Alone Together

Boundaries

Understanding Justice Sensitivity

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on April 20, 2024

Justice sensitivity is a quality that can motivate prosocial behavior, but in some cases, it can fuel resentment and obsessiveness. Here is how to channel it effectively.

Justice sensitivity is a quality that can motivate prosocial behavior, but in some cases, it can fuel resentment and obsessiveness. Here is how to channel it effectively.

Career

The Power of Creating Connections

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on March 27, 2024

Helping others by facilitating connections can have a positive impact and improve well-being. Creativity, compassion, and curiosity make creating connections more meaningful.

Helping others by facilitating connections can have a positive impact and improve well-being. Creativity, compassion, and curiosity make creating connections more meaningful.

Relationships

My Problem or Yours?

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

By not taking on others' problems as your own, you can channel your urge to care by caring enough to give them the freedom to manage their own issues. Here are some tips to help.

By not taking on others' problems as your own, you can channel your urge to care by caring enough to give them the freedom to manage their own issues. Here are some tips to help.

Friends

Why It's OK Not to Have a Friend Group

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on February 7, 2024

Not being part of a friend group can lead to painful emotions, even when you have genuine individual friendships. Appreciating the value of your friendship-making style can help.

Not being part of a friend group can lead to painful emotions, even when you have genuine individual friendships. Appreciating the value of your friendship-making style can help.

Relationships

Dealing with Disgust

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on January 5, 2024

Disgust is part of life, and yet we differ in the ways we experience it. Here are 4 tips for managing disgust sensitivity when it interferes with relationships.

Disgust is part of life, and yet we differ in the ways we experience it. Here are 4 tips for managing disgust sensitivity when it interferes with relationships.

Self-Sabotage

When Needing to Appear Good Can Lead to Self-Sabotage

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

Obsessing over being seen as a good person can sabotage relationships and mental health. Here's what to look out for, and ways to feel more connected with others.

Obsessing over being seen as a good person can sabotage relationships and mental health. Here's what to look out for, and ways to feel more connected with others.

Environment

Nature Can Soothe Loneliness

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on November 15, 2023

Spending time in nature can be beneficial for our mental health. Here are suggestions for nurturing an authentic relationship with nature and soothing loneliness in the process.

Spending time in nature can be beneficial for our mental health. Here are suggestions for nurturing an authentic relationship with nature and soothing loneliness in the process.

Time Management

The Tyranny of Time Optimization

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on October 17, 2023

While time management can be life-improving, obsessive time optimization can harm well-being. These tips can help you create a healthier relationship with time.

While time management can be life-improving, obsessive time optimization can harm well-being. These tips can help you create a healthier relationship with time.

Friends

Helping Children Nurture Friendships

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on September 15, 2023

Having closer friendships means prioritizing feeling good around others. Here are suggestions for helping your child lay the groundwork for genuine social connection.

Having closer friendships means prioritizing feeling good around others. Here are suggestions for helping your child lay the groundwork for genuine social connection.

First Impressions

Helping Your Child Make a Good First Impression on Adults

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

Making a good first impression is important, but putting too much pressure on your child when they meet adults, such as new teachers, can interfere with building relationships.

Making a good first impression is important, but putting too much pressure on your child when they meet adults, such as new teachers, can interfere with building relationships.

Confidence

An Opportunity You Can’t Refuse—Or Can’t Approach?

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on August 27, 2023

Whether you hesitate to seek new opportunities or tend to take on too many, managing emotional hurdles can help make the process more successful and enjoyable.

Whether you hesitate to seek new opportunities or tend to take on too many, managing emotional hurdles can help make the process more successful and enjoyable.

Environment

The Psychology of Climate Change

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on July 7, 2023

Environmentally-concerned people want to take action to stop global warming. However, if feeling self-conscious is preventing you from following through, these tips might help.

Environmentally-concerned people want to take action to stop global warming. However, if feeling self-conscious is preventing you from following through, these tips might help.

Anxiety

When Political Ideology Makes Kids Anxious

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on June 25, 2023

Extreme political ideology is creating conflicts in our society. We need to take a harder look at how it impacts children psychologically in order to help them cope.

Extreme political ideology is creating conflicts in our society. We need to take a harder look at how it impacts children psychologically in order to help them cope.

Anxiety

How to Help 'Opt-Out' Kids

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on June 1, 2023

Knowing how to shape feared situations into learning opportunities can help kids grow rather than avoid important life experiences.

Knowing how to shape feared situations into learning opportunities can help kids grow rather than avoid important life experiences.

Education

Talking With Your Child About Being Left Out

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on May 2, 2023

Learning that your child has been excluded can bring up painful emotions. Creating a teaching moment can go a long way in helping your child grow from this common life challenge.

Learning that your child has been excluded can bring up painful emotions. Creating a teaching moment can go a long way in helping your child grow from this common life challenge.

Parenting

The Problem With Perfectionistic Parenting

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on March 31, 2023

Is trying to be a perfect parent leaving you feeling self-defeated? Modeling healthier responses to mistakes can ease stress and improve the parent-child relationship.

Is trying to be a perfect parent leaving you feeling self-defeated? Modeling healthier responses to mistakes can ease stress and improve the parent-child relationship.

Anxiety

How to Cope With Emotional Fragility

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on March 24, 2023

Is emotional fragility getting in the way of your well-being? Learning to live with big emotions, rather than trying to suppress them, can help you feel confident and content.

Is emotional fragility getting in the way of your well-being? Learning to live with big emotions, rather than trying to suppress them, can help you feel confident and content.

Attention

Taming Distractions

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on February 20, 2023

Feeling distracted by other people? Focusing on meaningful social interactions and improving communication can help you balance relationships and task completion.

Feeling distracted by other people? Focusing on meaningful social interactions and improving communication can help you balance relationships and task completion.

Cognition

Hope for the Unlikable

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on February 15, 2023

If you often think of yourself as unlikable, adjusting the way you think and respond to social situations can help you feel less isolated.

If you often think of yourself as unlikable, adjusting the way you think and respond to social situations can help you feel less isolated.

Career

How to Cope With Not Receiving Recognition

Jennifer L Keluskar Ph.D. on February 10, 2023

Not getting the recognition you deserve can sting. However, a few shifts in perspective can help you thrive without getting weighed down by relentless approval-seeking.

Not getting the recognition you deserve can sting. However, a few shifts in perspective can help you thrive without getting weighed down by relentless approval-seeking.