Mental Health

Football player making a touchdown

Stress Goes for a Touchdown

By Sylvia Lafair | January 23, 2025 |

How Excellent Behavior Leads to Victory On and Off the Field Summary: As Super Bowl LIX nears, the NFL’s best will take the field, showcasing skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The game will offer leadership lessons far beyond touchdowns, teaching us that character and excellent behavior often define true winners. Dear Dr. Sylvia, There is so…

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Woman holding a white mask, smiling.

How to Stop Stress: Step From Self-doubt to Self -aware and finally to Self-confident

By Sylvia Lafair | January 20, 2025 |

Summary: Stress is a multifaceted and annoying creature. One of the deepest holes to dig out of is self-doubt. Yes, it takes a willingness to look inside yourself for the why and the where that feeling of not being good enough began. Here are some thoughts on taming your own stress monster. Dear Dr. Sylvia…

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A green sprout growing and navigating through hard times

Facing Irrevocable Change and Navigating Tough Times

By Sylvia Lafair | January 13, 2025 |

Summary: Change, of course, is an inevitable part of life, but some changes hit us harder than others. These are the seismic shifts—the ones that feel irrevocable, reshaping the foundation of our world. Whether it’s losing a loved one, a significant career upheaval, or moments being caught in the extremes of climate change, that’s when…

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Inside out cast together balancing leadership with stress

Leadership Lessons from the Film “Inside Out Two”: What Happens When Old Memories Cause Stress

By Sylvia Lafair | January 9, 2025 |

Summary: Leadership often feels like a balancing act between managing the present and navigating the baggage of the past. For many leaders, old memories triggered by stressful situations can derail focus, cloud decision-making, and create internal turmoil. Don’t stay in adolescent reactions. Here’s how to release what no longer works. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am…

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Business man pushing 7lbs of emotional weight off the edge of a cliff

How to Lose 7 Pounds of Emotional Stress in 7 Days

By Sylvia Lafair | January 7, 2025 |

Summary: Ah, stress. It’s like that unexpected guest who shows up, plants themselves on your couch, and refuses to leave until you figure out what they’re really there for. But here’s the kicker: what if stress wasn’t the villain we always make it out to be? What if we started this shiny new year by…

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Cookies for holiday reflections

A Holiday Reflection: Finding Hope in the Season’s Honest Truths

By Sylvia Lafair | December 26, 2024 |

Summary: The holiday season is often wrapped in shimmering lights, cheerful music, and the promise of togetherness. Yet, for many, it brings a complex mix of emotions: nostalgia, joy, longing, and stress. This is a time to pause, reflect, and connect with the holiday season in our increasingly complicated world. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I keep…

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Girl holding Christmas trees in front of her eyes to celebrate the holidays

The Importance of Presence Over Presents

By Sylvia Lafair | December 24, 2024 |

Summary: It’s easy to equate showing love and appreciation with giving physical gifts. Presents can be thoughtful and meaningful. However, something far more valuable cannot be wrapped or tied with a bow: your presence. Here are some things to think about. Dear Dr. Sylvia, When all the “oooh’s and ahhha’s” after unwrapping the special gifts…

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Woman meditating against a red background.

Want Less Stress, and Feel “SO ZEN”: How to Keep The Stress Hormone Cortisol in Check

By Sylvia Lafair | November 25, 2024 |

Summary: Stress is a natural part of life, and our bodies are designed to handle it, at least in short bursts. At the center of this response lies cortisol, the primary hormone responsible for regulating stress. However, in today’s world of relentless deadlines, 24/7 connectivity, and mounting pressures, cortisol levels can remain chronically high, leading…

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A painting of albert einstein with a space background.

The Power of Glimmers: How Intuition Can Lead to Great Discoveries

By Sylvia Lafair | November 3, 2024 |

Summary: Throughout history, many groundbreaking discoveries, made not solely through logical reasoning or methodical experimentation, came from intuitive “glimmers.” These seemingly fleeting moments of insight that connect head, heart, and gut play pivotal roles in shaping science, art, and innovation. You can use these glimmers as a leader in your own life to make a…

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A woman is holding her head in front of many post it notes.

Managing Excessive Stress in Today’s World: Practice Safe Stress. Read “Invisible Stress: It’s NOT What You Think!”

By Sylvia Lafair | September 18, 2024 |

Summary: Stress has always been a part of everyday life. However, in today’s harried world, it’s on steroids! Work pressures, personal responsibilities, and constant connectivity make escaping it impossible. Yet, the real issue isn’t just stress itself—how we respond to it. Excessive stress can lead to burnout, mental health struggles, and physical problems if left…

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