Topics

Happiness

Banishing Winter Doldrumns

By Richard E. Cytowic, M.D. on February 22, 2012 in The Fallible Mind

What a lark! Sing to yourself, and boost your spirits. Read More

Are You Buying Happiness?

By Dr. Ryan T. Howell, Ph.D. on February 22, 2012 in Can't Buy Happiness

Over the past few years there has been growing consensus that buying life experiences makes people happier than buying possessions. But who spends more of their spare cash on experiences? Read More

Using Technology to Control Non-Linear Events: The Case of Networking

By Laurence Stybel, Ed.D., CMF on February 22, 2012 in Platform for Success

Speak with any career advisor or read any book about professional development: networking with older, more experienced, more successful people is the most useful way to spend time. There is a problem with this advice. Networking is SO non-linear. Read More

Why Am I Always Late?

By Gretchen Rubin on February 22, 2012 in The Happiness Project

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we're also plagued by the Pigeons of Discontent. Read More

Will 10,000 Hours of Practice Make You an Expert at Anything?

By Gary Marcus, Ph.D. on February 22, 2012 in Kluge

10,000 hours of practice: Fact or myth? Read More

Good Intentions: Do They Matter?

By Debbie Glasser, Ph.D. on February 21, 2012 in Parenting News You Can Use

When you hug your partner and express genuine compassion, or send a note in your young child's lunchbox letting her know you made that sandwich just for her, it's your good intentions—not just your nice behavior—that may significantly improve their day. Read More

Get Smart

By Linda & Charlie Bloom, on February 21, 2012 in Stronger at the Broken Places

As most of us are all too aware, simply staying together isn't necessarily a measure of success in a marriage. A disturbingly high percentage of those couples who do manage to avoid divorce court live lives of "quiet desperation" characterized by a lack of fulfillment and intimacy on the parts of one or both partners. Read More

The Blind Spot

By Michael Kay on February 21, 2012 in Financial Focus

John was an engineer before he retired—he proudly burnished his skills as an analytic thinker. He devoted his working years to his profession, but when upper management decided he should use his skills in a more managerial position, John begged off and rather than accept the promotion, retired. Read More

What’s on Oscar’s Mind?

By Dana Klisanin, Ph.D. on February 21, 2012 in Digital Altruism

What do this year's Oscar nominated Feature films tell us about ourselves? About our individual and collective fears? Our collective psyche? Read More

Some Quotations That Started Me Thinking About Happiness

By Gretchen Rubin on February 21, 2012 in The Happiness Project

When I started thinking about happiness, several quotations made a special impression: Read More

Forgiveness, An Uncommon Sense

By Steve Sisgold on February 21, 2012 in Life in a Body

If you've ever been dumped by a lover, demoted by a boss, or hurt or bullied by an old classmate, did you hold onto hateful thoughts or even carry revengeful actions out on them to get even or even feel better? It wouldn't be surprising if you did either of them, since we watch so many movies and feel so good when the good guy gets even with the villain. Read More

Hooking Up Smart — and Nasty

By Bella DePaulo, Ph.D. on February 21, 2012 in Living Single

The writer of a popular blog claims that women who choose to live single are not really happy, but are just deluded cat ladies “hamsterwheeling” in a futile attempt to escape their “nagging sense of disappointment.” Read More

Is Worrying About Your Teens Healthy?

By Dr. Barbara Greenberg, Ph.D. on February 20, 2012 in The Teen Doctor

What is the normal amount of parental worry? Read More

Taking Stock: Soup for Healing Body, Mind, Mood and Soul

By Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel, Ph.D., C.C.N. on February 20, 2012 in Naughty Nutrition

Old fashioned soup is the surprising secret to putting spring in your step, sparkle in your eyes, love in the heart and lust in the loins. For those not prepared to cook, the Naughty Nutritionist proposes broth-els in every town. Read More

Am I Good Enough?

