It amazes me how people act like smart consumers in some situations, and like helpless pawns in others. Consider the way most of us handle the news — especially television news. I don’t care which news station you watch; emotionally … Continue reading
Well, it’s that time again! Flowers are blooming, temps are moderating, and the parking meters are hungry. Barely a day goes by that somebody isn’t grousing about those infernal little machines. But I had an experience last season that added … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, My sister is a Catholic. Several years ago she married a wonderful man who happens to be Jewish. They have been very happy — up until now. She is pregnant, and they’ve started to argue over the … Continue reading
Mothers’ Day and everything that goes with it gets me thinking about couples and how relationships can change as we age. For example, people often ask me if older widowed people should remarry. The obvious answer is, of course, yes … Continue reading
As the summer approaches, opportunities arise to reconnect with children who’ve been living away from home — many for the first time. Although it’s reasonable to expect it to be a happy experience, it can be full of challenges as … Continue reading
It’s a rare day when social media is not sputtering over horror stories about bad experiences with service providers. Since it’s my job to peek behind the proverbial curtain, when I look closer at some of the individual situations, sure … Continue reading
A friend recently told me about an experience she had at a local fast-food eatery. While standing in line, she was engaged in conversation with an elderly friend who was seated. Their voices were somewhat raised due to the noise … Continue reading
Celebrated songwriter Neil Sedaka wasn’t far from the truth when he sang the hit song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” The emotional impact of a breakup can be devastating, with feelings ranging from bewilderment to shock, from hurt to … Continue reading
People often ask me if there is one hard-and-fast rule for communication in a successful relationship. From my experience, I would say that the most overlooked area of communication is the simple act of listening. People often assume that listening … Continue reading
Few things are more annoying than being nagged (except perhaps being accused of it). Nagging stems from the false belief that repetition creates motivation. It never does, and in fact, it lowers respect and reveals weakness by implying, “I have … Continue reading
When clients ask me about relaxation exercises, I often suggest deep breathing. The influx of oxygen can help relieve stress, and it’s a lot less risky and expensive than medication. But, like medication, oxygen is only a temporary fix. In … Continue reading
One of the subjects that couples regularly bring up in my office is how to make – or keep – a marriage happy. My first reaction is to remind them that they are on the same team; that they share … Continue reading