Resolutions and a new year go hand in hand. “New beginnings,” “fresh starts,” and “new year, new you” frequently find their way into commercials, promotional materials, and our collective mindset as we consider a more ideal life. To a certain extent, this approach can be helpful. We identify a goal and have a start date. And yet, the messaging feels laced with the idea that the current  you must be discarded for the better  you. “Out with the old, in with the new!” Why “New

It seems almost everywhere you look, pets have invaded our lives: we see places you can take your pets, advertisements for putting your pet’s face on custom merchandise, or read about the magic of animal-assisted therapy. Is this just a trendy fad, or is there more to the captivating nature of the human-animal bond? There are numerous benefits to pet ownership that can support our health (including both our mental and physical health). Humans benefit in various ways from bein

It’s more common than people know - person-to-person violence or relational trauma. Many people avoid discussing violence because it either feels too heavy, too heady, or too dark. But when we turn to our inner bravery, we can transform the trauma of violence into many things that benefit ourselves and others; you may be able to help yourself and others identify the problem and heal. The healing process for trauma like this takes a lot of learning, and feeling, and confrontin

Grief is one of the most powerful emotional experiences we can go through. It affects not just our hearts, but our minds — disrupting sleep, concentration, decision-making, and even memory. When someone we care about is grieving, it’s natural to want to help, but often our instinctive responses, though well-intentioned, can unintentionally deepen their pain or isolation. Here ’s what not to say or do when supporting someone who’s grieving — and how to offer real, trauma-info