Tag Archives: worry

Reality Check: Thoughts on Going Viral

You’ve already heard about the virus. I’ve been torn about whether to write about it. There is already so much discussion, and I certainly have no medical information to offer. What could I possibly add that might be helpful? However, … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Thoughts on Going Viral

Reality Check: Prepare, Then Forge On With Optimism

Back in my childhood, roughly a thousand years ago, there were a few popular doomsday scenarios that described how awful the world would be when I grew up. If I managed to make it to adulthood, that is. For example, … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Prepare, Then Forge On With Optimism

Reality Check: The Things People Say

Everybody’s heard about Treena’s embarrassing situation. At least, that’s her perception. Her boss, neighbours, relatives, friends, and acquaintances know that she did something bad and was caught. It was even in the paper, ensuring that every single person knows it. … Continue reading

Posted in Perception & Reality | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Things People Say

Reality Check: Strategies for Choice

Previously, I discussed a theory popularized by Barry Schwartz in, “The Paradox of Choice” that there are two choice-making approaches. Some people are maximizers; intent on making the absolute best choices they possibly can. Others are satisficers, who stop looking … Continue reading

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Strategies for Choice

Reality Check: Do your choices satisfy you?

We make many choices—some consequential; others trivial. Does your choice-making process satisfy you? Or aggravate you? Or does it depend on the choice? Barry Schwartz needed a pair of jeans. In the big scheme of things, picking out jeans isn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Do your choices satisfy you?

Reality Check: That Which Strikes Fear

Did you hear the story about the person who called police on a vacuum cleaner that was trapped in the bathroom? Apparently, the resident could see shadows under the bathroom door. There was obviously something amiss; no one was supposed … Continue reading

Posted in Perception & Reality | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: That Which Strikes Fear

Reality Check: Choosing Hope

Catastrophizing. It’s a dramatic word, isn’t it? When we look ahead, whether it’s to a new year or just an ordinary new day, we can look with a perspective that’s filled with hope for the promise of things to come. … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Choosing Hope

Reality Check: Feelings for the Future

Imagine the future. Maybe your daydreams are happy ones—winning the lottery, lazing on sandy beaches surrounded by loving friends and family. It’s a future with happiness, health, and good will. Or perhaps the future that springs to mind is filled … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Feelings for the Future

Reality Check: Fear and the Unknown

If you’ve ever had a serious medical issue, then it’s safe to say you have experienced fear. That fear may be about unknowns: How will this turn out? Will I be ok? When I was catching up with Sara some … Continue reading

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Fear and the Unknown

Reality Check: Relaxation and Everyday Anxiety

Last time, I mentioned that Dr. Martin Seligman has a couple of suggestions to lower everyday anxiety levels. One is progressive relaxation, also known as progressive muscle relaxation. This technique is hardly new; apparently first described nearly a hundred years … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Relaxation and Everyday Anxiety