Essential Reads

Mindfulness

How to Encourage Our Kids to Eat Greens

Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers Ph.D., ABPP on April 19, 2024 in Eating Together, Being Together

We can support eating mindfulness with ongoing conversations about healthy food choices, transparency about food, and building connection by preparing and sharing food together.

We can support eating mindfulness with ongoing conversations about healthy food choices, transparency about food, and building connection by preparing and sharing food together.

Divorce

3 Consequences of Staying Together “For the Kids"

Sylvia L. Mikucki-Enyart Ph.D. on April 18, 2024 in Communicating Through Change

Although often well intentioned, staying in a conflictual or unhappy marriage "for the kids" can have more drawbacks than benefits.

Although often well intentioned, staying in a conflictual or unhappy marriage "for the kids" can have more drawbacks than benefits.

Sleep

Trouble Sleeping in Warmer Weather? You're Not Alone

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on April 18, 2024 in Beyond Mental Health

Why warmer temperatures can trigger insomnia and what you can do about it.

Why warmer temperatures can trigger insomnia and what you can do about it.

Freudian Psychology

The Birth of Psychoanalysis, and the Erasure of a Life

Gabriel Brownstein on April 17, 2024 in Life's Obscure Stories

The story of Bertha Pappenheim, the creator of talk therapy.

The story of Bertha Pappenheim, the creator of talk therapy.

Chronic Pain

What Is "Spoon Theory"? And Why Is It Important?

Chris Prange-Morgan M.A., MSW on April 17, 2024 in Full Catastrophe Parenting

Personal Perspective: Having symptoms that wax and wane in a world that doesn't accommodate the dynamic nature of our bodies and minds can be frustrating. This analogy can help.

Personal Perspective: Having symptoms that wax and wane in a world that doesn't accommodate the dynamic nature of our bodies and minds can be frustrating. This analogy can help.

Optimism

Is Positive Thinking a Mistake?

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on April 16, 2024 in Communications That Matter

Two studies published last year cast doubt on the power of positive thinking and avoiding negative emotions. Why?

Two studies published last year cast doubt on the power of positive thinking and avoiding negative emotions. Why?

Divorce

What to Do When You Can’t Decide About Divorce

Ann Gold Buscho Ph.D. on April 16, 2024 in A Better Divorce

Discernment counseling helps partners clarify the next steps in their relationship, with three possible options: stay, go, or commit to marital counseling.

Discernment counseling helps partners clarify the next steps in their relationship, with three possible options: stay, go, or commit to marital counseling.

Denial

Facing Difficulties, Literally and Figuratively

Sandra Wartski Psy.D. on April 16, 2024 in Mindful Metaphors

Use metaphors to consider ways to face, rather than flee from, life difficulties.

Use metaphors to consider ways to face, rather than flee from, life difficulties.

Scent

Dog Owners Can Recognize Their Pets by Scent Alone

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on April 15, 2024 in The Sensory Revolution

We know dogs use their noses to identify us. Now, research shows we also rely on our sense of smell to recognize them.

We know dogs use their noses to identify us. Now, research shows we also rely on our sense of smell to recognize them.

Depression

5 Ways to Improve a Persistently Negative Mood

Alice Boyes Ph.D. on April 15, 2024 in In Practice

Discover strategies to reclaim your zest for life.

Discover strategies to reclaim your zest for life.

Therapy

Therapy Is No Replacement for Community

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on April 15, 2024 in Beyond Mental Health

With loneliness on the rise, how can we show up for each other as a community—without crossing the line into trauma dumping?

With loneliness on the rise, how can we show up for each other as a community—without crossing the line into trauma dumping?

Happiness

Chess, Happiness, and Chance

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 14, 2024 in One Among Many

Chess is a laboratory for human reasoning, self-regulation, and mood. When people play, happiness maximization may not be their goal, or it’s a fool’s errand.

Chess is a laboratory for human reasoning, self-regulation, and mood. When people play, happiness maximization may not be their goal, or it’s a fool’s errand.

Therapy

New Therapies May Offer Hope to People Who Hear Voices

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on April 14, 2024 in Beyond Mental Health

Why do some people talk back to the voices they hear?

Why do some people talk back to the voices they hear?

Psychiatry

Is Psychiatry Waking Up to the Truth About Mental Illness?

Robert C. Smith M.D. on April 13, 2024 in Patient Zero

If you’re depressed, is there a disease causing it?

If you’re depressed, is there a disease causing it?

Aging

How Age-Friendly Are the People in Your World?

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on April 13, 2024 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Ageism in the media seems to be everywhere, and few hesitate to make jokes about age. New research shows how these attitudes play out in everyday life.

Ageism in the media seems to be everywhere, and few hesitate to make jokes about age. New research shows how these attitudes play out in everyday life.

Relationships

How Men's Neglect of Self-Care Impacts Their Partners

Jeff Siegel M.Ed. on April 12, 2024 in Self-Care for Men

Are your partner's health issues silently weighing down your relationship? It's time for men to embrace self-care not just for their own sake, but for their loved ones, too.

Are your partner's health issues silently weighing down your relationship? It's time for men to embrace self-care not just for their own sake, but for their loved ones, too.

Sport and Competition

Why Character Matters in Sports

Sabrina B. Little, Ph.D. on April 12, 2024 in Considerations of Character

When you play a sport, you change physically, but your habits of attention and affection are transformed, too.

When you play a sport, you change physically, but your habits of attention and affection are transformed, too.

Cognitive Reappraisal

Two Techniques for Turning Bad Experiences Into Good Ones

Arash Emamzadeh on April 11, 2024 in Finding a New Home

A new study highlights two simple, effective ways of transforming negative experiences into positive ones.

A new study highlights two simple, effective ways of transforming negative experiences into positive ones.

Stress

College Students' Use of Emotional Support Animals

Rob Danzman on April 11, 2024 in Campus Crunch

A pet can ease stress for struggling students, but a clear understanding of local laws and campus policies is essential before bringing an animal to a dorm.

A pet can ease stress for struggling students, but a clear understanding of local laws and campus policies is essential before bringing an animal to a dorm.

Gender

Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Amber Wardell Ph.D. on April 11, 2024 in Compassionate Feminism

Benevolent sexism masks hostility behind chivalry, shaping women's behavior under the guise of protection and care. It's a subtle yet harmful form of sexism.

Benevolent sexism masks hostility behind chivalry, shaping women's behavior under the guise of protection and care. It's a subtle yet harmful form of sexism.