[{"id":6931,"date":"2026-04-15T06:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T06:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6931"},"modified":"2026-03-19T18:48:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:48:53","slug":"resilience-isnt-the-same-as-bouncing-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/15\/resilience-isnt-the-same-as-bouncing-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Resilience Isn\u2019t the Same as \u201cBouncing Back\u201d\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In common cultural understanding,\u00a0resilience\u00a0<\/em>usually refers to our ability to \u201cbounce back\u201d after a challenge or hardship. Our bodies can be resilient; so can our minds, our relationships, and our aspirations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We often think of grand accomplishments: the injured athlete who goes on to win gold; the unlucky-in-love co-worker who finally finds his soul mate; the artist who never gives up on her dreams and finally lands the leading role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the framework of mindfulness, resilience is about much more than just pushing through struggle in order to win. It\u2019s less focused on overcoming and more interested in knowing how to integrate life as it\u2019s happening. There\u2019s steadiness, and there\u2019s also wisdom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this excerpt from her book Deep Resilience<\/em>, teacher Melli O\u2019Brien explores what it means to be resilient and how this mindful quality actually reveals our true selves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In everyday language, we talk mainly about \u201cthe body,\u201d by which we mean our physical body, and \u201cthe mind.\u201d This is sometimes referred to by some teachers and traditions as \u201cthe thinking mind,\u201d \u201cthe human mind\u201d, or \u201cthe ego.\u201d To use the analogy of the ocean, the thinking mind, when compared to the depths of awareness, is like the small waves on the surface of who you are.

Your deeper nature is able to observe both your physical body and your mind, all thoughts and emotions; therefore, it is more fundamentally and essentially you. It is the deepest, the most core aspect of who you are.

The deep self is awareness, the part of you that is aware of everything else: aware of every feeling, every thought and every perception that you ever experience in your life. All thoughts, feelings and perceptions arise, unfold and dissolve in awareness like waves coming and going on the surface of the ocean.

