Destination Psych CE, affectionately known to us as DoPE, came about its nickname as our venture for ADVENTURE CONTINUING ED, and is all about dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ brain chemical. DoPE just felt more catchy than those weighty acronyms our profession wields – don’t think anyone would hold DPCE in their brain! Why dopamine? It signals pleasure-seeking behavior, which is how we invite you to experience Destination Psych CE with us!

Read on for some musings on choosing joy, seeking meaning, and centering purpose in our lives….

CHOOSING JOY:

Our emotions are shaped by our mental and physical health. We can act in ways that foster happiness, allow us to experience positive interactions with others, and savor parts of our environments whatever our immediate circumstances.

Try this —>

~get outdoors for part of each day, to realign our bodies: take a deep breath or close your eyes, touch a tree or get tickled by a blade of grass

~offer gratitude to another, and receive their pleasure: share a compliment, smile or wave to a passerby, pause or write a thank you to a helper

~experience savoring for a dopamine boost: slow down during your first drink of coffee, notice beauty in your home, incorporate a mindful reset

SEEKING MEANING:

Our behavior is influenced by our environment. We may believe finding meaning is a matter of individual choice – think differently, act differently, choose better. Perhaps rather than focusing on outcomes like salary or titles, we can make meaning in our lives based on our daily patterns, cultural priorities, and environmental designs.

Try this —>

~work to live: name the goals you live for, and prioritize a daily schedule that integrates small steps toward those goals

~post your priorities: ensure your environment reflects your cultural priorities, live into these as an individual, family, and community member

~choose your environments: build and use healthy designs to enhance meaning in your lives, from community centers to public transportation

CENTERING PURPOSE:

Our thinking is connected to our social world. Having a positive social purpose often leads to greater personal growth and integrity as we age, bolstering our relationships and helping our communities helps to strengthen our beliefs and values.

Try this —>

~practice kind awareness of the presence of others: noticing how others show up fosters connection with simple actions like greetings or helping

~choose positive social purpose: strengthening our beliefs and values leads us and others to feel more safe and secure in our world

~decide based on the greater good: believing that everyone matters enriches our understanding and we all do better when we all do better