This Emotional Mind

Career

The Planning Trap

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on March 22, 2023

A Personal Perspective: We live in a planning-obsessed culture. Letting go of the idea of a perfect future may help you live more authentically in the now.

A Personal Perspective: We live in a planning-obsessed culture. Letting go of the idea of a perfect future may help you live more authentically in the now.

Stress

Why "Doing It All" Feels Especially Hard During COVID

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on January 18, 2022

Has your parenting stress skyrocketed during the pandemic? Don't blame yourself: The loss of The Village has made this so much harder.

Has your parenting stress skyrocketed during the pandemic? Don't blame yourself: The loss of The Village has made this so much harder.

Anxiety

When “Take a Deep Breath” Can Be Bad Advice

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on November 22, 2021

Don't "take a deep breath" when you're stressed, even if your favorite aunt tells you to. Deep breathing can actually make anxiety worse.

Don't "take a deep breath" when you're stressed, even if your favorite aunt tells you to. Deep breathing can actually make anxiety worse.

Stress

Why the First Day of School Is So Stressful

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on August 16, 2021

Are you or your child feeling anxious about back-to-school season? Instead of dismissing it, consider the possibility that it's a legitimate, real, and totally understandable response to change.

Are you or your child feeling anxious about back-to-school season? Instead of dismissing it, consider the possibility that it's a legitimate, real, and totally understandable response to change.

Family Dynamics

How to Handle Sibling Fights

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on August 11, 2021

Are your kids driving you crazy with their incessant fighting? Resist the urge to hose them down. Master these five steps to compassionate conflict resolution.

Are your kids driving you crazy with their incessant fighting? Resist the urge to hose them down. Master these five steps to compassionate conflict resolution.

Autism

What Good Is an Autism Diagnosis?

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on April 23, 2021

Neurodiversity is the rule, not the exception, in nature. Diagnostic categories can improve our understanding and acceptance if used and understood for what they really are.

Neurodiversity is the rule, not the exception, in nature. Diagnostic categories can improve our understanding and acceptance if used and understood for what they really are.

Psychiatry

Drugs in My Diaper Bag

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on March 9, 2021

Momming is hard, and this pandemic has made it exponentially harder. Therapy is becoming more acceptable, but why do we still take psychiatric medications in secret?

Momming is hard, and this pandemic has made it exponentially harder. Therapy is becoming more acceptable, but why do we still take psychiatric medications in secret?

Anger

How Not to Be an Angry Person

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on January 25, 2021

Anger is not very ladylike! And it's also OK to feel.

Anger is not very ladylike! And it's also OK to feel.

Anxiety

The Myth of Mind Control

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on December 2, 2020

Stuck looping on that same negative thought or feeling? Trying to stop your thoughts or change your feelings doesn't work. Do this instead.

Stuck looping on that same negative thought or feeling? Trying to stop your thoughts or change your feelings doesn't work. Do this instead.

Stress

6 Emotional Superpowers You Can Start Practicing Right Now

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on July 31, 2020

Think emotions are the bad guy? Think again. Here are 6 ways to make them your trusty sidekick instead.

Think emotions are the bad guy? Think again. Here are 6 ways to make them your trusty sidekick instead.

Anxiety

How to Get Through a Panic Attack

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on July 22, 2020

Is COVID, work, parenting, or just life in general freaking you out? Here's an easy-to-remember strategy for getting through a panic or anxiety attack.

Is COVID, work, parenting, or just life in general freaking you out? Here's an easy-to-remember strategy for getting through a panic or anxiety attack.

Depression

Are Coping Skills Failing You?

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on July 13, 2020

Jon Kabat Zinn has said, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." But what about when the waves become a tsunami?

Jon Kabat Zinn has said, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." But what about when the waves become a tsunami?

Empathy

When You Say Nothing At All

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on June 18, 2020

When a friend is in pain, we just want to say something that will fix it. But what do you say when there are no words?

When a friend is in pain, we just want to say something that will fix it. But what do you say when there are no words?

Habit Formation

3 Ways to Tame Toddler Tantrums

Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on June 16, 2020

Ram Dass once said, "If you think you are enlightened, go and spend a week with your family." Here's some help for dealing with the tiniest members of yours.

Ram Dass once said, "If you think you are enlightened, go and spend a week with your family." Here's some help for dealing with the tiniest members of yours.