The Cogjam EffectLaurel Hughes is a retired disaster mental health manager. She has worked in disaster for both government and nonprofit organizations, and has developed numerous materials for her field.
Tribal beliefs and behaviors have kept us going for millennia. Safety in numbers and dependable social supports are key to human health and survival. In this day of philosophical divides, however, our tribal tendencies seem to be going awry: Our differences from other “tribes” get overemphasized, and we lose track of our common ground. We […]
Want to hear cogjam discussed, in a different context? Here’s your chance. Yesterday I participated in a one-hour interview by Rabbi Eric Walker, host of the faith-based program, “Igniting a Nation.” It was a wonderful opportunity to dive into what science and religion have to offer one another, as we sort out how to cope […]
Emotions run high as the hottest election cycle of the century is finally about to conclude. Non-stop tug of war dominates the media. Set opinions cling tightly and pull mightily at their chunk of partisan rope. All dig in for the duration, with little to be gained. Of course, one side will eventually win. But […]
By now, everyone to some degree recognizes that today’s real enemy is political divisiveness itself, rather than the particular political figures or persuasions that fall victim to it. Likewise, plenty of evidence has revealed that divisive social media posts and conspiracy theory revelations are often perpetrated by hostile foreign operatives, ones with whom we would […]
So begs the inner lizard. What makes conspiracy theories so seductive to our primitive selves? Today, COVID-19 diagnoses among those who lead us further burden our pandemic stress level. Fear alarms go off. Panic buttons may even get pushed. Our inner lizards put on their gloves and ready for a fight, ever on guard to […]
We are all spending more time at home. Activities available to rush off to are fewer, as are social responsibilities and obligations. You may even be able to work from home in your jammies, if you so desire. Daily life in general is more casual, even laid back for many. Yet, you feel exhausted. What’s […]
We have been making a bit of a mess of things lately, haven’t we? But over the last 250 years, we’ve also shown that our nation is pretty good at cleaning things up and moving on. We are indeed resilient. It’s going to take a while this time, with multiple issues overlapping: political polarization, COVID-19, […]
There are many ways to connect online to alleviate loneliness, whether the loneliness is due to pandemic social distancing or political philosophical divides. But the most effective reconnect involves recognition that we’re all part of something more purposeful and meaningful than ourselves alone. Feeling lonely? Check out my new post at http://www.keeperconnections.com.
Battling both pandemic AND political stress, merely by listening? Yes, it’s true. We can lessen degree of stress and heal results of excessive stress simply by choosing to listen. Here’s how it works. Consider the antics of the gut brain. You know, that inner lizard of ours that always has an eye out for threat, […]
On May 16th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., I will be participating in the Beaverton Libary Book Fair and featuring my latest release, “The Cogjam Effect.” It turned into a virtual event, given the pandemic, and is using Zoom. Thus everybody is welcome! There will even be time set aside for questions. If you would […]
The Cogjam Effect 