Columnists

Dr Shwetambara Sabharwal

Dr Shwetambara Sabharwal is a Mumbai-based psychologist and psychotherapist

Matters of the Mind: Daily dose for recovery from stress

Sat, Jun 12, 2021

The first step in the process is to be able to observe, feel and become aware that there has been some strain, stress or discomfort

Matters of the Mind: Significance of rationality and reason in relationships

Sun, May 30, 2021

The truth is, our wants and aspirations stemming out of irrational beliefs cannot be satisfied. The problem is not having them, it is when they become unshakable ideas for defining a good relationship

Matters of the Mind: Relationships need self-work

Sat, May 22, 2021

Awareness and acceptance give us the direction, peaceful motivation and security to move forward and invest further in the relationship

Matters of the Mind: Encouraging autonomy in children while right under our nose, day in day out

Sat, May 15, 2021

Try not to hand-hold. Be patient, let them know it is okay to take time and that learning and trying is the priority, and you are around if they would like brainstorming.

Matters of the Mind: Compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and hopelessness

Sat, May 08, 2021

When we give with the hope of an impact however small, we are functioning from a need to control, not compassion

Matters of the Mind: Challenges are many amid pandemic, lessons even more

Sat, May 01, 2021

Understanding the functioning of our mind, its relationship with our emotions and ensuring mental health is important

Matters of the Mind: An urgent offering of confidence, clarity and courage

Sun, Apr 25, 2021

In these difficult times, a simple QnA to provide practical solutions to your problems

Matters of the Mind: Understand anxiety to conquer it

Sun, Apr 18, 2021

Since anxiety is caused by thought about the future, being conscious of the present is an incredibly powerful exercise that dissipates anxiety effectively

Matters of the Mind: Understand anxiety to conquer it

Sat, Apr 10, 2021

Anxiety has been part of our lives. We know it, but we struggle with it. Because it helps us, in flight or fight, or being prepared in a tough situation. We depend upon it

Matters of the Mind: How to stop negative thoughts

Sat, Apr 03, 2021

The good news is that many people have started to talk about mental health and are keen to understand what we can do to make things better with our bodies and minds.

Matters of the Mind: Job loss or an opportunity of a lifetime

Sat, Mar 27, 2021

Tough as it may be, the emotions that result from our perceptions, belief systems and prejudices with losing a job need to be reviewed and further redefined

Matters of the Mind: Are you feeling exhausted with the way things have been?

Sun, Mar 21, 2021

The so-called “routine” events such as planning a daily meal, fighting rush hour traffic, meeting a deadline, unrealistic self-expectations, and interpersonal relationships can also trigger stress.

A day in the life of an imperfect woman

Mon, Mar 08, 2021

Being a psychologist mom, the expectations run high. But, I make sure I stay human and realistic with my parenting goals. 'To err is human, to forgive divine'. This Alexander Pope saying is my go-to mantra for every parenting glitch; although I think he was talking about forgiving others, I use it mostly for myself

Matters of the Mind: The deal with depression

Sun, Mar 07, 2021

Depression is most certainly debilitating. But, prevention and management are not entirely out of our control. Some inner strength, conscious cognition and resolve in amending our lifestyles can help us banish the blues

Matters of the Mind: Grief is messy, and that is fine

Sat, Feb 27, 2021

Today, amid a pandemic, while the world grieves together it must be recognised that grief is not a social factor; it is purely subjective and psychological. Everyone deals with it differently and must not be rushed, judged or compared to others

Matters of the Mind: The second wave

Sat, Feb 20, 2021

Accepting and embracing reality helps us focus on “what” instead of “why” and allows us to weigh our best options moving forward

Matters of the Mind: How to achieve conscious cognition

Sat, Feb 13, 2021

The first and the most important step is to create recognition of stress through Focus

Matters of the Mind: Conscious cognition

Sat, Feb 06, 2021

We cry not over the attack or conflict, but the meaning we attach to it.

Matters of the Mind: Attachment and authenticity, one should not cost the other

Sat, Jan 30, 2021

Why do attachments and authenticity have a reciprocal relationship, and how can we change that equation?

Matters of the Mind: Wellness being the goal, spirituality cannot be further ignored

Mon, Jan 25, 2021

Science and psychology should accept spirituality and consider an integrative approach for patient benefit

Matters of the Mind: Farmers, fights and foresight

Sat, Jan 16, 2021

As India and its food growers face scrutiny and judgement, I wonder if bills and policies are all that matter

Matters of the Mind: Couples, conflicts and consciousness

Sat, Jan 09, 2021

The pressure of expectations, impressions and ideations interferes significantly with our real companionships.

Matters of the Mind: To, 2021… Sincerely, 2020

Sat, Jan 02, 2021

May man and woman be more respectful of one another, may children and elders be able to hit parks again viewing nature and play as valuable privileges

Matters of the mind: Crisis and teachings of Christ

Fri, Dec 25, 2020

While we may have gone through a period that has shaken our faith and exacerbated self-doubt, re-establishing our faith in ourselves is key. Suffering and crisis may trigger doubt, pain, and despair, but trusting the journey, the process, and our experiences build faith

Matters of the mind: Don’t rush to label challenges as negative

Thu, Dec 17, 2020

The point I wish to raise today is, why not persevere during the experience of a challenge knowing that some good will come out of this? The golden question to ask is, how can this add value and meaning to my life?