Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”

$1.6 Billion.  That’s 1,600 x 1 MILLION Dollars.  For the person who won roughly that amount in South Carolina (and the rest of us): Would it surprise you that your emotional well-being really doesn’t improve by becoming wealthy?  There’s been a host of research in recent years that look into happiness and money.  Possibly the most […]

Do I want this, or do I not?  Is this my actual desire, or what I don’t want?  Does this thought or desire define me?  What if it’s terrible or horrible? Sometimes the things I think about are because I value them or desire them. Sometimes the things I think about are because I don’t […]

Photo by Dhiva Krishna on Unsplash Yesterday and today both I witnessed bad car wrecks.  I haven’t seen a car wreck in over two years. Not only have I been more cautious driving since, today I caught myself telling my wife possible reasons for seeing two crashes in a row. “Hey babe, maybe people are absent-minded […]

Photo by Jonatán Becerra on Unsplash Incredibly sad is the news that in a matter of days, two revered, loved, and famous celebrities committed suicide.  This morning I was hit by discovering that after Kate Spade ended her life, Anthony Bourdain also ended his.  After I prayed for their families, I knew I needed to send out this blog. Suicide […]

Photo by Owen CL on Unsplash Did your anxiety increase over flying after news of the engine failure on Southwest Flight 1380?  Even a little? I have booked plane tickets twice since the incident in mid-April 2018, and when choosing seats, I hovered precariously as I decided whether to select my favored window seat, or if I go […]

Photo by Leio McLaren on Unsplash “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” – Helen Keller I don’t want to live […]

Most people think I’m an extravert.  They see me being sociable, laughing, communicating- and the consensus is, “There’s NO way you’re an introvert.”  My friends have confused being outgoing with being extraverted.  In fact, even in counseling, the average person I work with believes that extraverts are outgoing and communicative, introverts shy and introspective.  And though […]

You may have just gotten an activity tracker over the holidays, or maybe you’ve already jumped on the bandwagon of wearable tech.  Not only do activity monitors like Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Spire track steps, heart rate, sleeping, and more, you can turn your tracker into an ally for mental health. Here’s how. Being able […]

In this season of rush…. I hate to admit it.  Mom and Dad, please don’t laugh too hard when I say….this…. I sometimes miss being told what to do.  There.  I said it. I remember the drill of childhood.  “When did you last eat?  Here, have some food.”  “Looks like you could use a hug.”  “You’re getting […]

Almost there.  End of Election Day 2016.  In seriously considering how to be a good citizen in this election, I came across a sure fire one.  It’s research based, and all respected professionals agree with this one. ​ Communication in love = improved relationships. Yeah, that’s right.  I suckered you into reading this.  But why […]

Ben Kolde on Unsplash This post was originally published on 09/14/2016 on my wordpress and is newly updated. Happy September (Recovery Month)! School’s back in session and vacations are over for many.  If you’re like most, you’ve been seeing everyone’s summer pics on facebook and Instagram. While you might expect this post, written by a Professional […]

Thomas Plets on Pexels This post was originally published on 05/26/2016 on my wordpress and is newly updated. You’re surrounded by setpoints every day.  They literally keep you alive.  One of them is your set body temperature.  If your body drops or rises a mere 15% beyond your core temperature, death occurs.  Think of a setpoint like […]

This post was originally published on 04/19/2015 on my wordpress and is newly updated. In Latin, Quid Pro Quo means, “something for something.”  You scratch my back; I scratch yours.  Tit for tat.  It’s how the world runs. Or is it? In the business world, this often works.  Social psychology calls it “reciprocity.”  In relationships, well, this […]

If your heart condition were so bad that you had to undergo expensive ($100,000) coronary bypass surgery to improve it, would you change your lifestyle after the surgery?  Nope.  Not likely, at least according to a surprising study by Dr. Edward Miller at Johns Hopkins.  Miller found that 2 years after patients had a coronary bypass surgery, […]

It is sad to see the person looking for a chemical fix to all their problems.  Equally discouraging is seeing marriages torn apart, lost dreams, and lives ended early- when psychiatric medication might have made a difference in the big picture.  Not “pro-meds” or “anti-meds,” as a mental health clinician I am “what is your […]