Category Archives for Uncategorized

Stop letting anxiety control your life

Someone said adulthood is just telling yourself “if I can just get through this week” every week. Raise your hand if you’ve ever told yourself that (I know I have).

The truth is that there will always be anxiety and stress-inducing events that aren’t in our control. What is in our control however, is how we respond to them.

Now, feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean that you’re weak, or not good enough, or not strong enough. Most people just don’t have skills or the know-how to get through these events.

Here’s where I can help.

This August, I’ll be hosting a 30-day challenge. At the end of it, you’ll have:

• Tools you need to manage your daily stress and anxiety
• Mastery over these tools
• Robust social bonds with others like you

This challenge is NOT talk therapy. The goal is to help you live the life you want to live, and accomplish the things that you want to accomplish. Here is what you’ll be getting:

• 4 real-time, group coaching sessions with me
• Prompts, IRL challenges and more
• Daily check-ins to keep you accountable
• Progress reports to help you see your growth
• Access to a community of vetted peers

Click here to join.

And if you enroll before Tuesday July 12th with the code GK20OFF, you’ll get 20% off the challenge.

Are people who don’t have kids selfish?

The pope seems to have quite the opinion on this topic, and let’s just say I do not agree with him! For many people, choosing TO have children in a troubled world, without adequate resources, would be the actual selfish choice. Many people are able to devote more time, energy, and resources to living a healthier life when they are not also responsible for managing the lives of one or more children. I was featured in Bored Panda’s recent article on this topic, continue reading here!

Sleep Improvement Quick Tip #1: No screens before bed!

Did you know that our brains are hardwired to wake us up in the presence of certain wavelengths of light?  Did you know that electronic screens, such as televisions, iPads, and smartphones all emit that kind of light?  It’s true!  In addition to stimulating our minds, watching screens before (or worse, while in) bed actually sends signals to the part of our brain that tell us it’s time to wake up.  So for greater ease falling and staying asleep it’s essential to turn off all screens at least an hour before bedtime.

Five Ways to Deal With an Awful Doctor’s Appointment

Our physicians are supposed to be here to help us, to counsel and guide us through some very difficult medical circumstances. And we hope they do it with some sensitivity. But sometimes you hear:

• “You’re too old and you’re very, very high risk; you should a) use a surrogate; b) adopt; or c) forget about it.”

• “To tell you the truth, I don’t know what’s wrong with you; maybe we should check and see if you have a pituitary tumor.”

• “I know you’re only 25, but you DO have high blood pressure.”

• “Of course you can’t get pregnant; you’ve got PCOS.”

• “You have prostate cancer. Got to pick a treatment. Doesn’t really matter which one. How do you like your eggs cooked?!”

Regrettably, these are all actual quotes from an assortment of physicians in Los Angeles, California – statements so horrifying they tend to get burned into your brain, even if they happened 20 years ago.

Lately, I’ve been encountering a lot of reports from people whose doctors are insensitive, rushed for time, unwilling to explain, overly clinical, or just plain lacking in knowledge about the details of a patient’s condition or diagnosis. Teenagers, young adults, and the newly diagnosed are among the most vulnerable to these types of comments. I’ve been subject to many of them myself, as you most likely have been at some time or another.

How best to deal with a statement that leaves you in shock, hurt, and feeling overwhelmed, vulnerable and scared?

1. In the moment (if you can), call your doctor on it. Point out that you aren’t receiving enough information to feel comfortable with what you’re being told, or that your feelings were hurt, and you’re feeling confused.

2. If you just want to escape that doctor’s office as quickly as possible, then get out, get in your car, get home, and have a good cry.

3. Talk to a supportive friend or relative and invite him or her to go with you to your next appointment. And if that means booking a second appointment for a consultation in the doctor’s office (not when you’re sitting on a table in one of those miserable gowns that never fit), then book a consultation appointment, take a list of questions, and take an advocate with you.

4. Post on a chat forum, blog, or other Internet resource so you can get some virtual hugs and suggestions for how to approach the next appointment.

5. Consider – seriously consider – changing doctors if you are consistently treated badly. Every doctor has an off day, or a less-than-perfect way of expressing some critical fact, but you deserve time, respect, sensitivity, and the answers to all your questions.

If you have questions and would like some empowered answers on how to respond to your doctor, please feel free to call or text me at (310) 625-6083.