Mental Health Articles

Tips for improving your health

written by Elizabeth Sadock, phD

Click below to access my articles published in Psychology Today under the blog:
Your Body Has Something to Tell You: Discovering the body's wisdom for mental health.

Psychology Today Articles

It’s Not Enough to Feel your feelings
Three steps to increase your emotional intelligence.

“You just need to feel your feelings.” We hear it all the time, but what does that mean? And even if you successfully “feel your feelings,” then what? Is that enough?

Coping with Coronavirus:
How to guard against Emotional Contagion

The threat of the coronavirus is hanging heavy in the air since it was first identified in early January in the city of Wuhan, China. We can’t escape reminders of the virus. It is dominating news stories and social media, creating an eerie stillness in many cities, and impacting our everyday lives. Naturally, tensions are running high as people try to cope with the uncertainty of a quickly spreading virus.

Don't stress about stress:
How to transform stress into fuel

Stress chemicals prepare our bodies to respond to threat. Historically, this was helpful for surviving an attack from predators, but what about in modern society? How can stress work in our favor?

How to kick your smoking habit

Chances are you have been down this road before, or maybe this is your first time, either way there is no getting around the truth that quitting smoking is one of the most challenging habits to break. Nicotine has been found to be as addictive as heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines, and over time the body develops not only a physical dependence, but also a psychological or emotional dependence on cigarettes. Know that your struggle is completely justified. However, also know that there is hope.

Adjusting to expat life

Soon after I moved to Shanghai, I perfected the introductory exchange when first meeting a fellow expat. It went something like this, “Since April.” “My husband’s job.” “It’s been an adjustment…” I have given a lot of thought to the idea of adjustment, and so I hope you also find these steps helpful wherever you may be in your adjustment process.

Creating lasting healthy habits

Why is it so hard to quit smoking, go to the gym, practice safe sex, or eat healthy? Everyone knows these things are healthy and yet many of us struggle to commit.

How to not let anger take the reigns

I think we can all agree that anger is complicated. Sometimes it is a slow boil just below the surface, and sometimes it is like the finale of a fireworks show. Anger, like all emotions, is a signal that is likely informing you that a need is not being met, but how can we prevent our anger from leaving a trail of devastation in its wake?

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia:
The key to better sleep

Sleep is elusive. The more you want it, the more it escapes you. The good news is that a treatment called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia has been proven to successfully help people get their sleep on track.

how to improve communication

Relationships are hard to navigate. The most commonly cited reason for why people get divorced or break up is “communication problems.” But, what does that mean? How do we improve our communication, or even know if we are communicating well?

Preventing burn-out in organizations

We all have felt it, that emotional drain and numbness, like a heavy blanket weighing down our lives. Burn out can be prevented by building psychological flexibility. This means learning to be aware and accepting of the pain that comes into our lives while continuing to pursue what we value. We can become more psychologically flexible when we address the following principles: Openness, Awareness, and Engagement.