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Advice for Your Best Life

Science-based practices that spark joy, meaning, and ease

Grief
How to Help Teens Handle the Loss of Proms and Graduations

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on May 4, 2020

Important ceremonies and rites of passage have been canceled, leaving kids with no closure. Even as they feel grateful for their health, their losses are tangible to them.

Important ceremonies and rites of passage have been canceled, leaving kids with no closure. Even as they feel grateful for their health, their losses are tangible to them.

Career
How School Closures Can Strengthen Your Family

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on March 16, 2020

As closed schools ramp up for online learning, we can retool in our families, too. Here are three practical ways families can cope—and even thrive—despite school closures.

As closed schools ramp up for online learning, we can retool in our families, too. Here are three practical ways families can cope—and even thrive—despite school closures.

Adolescence
3 Ways to Change Your Parenting in the Teenage Years

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on February 19, 2020

Parenting teenagers is, in many ways, a hell of a lot easier than raising little kids. ⁠⁠But our parenting does need to shift once our kids are in middle school (and beyond). ⁠

Parenting teenagers is, in many ways, a hell of a lot easier than raising little kids. ⁠⁠But our parenting does need to shift once our kids are in middle school (and beyond). ⁠

Stress
Why New Year’s Resolutions Succeed

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

New Year’s resolutions don't have to be a source of failure, year after year. Here is your quick start to setting a resolution that will stick.

New Year’s resolutions don't have to be a source of failure, year after year. Here is your quick start to setting a resolution that will stick.

Stress
How to Calm a Stressed-Out Teen

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on December 19, 2019

Fortunately, there is a lot that we can do for our stressed-out teens. Here are seven steps for helping teens cope.

Fortunately, there is a lot that we can do for our stressed-out teens. Here are seven steps for helping teens cope.

Happiness
Should I See a Therapist?

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on December 3, 2019

A member of the Sandwich Generation struggles with feeling overwhelmed, sad, and stuck between caring for her parents and her children.

A member of the Sandwich Generation struggles with feeling overwhelmed, sad, and stuck between caring for her parents and her children.

Sleep
How Can I Get More Sleep?

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on October 30, 2019

Going to bed earlier is a realistic and worthy goal, one that will have real benefits for you in your busy life.

Going to bed earlier is a realistic and worthy goal, one that will have real benefits for you in your busy life.

Fear of missing out
Addiction
The Power of Taking Time Off

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on February 8, 2019

We check our smartphones and laptops constantly to abate our anxiety that we are missing something urgent at work.

We check our smartphones and laptops constantly to abate our anxiety that we are missing something urgent at work.

Authenticity
Accessing Authenticity

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on November 6, 2017

Authenticity’s appeal is obvious, but how does a person even go about being fully authentic, anyway? Here are three tips to get started.

Authenticity’s appeal is obvious, but how does a person even go about being fully authentic, anyway? Here are three tips to get started.

Stress
Three Steps to Say “No” Gracefully

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on October 2, 2017

It can be really hard to say no. Despite my best attempts not to care what other people think of me, I still find myself wanting to be liked.

It can be really hard to say no. Despite my best attempts not to care what other people think of me, I still find myself wanting to be liked.

Projection
The Real Reason We Get Annoyed with Our Partners

Christine L. Carter Ph.D. on July 31, 2017

When we feel hooked and irrational or harshly judgmental about someone else’s shortcomings, rather than empathetic or compassionate? We are probably projecting.

When we feel hooked and irrational or harshly judgmental about someone else’s shortcomings, rather than empathetic or compassionate? We are probably projecting.