Wise Mind Living Archives

The Beginners Guide to Mindfulness Meditation

Are you curious about meditation but not sure how to start a mindfulness meditation practice?

Perhaps you’re wondering how to sit still with your thoughts for even just a few minutes. Or when and where to meditate.

Well, I’m here to help you overcome any obstacles with my beginners guide to mindfulness meditation.

One of the best ways to learn mindfulness is by doing a formal Mindfulness of Breath practice. This is one of the simple meditation techniques that I teach all of my patients, and it’s a good place to start for anyone interested in learning […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Live Mindfully, Wise Mind Living, Meditation|Comments Off

5 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

Have you been hit by the winter blues?

The fun of the holidays are a distant memory, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter. These days it’s just cold, dark, and dreary.

One in five Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression also known as the winter blues.

Even if you don’t meet the criteria for a diagnosis, most of us experience at least some of the symptoms: fatigue, less desire for socializing, and feeling down or blah.

It’s very important to be mindful about taking care of yourself if […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Be Happier, Wise Mind Living, Depression|Comments Off

4 Skills That Will Deepen Your Relationship

I bet you can relate to wanting to know what relationship skills will help fix a relationship or keep it healthy.

You’re not alone: Relationship issues are one of the most common topics that bring patients to my office.

Whether you just started dating a few weeks ago or have been married for 20 years, the following relationship skills are the key to creating and maintaining a deep emotional connection with the one you love.

Actively Listen

Make a real effort to focus your attention on what your partner is saying. This means that you aren’t thinking about what you’re going to […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Improve Your Relationships, Wise Mind Living|Comments Off

How To Fit A Mindfulness Practice In To Your Busy Schedule

I know that many of you would like to start a mindfulness practice but aren’t sure where to begin.

Or you’re wondering how to fit this in to your already busy schedule. I have a solution for you: an informal mindfulness practice!

There are two types of mindfulness practices: formal and informal. Both are key to Wise Mind Living, and you can do both or alternate depending on your schedule.

A formal practice is the version most people imagine when they think of meditation – sitting in a quiet space for about 20-minutes, […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Live Mindfully, Wise Mind Living, Meditation, Managing Emotions, Anxiety Relief|Comments Off

Why Acceptance Helps You Deal With Stressful Situations

Wise Mind Living often comes down to knowing when and how to accept the situation you’re in—which isn’t always easy when you’re dealing with stressful situations.

Usually, the answer is when you can’t do anything to change the situation. As for how, read on.

Pop quiz:
You took the morning off work to wait for the cable guy and there’s only one more minute left in the two-hour window the company promised you. Your home internet access is at stake, not to mention the next episode of your favorite HBO show, so you have to get this repaired today. But you’re […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Stress Less, Wise Mind Living, Acceptance|Comments Off

The Best Way to Achieve Your Goals

We’re almost two weeks into the New Year—are you on your way to achieve goals or resolutions? (If you’re undecided about making a resolution, read this post.)

Or are you feeling stressed out about how to achieve your goals?

If your stress levels are rising, I think I know why: distressing emotions! This is the most common obstacle everyone faces no matter what goal you’re working toward.

Take a moment and really think about what’s been holding you back. Why haven’t you lost those last few pounds or asked for […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Build A Meaningful Career, Wise Mind Living, Managing Emotions|Comments Off

How to Make Resolutions That Last By Prioritizing Your Values

It’s a new year and that means you’re probably thinking about making resolutions.

Or you’re wondering how to keep your New Year’s resolutions. 92% of Americans who make resolutions don’t achieve their goals according to researchers at the University of Scranton.

You might want to lose weight or spend less or get organized—all good options if you consider the downside of change first (you can read more about that here).

But I have a Wise Mind Living […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Be Happier, Wise Mind Living|Comments Off

The Real Reason Why You’re Stressed Out

If you’re a regular reader of the Wise Mind Living blog, you know that I believe most people who are stressed out have the wrong idea about what stress is. Which is why they aren’t very good at managing their stress.

What you need to do is learn how to manage your distressing emotions—because that’s what stress really is.

So where do these distressing emotions come from?

And if you don’t like these feelings, and they’re the reasons for stress, why do you have them, anyway?

The basic answer is that we have emotions because there’s a […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Stress Less, Wise Mind Living|Comments Off

How to Beat the Holiday Blues

The holiday season is in full swing. Anything that can hold a strand of lights is lit up. Christmas tunes are playing in the elevators. And your inbox is full of emails from retailers reminding you of all the gifts you need to buy.

It’s the time of year that also comes with an underlying message that you should be happy, merry and grateful.

But for many people, the holiday season is actually a difficult time of year and brings on the holiday blues.

There are plenty of things that can make you dread the holiday season. The grief over the […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Be Happier, Wise Mind Living, Depression|Comments Off

Four Tips to Overcome Social Anxiety

The holiday season is upon us and although it’s supposed to be festive and fun, it can also bring a lot of anxiety-producing social occasions.

Whether it’s due to an office party, a big gathering at your in-laws, or an open house in your new neighborhood, many people suffer from social anxiety and that can make you feel out-of-sync with the merry mood.

If you’re dealing with this problem, Wise Mind Living strategies can teach you how to overcome social anxiety.

My patient Angelina was having anxiety issues about her upcoming office holiday party and asked me […]

2021-08-27T04:13:39+00:00By Erin Olivo|Stress Less, Wise Mind Living, Anxiety Relief|Comments Off