By Julie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D. on February 20, 2012 in Music to My Ears

Like many people, I was saddened by the untimely and tragic death of Whitney Houston. I do not routinely listen to pop music, although I am aware of many hit songs and famous singers in that genre. I am, however, moved by the personal tragedy. Read More

Mental Health Gets Boost in London’s Olympic Legacy Planning

By Michael Otto, Ph.D. on February 20, 2012 in Exercise and Mood

On July 27th, the 2012 Summer Olympics will open in London, England. On March 16th, just over 4 months before and 5 miles from the Olympic opening event and stadium, over 200 mental health clinicians will be running or walking a prepared 5K course in Reagent’s Park in central London. What is the link between these two events? Read More

Due Tomorrow. Do Tomorrow.

By Timothy A. Pychyl, Ph.D. on February 20, 2012 in Don't Delay

The problem for some of us is that these mean the same thing. Why do I think I'll feel more like doing it tomorrow? Why do I procrastinate? Read More

I Didn't Know That

By Linda & Charlie Bloom, on February 20, 2012 in Stronger at the Broken Places

A funny thing happened to us on the way to writing our recently-published book featuring couples with long-term exemplary marriages: we got to be wrong about some of the beliefs that we had regarding the factors that we thought couples needed to experience in order to create great relationships. Read More

Combatting Asperger's: A Losing Proposition

By David Finch on February 20, 2012 in The Journal of Best Practices

When I realized that my marriage was in trouble largely because of my behaviors and detachment from my wife, Kristen, I initially blamed Asperger’s. I thought the only way to save our marriage was to somehow conquer my disorder. Fortunately, Kristen did what she always does when I lose sight of the big picture: She smiled, knowingly, and then showed me a different way. Read More

To Be Happier, Write Your Own Set of Personal Commandments

By Gretchen Rubin on February 20, 2012 in The Happiness Project

One of the most challenging—and most helpful and fun—tasks that I've done as part of my Happiness Project is to write my Twelve Personal Commandments. Read More

Essential Reads: Editor's Picks

Current Issue

Are You with the Right Mate?

It is natural to wonder if your partner is the right one for you.

Happiness Blogs

  • Ryan T. Howell, Ph.D.

    Can't Buy Happiness

    Money, personality, and well-being
    By Ryan T. Howell, Ph.D.
  • Todd Kashdan

    Curious?

    Discovering and creating a life that matters.
    By Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D.

  • Ethical Wisdom

    The examined life.
    By Mark Matousek
  • Alex Lickerman, M.D.

    Happiness in this World

    Reflections of a Buddhist Physician
    By Alex Lickerman, M.D.
  • Sonja Lyubomirsky

    How of Happiness

    The scientific pursuit of happiness.
    By Sonja Lyubomirsky
  • Gordon Livingston

    Lifelines

    The Truth About Life and Love
    By Gordon Livingston
  • Susan L. Smalley, Ph.D.

    Look Around and Look Within

    The Science and Art of Human Behavior
    By Susan L. Smalley, Ph.D.
  • Robert Biswas-Diener

    Significant Results

    Using research findings to tell a more positive story.
    By Robert Biswas-Diener
  • Jaime Cundy

    The Beauty in the Beast

    Happiness across the cultures.
    By Jaime Cundy

  • The Blame Game

    The complete guide to blaming: How to play and how to quit.
    By Neil Farber, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Christopher Peterson

    The Good Life

    Positive psychology and what makes life worth living.
    By Christopher Peterson
  • David Van Nuys, Ph.D.

    The Happiness Dispatch

    Briefs from Positive Psychology, Jungian Practice, and beyond...
    By David Van Nuys, Ph.D.
  • Gretchen Rubin

    The Happiness Project

    A chronicle of my attempts to test-drive every tip, principle and scientific study that promotes happiness.
    By Gretchen Rubin
  • Stephen Post

    The Joy of Giving

    Why altruism and generosity make us healthier and happier-and how we can all give more.
    By Stephen G. Post
  • T Byram Karasu

    The Mystery of Happiness

    How to live a soulful and spiritual life.
    By T. Byram Karasu, M.D.
  • Sean Cort

    The Power of Perspective

    Harnessing the power that lies behind seeing life from different vantage points.
    By Sean Cort

  • Travel In Mind

    Guide to journeys that help you grow
    By Kristine Hansen

  • Your Neurochemical Self

    Getting real with a 200-million-year-old brain.
    By Loretta Graziano Breuning, Ph.D.