Publications & Press
by Dr. Monica Vermani
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OUR THOUGHTS SHAPE OUR LIVES
My best advice for healthy relationships: The most important relationship you will ever have in life is the relationship you have with yourself. In order to love others, we must first love ourselves.
Woman Who Demanded 'Wicked' Spectator Stop 'Sing-Along' Applauded
Monica Vermani, She told Newsweek: "Let's also look at some of the main reasons why this woman did not speak up earlier in the show, despite the hundreds of dollars she invested in her evening at the theater. Let's start with social anxiety disorder.
Toxic Masculinity May Be Well-Known To You, But Here Are 35 Different Forms Of Toxic Femininity
I’m sure almost all of us have heard the phrases toxic masculinity, toxic men, and toxic women, but have you heard of toxic femininity?
Why happiness postponed. Is Happiness Lost
Today We'll be happy when we land that dream job, find the perfect partner, move to a dream house, have enough money to retire...
Adrianne Fekete
Women Doctors Who Are Crushing It In Mental Health Wellness & Innovation
Dr. Monica believes,"hashtag#forgiveness is really about you looking at the judgment you've placed on the pain and suffering. You are hashtag#worthy of love just the way you are."
From Chaos to Calm: Unpacking Holiday Stress with Dr. Monica Vermani
Today we’re talking about coping with holiday stress with Dr. Monica Vermani! In this conversation, the clinical psychologist explains the origins of impatience during the holiday season, the stress-wellness connection, managing expectations, and more.
What Is Toxic ‘Breadcrumbing’? Experts Share Signs And How To Address It
They love me, they love me not — the phrase sounds like an innocent children’s game. But for some people looking for a relationship in the modern dating scene, a potential partner’s wavering commitment is a painful experience that can leave them torn between feeling hopeful and hopeless.
What is breadcrumbing, the new entrant in modern dating scene?
Breadcrumbing is an act of sending out flirtatious but non-committal, social signals to lure a romantic partner in without much effort. This emotionally manipulative tactic also has famous cousins like ghosting, gaslighting, and situationships
6 Tactics To Help Limit Family Stress This Holiday Season, According To Therapists
When you gather with extended family, tension is inevitable. This advice can help you keep your center.
Emotional Intelligence; What It Is, Why It Is So Essential, And How We Can Increase It
Build empathy for others: The better you become at having compassion for yourself, the more willing and able you will be to make the effort to understand and show compassion for others.
For clinical psychologist Dr. Monica Vermani
Quality self-care is all about maximizing our four sources of energy
Can love at first sight actually lead to a real relationship?
It’s easy to cry love at first sight when you’re a few drinks deep at your local dive. With the right lighting and the right number of vodka sodas, that semi-cute stranger across the bar suddenly looks kinda like your “soulmate,” doesn’t he? Of course, that person rarely becomes the quote-unquote “love of your life”—few of those prolonged-eye-contact moments progress beyond a flirty exchange or a casual hookup.
What’s Unrequited Love? Experts Explain Why It Can Be So Painful, and What to Do About It
Anyone who’s ever been in love will tell you it feels pretty freaking great, but, uh...only when that love is reciprocated.
Does Ozempic Cause Depression?
We spoke to medical professional to find out
Welcome to the Master’s in Psychology Podcast, where psychology students can learn from psychologists, educators, and practitioners to better understand what they do, how they got there, and hear the advice they have for those interested in getting a graduate degree in psychology, I’m your host, Brad Schumacher, and today we welcome Dr. Monica Vermani to the show. Dr. Vermani is a clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing, which is a private practice in Toronto, and Start Living Corporate Wellness.
Don’t like Mondays?
In a 2018 LinkedIn survey, Your Guide to Winning @ Work, a whopping 80 percent—and more than 90 percent of Millennial and GenX—respondents reported experiencing a dread of Mondays. If you find your weekend vibes displaced by feelings of anticipatory stress, overwhelm or anxiety by Sunday evening, you are most definitely not alone.
An Interview with TedxUofT Speaker and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Monica Vermani
Trinity Times recently had the privilege of interviewing clinical psychologist, Dr. Monica Vermani, regarding her upcoming Tedx Talk on the power of negative thoughts at the TedxUofT annual conference. Dr. Vermani’s speech will dive deep into “where our negative thoughts come from, why they are so strong, and how we can clean them up and become more resilient, adaptive, and positive thinkers.” This interview aimed to get behind-the-scenes insights on Dr. Vermani’s inspirations for her talk.
What a Clinical Psychologist Says About Better Keeping New Year’s Resolutions
It’s admirable, the making of New Year’s resolutions. But the keeping of those resolutions is, let’s just say, a struggle. The results from one oft-cited study showed that nearly a quarter of us abandon them after just one week.
5 Expert Ideas for a Mental Health Reset in 2023
As we close the book on another year, starting a new one off on the right foot has more to do with our head than it does with our feet.
What a Clinical Psychologist Says About Better Keeping New Year’s Resolutions
Relying on our will power alone is just one of the reasons we break our New Year's resolutions, but techniques like combining them with tasks we already do daily could help.
How To Heal From A Toxic Partner
Breaking up with a toxic partner can be an emotionally devastating experience. You might feel discarded and alone after putting so much effort into your relationship. However, your feelings don't define you. With the right strategies for self-care, you can overcome the pain of a destructive partnership and come out stronger than before. If you're ready to begin your journey toward healing after a toxic partner, here are a few tips to help you with your healing journey.
