The Psychologist Next Door | Heidi Smith Luedtke

Bra is Good

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on January 21, 2013
Categories: Cognitive Psychology, Education

When you’re learning a foreign language, it helps to use tricks to remember the details. Mnemonic devices are mental strategies that connect new facts with previous learning so they get hooked into your memory system instead of floating around in your brain untethered. These connections make it easier to retrieve information by giving us cognitive… [read more]

Let Them See You Sweat

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on January 7, 2013
Categories: Education, Goals, Self-development

When was the last time you did something so far outside your comfort zone that it made you anxious? I’m not talking about “What if this recipe flops and we have to order pizza?” jitters. I’m talking about “What if I made a complete fool of myself and have to cry it out in the… [read more]

My Parenting New Year’s Resolution – Words of Affirmation

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on January 3, 2013
Categories: Parenting, People Skills, Self and identity, Self-confidence, Self-development, Traits, Uncategorized

“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” –Peggy O’ Mara Since I read this quote last month, it has been rattling around in my brain. It reminds me that language holds immense power – we can use words to educate, to inspire and to nurture. Or we can inadvertently drag… [read more]

How to Tend to Your Own Emotions

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 17, 2012
Categories: Cognitive Psychology, Detachment, Emotion, Parenting, self-awareness, Self-Care, Stress and Coping, Uncategorized

In the wake of last week’s tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I feel a need to shift gears. My planned posts on gift-related rivalry and holiday family dynamics seem unimportant. Even disrespectful. It’s simply not possible to act as if nothing has happened. Raw sadness and anxiety bubble right below the surface. I’m… [read more]

Recipe for a Perfect Holiday

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 10, 2012
Categories: Detachment Parenting, Happiness 101, Holidays

If you are anything like me, you’re hoping for the perfect holiday. And there’s no shortage of inspiring images to make you feel a little bit less than perfect. Case in point: Pinterest. It’s chock-full of gorgeous photos of holiday decorations, food and gifts I could never achieve. (For instance, this holiday cake is just… [read more]

I’m the Worstest Mom Ever!

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 7, 2012
Categories: Limit Setting, Parenting

Forget about that Dad in England who got oodles of media attention for the tough-love letter his adult child leaked to the press recently. I won a parenting award this week. Well, actually two awards. My son, Carson, gave me the coveted titles of “Meanest Mom Ever” and – when he still didn’t get what… [read more]

Making Holidays More Meaningful

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 4, 2012
Categories: Detachment Parenting, Emotion, Holidays, mindfulness, Parenting

This year I’m taking my own advice about holiday planning: 1) I’m focusing in on three qualities I want, not thirty. They are: Togetherness Gratitude, and Fun 2) I’m buying fewer gifts and spending money on “together time” instead. We’re taking a (surprise) family trip to a southern vacation destination. We’ll spend time in nature… [read more]

Celebrate a Spirit of Giving this Year

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on November 26, 2012
Categories: Uncategorized

My kids are easily impressed by TV infomercials. We have so many pillow pets that real pillows won’t fit in their beds anymore. Last year my son begged for the giant cupcake pan and the perfect meatloaf pan. (Apparently my cupcakes are too small and my meatloaf could be even closer to perfection!) This year… [read more]

100+ Things I am Thankful For

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on November 22, 2012
Categories: Uncategorized

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m sharing 100+ Things I’m Thankful For. I hope this list inspires you to count your blessings, too. 1. Sloppy toddler kisses 2. A devoted (and sometimes silly) husband 3. Holding hands with my 5-year-old 4. Romantic comedies 5. Electronic books available for instant download 6. Apple pie a… [read more]

4 Ways to Make Thanksgiving Dinner Less Awkward

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on November 20, 2012
Categories: Psychology Research, Relationships, Social Psychology

Researcher Joshua Clegg just published a study on situational triggers of awkward feelings. Although he conducted this research in the lab, I suspect he could replicate it at Thanksgiving dinner tables around the country this week. Here’s what he learned. Participants reported intense feelings of awkwardness when they didn’t know what was expected of them.… [read more]