I’ve been an expat for most of my life. Originally from Japan, I’ve lived in a total of six countries. For the past 15 years, I’ve called Geneva, Switzerland, my home. When my then-husband and I decided to move here, to his hometown, our first child was just 10 months old. We wanted a change … Read more
My entire life used to be about maximizing my time for work. I spent over a decade building a career in New York’s tech scene. I worked at Foursquare and Google, and in 2014, I started my business, Tech Ladies. My goal was to help women in the industry find jobs, negotiate and network. I hired … Read more
Why higher emotional intelligence boosts happiness Emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to understand and control our emotions, as well as being sensitive to others’ feelings, nurtures our relationships and boosts our empathy. This can lead to stronger social connections. And as we age, our social bonds become even more vital to our well-being. With … Read more
Picture it: Your co-worker, who you normally get along with, avoided you at lunch, then grunted when you offered to grab him a coffee. He’s clearly annoyed at you, but won’t address it. This is textbook passive-aggressive behavior — a hallmark of people who have trouble handling conflict. As a public speaking trainer, I’ve found that the best way … Read more
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive and evaluate feelings accurately in ourselves and in others. The most emotionally intelligent people can access and evoke emotion, understand non-verbal cues, and regulate their feelings to build stronger relationships. As a Harvard-trained psychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how this is key to long-term professional and personal success. So how … Read more
For the past 20 years, I’ve traveled across the world to study the five Blue Zones — areas in which people live exceptionally long lives: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California. Based on my interviews with 263 people ages 100 or older, I’ve found that the world’s longevity … Read more
In 1896, pioneering doctor and pharmacist Sagen Ishizuka coined a Japanese philosophy called “shokuiku.” It is derived from two words that mean “eat” and “grow.” Shokuiku encourages parents and schools to teach kids where their food comes from and how it affects our mind and body. This concept has been an integral part of Japan’s … Read more
In June 2018, I packed three suitcases and booked a one-way flight from Texas to join my husband in Denmark. We met in 2016 and had been dating long-distance for much of our relationship. We were excited to get married and build a home and life together. We found a wonderful apartment online in a … Read more
Exercising is the important thing to boosting well being and longevity, however it may be difficult to suit into our busy schedules. As a health coach, I see lots of people attempt to get in a minimum of half-hour to an hour a day. That is a superb purpose, however the minimal quantity of train … Read more
1. “You might be being very dangerous.” When a toddler loses their sense of self, it can lead to feelings of rage, anxiousness, self-pity or hopelessness. However they are not being dangerous or naughty or troublesome — they’re going by way of an identification disaster. If left unmanaged, an identification disaster can create a way … Read more