stress management Archives

The Ugly Middle: When Conflict Gets Messy (and What to Do About It)

By Sylvia Lafair | October 9, 2025 |

Business professional running toward golden light, symbolizing determination and growth in conflict resolution skills at work.

Summary: Every leader wants conflict resolution to occur as quickly as possible. Few are prepared for the ugly middle, where things get confusing. Here’s how to stay grounded when you feel frustrated and hopeless. Dear Dr. Sylvia, The entire world seems to be fighting all the time. There is no middle ground. I often feel…

When Stress Clamps Down, Curiosity Blows the Doors Off

By Sylvia Lafair | July 17, 2025

A green sprout growing through cracked concrete on a steep San Francisco sidewalk, symbolizing how curiosity transforms stress into growth.

Summary: You know that feeling, your chest tightens, your jaw clenches, and suddenly your to-do list feels like a personal attack. That’s stress! We all relate to stress. Instead of taking the meds, here is another way to pivot the stress factor and feel better faster. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I read your book “Invisible Stress…

Oversharing at Work: When “Being Real” Turns Really Awkward

By Sylvia Lafair | June 17, 2025

A man in office attire illustrating oversharing at work with colorful letters and symbols swirling from his mouth and around his head.

Summary: Let’s talk about oversharing. It’s that awkward moment when someone turns a team meeting into a therapy session. You’ve seen it. You’ve cringed. Maybe (gulp) you’ve even done it. Welcome to the land of Too Much Information (TMI) at work. Today’s world of stress has this population growing fast. Dear Dr Sylvia, Why do…