New Harbinger Publications Inc. Logo
Off the Couch - The Latest in Psychology and Mental Health
Syndicate  

Current Articles | Categories | Search | Syndication

Monday, December 20, 2010
holiday escapes without travel

:: 0 Comments :: Article Rating :: relaxation, holidays, guest blogger 		 

I was recently in a nail salon when a woman walked in and was asked by those working there what she would like to have done. Her answer was immediate – “I don’t care. I am here to escape.”


Clearly many of us were there for the same reason. The fact is that both men and women yearn for a little escape from the many demands of the season. It is not so much that they don’t want to participate in aspects of the Holidays – be they family gatherings, religious events, gift giving or New Year’s celebrations – they just need a breather. They need some personal escapes to balance out the holiday expectations, pace and demands with self-care.


The definition of escape is to break free from what confines. What if we break free at certain times throughout the Holidays to do those things that once made us feel good?


What Does that Mean?


In times of crisis, we know that the mind and body keep score – that the smell, touch, sight or taste of different things can bring back a visceral and emotional feeling associated to a traumatic event.


It is worth reminding ourselves that we also encode positive emotional experiences in sensory ways. Consider reaching back to remember the sights, sounds, taste and smell of something that once brought you delight, fun, peace, excitement, creative expression. Find a mini way to escape into them when you need.


In this culture where everything tends to be bigger and better – we often overlook the enormous potential of the small things – the 10 or 20 minutes in a day to escape into something positive.


Read the rest of the blog piece here

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP is the author of Healing Together: A Couple's Guide to Coping with Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress .
Posted By / 3:44 PM / Monday, December 20, 2010
Comments
Currently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one!
 You must be logged in to post a comment. You can login here

books recently featured on our blog

Wisdom to Know the Difference Naked Foods Cookbook Stress Response Real Food All Year Eating Mindfully 2nd ed.

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube
Archives
NH Authors on Huffington Post Syndicate  
NH Authors on Psychology Today


Susan Albers, PsyD
"Comfort Cravings"

 
Ronald Alexander, PhD
"The Wise Mind Open Mind"

 
Susan Bauer-Wu
"Living Fully & Letting Go"

 
Stanley H. Block, MD
"Come To Your Senses"

 
Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, MS, LPC
"Teen Angst"

 
Elliot D. Cohen PhD
"What Would Aristotle Do?"

 
Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH
"Real Healing"

 
Troy DuFrene
"Fumbling for Change"


Russ Federman, PhD, ABPP
"Bipolar You"

 
Lisa Firestone, PhD
"Compassion Matters"

 
Robert Firestone, PhD
"The Human Experience"

 
John P. Forsyth, PhD
"Peace of Mind"

 
Paul Gilbert, PhD
"Practice Compassion"

 
Barton Goldsmith, PhD
"Emotional Fitness"

 
Ken Goss, DClinPsy
"Practice Compassion"

 
Randi Gunther, PhD
"Rediscovering Love"

 
Karyn Hall, PhD
"Pieces of Mind"


Rick Hanson, PhD
"Your Wise Brain"

 
Russ Harris, MD
"The Happiness Trap"

 
Steven C. Hayes, PhD
"Get Out of Your Mind"

 
Lynne Henderson, PhD
"Practice Compassion"

 
Lara Honos-Webb, PhD
"The Gift of ADHD"

 
Jonathan Kaplan, PhD
"Urban Mindfulness"

 
Melissa Kirk
"Test Case"

 
Bill Knaus, EdD
"Science and Sensibility"

 
Randi Kreger
"Stop Walking on Eggshells"

 
Marilyn Krieger, PhD
"The White Knight Syndrome"

 
Mary Lamia, PhD
"The White Knight Syndrome"

 
Karen Leland
"The Perfect Blend"

 
Barbara Markway, PhD
"Shyness Is Nice"

 
Kelly McGonigal, PhD
"The Science of Willpower"

 
Susan Pease Gadoua, LCSW
"Contemplating Divorce"

 
Stephanie Sarkis, PhD
"Here, There, and Everywhere"

 
Jefferson Singer, PhD
"Life Scripts"

 
Shawn Smith
"Ironshrink"

 
Olga Trujillo, JD
"The Sum of My Parts"

 
Cassandra Vieten, PhD
"Mindful Motherhood"

 
Ruth C. White, PhD
"Culture in Mind"

NH Authors on: