How Gratitude Influences Our “Happy” Neurochemicals

During this season of Thanksgiving, it is often a time to reflect upon all that we have to be thankful for.  Despite the many challenges that many of us have faced in 2017, reflecting upon the areas of our life that have been fruitful, positive and...

Meditation as a Recovery Tool 

I think back fondly to one of my favorite twelve-step meetings when I was in early recovery. The meeting focused on meditation. After introductions, group members turned off the room lights, closed the doors, and drew the curtains shut, creating an atmosphere of...

Badge of Busy

Some days I feel like an octopus with eight different tentacles all attempting to complete my compiled “to do list” and truthfully, it sometimes feels like I’m Superwoman to be able to complete all the various tasks. However, a life of crazy busy is...

Remaining Mindful in the Moment

In a recent Harvard study, Steve Bradt discovered that approximately 47% of individuals spend their days pondering about subjects that are not pertinent to the present moment. Our thoughts are alike a monkey propelling from one branch to the next as we process...

Bite Size Mindfulness for a Busy Bay Area Life

Life in the Bay Area is fast paced, which makes learning how to slow down an equally challenging and important task. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, fully experiencing and noticing one thing at a time. Over time this trains our brains and...