Experts Blogs

Andrew Weil’s Location Revelation The good among the great, the men and women such as Doctor Andrew Weil, the pioneer of holistic medicine are always open to new experiences because they are alert to their own wants and they embrace opportunities to satisfy those wants.  In the early 1980’s, Weil moved to a majestic Arizona ranch 2500 miles from where he grew up because he listened to his heart and was open to a new experience.  The opportunity to live in this sun-splashed corner of America only presented itself after his car broke down on his way home from doing research...

In the wake of the floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and radiation leaks this spring, we're struck by the realization that changes in the Earth present in many ways. At times they're gradual or sudden and violent. They can come from the forces of nature or the actions of human beings. They can be unexpected and out of our control or planned and anticipated. In any case, the havoc they wreak can affect millions. The effects of the natural disasters this spring alone have impacted the world economy and may continue to do so for months to come. How do we...

Now that all the mega-lottery winners have stepped forward, the overwhelming odds are you didn't win. Americans spent $1.5 billion in their quest to win the jackpot, fantasizing about how they would happily spend the $656 million to be paid out to the winner. As it happened, there were three winning tickets so the final after-tax take home for each will be about $100 million. Still, nothing to sneeze at. Are you wondering how winners have fared in the past? In many cases, not so well. Over 1/3 were in serious financial trouble within five years, some facing bankruptcy. Others saw...

Are you and your partner worried about money in these uncertain times? During any economic crisis, couples have to face tough financial decisions. This can lead to an increase in stress and aggravate problems that already exist in your marriage. As you look back to when you first met, what attracted you to your partner - fierce independence, strong character, a decisive nature? Now, these very same qualities may be getting in the way of getting along. If you want to come to terms with your negative feelings, notice what has changed in your marriage. And try to see your...

A month ago my daughter asked if I would be interested in playing Words With Friends with her. Becky lives in MA, and we are in CT and NY and we thought it might be fun. Instead it changed my life! I downloaded the App onto my iPhone, and away we went. Becky and I started playing. We emailed at night when we both had time to take a breadth from the long day, and we emailed in the morning to start the day. I found that I liked playing with Becky more than I realized. Not only did we play,...

We all know about the importance of play for the emotional growth and development of children. It can enhance their imagination, increase social skills and boost self-confidence. So why don't we place more value on play for ourselves? According to a recent study by the Families and Work Institute, half of American women don’t have enough time to spend on themselves and the activities they enjoy.

Long before it was a song, the saying was a part of our conversation - and it's especially appropriate during February, the month of love:

Love makes the world go round.

With all this whirling, love can make you feel off balance and dizzy. Sometimes it's tricky to keep your personal world turning without having it spin totally out of control. Although our focus is most often on romantic love, there are many different kinds of love that help keep us grounded. We can be fully engaged and filled with pleasure loving a friend, an idea, a place, an experience. For the essence of love in your life, think about including these:

Love is always on our minds in February, is it not? Valentine’s Day can make those who are in love feel it even stronger, and it can make those who aren’t in a relationship yearn for it even more. But love isn’t just about whether or not we are in a relationship. It’s not about what present we get on Valentine’s Day. What is love really? Love is… happiness! If you were to study people who have found true happiness in their lives, one thing you would notice is their ability to give love. These people have found the key to...

Now that your teens are in school again, are you concerned they're back to risky behaviors on the Internet - sending inappropriate sexual pictures and texts on their cell phones? If so, you're not alone. A recent survey of parents with children between the ages of 10 and 18 found their number one worry was not school shootings, bullying or grades, but sexting. Nearly half said their child had received some kind of racy message or image in the past. And with impulsive teens not fully grasping the gravity of their actions, many are hitting 'send' before they consider the...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by 24-hour cable and Internet news, with vivid pictures, highlighting the dreadful effects of the massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown in Japan? These horrors have pushed the world's psyche into overload, causing increased levels of anxiety. If you're feeling vulnerable, you're not alone.  The palpable distress created by shocking news reports has added to the already high levels of stress identified by a national survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. The study found 75% of the general population experiences at least some stress every two weeks, with half of these rated at moderate or...