Ask Dr. Barb: A plan for sticking to resolutions

Dear Dr. Barb:

I don't really believe in making resolutions, but there are a lot of things I hope to accomplish in 2013. I find I'm sometimes sidetracked and don't always follow through as well as I'd like. Procrastination is a problem. How can I stick to my goals?

— Mike M.

Dear Mike:

Almost everyone procrastinates some of the time. Human nature is such that one is less likely to procrastinate when a task is easy or pleasant. If what you want to accomplish is difficult or burdensome, the task can cause anxiety. When we're anxious about a task,

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Ask Dr. Barb: The power of positive thinking

Dear Dr. Barb:

What do you think about "the power of positive thinking?" I have a friend who is always reading books on that subject. She is more than a little annoying in her suggestion that I can avoid having bad things happen in my life just by visualizing a better outcome. 

— Jane W.

Dear Jane:

Reading books about “the power of positive thinking” and visualizing better outcomes can be motivating for some, but there can be drawbacks. First, no one book takes into account the individual reader's differences such as personality, skill set or problems. Second, too often individuals read self-help books expecting a quick fix. Changing self-defeating thoughts that bring about poor outcomes requires effort, time and practice.

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Ask Dr. Barb: 'Tis the season to avoid emotional eating

Dear Dr. Barb:

I had a great summer and lost 25 pounds by increasing my exercise and eating mostly vegetable salads. It's always easy for me to lose weight when the weather is warm, but as soon as the days get dark, I feel the urge to eat -- it starts with the Halloween candy and goes right through the holidays. I'm especially concerned about the holidays because I come from a family of great cooks, and I have never been able to resist the high-calorie side dishes and desserts. I really do associate them with the love and comfort of family around the holidays. I feel my willpower issue is somehow psychological. Is there anything I can do?

— Betty

Dear Betty:

Congratulations on your weight loss!  You are absolutely right that your eating willpower is psychological. If you have been eating mostly vegetable salads and excluding protein, dairy, carbohydrates and fruits, you'll eventually have an urge to eat what you've avoided to lose weight.

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Seek children's input as family works through economic challenges

By Barbara L. Rosenberg, Ph.D

Financial loss impacts an entire family, but telling children about economic troubles can be very stressful.

Embarrassment, shame, anger, fear, sadness and general confusion can make it difficult for parents to discuss money problems with their children. However, during times of economic challenge, it is important to talk to children about what is happening. Hiding bad news can often cause more problems than the truth; children are like emotional sponges and can feel tension even when it is not out in the open. Among the most distressing financial troubles is losing one’s job, which has been a traumatic reality for millions of Americans over the last few years. The dramatic fall in financial markets has resulted in significant investment losses for even more people.

Facing trials together

Children will react differently to a parent’s job or investment woes depending on their age.

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