Cultivate these four energy sources to counteract stress
Stress: it’s something we all have and something we all struggle with in some capacity. It’s an unavoidable part of life. And we could all benefit from strategies to cope with it. In this article, we’re going to examine our stress. Let’s talk about exactly what stress is and learn life-changing strategies to help deal with it.
Breaking Bad: When Overworking Becomes Problematic
Can you have too much of an admirable quality?
Breaking Bad: Problematic Alchohol Consumption
The earliest evidence of residue of an alcoholic beverage—made from rice, honey, and grapes and dating between 7000-6600 BCE—has been traced to a Neolithic village in China’s Yellow River Valley.
Breaking Bad: How to Break Up with the Habit of IsolationBreaking Bad: How to Break Up with the Habit of Isolation
Even though self-isolation may feel safe and comfortable, it is important to connect with others.
Breaking Bad: Time to get smart about smartphone usage
According to Pew Research, as of January 2024, 97 percent of Americans own a cellphone, and 9 out of 10 of these devices are smartphones.
Breaking Bad: Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
How to stop undermining your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.
Understanding and Practicing Gratitude
Get the year off to a grateful start by embracing the power of gratitude.
Breaking Bad: People Pleasing
Recognizing the potentially harmful habit of helping other people.
Breaking Bad: Habitual Cannabis Usage
How to take control of your habitual usage.
Breaking Bad: Procrastination
What happens when we procrastinate and how we can stop.
How to Become a More Positive Thinker
Try this step-by-step process for cleaning up your negative thoughts.
Where Our Negative Thoughts Come From
How to identify the sources of our self-limiting beliefs.
Positive or Negative, Our Thoughts Shape Our Lives
People's thoughts, both positive and negative, lead to their perceptions, actions, interactions, and choices.
How Your Social Media Habits Are Damaging Your Relationships
Are your social media activities causing real-life problems?
Problem Solving: Understanding and Dealing with Challenges
The "three-legged-table" schema can help you spot problems.
How to Diffuse Your Anger and Calm Down
When you're feeling stressed, try this calming practice.
Grappling With a "Fauxpology"
A look at sincere versus insincere apologies.
Understand and Conquer Envy
Five steps to move beyond envy, an often painful and secretive emotion.
How to Thrive at Work
An inspiring and hopeful new book explores what we need to succeed at work.
5 Steps for Managing Anxiety
Anxiety is on the rise but there are ways to limit its effects.
4 Rules for Navigating Interpersonal Conflicts
How to approach conflict and minimize hurt and harm in our relationships.
Negotiating a Fair Share of Household Responsibilities
How fairly sharing the burden supports and strengthens your relationship.
The Connection Between Self-Care and Mental Health
• Self-care is linked to improved mental health, self-esteem, self-worth, and optimism.
• Self-care involves valuing ourselves enough to make our health, well-being, and happiness a priority.
• We often don't take enough care of ourselves, which can have long-term effects on well-being.
Understanding the Mental Health and Self-Care Connection
• We often don't take enough care of ourselves, which can have long-term effects on our well-being.
• Self-care is linked to improved mental health, self-esteem, self-worth, and optimism.
• Self-care involves valuing ourselves enough to make our health, well-being, and happiness a priority.
What’s Self-Love Got to Do With It?
Why self-love is foundational to lasting romantic partnerships.
Processing Pain and Dealing With Emotional Debris
Emotional debris is unprocessed pain, and as long as a person holds onto it, it can continue to resurface. Unprocessed emotions can lead to negative self-talk, numbing, and avoidance behaviors. By processing past hurts, one can make way for greater happiness and growth.
Understanding and Embracing Radical Acceptance
Many of us struggle to avoid, resist, or attempt to change behaviors or attitudes of people in our lives that upset or distress us, and end up disappointed, hurt, and discouraged by their inability or disinterest in change.
How to Have a Happy and Healthy New Year
It’s that time of year again, when many of us wipe the slate clean and start afresh. Often the new year begins with lofty New Year’s resolutions, complete with unrealistic goals that lack any sort of plan or strategy for success.
Recognizing and Conquering Those Holiday Blues
Strategies to help you make it through the holidays on your own terms.
How to Separate Your Wants From Your Needs
Conquer chronic stress, overwhelm, and burnout.
How to Deal With Difficult People
What’s really happening when we have to deal with difficult colleagues.
How Much Alcohol or Cannabis Is Too Much?
Many people are confused about how much alcohol or cannabis use is okay and how much is too much.
Conquering SAD
Six strategies to help combat seasonal affective disorder.
Make Happiness Your Choice
How you can choose to be happy, here and now.
Are Your Shopping Habits Problematic?
Do you shop ‘til you drop? Do you find yourself buying things impulsively, feeling good in the moment, and later regretting it...
Suddenly September: Rising to the Back-to-School Challenge
September can be a mixed bag of challenging times and return to routines.
The Importance of Compassion and Kindness in Today’s World
When a person returns another's lack of kindness, negativity spreads and gains momentum.
What to Do When You’re Ready to Forgive
What exactly are we talking about when we talk about forgiveness?
Getting Back Out in the Dating World
If you’re feeling pangs of reluctance about getting back into the world of dating, you’re not alone.
Resilience, What It Is and Why We Need It
What exactly are we talking about when we talk about resilience?
Why You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep and What to Do About It
How to stop self-sabotaging your sleep and get the quality rest you need.
