divorced people

45 Life Lessons For Divorced People

Editor’s note: I’d like to welcome the newest Divorced Girl Smiling Contributor, Gretchen Hydo. Gretchen is a wonderful writer!! She isn’t divorced, but she is a coach who works with a lot of divorced people. I’ve been following her for a long time and reading her articles. For her DGS premiere, here is her awesome … Read more

difference between a divorce coach and a therapist

What’s The Difference Between A Divorce Coach And A Therapist?

Since I am both a psychologist and a professional coach, I am constantly asked about the difference between a divorce coach and a therapist.  It’s a great question, and one that any consumer should be asking. It’s also important for therapists and coaches to be clear on this so they are not stepping on each … Read more

the unbreakables

The Unbreakables by Lisa Barr

The Unbreakables by Lisa Barr has a story behind it. In this week’s Love Essentially, I interviewed Barr to find out her story, what inspired her to write her latest novel, and what she hopes readers will gain by reading it. By the way, I met Lisa several years ago when a friend of mine … Read more

how to stop sugar cravings

How To Stop Sugar Cravings: 3 Rules To Follow

Let’s talk about sugar cravings and how to stop sugar cravings. A study released by the scientific journal PLOS One proves that sugar intake directly correlates to higher rates of diabetes. The study was conducted by four researchers, including Dr. Robert Lustig, presenter of the 2009 “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” talk that became a YouTube … Read more

But First I’m Going To Yoga

Editor’s note: When I see Lisa Kaplin’s weekly newsletter in my inbox, it’s usually one of the first emails I click on, just because I know I’m going to get one or more of these things: laughs, entertainment, motivation, good advice, or comfort. But yesterday, I woke up to my dog throwing up in my … Read more

sleep better with anxiety

10 Tips On How To Sleep Better With Anxiety During Divorce

In an ideal world, you’d simply drop off into a peaceful slumber every night. But ask any woman over 40 if that’s the case and she’ll probably tell you it isn’t, and that she wouldn’t mind sleeping better. She’s probably also tell you she wishes she knew how to sleep better with anxiety. Sleep—or a … Read more

perimenopause

Perimenopause: Can We Talk Please?

When people think of perimenopause, they usually picture a woman having a hot flash and acting bitchy. While those are definitely symptoms, they are only the tip of the iceberg! For this week’s Love Essentially, I sat down with my friend, Cheri to talk about perimenopause, the symptoms doctors don’t tell you about, and the … Read more

hugs are good for your health

Did You Know That Hugs Are Good For Your Health?

If you are thinking about divorce, chances are you are feeling pretty lonely. If you are going through a divorce, you are probably feeling scared and lonely. And if you are dating after a divorce, who knows what you are feeling! Dating after divorce can be really fun, but it can also feel hopeless and … Read more

managing anxiety, being happier

A Key Component In Managing Anxiety and Being Happier

I hate to say it, but anxiety, stress and unhappiness are an epidemic. Thanks to technology, social media and the expectation of constantly answering to others, our world has taken accountability to a new level, one which has caused so much added stress, frustration, and panic, almost, which  eventually leads to wrong priorities and unhappiness. … Read more

mini-meditation

We’re Bringing The Beach To You For A Mini Meditation

Do you like being by the sea? I do and find it very relaxing to watch the waves coming in to the shore and out again. Many years ago, a colleague of mine who had studied self-hypnosis taught me this simple beach mini meditation and I found it so useful that I have been telling … Read more

Four Emotional Benefits of She Sheds

She sheds offer emotional benefits, keep relationships healthy by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group When Cindy Holmes-Fine and her husband moved in together five years ago, their blended family consisted of five kids, all still living at home. Although very happy to have such a large and loving family, Holmes-Fine felt like there … Read more

blended families, melissa forman

Melissa Forman Gives Tips For Blended Families

Melissa Forman is a well-loved local radio and TV personality in Chicago. I’ve listened to her for decades, and I was even a guest on her TV show a few years ago, but I never knew much about her family until I ran into her at a high school tennis tournament where both of our … Read more