Why we mimic people’s emotions and how to regulate it You’ve likely heard the expression, “smiling is contagious,” and instantly …
What It Means to Feel ‘Angsty’ and How to Cope
The term ‘angst’ denotes anxiety and emotional turmoil. Someone who is feeling angsty may feel, display, or express worry, dread, …
The Painful Effects of Attachment Trauma
Bonding to a parent or caregiver is a critical part of a baby’s emotional development. In fact, the absence of …
Five Reasons Emotions Are Important
Emotions can play an important role in how you think and behave. The emotions you feel each day can compel …
Understanding and Managing Anguish
Anguish is an intense and complex emotional state caused by mental or physical suffering. When people experience anguish, they often …
How Helping Others Helps You
Helping others has been shown to activate the rewards area of our brain and reduce stress. Learn more about the …
How to Set Boundaries With Friends, Why It’s Necessary
Setting healthy boundaries in friendships can help you protect your identity and personal space. It can also prevent others from …
What Is Bipolar Anger?
The rage associated with some bipolar episodes can be frightening. Here’s why and when it can happen, and how to …
The Connection Between Mental Health and Physical Health
A growing body of research makes it clear that mental health and physical health are deeply connected, with studies showing …
Time to Spring Clean Our Relationships
Are the People in Our Lives Here for a Reason or Just Here for the Season? As the weather warms …
It’s Time to Ditch Toxic Positivity
No matter how I curate my social feeds or dating profiles, it seems that never a day goes by without …
Shift Your Mind From Crisis Mode to Calm
Unchecked stress may lead to overwhelm, unhelpful coping, and burnout. When you learn to recognize the warning signs, you can …
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that is characterized by symptoms that occur at the same time each …
Navigating a New Relationship During the Holidays
Holidays can be a stressful time for new couples. Having different expectations can add strain and affect your moods. You …
How Stress Affects the Vagus Nerve
The Vagus Nerve The vagus nerve is a long nerve that runs from your brainstem all the way down to …
Unlocking The Power of Our Emotional Memory
Neuroscientists show that it’s possible to turn the volume down on a negative memory by stimulating other, happier ones. You …
Let Your Mind Wander
When we’re waiting, we often have the urge to distract ourselves, but a new study finds we’d enjoy doing nothing …
What to Do When Life Feels Out of Control
There are many decisions that you must make throughout the course of a day. Whether you’re deciding what clothes to …
Are You Stuck in Constant Self-Judgment?
Are you a good enough friend, employee, partner, or parent? Are you thin, attractive, smart, and nice enough? If you …
Why Letting Go of Control Can Help You Enjoy Life
Feeling the need to be in control is natural. It’s something we all inherently want, and we feel best when …
Coping With Depression in a Relationship
If you are in a relationship with someone who has depression, you are likely struggling with a mix of emotions …
What Is Conventional Wisdom?
Conventional Wisdom Conventional wisdom refers to commonly held and widely accepted ideas and beliefs. It can encompass ideas that are …
The Dangers of Bottling Up Our Emotions
Keeping our emotions close to our chest can often feel safer, but it isn’t always the healthiest way to move …
How to Be Happy Again
Finding New Ways to Be Happy What does it mean to be happy? There are so many ideas and perspectives …
What to Do When Your Summer Reality Doesn’t Live Up to Expectations
The new normal is coming just in time for a safe and social redo of last year’s isolated summer. With …
How to Rekindle A Relationship
There are many reasons why you may want to revisit a former relationship. Perhaps you’re seeing your ex in a …
Quick Ways To Deal With Sudden Anxiety
If your anxiety is sporadic and getting in the way of your focus or tasks, there are some quick natural …
How To Tell Your Friends You’re Depressed
Deciding to tell the people you love that you’re struggling with depression is a big step. Not only is it …
Common Misconceptions About Psychotherapy
What you can and cannot expect from psychotherapy In my experience consulting with patients who are considering whether or not …
Six Ways to Feel Better About Being Single
Sometimes being single can feel freeing or even empowering. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want without having …
How to Stop the Negative Chatter in Your Head
A neuroscientist explains how to curb unhelpful thoughts Did you make your New Year’s resolutions? I hope you put “cognitive …
What Is Codependency? Recognizing the Signs
Codependency refers to a mental, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual reliance on a partner, friend, or family member. “The term was …
8 Things to Do if You Feel Irritable
Everyone feels irritable sometimes. But, if you’re not careful, your irritability could cause some bigger problems in your life. Whether …
What Is Ghosting?
Ghosting is a relatively new colloquial dating term that refers to abruptly cutting off contact with someone without giving that …
Understanding Alcoholic Neuropathy
Alcoholic neuropathy is one of the most common and least recognizable consequences of heavy alcohol use. People with a long …
What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious?
Do you often wonder what life would be like without alcohol? Do you use alcohol to overcome social anxiety? Do …
Is Watching the News Bad for Mental Health?
The media we consume daily has an impact on our thinking, behavior, and emotions. If you’ve fallen into a pattern …
How to Go Out When You’re Quitting Drinking
There are many reasons to quit or cut back on your drinking. Alcohol is bad for your health. It can …
Will That Antidepressant Work For You? The Answer May Lie In Your Brain Waves
Scientists have taken a small step toward personalizing treatment for depression. A study of more than 300 people with major …
How To Start Therapy
Feeling anxious? Overwhelmed? Unhappy? Not sure what you’re feeling at all? These might be signs that your “check engine” light …
The Link Between Alcohol and Aggression
The association between alcohol and aggression is huge, according to Robert O. Pihl, professor of psychology and psychiatry at McGill …
What Is Body Positivity?
Body positivity refers to the assertion that all people deserve to have a positive body image, regardless of how society …
When You Should Take a Mental Health Day
Everyone has to deal with varying levels of stress. This can be particularly difficult to manage if you also have …
How a Little Humor Can Improve Your Work Life
Laughter and jokes can make us happier and more productive on the job. Why do we laugh at movies like …
How I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain
My name is Kevin, and I have a phone problem. And if you’re anything like me — and the statistics …
Fresh Starts, Guilty Pleasures And Other Pro Tips For Sticking To Good Habits
Katy Milkman played tennis at Princeton, and when she finished college, she went to the gym every day. But when …
Why Should You Go to Therapy?
Psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb explains what therapy does for you and what it reveals about the trials of being human. If …
How to Cope With a Toxic Relationship
We can experience toxic relationships in our families, in the workplace, and among friend groups. They can be extremely stressful …
How Helping Others Can Help At-Risk People
According to a new study, even people who have committed crimes feel good when they give to others. Past research …
What Gets in the Way of Gratitude?
What must be overcome as a culture or as individuals in order for gratitude flourish? We live in a nation …