found is that I’ve been successful at achieving tasks throughout the day—especially during the holidays. Some, but not all, of my lists include: groceries, gifts to buy, dinner parties, luncheons, decorating the house, holiday traditions, shopping frenzies. The lists go on and on and on. Unfortunately, I never scheduled me-time.
Too often feelings of gratitude are not associated with the holidays, but more like ultimate stress and worry. The mixed bag of pleasure and pain seems to creep in earlier and earlier every year. There are those people who put up their Christmas Tree November first and start listening to Christmas music in October. However, when reminded how many more days there are until the holidays, there is an overwhelming voice of alarm and concern. (more…)
If someone were to ask, “Is there a magic pill that will make me happy?” I wish I could answer, “YES, take this everyday and your life will automatically change for the better!” However, there are many factors to consider when it comes to happiness; what makes one happy does not necessarily mean it will work for another. (more…)
Ali Booth, LCSW & Melissa H. Smith, PhD, CEDS
“If only I was thinner.” As therapists working in the area of eating concerns, we cannot tell you how often we’ve heard this magical thought. Why is it that all answers to life’s complexities can be answered with the number on the scale? If the number on the scale goes up, it’s automatically a bad day, but if the number goes down then it’s a great day.