Understanding and Processing Anger
Looking beneath the "blanket" of anger can lead to a deeper understanding.
Building Boundaries
Why healthy boundaries are good self-care.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I’m Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
Dr. Monica Vermani continues her series where she gives advice on life, love and everything in between. “Rebullied” has moved back to her own childhood town due to her husbands job transfer.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create “Me Time” In My Demanding Life?
I recently became a first-time grandmother. I am also a wife, mother, and, until recently a full-time nurse. I am also the daughter of a 95-year-old mother, who is suffering from dementia and lives in an assisted living facility.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
I am part of a large extended family, and we have always enjoyed getting together to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.
I’m On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
A few weeks ago, a close friend of mine broke off her engagement, much to the relief of most people in our friend group, myself included.
How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter’s Best Friend Is A Bully?
I am a very hands-on grannie, and enjoy spending three days a week taking care of my granddaughter after school and on the occasional weekend.
How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
What is driving me crazy is the fact that ‘the baby’ brings her massive shedding dog with her every time she comes to our house. (This dog weighs over 100 lbs.)
How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
A good friend of mine is driving me crazy with her constant interruptions! She interrupts me mid-sentence when I am telling a story, talking about work or plans, or we’re just kidding around.
How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
I don’t trust my husband.
Several years ago, we worked hard to save our marriage after I learned about an affair shortly after it had ended. (The woman he was involved with contacted me in an effort to harm him after he had ended the affair.)
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
My brother and I have always been close. We live in the same community, and our children are the same age and grew up together, and we celebrate every holiday as one big, happy family. This all started to change for me a few years ago when my brother and his wife purchased a vacation home.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
I’m in the doghouse with my fiancé, his ex-girlfriend, and Katz, his best friend (an adorable, well-behaved three-year-old border collie). I have no problem with having a dog. But it bothers me that my fiancé shares custody of this dog with his ex.
How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
My wife and I are at odds over our six-year-old daughter’s social life! Our daughter is a lively and very social little girl. Besides school friends, she also has friends from her dance and swimming classes.
How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
I have a friend who endlessly stirs up problems within our friend group. She is always angry or at odds with someone.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
I’m a young woman (24), living on my own for the first time
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Love Constantly Wants To Be With Me And I’m Exhausted
I’m in love and exhausted. After years of wondering if I’d ever find the love of my life, I have finally met the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. We have met one another’s families and friends, and I guess you could say we’re officially in the honeymoon phase of our relationship.
My In-Laws Introduces Our Kids As Their “Adopted” Grandkids
I love my husband’s parents dearly, but there is one thing they do repeatedly that I find hurtful and worrying. They introduce our children (ages 5 and 6) as their “adopted” grandchildren. My husband comes from a big, loving family and my in-laws treat our children with the same warmth and generosity that they do their other — biological — grandchildren.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Office Romance Wants To Keep Us A Secret
I work for a large company, with over 300 employees in my office, and several thousand employees in total. I met a great guy several months ago at a company function. We instantly connected and began a long-distance relationship, via regular text, phone, and Zoom conversations. We were both excited to learn that he would be working at my office for several weeks.
I Had A Miscarriage And Our Family’s “Be Grateful” Sentiments Really Hurt
A couple of months ago, I suffered a miscarriage after a year of fertility treatments. My husband and I are dealing with our deep sense of loss as best we can, but we are struggling under the weight of unintentionally hurtful comments from well-meaning friends and family members.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Underage Nephew Expects Me To Buy Booze For Him
I agreed to stay with my 16-year-old nephew while my brother and his wife go on a second honeymoon cruise next month. Since making this arrangement, I have started to learn the ‘house rules,’ that is to say, what will be required of me.
My Boyfriend Is Pressuring Me To Attend His Sister’s Wedding But I Can’t Afford It
I’ve been invited to my boyfriend’s sister’s destination wedding. While I appreciate the invitation, as a student on a limited budget, I can’t afford to go. I
Help! My In-Laws Are Giving Me The Cold Shoulder
I never thought I’d be writing to a magazine for advice, but here I am. Last year, after 12 years of marriage, my husband and I separated for a few months. I am happy to say that we were able to work on our marriage while we were apart, and we’re back together, and is better than ever.
The problem I am having is that my husband’s sisters and mother (she is a widow) are treating me very coldly.
My Brother Doesn’t Think My Aging Mom Should Stop Driving But I Do!
My siblings and I are arguing over what to do about our aging mother, specifically, her driving. She is not yet at the age where her abilities are regularly tested, but over the past few years, she has become less confident behind the wheel and often hesitates when performing simple maneuvers like lane changes or left turns.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! I Need To Move Out Of My Parents’ HouseI suck at adulting. I’m 26 years old, moved back home during COVID, and still live with my parents. They don’t charge me rent, and are paying for my cell phone and car insurance, so I can save money to move out. A lot of my friends are in the same position as I am, and we all seem to have fallen back into a comfortable rut. Even with my job, I could never afford the lifestyle that I enjoy living with my parents, who, by the way, are in no hurry for me to move out. Why do I feel so embarrassed about not moving out? How can I bite the bullet and start living like an adult?
5 Ways To Build A Great Relationship With Yourself This Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about love, romantic love, and how a good relationship with yourself is essential to creating a healthy, lasting partnership.
Ask Dr. Monica: Help! I Can’t Stop Shopping!
I’m a closet shopper … and I’m running out of room to store the shoes and clothes I’m buying but don’t need. I feel great when I buy something new, but that feeling quickly vanishes and is replaced by the reality that I am overspending on things I already have! Any advice on how to curb my urge to acquire more and more?
