Dr. Atkins’ Thoughts
February 4, 2020
For most of my professional career I have tried to help people come to terms with loss. The loss of the child they had hoped for and the adaptation to the one they had; the loss of a job that they wanted or had; the loss of a relationship, the […]
February 4, 2020
As some of you are aware, my beloved mother, Sylvia Atkins, died one month ago. A role model to almost everyone who met her, she was loving, inspirational, and lived with an indescribable vibrancy and energy. She had a deep appreciation of life and was curious about everyone she met. […]
December 30, 2019
Many of us think our role in a conversation is to talk. In fact, what most people seem to prefer is to have a conversation partner who is a good listener. We may say too much, repeat ourselves to make a point (when the point is already made), talk about […]
December 30, 2019
As the new year begins, I have been thinking about the importance of hope. For me, losing hope and then regaining hope is very tied to health. I know I am not alone when, for instance, hearing a challenging diagnosis can be the impetus for a momentary (or longer) loss […]
December 2, 2019
If we cannot avoid traveling during the holidays, we can try to keep ourselves as calm as possible as we embark on our journeys. Whether we travel by car, train, bus, or plane, it is likely we will encounter delays, crowds, rudeness, lost bags, fatigue, and other people’s distress. Travel […]
December 2, 2019
We all agree that we expect confidentiality when we share information with healthcare, law, or professionals. There are rigorous ethical standards that guide these relationships and we all expect compliance. Lately, I have been thinking about whether we have similar expectations in our non-professional relationships. When we share personal […]
November 4, 2019
Learning new things is good for our emotional and physiological health. Novel experiences stimulates the release of the chemical dopamine, and causes the brain to build connections among neurons. This is important as we age, for we can replace and activate some connections that we lose over time. The brain […]
November 4, 2019
Amanda and I wrote The Kindness Advantage, in part to help families positively address the increase in disrespectful and bullying behavior. Bullying can be physical or emotional and can occur at any stage of our life. Too many of us choose to do nothing when they see or hear […]
October 2, 2019
Recently I visited Greece and was mesmerized by the amazing shapes and the knots formed over time in the olive trees. People have been cultivating olive trees for thousands of years BCE. As I walked through (and travelled beside) multiple groves I saw them as a metaphor for parenting and […]
September 24, 2019
Spending mindful time in nature is beneficial for our body and soul. We spend our time increasingly indoors, especially if we live in urban areas. Yet, we are meant to be connected to the natural world, taking in nature through our senses. Seek opportunities to take time out, slow down, […]