Recently, I gave a talk to an audience of parents and teachers on resilience, the ability to bounce back, to handle life’s daily challenges, and to overcome adversity. I discussed the five factors that are important to develop resilience: connection to others, communication, confidence, competence and commitment, and control. And I recommended the things that could be done to help children and teens develop resilience - things like taking risks (appropriate to their age, of course), making … [Read more...]
Discover Your Passion and Improve Your Mental Health
August 20, 2014 By
What role does passion play in our lives? It’s a question I’ve given much thought to lately. I recently had the pleasure of meeting a professional book reviewer and writer at a dinner with friends. It was wonderful to sit and talk with someone who shared my love for reading, and our conversation reminded me of the importance of having a passion and how it brings great meaning to our lives. A passion is something you want to dig into more deeply. It doesn’t matter if the passion … [Read more...]
Words are Just the Beginning
February 2, 2014 By
In recent months, prominent public figures, past and present, have been in the news for very different reasons. We mourned the loss of Nelson Mandela, honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and questioned the integrity of Governor Christie. All of these men, known as great speakers, have used their words to motivate audiences. Their words, however, are just the beginning as their actions determine their place in history. Dr. King and Mandela have changed many hearts and minds with their … [Read more...]
Is Your Child’s Profile Happier than Her Real Life? Social Media Use and Anxiety in Children
November 18, 2013 By
If you are on Facebook you already know what a recent study found - it makes you sad. Researchers revealed that the more young people used Facebook, the more they became dissatisfied with their lives. How ironic that the social network we use for fun and connection can lead to sadness and disconnect! From TV to smart phones to social media, the lives of U.S. children and families are dominated 24/7 by media exposure. It’s only now that we are beginning to research and understand its … [Read more...]
Inspiration: Top 10 Ways to be the Best Person You Can Be
October 10, 2013 By
Shortly before leaving Monmouth Medical Center in June of 2013, Dr. Allan R. Tunkel, then Chief of Medicine, gave a talk to the medical honor society at Drexel University College of Medicine. He delivered a riff on David Letterman’s Top 10 and spoke about the top ten ways to be a successful physician. When I had a chance to look at his speech, I was struck by the fact that it was not only a list of ways to be a great physician but a code of conduct for being a great human being. I found his … [Read more...]