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Can’t Say No To People Without Feeling Guilty
I’m a high school senior, so I’m under a lot of pressure to get good grades. I also play a lot of sports and have a part-time job as a life guard. I’m super busy, but I could handle all this if it weren’t for one thing
Let’s Talk … About Your Relationship with You!
In the spirit of Bell’s Let Talk Day today, we take a look at how you can let go of negative self-talk and self-beliefs that prevent you from living the life you want.
Dear Dr. Monica Vermani Being Back In The Office Is Giving Me Anxiety
I’m back in the office post-COVID, but I’m not myself. I am afraid to speak up in meetings and feel overwhelmed by projects and responsibilities I’ve handled in the past. What can I do to get back to feeling like my old self?
Dear Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Ex Tells His Friends His Cheating Is My Fault
I am six months out of a 20-year relationship. After learning that my partner had been carrying on an affair for years, he blamed me for his infidelities and refused to end his affair, we called it quits.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Winter Depresses Me, What Do I Do?
In late autumn and early winter, our circadian rhythms — also known as our internal clocks — are negatively impacted by the diminished quality and quantity of sunlight.
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Parents I Don’t Want To Go To Business School?
I’m in my final year of high school and worried about what I should do after graduation. school.
Ask Dr Monica Vermani: Her 5 Break Up Rules You Should Know
We are excited to launch our series where Dr. Monica Vermani answers questions about live, love and everything in between.
How To Let Go Of The Past And Create The Life You Want
When life is good, and when we’re feeling good, we’re firing on all cylinders. We make good choices for ourselves and manage our relationships and commitments.
3 Must Know Signs That A Problem Exists & How To Conquer Them
When we’re feeling overwhelmed, or our lives feel like they are out of control, we struggle to understand what’s happening.
Here’s How To Quit Smoking & Break Other Bad Habits
If you’ve ever tried and failed to break a bad habit or put an end to patterns of behavior that no longer serve you, you are not alone.
How To Recover From Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
While most of us are familiar with the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), we are completely unaware of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Let’s explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this little-known disorder.
Here’s How EDMR Therapy Programs Your Brain So You Don’t Feel So Helpless
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of therapy that helps alleviate emotional distress and symptoms that result from trauma and negative life experiences. It facilitates the processing of these experiences and the strengthening of more positive thoughts relating to troubling life events.
These Are The Reasons Why We Should Care
We may not be able to change the world, but with incremental acts of kindness and compassion, we plant the seeds for a better world, and a richer, healthier, and happier life for ourselves and others.
IWD 2022: How Women Can Let Go Of Life’s Toughest Burdens & Live Free
There’s no time like the present to renegotiate sharing the burden! This International Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to talk about time, life tasks, self-care and society.
Opinion - Toxic femininity in the workplace
Toxic masculinity has become synonymous with concepts such as gender-based violence and the hashtag #MeTooMovement.
9 Healing Plants to Always Have on Hand, According to Experts
Gardenia can be grown in the garden or indoors as a houseplant. Wherever it's grown, be sure to place it in an area where you can enjoy its calming fragrance. "The crocetin in gardenia, via the scent of this plant, is known to aid in sleep," says Monica Vermani, C.Psych., a clinical psychologist.
The Best Recipes to Make and Enjoy Based on Your Personality Type
We asked Vermani to explain the Big Five key traits; understanding them can be useful when it comes to cooking for ourselves and our families.
"When we are tending to the needs of our houseplants, we are focused on the here and now," says Monica Vermani, C.Psych., a clinical psychologist. "We get out of our heads and reconnect with our senses."
The Best Hobbies for Your Personality Type, According to Mental Health Experts
Find a hobby you'll enjoy—and stick to—by understanding which personality type you are: extroverted, agreeable, open, conscientious, or neurotic.
How to Identify the 3 Types of Narcissists
Calling someone a narcissist is one of those terms we tend to throw around without really knowing much about it. But narcissism is a personality disorder. Here’s how to identify the various types.
How to Keep It Together in Front of Your Kids
Parents everywhere are reeling from the news of recent tragedies. This mom reached out to experts for tips on how to cope.
8 Ways Mental Health Experts Prep for Days They Know Are Going to Be Stressful
Conquer crazy-busy, conflict-prone days with these stress-busting strategies.
These are the best paint colours for your personality type
There are five major personality types that psychologists use to help people understand their core character traits. Known as the Big Five, they include: Openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
A Clinical Psychologist Shares 3 Ways To Cope With Being Alone During The Holidays
In our society, the term "the holidays" almost always feels synonymous with social gatherings.
Indigo Children: New Age Trend or Undiagnosed ADHD?
She explains that parents who "buy whole-heartedly into its framework might view their child's problematic symptoms and behaviors
Hangxiety Makes a Bad Hangover Even Worse.
Here's What to Do About It
During this recovery period, she tells POPSUGAR, "there are a lot of things going on in your body, including dehydration, headache, fatigue, and nausea.
Clean Your Space, Boost Your Mood: 10 Stress-Free Ways to Declutter
You gain much more than a tidier space when you declutter your home. Discover the mental health benefits of cleaning house, then read on for 10 tips from experts to help you get — and stay — organized.
What Is Self-Esteem?
