Almost daily, we hear of the devastating impact of climate change and animal agriculture on the planet: increased wildfires, heatwaves, floods, extreme storms, climbing sea levels, the erosion of natural environments, and the extinction of species on a massive scale. We also know that climate change influences migration patterns, communities’ infrastructure and creates less secure food systems. A recent report by the American Psychological...
Great example of the power of art therapy for people with chronic disease
This short video shows the power of art for a girl with cystic fibrosis who spends much of her life in the hospital. She expresses herself through painting with the aid of an art therapist. She’s reducing stress and dealing with the impact of her physical symptoms, sometimes with talk, sometimes without. http://cnycentral.com/news/local/canastota-woman-looks-to-art-therapy-to-cope-with-chronic-disease Share...
How thoughtless compliments can hurt: noticing thinness when weight loss was unintentional
This moving essay (below) describes a distraught mother, coping with her daughter’s cancer, being envied because of her weight loss. What is the message to this woman’s daughters: one who is dealing with illness and the other with illness of her beloved sister? We’re so obsessed with thinness in our culture that we value it, by any means necessary. What a travesty. As the author says, “If you want to know how someone is,...
Got stress? Start making some art!
Got stress? Start making some art! Another study shows the benefits of art-making and it really (reallyreally) doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a great (technically skilled) artist or not. Truly, there’s an artist in every one of us. Let yours shine! http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2016/06/20/science-suggests-an-artful-way-to-reduce-stress/#66060994d891 Share...
Dogs providing comfort to Orlando victims
I was so heartened by this short video of comfort dogs giving Orlando victims a moment of love and peace. http://www.wfaa.com/news/nation/comfort-dogs-helping-people-grieve-in-orlando/243091192 Share...
Using photography to express anxiety and depression– one woman’s journey
This young woman, Katie Joy Crawford, is addressing her anxiety and depression with her extraordinary photography. And she is sharing it so that others don’t feel so alone. Thank you, Katie Joy Crawford, for contributing to reducing the isolation of people suffering from depression and anxiety. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/what-it-feels-like Share...