I’m outta here!  Not forever mind you.  Just for 7 fun-filled days of vacation. That’s right, no alarm clock, no schedule, no cell phone.  No nothing to which I have to pay attention, generate ideas or solve. My mind is going blank for a week.

The last real vacation I can remember was in 1997.  Eleven years ago - shame on me.  No wonder I can’t concentrate on one project for more than 15 minutes.  Just like you, I need a break.  A long, sun-soaked, massage and facial appointment-filled break. 

My Scottish cousins marvel at me and my American family’s preoccupation with work.  For starters, my side of the family gets about 3 weeks of vacation per year.  My Scottish counterparts enjoy 6.  In fact, most European cultures have 5 weeks of vacation at a minimum.  Those who live on the left side of the Atlantic have four at the most and even that is a rarity. Continue Reading »

Tags: facial, healthy skin, skin care, SPF, stress management, vacation

Get happier, healthier, and more productive!

If summer is supposed to be the “fun time” of the year, then why am I so stressed? It is always surprising to me that after speaking on humor topics for so many years, I still have to remind myself to use my own advice! Here are some tips that I always seem to come back to in order to give myself a summer extreme humor makeover:

To get started on a humor makeover, you’ll need some tools for the process: Continue Reading »

 1.  “I am a sexual being” 

Most of us have many different roles in life such as wife, mother, caregiver, and friend. The busy pace causes us to forget about our inner sexual self. Move sexuality up on the priority list or at the very least put it on the list! Continue Reading »

Tags: improve sex life, menopause, relationships, sex, sexual health, sexuality

Ohhh summer… sunny days, weekend b-b-qs, brisk walks…and hot sun! Yes, we all love it, but we have to protect our skin from it if we want to look young and healthy! That’s right, did you know that 90 percent of wrinkles are caused by the sun’s UVA light and sun damage is the #1 cause of premature aging in women and men?

With incidence of skin cancer arising, we have to wear suncreen at all times. They prevent the sun’s UVA (wrinkling causing rays) and UVB (burning rays) rays and from reaching the skin. Sunscreens work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin. Continue Reading »

“Are we there yet?” “I need to go to the potty.” “I am hungry!” “Can we stop and get some food.” “Where is bunny?”

What started out to be an exciting adventure to the beach is resulting in the need for an emergency family therapy session. Sitting in our car, I took a few deep breaths and said “We planned this trip together; we have looked forward to it for months, I purchased all of the beach toys you wanted and now we are ready to kill one another and we haven’t even made it out of our driveway.

LET ME TELL YOU, WE WILL HAVE FUN! Continue Reading »

As a child of the Midwest growing up in the 70’s I experienced two uniquely American cultural phenomenons: half hour sit-coms and cellophane packaged snacks.  I know I spent more than my share of hours in front of the tube devouring snack cakes of every variety.  (Does anyone remember Space Bars?)

Among my early snacking achievements was the ability to open the cellophane envelope without tearing it - and here’s the kicker - with my eyes glued to the set.   That’s right; I could devour snacks with my eyes closed.  Not an achievement of which I’m proud, but likely contributed to my 12 year old dexterity.  As far as I was concerned, if it was chocolate and encased in cellophane, it was a snack goal.  I pursued this hobby with gusto for several years.  Continue Reading »

Dr. Hutcherson’s Intimacy Tips 1. Ultimate sexual pleasure begins with self discovery. Become familiar with your personal desires and pleasure centers. 2. Take a mini retreat alone. Take time for yourself.

3. Take 15 minutes and write a list of the things that make you happy.  Continue Reading »