Plus, Psychologists Explain How to Harness It to Improve Your Life
Becoming the Best U: Advice on spring cleaning, letting go of guilt
Question: I decided to try writing a few New Year’s goals after my sister’s suggestion. Last November I broke up with my boyfriend of four years and every room in the house is a horrible reminder of him. I also want to clean out the clutter in my house. I don’t know how to begin. My sister read your column and told me to write you for some advice.
Clinical Psychologist Provides 5 Expert Tips For Combatting Seasonal Affective Disorder
Dr. Monica Vermani, tells The List that there are several ways to combat seasonal affective disorder when the days get shorter and there are more clouds than sun.
Signs You Might Be Dealing With Seasonal Affective Disorder, According To A Clinical Psychologist
We’ve had Mental Health Day, Mental Health Week, and now Mental Health Month – but for many Canadians, it might as well be mental health year. People have been struggling with post-pandemic fears for a while now, and numbers are grim for those struggling with such debilitating issues as stress, depression and anxiety.
If You Deal With SAD, A Psychologist Says Make These Adjustments To Your Bedtime Routine
As the days get shorter approaching the winter months, we might feel a vague sense of dread. (How do we stay positive when the sun goes down while we're still at work?)
How Effective Are 'Happy Lights' In Treating SAD?
As the leaves become more vibrant in color and the weather colder, some people may not be excited for the return to cool autumn and winter months. For those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), slipping away from the summer months may lead to worsened symptoms of depression, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Your child is being bullied. Now what?
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare – to discover their child is being bullied.
7 burnout symptoms to look out for, according to psychologists
Plus, how burnout differs from depression
Here's How To Tell The Difference Between Burnout And Depression
Everyday stress from work is common. But how much is too much? While everyone has challenging days in the office (virtual or IRL), having to manage an excessive amount of stress frequently can lead to burnout symptoms.
7 Burnout Symptoms To Look Out For (And How To Prevent It!), According To Psychologists
Plus, how burnout differs from depression.
If You Think ADHD and Dating Can't Mix, You're Wrong.
In fact, so many aspects of having ADHD—like curiosity and creativity—make you a fantastic date, experts say
Happy marriage and synchronized brains: What's the link?
Marital satisfaction and romantic compatibility have been the subject of research for decades. Yet, scientists are only beginning to understand why some couples report happiness within a relationship and others do not experience this type of relationship satisfaction.
World Mental Health Day: how parents can help stop bullying
How can parents help a child that is being bullied - or is a bully? Ready for World Mental Health Day, Dr. Monica Vermani explains what can be done.
What to Do After a Fight With Your Partner
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Fights with your partner can be messy, painful, and downright unpleasant. But that doesn’t mean that they’re without hope.
Canadians continue to struggle with mental health issues post pandemic
We’ve had Mental Health Day, Mental Health Week, and now Mental Health Month – but for many Canadians, it might as well be mental health year. People have been struggling with post-pandemic fears for a while now, and numbers are grim for those struggling with such debilitating issues as stress, depression and anxiety.
Second chance to say goodbye during the spooky season
People are looking for that one last goodbye, and virtually in every culture there are those who can help facilitate this, although in very unconventional ways. Business for the thousands in the psychic industry is truly growing.
Are we paying lip service to the Canada's mental well-being crisis?
Part of the problem is differentiating between mental health and mental illness: “Mental health refers to anyone’s state of mental, and emotional well-being,”
Coping with Canada's mental well-being, post-pandemic
The good news is more and more people are openly discussing their struggles.
Aleida Nuñez in Bathing Suit Will Announce "New Projects Very Soon"
Nuñez loves to take time for herself and meditate, saying, "In this world full of uncertainty and anxiety it helps you create a state of consciousness and peace." Meditation offers many health benefits, experts say.
What To Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want To Go To School
Back-to-school is supposed to be a fun and exciting time, but for parents of a little one who is scared to go to school, the start of the year is often filled with stress and anxiety instead. Whether it’s your child’s first time going to school and they’re terrified of what lies ahead or they’re a returning student with no desire to go back, school resistance can be an incredibly difficult issue to deal with for the whole family.
Why Is the Term 'Gaslighting' So Popular Now ─ and So Misused?
New York-based political commentator Irina Tsukerman often debates other people in a public setting and sometimes has been accused of gaslighting when the argument gets heated.
How To Figure Out Which Type Of Motivation Really Propels You To Be Your Best
There's no single path to success, and as any parent or teacher can tell you, no single, fool-proof way to motivate everyone. So, when you reach that point of adulthood where you're ready to invest in yourself and pursue self-development, you may not know how to best propel yourself forward.
Mother Nature is giving everyone something to talk about
Recent wacky weather events have ushered in a new era of peak small talk.
'My Life With the Walter Boys' is Netflix's latest hit. Why TikTok is obsessed with its love triangle.
Monica Vermani, a clinical psychologist, told Yahoo Entertainment that love triangles offer people a way to experience the “messiest situations imaginable” — jealousy, betrayal, competition, forbidden love and risk — without real-life consequences.
Brooke Shields gets emotional as she talks sending her daughter off to college for sophomore year:
'I thought it would be easier'
The Endless Love star, 57, posted an Instagram video on Thursday in which she shared that she was emotional after sending her 19-year-old daughter Rowan to her sophomore year of college at Wake Forest University.
How to Respond to Gaslighting at Home, Work & Everywhere in Between
Even if you know how to spot the signs of it, it can be difficult to know how to respond to gaslighting (basically, a manipulation technique wherein a person makes you question your sense of reality).