Some people on a personal development or spiritual path make their mind into an enemy to overcome, subdue or get control of. They may even want to \u201cdestroy the ego\u201d or get rid of certain parts of themselves. In my experience, this attitude sets up an inner battle with ourselves that aggravates the mind, brings tension and stress into our system and blocks our ability to wake up to our deeper nature and higher potential as human beings.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the entire article on\u00a0Mindful.org<\/a>:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In common cultural understanding,\u00a0resilience\u00a0usually refers to our ability to \u201cbounce back\u201d after a challenge or hardship. Our bodies can be resilient; so can our minds, our relationships, and our aspirations.\u00a0 We often think of grand accomplishments: the injured athlete who goes on to win gold; the unlucky-in-love co-worker who finally finds his soul mate; the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6931\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6974,"date":"2026-04-14T06:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T06:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6974"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:46:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:46:17","slug":"tips-for-taming-spring-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/14\/tips-for-taming-spring-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for taming spring allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spring is a season many look forward to. The days grow longer, the weather warms up and everything starts to bloom. Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms. They may begin as early as February. Mild winters can cause plants to pollinate early. And wet weather can lead to plants growing quickly.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, red, watery or itchy eyes, and more. If you\u2019re one of these people, you may skip going outside unless you have to. Try these tips to help prevent or reduce the severity of your symptoms. It may get you back smelling the flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give these tactics a try. Who knows? Perhaps you could start to enjoy the great outdoors without allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figure out what you\u2019re allergic to<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A doctor can help you figure out what triggers your allergies. It could be pollen from grasses, trees and weeds, or molds. With that, you can learn the best way to reduce, treat or prevent symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proactively manage symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you take over-the-counter allergy medications, such as a non-sedating antihistamine or anti-inflammatory steroid nose spray, try pre-medicating about two hours before going outside.2<\/sup> Talk to a physician about the best fit for your needs or if a prescription medication is right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manage exposure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check local pollen counts or forecasts daily. Plan outdoor activities, like exercise, on days when pollen counts are expected to be lowest.3<\/sup> Protect yourself with sunglasses and a hat while out and about. Remove shoes before going inside and change your clothes once indoors. Be sure to machine wash and dry your clothes. To air dry, use an indoor rack and not an outdoor line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be aware on windy days<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Windy days can mean more pollen is circulating in the air. Those days, keep windows closed and use air conditioning. Use asthma- and allergy-friendly filters to reduce indoor airborne allergens. Try to stick to indoor activities on windier days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shower after outdoor activity or at night before bed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking a shower and washing your hair helps remove allergens. It helps keep them off your sheets. Change your bedding and towels at least once a week. Be sure to wash them in hot, soapy water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spring is a season many look forward to. The days grow longer, the weather warms up and everything starts to bloom. Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms. They may begin as early as February. Mild winters can cause plants to pollinate early. And wet weather can lead to plants growing quickly.1 Symptoms include […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6974\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6908,"date":"2026-04-13T04:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T04:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6908"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T16:13:13","slug":"a-calmer-start-to-the-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/13\/a-calmer-start-to-the-week\/","title":{"rendered":"A Calmer Start to the Week \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mondays can feel a little off when you\u2019ve lost an hour of sleep. The morning might feel more rushed than usual, like the day started before you were quite ready. On weeks like this, it can help to lean on routines that are already part of your day to reduce stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to overhaul your schedule, add a relaxation practice to something you already do automatically. Try deep breathing while your coffee brews, meditating while your shower warms up, or doing a little yoga while watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a simple habit-stacking trick that can help create a more relaxed Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We know what you\u2019re thinking \u2014 what is habit stacking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea behind habit stacking is simple: add a new behavior to your daily schedule by \u201cstacking it\u201d on top of an existing habit. The concept of habit stacking was pioneered by James Clear, author of the New York Times<\/em> bestseller, Atomic Habits<\/a>, and it is designed to help individuals incorporate more healthy behaviors into their lives without disrupting their normal routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pairing the concept of habit stacking with DeStress Monday will make you proactive in adding more calming and meditative behaviors to your daily schedule. For example, many of us make coffee in the morning, and, whether you\u2019re using a drip pot or French press, the brewing process takes between 5 \u2013 10 minutes. With habit stacking, the time you wait for your coffee can also be the time you spend practicing a mindful meditation or deep breathing exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By stacking enough of these habits, you\u2019ll effectively (and seamlessly) incorporate a surprising amount of stress-relieving activities into your life. Try habit-stacking this Monday, and add some more moments of calm and contemplation to your daily routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee brewing: Take a moment for deep breathing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee takes a few minutes to prepare and brew. While you wait, sit in the kitchen and do some deep breathing exercises<\/a>. By counting your breaths, you\u2019ll feel re-energized and relaxed even before taking that first sip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heating up the shower: Practice a mindful meditation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showering is a common part of the morning routine, but everyone knows it takes a few minutes to get the water nice and hot. Take that time to engage in a mindful meditation<\/a> by closing your eyes and focusing on the sound of the shower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waking up or going to sleep: Do bed yoga<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all want a few extra minutes in bed, so why not put that time to good use with some bed yoga<\/a>? Doing yoga on a mattress is soft, accommodating, and works especially well for those who have an injury or a physical limitation. Start off with these simple poses<\/a> and add more advanced movements as you get more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watching your favorite show: Try a sun salutation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to feel like a couch potato when you\u2019re watching television. Let your body and mind unwind by pairing your TV watching with a calming sun-salutation sequence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can read the article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mondays can feel a little off when you\u2019ve lost an hour of sleep. The morning might feel more rushed than usual, like the day started before you were quite ready. On weeks like this, it can help to lean on routines that are already part of your day to reduce stress. Instead of trying to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6908"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6908\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6964,"date":"2026-04-10T08:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T08:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6964"},"modified":"2026-04-07T20:03:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:03:46","slug":"funny-friday-275","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/10\/funny-friday-275\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6964\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6961,"date":"2026-04-09T07:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T07:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6961"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:39:19","slug":"shake-off-the-stiffness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/09\/shake-off-the-stiffness\/","title":{"rendered":"Shake Off the Stiffness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of stretching. It\u2019s not just for athletes or people who work out regularly. It preserves mobility, improves range of motion in the joints, and protects you from future injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stretching preserves mobility, improves range of motion in the joints, and protects you from future injury.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of stretching. It\u2019s not just for athletes, runners, and gymnasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, understand that it\u2019s not necessary to stretch every <\/em>muscle in the body. Focus on the core muscle groups that most impact your daily life, such as your lower body \u2014 calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, pelvis, quadriceps \u2014 because these muscles affect your mobility and balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, remember to properly execute each stretch. Before starting any new workout regimen, consult a trainer or physical therapist. Basic stretching practices<\/a> include: always warm up because you need to get blood flowing to the area to make the tissue more pliable; hold a stretch for at least 30 seconds; feel tension in a stretch, not pain; and don\u2019t ever \u201cbounce\u201d while you stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Click here<\/a> for a collection of simple movements to ease you into your stretching routine. Want some guidance? Try this 15-minute gentle full-body stretching routine<\/a> led by a physical therapist.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of stretching. It\u2019s not just for athletes or people who work out regularly. It preserves mobility, improves range of motion in the joints, and protects you from future injury. Stretching preserves mobility, improves range of motion in the joints, and protects you from future injury. Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of stretching. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6961"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6961\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6955,"date":"2026-04-08T05:18:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T05:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6955"},"modified":"2026-03-24T20:24:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T20:24:32","slug":"overthinking-this-will-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/08\/overthinking-this-will-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Overthinking? This will help"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overthinking is something we all do\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 replaying the past, catastrophising the future\u00a0or getting stuck in loops of doubt and analysis. It feels like problem-solving, but usually just leaves us anxious, overwhelmed and stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Stop Overthinking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today’s podcast Dr Jessamy Hibberd<\/a> shares a five-step plan to help you recognise overthinking, shift your focus and move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n