Acceptance Archives

Acceptance is a big part of Wise Mind Living and often comes down to knowing when and how to accept the situation you’re in. This isn’t always easy when you’re dealing with stressful situations.

Usually, the answer is when you can’t do anything to change the situation. Here are a few simple strategies that can help you:

Cope

On your way to acceptance, you can try distracting or soothing yourself to help deal with stress and get you through the tough spots without doing something unhelpful. Deciding on inaction is another good way to protect yourself while you wait for the worst to pass.

Catch Yourself in Nonacceptance

Watch for examples of nonacceptance in your life – they don’t have to be anything big.

Meditation

This is a way to practice acceptance on the spot. And remember, it’s a moment-to-moment proposition. You don’t just reach it and move in permanently—you have to keep choosing it.

A Mother’s Day Message of Thanks to My Son

I am blessed to have an incredible mom who has shaped my life in countless ways. I wrote a post about that last Mother’s Day, and in the year since she has continued to amaze me with her generosity, seemingly limitless energy and unconditional love and support.

But this year, I also want to take a moment to offer my deep gratitude and appreciation to my son, and acknowledge all of the important lessons he has taught me since that incredible day, six years ago, when I became his mother.

There is no other experience in my life that […]

2021-08-27T04:13:36+00:00By Erin Olivo|Wise Mind Living, Acceptance|Comments Off

3 Ways To Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Does your emotional intelligence play a role in your happiness and success?

Some experts suggest that it can be even more important than IQ. I’ve found that emotionally intelligent people are successful because they practice a set of strategies that are part of a balanced approach to life that I call Wise Mind Living.

Emotionally intelligent people are confident because they know how to manage their emotions. They also have the ability to perceive, express, and evaluate emotion in themselves and others. They make choices in wise mind, not emotion […]

2021-08-27T04:13:37+00:00By Erin Olivo|Build A Meaningful Career, Wise Mind Living, Acceptance|Comments Off

Why Acceptance Helps You Deal With Stressful Situations

Wise Mind Living often comes down to knowing when and how to accept the situation you’re in—which isn’t always easy when you’re dealing with stressful situations.

Usually, the answer is when you can’t do anything to change the situation. As for how, read on.

Pop quiz:
You took the morning off work to wait for the cable guy and there’s only one more minute left in the two-hour window the company promised you. Your home internet access is at stake, not to mention the next episode of your favorite HBO show, so you have to get this repaired today. But you’re […]

2021-08-27T04:13:38+00:00By Erin Olivo|Stress Less, Wise Mind Living, Acceptance|Comments Off

The Best Ways to Cope With Negativity

Have you ever had one of those days where your exposure to negativity is overwhelming?

I had one this week. After a long day at the office, I turned on the evening news and heard about the shooting in Ottawa, the ongoing fear of the Ebola virus, and the continuing ISIS attacks.

Whew – sometimes it feels like the world is going crazy!

It’s hard to not let the negatives around us become negatives inside us. But you don’t have to let the bad news ruin your day or make you anxious.

Here are three tips to help you shake off the […]

2021-08-27T04:13:39+00:00By Erin Olivo|Be Happier, Wise Mind Living, Anxiety Relief, Gratitude, Acceptance|Comments Off

What’s Love Got to Do With It? 5 Tips to Reconnect, Repair and Recommit to Your Most Important Relationships

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day shows up like clockwork every February 14th, and there’s nothing you can do to change that. What you can change is your attitude about this holiday.

2021-08-27T04:13:40+00:00By Erin Olivo|Improve Your Relationships, Wise Mind Living, Acceptance|Comments Off

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: The Downside of Change

So how’s your New Year’s resolution going? Have you made it to the gym, quit smoking or stuck to your new diet plan?

If you’re like most people, you’ve already given up on your resolution by now. Am I right?

According to researchers at the University of Scranton, only eight percent of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions achieve their goal. (Read this post on how to make resolutions that last).

Not being realistic about the goals you set is one of the biggest mistakes people […]

2021-08-27T04:13:40+00:00By Erin Olivo|Feel Better About Yourself, Wise Mind Living, Managing Emotions, Acceptance|Comments Off

Welcome to Wise Mind Living

Welcome to the Wise Mind Living blog. I’m Dr. Erin Olivo (Oh-leave-oh), a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University. I’m also a mother, daughter, wife, best friend, younger sister and New Yorker. Like you, I wear a lot of different hats throughout the day. I’ve been treating patients for more than 12-years, and during this time I’ve taught numerous adults and teenagers how to regulate their emotions, tolerate and manage stress, and achieve a more balanced approach to life that I call Wise Mind Living. But it’s not just my patients that need to learn this—everyone, including myself, needs to learn to live in Wise Mind!

2021-08-27T04:13:40+00:00By Erin Olivo|Wise Mind Living, Acceptance|Comments Off