How to deal with 'empty nest syndrome' as kids head off to school
As graduations get underway and young adults head off to universities or other new adventures away from home, parents like Rabeya are experiencing what clinical psychologist Monica Vermani calls an "emotional rollercoaster."
Can Anxiety Cause Sweating?
“Anxiety is normal and in a physical threat situation, whereby adrenaline is injected into the bloodstream and prepares one with the flight, fight, freeze reaction, this can often lead to physiological symptoms, including sweating,” says Monica Vermani, PsyD, clinical psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas.
How Much Crying Do You Really Need On Your Love Journey?
The Bachelor franchise has a long tradition of loving and expressing itself with tears.
3 signs you should take a break from dating apps — and how to have a productive detox, according to a therapist
Dating apps have made the search for love simpler, but that doesn't mean you should always be swiping.
Doctors giving ineffective, superficial weight loss advice says an Oxford research
"This research demonstrates that doctors need clear guidelines on how to talk opportunistically to patients living with obesity about weight loss,"
I'm a trauma therapist who helps people who are being bullied by their partner's ex.
Here's how I recommend couples move forward.
Cannabis users are less likely to confront relationship issues
People who use cannabis regularly may have more trouble resolving fights in their romantic relationships, according to a small study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Tackling Workplace Toxicity
The corporate workplace has long been regarded as a competitive and tough space, where corporate profits and the bottom line come first, and all other priorities are a distant second.
As employers struggle to attract, engage and retain talent, the high cost of workplace toxicity is impacting organizations around the world.
How To Know If Therapy Is Actually Working, According To Mental Health Experts
Therapy is a wonderful tool for healing and self-development. But when you're new to therapy, it's common to feel apprehension and uncertainty as you're essentially navigating unchartered territory.
The Changing Role of the Caregiver
Combating loneliness and isolation are vital parts of the job; as a bonus, friendships form.
Intrinsic or Extrinsic: Knowing Your Motivation Style May Be Key to Meeting Goals
Whether you're choosing what show to watch or which job offer to accept, every choice we make involves either intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Spotlighting A Deeper Wellness Dr. Monica Vermani
Why do we stay with someone who is bad for us? Is it laziness or are we just complacent? Dr. Monica Vermani, Clinical Psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety, and Traumas, tells us that it’s easier to stay with a beast we understand than one we don’t.
How to Promote Body Positivity In Your Kids When You Don't Feel Body Positive
If you have a young child, you’re probably aware of some alarming statistics, among them that weight concerns and body dissatisfaction have been reported in children as young as 3 years old.
Toxic Relationships – How to recognize them and what to do about it
Why do we stay in toxic relationships?
Many people stay in jobs or habits and patterns that don’t serve them. The belief for some is “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.”
10 Therapist-Backed Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health If You're Feeling Weighed Down By the News Right Now
The old adage "no news is good news" hits a little harder these days. Here's how to help yourself heal.
Therapists Share Their Best Tips for Coping With the Fear and Anxiety That Comes With Gun Violence
Gun violence of this volume and frequency is a uniquely American problem that leaves many of us feeling terrified and helpless, and the fear and anxiety that follow mass shootings are real—even if you weren’t physically close to the action.
100 Caregiver Affirmations to Honor Yourself and the Amazing Work You're Doing
Caregiver affirmations can be a lifesaver for those whose lives are dedicated to meeting the needs of those unable to meet them themselves—it’s an often thankless and unpaid (or sorely underpaid) job, and it’s a necessary one to keep many of our loved ones healthy, safe and living with dignity.
101 'I Am' Affirmations to Remind You Of How Amazing You Are
“Dr. Vermani says that contemplative mantras that you repeat to yourself can ground and center you, citing examples like “I am worthy,” “I am lovable,” “I am strong, healthy and capable” and ‘”I am safe, healthy and protected.” Dr. Monica Vermani
13 Ways to Forgive Yourself—Even When You've Messed Up Big Time
“We all make mistakes. But even after we’ve learned from our missteps, forgiving ourselves can be challenging and confusing, and feel impossible,” Dr. Monica Vermani
Mental and emotional signs of burnout
You Can Feel Burnout In Your Body—Here Are the 15 Physical Symptoms to Pay Attention to, According to Doctors
Navigating Pain: 5 Strategies for Dealing with Emotional Debris
Holding onto your emotional debris will only prolong your pain and suffering. Getting rid of emotional debris is important when it comes to living a happy and content life, but sometimes that is easier said than done.
Road to Recovery with Yonah Budd
On tonight's episode Yonah chats with multiple guests, beginning with Dr. Monica Vermani, Clinical Psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety, and Traumas
How to Deal With Regret (According to Experts)
While we are often able to forgive others, when it comes to forgiving ourselves, we often struggle.
How to Stop Being Manipulative
Do you sometimes feel like you’re constantly controlling people, even when you don’t mean to? Whether it’s with your romantic partner, friends, or family members, manipulating others can be a destructive pattern.
Toxic Relationships
What are toxic relationships and how do we exit them with Dr. Monica Vermani, a clinical psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety, and Traumas.
Temper your temper with the anger funnel
“We often repeat these patterns, both intentionally, and unconsciously. If you have been accustomed to a certain kind of treatment (in childhood, friendships, and past relationships) that is all that you have been exposed to – you may think that that is what love is,” she says during a recent email interview.
Temper your temper with the anger funnel
There are lots of reasons people have shorter fuses these days: feelings of political and social helplessness, economic strain, less community and more social media specializing in outrage, judgment and condemnation.
