Imperfect Spirituality
Living a spiritual life in the midst of a messed-up day
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happiness

How a change in scenery changes your brain

How a change in scenery changes your brain

By Polly Campbell on January 23, 2012

My space is cozy and tidy. The papers that are on my desk are in neat piles. A few loose newspaper clippings are scattered about. Three books sit stacked on the corner and box of pens lays along the outer edge of that desk. This is just about right. Too much clutter, and I become [...]

Posted in creativity, emotions, health, self-help strategies | Tagged creativity, emotions, energy, happiness, health, peace | 1 Response

Kindness is a quick pick-me-up and you can try it at home

Kindness is a quick pick-me-up and you can try it at home

By Polly Campbell on January 18, 2012

Feeling low? Go do something for someone else. Not kidding. I’ve written before about the importance of giving and serving. It’s a biggie. Not only does it make others feel good, but it is actually healing for you. Generosity reduces stress, improves immune system response and helps the heart and improves mental health, says Dr. [...]

Posted in connection, kindness and generosity, living authentically, love, spiritual practices, stress management | Tagged compassion, generosity, happiness, health, stress | 1 Response

Cooperation counts for humans and bird-brains

Cooperation counts for humans and bird-brains

By Polly Campbell on November 28, 2011

In the cloud forests of Ecuador live the plain-tailed wren. These chubby little birds are, as it turns out,  a model of sophisticated cooperation that can duet better than Donnie and Marie. Bigwigs from John Hopkins University have studied the way these wrens create their birdsongs. Each song requires one female and male bird alternating syllables to create [...]

Posted in awareness, connection, goals, stress management | Tagged goal management, happiness, research | Leave a response

Time to connect with friends

Time to connect with friends

By Polly Campbell on November 23, 2011

I’ve mentioned it here before: social connection – as in hanging out with friends — isn’t only essential to our quality of life, but it’s critical to our health. Friendships and support boost our immune function, stave off depression, and ease a bunch of other nasty things that make us feel, well, icky. Still, we’ve [...]

Posted in connection, emotions, happiness, health | Tagged awareness, emotions, happiness, health, research | Leave a response

Social networks not a substitute for real social networking

Social networks not a substitute for real social networking

By Polly Campbell on November 21, 2011

I have become a fan of Facebook. Much to my surprise I like the light and often thought-provoking, cyber banter. I learn new things and think about familiar things differently thanks to the different perspectives that show up there. I’ve reconnected with old friends and even developed some solid, real-life, even-met-in-person friendships on-line. But this [...]

Posted in connection, happiness, health | Tagged friendship, happiness, health, relationships | Leave a response

Small acts mean big changes in the world

By Polly Campbell on October 19, 2011

Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. ~Mother Teresa One person, then the next, then the next. Making a difference in the world seems doable this way. So often we get overwhelmed by the problems facing the world. We feel like we can’t do [...]

Posted in kindness and generosity, living authentically, love, self-help strategies, spiritual practices | Tagged compassion, generosity, happiness, inspiration, peace | Leave a response

Making even a short break powerful

Making even a short break powerful

By Polly Campbell on August 17, 2011

It takes more than a change of location to access the benefits that come with a vacation like better sleep, (even when you return), a healthier heart, better immune function, lower stress, and more joy. To maximize those feel-good qualities, you’ve got to shift your focus from the stress-producing routine to something that lightens and [...]

Posted in creativity, happiness, health | Tagged body, creativity, energy, happiness, health | Leave a response

What You Give, Not What You Get Affects Longevity

What You Give, Not What You Get Affects Longevity

By Polly Campbell on August 10, 2011

There are dozens of things including regular exercise and good nutrition that Bigwigs say can help us live longer and better. But a couple of other behaviors are proving equally as important when it comes to fostering well being and longevity: optimism and social connection. That’s no surprise. Just think about how good you feel [...]

Posted in connection, emotions, happiness, health, self-help strategies | Tagged body, emotions, happiness, health, research | Leave a response

How to live better longer

How to live better longer

By Polly Campbell on August 8, 2011

Lots of data is emerging about factors that contribute to our longevity. Turns out many of them are also things that contribute to our well being. But, living long and well doesn’t mean you’ll be cheerful the whole time. In one report,The Longevity Project, psychologists Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin looked at a study that [...]

Posted in happiness, health, self-help strategies | Tagged body, choices, happiness, health, research | Leave a response

How curiosity adds fun to familiar relationships

How curiosity adds fun to familiar relationships

By Polly Campbell on July 20, 2011

Remember in the beginning when you were so connected you could finish each other’s sentences? You knew just what your partner was thinking and you hung on every breath thinking he or she was the smartest, bestest thing out there? Now though, after years together, all that feels familiar and just plain boring. One of [...]

Posted in connection, creativity, happiness, passion, self-help strategies | Tagged creativity, happiness, play, relationships | Leave a response

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Polly Campbell

As a wife, mother, writer, and avid player of Candyland, I've had plenty of opportunity — whether I've liked it or not — for personal development and spiritual growth. I also have a lot of material to write about.

My articles appear in magazines, on Web sites, and in a blog on Psychology Today. Now I'm working on a book, Imperfect Spirituality, about how to integrate a spiritual practice in the midst of a crazy, busy, life.

Recent Posts

  • Mantra meditations can focus the mind and boost clarity
  • If you don’t want to sit, try moving meditation
  • Three ways to move through relationship trouble spots
  • Experts offer one relationship-saving strategy to end blame
  • Living authentically with those less-than moments

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