Advance Care Planning: Know Your Options
During a period of critical illness many patients are unable to speak for themselves, and their next-of-kin is often called upon to help make decisions about the best care for them. In such cases, patient’s families often find it helpful when a patient has made an advance directive detailing what kind of treatment they would want if they were unlikely to recover certain levels of mental or physical functioning. You can take steps today to start (or continue!) this important conversation.
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! And other stuff sick people wish they could say.
When a person in your life is going through a hard time such as an illness, divorce, or bereavement and your question is “how can I not say the wrong thing to them?” Dr. Susan Silk’s Ring Theory provides a simple answer: comfort in, dump out.
Two Simple Steps for Better Communication
The need to be heard and understood is one most of us share. Yet we may often feel misunderstood by our partners, parents, children, friends, or colleagues. Moreover, it’s likely that some of those important people in our lives don’t always feel heard and understood by us. When we misunderstand one another, we often end up feeling frustrated and hurt.
Forest Bathing: How to Reduce Stress with or without a Forest
We’re likely all aware of the health benefits of physical activity. However, did you know that just spending time in nature - with or without movement - has significant health benefits? There is even a term for mindful time spent under the trees - “forest bathing.”
Ethical Decision-Making in Complicated Times
The world has gotten pretty complicated. No matter your work or home life, you are likely at least occasionally to encounter an ethical dilemma. Ethics are the moral standards by which we live our lives and are informed by factors such as our family, culture, education, and spiritual beliefs. An ethical dilemma is created when you are confronted with a choice between two or more actions, and any course you take is likely to be in conflict with a personal belief.
Ready to Travel Again? How to Cope with Culture Shock
If you've ever traveled outside of your hometown, you probably are familiar with the highs and lows of experiencing a culture different from your own. Traveling (even to another state or city) can be exciting, challenging, and full of learning opportunities. It also can be scary, frustrating, and overwhelming. In this season when more of us may be traveling, and students will be heading out to and returning from study abroad experiences, let’s consider what happens when our travel involves culture shock.