Toxic Femininity, Explained — Plus, Tips to Overcome This Mindset
Toxic femininity can affect your health and well-being in many ways by increasing stress levels, sabotaging your sense of identity, contributing to a feeling of powerlessness, and leading to unhealthy relationships, says Monica Vermani, PsyD, clinical psychologist and author of “A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas“
A Deeper Wellness - Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental health but unsure what to expect?
How to get Mental Health leave without jeopardizing your job
6 solutions for how you can get the time and space you need to take care of your mental health, without having to put your career on hold.
How to Find (& Pursue) Your Perfect Hobby
Ever feel like everybody but you has a hobby?
Anxiety Rings Are the New Fidget Spinners. We Asked a Psychologist If They Really Work
“The key to lowering anxiety through any device, be it a piece of jewelry, or a fidget toy is the intention of the user,”
Meditation Can Rewire the Brain
For years, researchers have been conducting studies on whether or not meditation could actually rewire a person’s brain. This could be a useful tool to use especially in a time of such traumatic events as the pandemic and mass shootings. The loss of life and freedom seems to be never-ending.
For People With Anxiety Or Insecurities, It's Hard To Lose The Mask
Dropping mask mandates doesn't just affect a person's COVID risk. Some also have also relied on face coverings for their mental health.
Are you using these ‘therapy-speak’ terms correctly? Experts explain
Gaslighting, breadcrumbing, gray rocking: With growing awareness of mental health has come the rise of “therapy-speak” in online discourse. The increasingly popular terms can capture the ways people treat us, or how we respond to such behavior.
What is toxic ‘breadcrumbing’? Experts share signs and how to address it
They love me, they love me not — the phrase sounds like an innocent children’s game. But for some people looking for a relationship in the modern dating scene, a potential partner’s wavering commitment is a painful experience that can leave them torn between feeling hopeful and hopeless.
How meditation could change the brain
(CNN)In a time when traumatic events such as pandemics, shootings and loss seem never-ending, mindfulness can be a tool for feeling capable during periods of uncertainty.
‘Gaslighting’ is a commonly misused therapy buzzword. Here’s what it really means
Gaslighting is so commonly discussed that Merriam-Webster deemed the expression its word of the year in 2022, after experiencing a 1,740% increase in searches for the term. But experts say there are a lot of misconceptions around what gaslighting is and isn’t.
Anger can take many forms
Anger can take many forms – it can be direct, passive aggressive, or even silent. You might not even know why someone is angry until they confront you or become violent. Whether it be the ongoing discussion of Will Smith at the Oscars or dealing with an extensive pandemic – anger, including road rage, is on the rise.
The Surprising Health Benefits Of Learning To Breathe Better
'The way we breathe has a direct relationship with mood, anxiety, stress regulation, memory, attention, focus and body awareness.'
Can a fall in crypto prices cause mental health issues?
With the crypto market’s poor performance over the past months and the catastrophic Terra crash, we discuss the link between mental health issues and a fall in crypto prices.
A psychologist explains why negativity dominates your daily thoughts, and what to do about it
Brain science offers strategies that go beyond positive affirmations to create more lasting change.
Corporate Wellness Like Never Before
Simple corporate initiatives that address employee needs demonstrate a commitment to workplace wellbeing.
Gaslighting... What Every Woman Needs to Know
How gaslighting manifests and plays out, why women are vulnerable to this insidious form of coercive control, and how to break free.
Is It Possible For Busy Moms To Also Earn A Steady Paycheck? We Asked The Experts
“Talk with your employer. Many companies offer flexible schedules or remote working options. Such options allow you to be productive at work while balancing caregiver responsibilities at home.
How Parents Can Help Support Children With Eating Disorders During The Holidays
The holidays bring together family, friends, and food. While this may seem joyous, it can be a major source of anxiety and stress for children and teens with eating disorders. Both the child and parents will have to navigate uncommon situations during this time.
How To Take Charge Of Your Mental Health So It Doesn’t Spill Over Into Your Parenting
Dr. Monica Vermani, clinical psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness, agrees that you can begin taking charge of your mental health by taking small, actionable steps.
Learning to control our anger is imperative for growth
Can anger ever be positive? Simple answer: Yes, when we learn to own and conquer it within ourselves.
Ask Ellie: To manage anger, look inward and heal old wounds
Despite the two-years-plus of anger endured when our lives were upended by lockdowns, homeschooling, and social barriers, I found a recent chat with Dr. Vermani enlightening and hopeful.
What Will Smith and Chris Rock show about anger: Ask Ellie
Dear Readers: Can anger ever be positive? Simple answer: Yes, when we learn to own and conquer it within ourselves.
None of us are strangers to reacting negatively, whether it happened when feeling our parents didn’t understand us, or as adults having “a bad day.”
Listen Up! Five Ways to Be a Super Communicator
As we adjust to life with lowered restrictions and begin to transition back to life with more opportunities for interaction, there’s no better time to reflect on one often overlooked element of the art of conversation … listening! Let’s explore the value of compassionate, active listening, how to become a better listener, and how it can take the quality of our workplace interactions to a whole new level!
