Have you ever flown off the handle and said or done things you later regret? (Almost all of us have.) Or have you been so much “in your head”, focused on facts and figures that you lost contact with your feelings or those of other people? (Probably.) In the first case, you were in what […]

Why is it that some people bounce back from tragedy or even seem to thrive in the face of persistent hardship, while others collapse and stay down for the count? Are some people just born with this resilience, defined as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)? Are […]

When asked to name their number one priority, people tend to list personal relationships, good physical health, meaningful employment, wealth, a comfortable home, sufficient leisure time… the list goes on and on. However, just about everyone would agree that they want to be happy. At the same time, many of us are concerned that we […]

With mindfulness meditation gaining so much popularity over the past few decades, and seemingly even more so in the past ten or 15 years, it can seem as if just about everyone has taken up the practice. According to a recent research article (Burke et al, 2017) based on data from the 2012 National Health […]

Whether it’s that driver on the freeway that cuts you off, a colleague at work who passes you in the hall without acknowledging your “Hello”, or your spouse’s leaving their laundry on the bedroom room, it’s safe to say that anger has paid you a visit lately. Although we sometimes have a negative association with […]

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 (AKA improv). Improv, or the art of making something up on the spot, without a script, score, or any […]

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 […]

Are you an emotional perfectionist? Do any of the following statements ring true for you? I should always be happy and upbeat. I should never feel depressed or anxious. I should be able to snap out of a “negative” state of mind. Often we have an idealistic view of happy and successful people. We believe […]

Do people tell you that you’re too “thin-skinned” or overly reactive? Do you tend to pick up on other people’s energy to the point where you “catch” their moods? Does being around a large group of people drain you? Do you need a lot of time alone to regroup and regain your energy? Are you […]