Whether you consider yourself a social butterfly, more inclined to one-on-one interactions, or prefer solitude, there’s no denying that the quality of your personal relationships affect your levels of happiness, well-being, and physical health. We are wired for connection. As the saying goes, “No man is an island”. Consider research done on over 200 undergraduate […]

Mindfulness is all the rage – and with good reason. We are faced with an overwhelming, constant input of media, be it from our phones, iPads, laptop, or desktop computers – not to mention the burgeoning possibilities presented to us by cable and network TV, and movie theaters. Our bosses, colleagues, clients, family, and friends […]

What if there were a fun, low-pressure way to reduce your anxiety, build resilience, improve your connection with other people, and strengthen your ability to adapt to life on life’s terms? Welcome to the world of improvisation. Improv, or the art of making something up on the spot, without a script, score, or any sort […]

“Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second we can turn the tables on Resistance. This second we can sit down and do our work.” (Steven Pressfield) Whether or not we recognize […]

Most of us associate having the flu with not only coughing, sneezing, and sore throat, but also intense fatigue, apathy, brain fog, irritability, and loss of appetite. Being sick can wreak havoc with our emotions and throw us psychologically off-balance. It’s common to feel as if our “get up and go” has got up and […]

At the beginning of each calendar year, many of us set lofty goals, with the hope and expectation that with such achievements we’ll be happier. For instance, we vow to lose that extra 20 pounds, go to the gym more often, find a more rewarding job (or find a job, period), and improve our financial […]

Given the volatile and angry nature of this current national election, how do we manage our anxiety? Regardless of our political affiliations, this particular election cycle has involved unprecedented negativity and sensationalism, driven in part by people’s dissatisfaction with governmental gridlock, concerns about our economy, health care, foreign affairs, and racial issues, to name only […]

What if you could increase your happiness by doing a simple daily five-minute exercise? And if all you needed was a piece of paper and pen or your laptop computer? And what if you could feel the benefits of this exercise within a week or two? Research by Dr. Martin Seligman, the renowned psychologist known […]

“I’m too old not to be on my own side.”  Maya Angelou Nor are you ever too young to be on your own side. Developing self-compassion offers far-reaching benefits. 1) For instance, you might think that taking a stern approach with yourself about your smoking habit would help to achieve your aim. However, a recent study revealed […]

As Labor Day approaches, some students have returned to school, while others are enjoying the last days of freedom before classes begin. For those of us who have graduated from formal education, the school of life is still in session, and some ground rules still apply. Put in the time. Often the difference between an […]