Deanna Pledge, Ph.D.

Today is a day to cherish all those relationships that are important in our lives. Studies and anecdotal data have long supported the critical role that close relationships play in enhancing the quality of our lives, even contributing to the ability to live longer! The impact of stress is reduced by socializing with others. (more…)

New year, new you? Many people make New Year’s resolutions; however end up feeling disappointed soon after New Year’s Day. The key to lasting change is to make small goals that will build over time that help you maintain the change. For most people, maintaining the new behavior long enough to make (more…)

The holidays can be such a special and stressful time. Unfortunately the stress often tips the balance, making it hard to enjoy special events and people. Try paring down your list of “should” to help you be in the moment and freely experience the holidays. Changing one thing can produce major results. Maybe you (more…)

Now that we have officially recovered from Thanksgiving, it’s time to settle back into normal routines. I would like to challenge you to include extending the themes of simple gratitude and thankfulness for the people and pleasures of daily life as part of your routine. What did you find yourself feeling thankful about during the recent holidays?

Although uncertainty abounds in our lives, how you choose to focus your attention can help you manage anxiety and uncertainty. (more…)

Creativity is the residue of time wasted. ~ Albert Einstein

Isn’t this the most delightful quote? What I love about it is the permission it grants to “do nothing,” not often a perspective relished by modern women. In our society, productivity is clearly more valued than idle time. However, creativity theorists also support the value of idle time in the creative process. Many major discoveries have been recognized after periods of time away from work. Of course, hard work in your creative endeavor is also needed in order to move forward, but knowing when to step back is also a necessary component. This is that “aha” moment that may be familiar to you as you recall a person’s name later in the day after being unable to retrieve it in the moment or unexpectedly solved a vexing problem.

The need for down-time is a new habit that I would encourage you to develop. Not only is this a good practice for your overall health and well-being, but it can also nurture creativity.

Go ahead and take a moment or an afternoon just for you!

How is that done, you may ask? How do you keep going when you feel uncertain or tired?

Keeping up one’s energy is truly a matter of staying connected to your own creative direction. Granted, it doesn’t have to be what most people traditionally identify as creative. That connection can take the form of daily problem-solving or daydreaming. (more…)