Is Someone Guilt-Tripping You? How To Identify and Respond to This Form of Emotional Manipulation
Let’s say your partner wants you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Optimists Are Challenging the ‘Doom and Gloom’ Narrative Around the Climate Crisis
Whether you're looking at headlines or your weather app, there are plenty of reasons to feel pessimistic about the future of this planet
Here’s How To Test Your Level of Neuroticism
And Understand What the Result Really Means
Spiraling at the slightest inconvenience or seemingly firing on all cylinders all of the time are tendencies you might associate with being neurotic. But, these stereotypical depictions of the term fail to illustrate the full scope of trait—and also give it an unnecessarily bad reputation.
Vancouver
Psychologist says anger over 'prolonged' COVID-19 pandemic common
“Even with the majority of COVID-19 restrictions lifted across Canada, many may still feel frustration about the pandemic, leading to pent-up tension."
Three hacks to keep your house ‘clean enough’
Cleaning and tidying may be near the bottom of the list when it comes to most people’s favourite activities, but research shows that maintaining a tidy space is an essential component of prioritizing mental health and well-being.
Many of us have forgotten how to have fun. Here’s how to fix that
“Having fun has major positive effects on the brain,” says Dr. Monica Vermani, a clinical psychologist in Toronto. “It increases norepinephrine, the hormone responsible for memory and learning functions, dopamine, our ‘feel-good’ hormone, and our pleasure hormone, oxytocin.”
Hamilton Today With Scott Thompson
Canadian anger skyrocketed during the pandemic, remembering Boris Brott, 4th COVID vax, getting refugees to Canada and more
Letting it Go!: How to Heal Your Past, Deal with Your Present, and Take Control of Your Future!
Join Erica Gifford Mills with her guest, Dr. Monica Vermani, as they discuss practical approaches to healing the past and dealing with the challenges in the present in order to build an authentic life, and create lasting, deeper wellness.
Fin du port obligatoire du masque : de nombreux Ontariens sont anxieux
Le masque n'est plus obligatoire en Ontario dans la plupart des lieux publics. La situation suscite de l'anxiété chez bien des Ontariens.
Dr. Monica Vermani – Challenges are opportunities for growth. A Deeper Wellness.
on Sunday Morning Magazine: Dr. Monica Vermani is a clinical psychologist, public speaker, teacher and author in the field of mental health and wellness. Dr. Vermani’s approach is holistic, teaching us the interconnection of our mind, body and spirit. Her new book is a great tool, a guide that takes us on the journey of a personal exploration and conversation. The workbook style of “A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas” guides us in making meaningful change.
Gaslighting can happen in any close relationship, psychologist says
“Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that can occur in close personal relationships."
Total Health: How We Can Optimize Our Mental, Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Wellbeing
“Don’t give from the depths of your well, give from your overflow! When I was young I sacrificed and at times resented the people I helped, because I was tired and not enjoying my life, as I was more doing for others at the expense of time, energy, and fun. As a grew, I learned the more I did to make myself happy and fulfilled, the better I was for others in my life, and never again resented them."
The Weight of the World- How Distressing World Events Impact Women
“Why and how distressing world events like war and the pandemic impact women’s anxiety, and what we can do to help relieve the unseen burdens of mental load."
How To Return To The Office And Protect Your Mental Health
The impending return to office in 2022 can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and sometimes even psychologically unsafe.
The Many Benefits of Building a Full and Enriched Life
Life is, as they say, what you make it. And what we make of our lives can be the very making of us.
Understanding Forgiveness and the Variables at Play
We all struggle with forgiveness because we do not fully understand it. Forgiveness is not something we do for others. It’s about us processing our pain and understanding the hurts that we internalize resulting from experiences that we have judged as negative.
Present and Unaccounted For
Dr. Monica Vermani
The cost, challenges and strategies for combatting presenteeism in the workplace
A Case for Corporate Kindness
Dr. Monica Vermani
Transparency, honesty, kindness, good stewardship, even humor, work in businesses at all times.
Building a SAD-Savvy Workplace!
Dr. Monica Vermani
A look at Seasonal Affective Disorder in the workplace: its causes, impacts, and SAD solutions for your employees and your business.
Preparing for Post-Pandemic Team Cohesion and Employee Mental Health
Fostering team cohesion in today’s shifting and changing workplace
Dr. Monica Vermani
Renowned industrialist Andrew Carnegie describes teamwork as “…the ability to work together toward a common vision, the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.” Cohesive workplace teams are just that, productive, efficient, creative, and engaged. Great teams translate into bottom-line benefits for organizations. For organizations, managers, and team members in the workplace, team cohesion is critical.
Connecting the Dots
Dr. Monica Vermani
Mental health plays a huge role in our overall well-being. Just as good mental health positively affects our physical health, poor mental health takes a toll on our wellbeing. What most people do not know is that mental health issues often show up as physical/physiological symptoms. For senior managers and business operators, building awareness around the relationship between physical symptoms and mental health can have a positive impact on absenteeism, presenteeism, and bottom-line costs.
Where We Go From Here
Dr. Monica Vermani
As COVID lingers on, and the world slowly begins to reopen, there’s no better time to look closely at the effects of over a year of social distancing, isolation, uncertainty, and fear on our mental health.
With a clear picture of the statistics — and what they tell us — we can strategize and plan to put in place effective supports and practices for our greatest resource and asset: our employees.
The High Cost of Unwellness
Dr. Monica Vermani
Once you’ve seen it, it’s a number you can never unsee: mental health issues cost the Canadian economy a whopping $6 billion a year in lost productivity. With COVID-19 leaving employees more stressed than ever, today’s workplaces are facing a mental health crisis of epic proportions. Let’s look at the underlying causes and solutions to this pervasive problem.
