Laugh, Cry, Live

Grief

Stages of Grief: The Harmful Myth That Refuses to Die

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on March 17, 2023

The "five stages of grief" was developed to describe the dying process. Never intended to describe the grieving process, it is a persistent myth that harms the bereaved.

The "five stages of grief" was developed to describe the dying process. Never intended to describe the grieving process, it is a persistent myth that harms the bereaved.

Relationships

Reinventing Valentine’s Day for All the Single People

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Dreading Valentine's Day? Especially if you're single and not loving it, there is still plenty to celebrate. Here are 5 tips for making the best of this day.

Dreading Valentine's Day? Especially if you're single and not loving it, there is still plenty to celebrate. Here are 5 tips for making the best of this day.

Dementia

The Amazing Power of Music in Our Lives

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

Music bestows many significant benefits to the well-being of your brain and body, and it’s especially great for children and teens.

Music bestows many significant benefits to the well-being of your brain and body, and it’s especially great for children and teens.

Narcissism

6 Keys to Dealing With Narcissistic People

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on December 9, 2022

Are there people in your life with narcissistic tendencies? Dealing with them can be extremely difficult. Here are 6 key relationship skills that can help you prevail and thrive.

Are there people in your life with narcissistic tendencies? Dealing with them can be extremely difficult. Here are 6 key relationship skills that can help you prevail and thrive.

Gratitude

Gratitude Can Lift You Up, Even When You’re Down

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on November 23, 2022

While practicing gratitude can boost well-being, this can feel impossible if life is too overwhelming. Here are some ideas to improve success.

While practicing gratitude can boost well-being, this can feel impossible if life is too overwhelming. Here are some ideas to improve success.

Parenting

A Soothing NICU Environment Improves Babies' Outcomes

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on September 29, 2022

The NICU has succeeded in saving the lives of ever-tinier premature babies, but too many babies have had dismal outcomes. What critical ingredient has been missing from NICU care?

The NICU has succeeded in saving the lives of ever-tinier premature babies, but too many babies have had dismal outcomes. What critical ingredient has been missing from NICU care?

Parenting

What Kinds of Support Help Parents Thrive in the NICU?

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

Parenting in the NICU is a stressful experience, but when NICU staff welcome parents and engage them as their baby's primary caregivers, everyone benefits.

Parenting in the NICU is a stressful experience, but when NICU staff welcome parents and engage them as their baby's primary caregivers, everyone benefits.

Grief

Why Is Having a Baby in the NICU So Distressing?

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on September 13, 2022

September is Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month. What do NICU parents need to know to make sense of their distress and find their footing on this unexpected path?

September is Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month. What do NICU parents need to know to make sense of their distress and find their footing on this unexpected path?

Burnout

Dear Doctor: Please Fix My Thumb, Not My Feelings

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Relationships are key to quality health care. When there is a disconnect between patient and practitioner, medical care can be seriously compromised.

A Personal Perspective: Relationships are key to quality health care. When there is a disconnect between patient and practitioner, medical care can be seriously compromised.

Grief

Why Some Parents Want to Take Home Their Deceased Baby

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on May 18, 2022

What is it like to take a baby's body home after their death? And how do parents benefit from the experience?

What is it like to take a baby's body home after their death? And how do parents benefit from the experience?

Stress

4 Great Ways to Clean Up Your Life and Boost Well-Being

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on April 3, 2022

More insidious than dust bunnies under your bed, “must bunnies” clutter your mind with distractions that hold you back from living life. How to mindfully clear them out.

More insidious than dust bunnies under your bed, “must bunnies” clutter your mind with distractions that hold you back from living life. How to mindfully clear them out.

Grief

What to Do If Your Partner Wants to Break Up, But You Don’t

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on March 29, 2022

Going through a breakup can be devastating, especially if it’s not what you want. Here are some tips for getting through this difficult time.

Going through a breakup can be devastating, especially if it’s not what you want. Here are some tips for getting through this difficult time.

Grief

Why Would Parents Choose Hospice Care for Their Newborn?

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on March 26, 2022

In her memoir, Claudia Putnam explores the treacherous landscape of coming to terms with the life-or-death medical decisions she made for her baby son.

In her memoir, Claudia Putnam explores the treacherous landscape of coming to terms with the life-or-death medical decisions she made for her baby son.

Career

How to Celebrate Being Single on Valentine’s Day

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

Are you sad about being single on Valentine's Day? Tap into your emotional intelligence and intrinsic love, and try these options for brightening this day.

Are you sad about being single on Valentine's Day? Tap into your emotional intelligence and intrinsic love, and try these options for brightening this day.

Resilience

What to Do When Your Partner Is Unhappy

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on December 26, 2021

Do you feel responsible for your partner’s moods and try to fix what’s wrong? How doing the opposite can work wonders for you and your relationship.

Do you feel responsible for your partner’s moods and try to fix what’s wrong? How doing the opposite can work wonders for you and your relationship.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Think About Vaccinating Your Children Against COVID-19

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on December 14, 2021

Are you hesitant to vaccinate your children? You are not alone. Here is what's going on in your brain and some ideas to consider as you decide what's in your child's best interest.

Are you hesitant to vaccinate your children? You are not alone. Here is what's going on in your brain and some ideas to consider as you decide what's in your child's best interest.

Grief

What to Do When Your Baby Dies

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Why parents tend to feel overwhelmed with grief, particularly during that first year, and what can help.

Why parents tend to feel overwhelmed with grief, particularly during that first year, and what can help.

Relationships

What to Do if Your Relationship Lacks Physical Intimacy

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on September 25, 2021

Annoyed or distressed that your partner isn’t interested in sex? Taking the lead by forging a resilient connection can be mutually beneficial.

Annoyed or distressed that your partner isn’t interested in sex? Taking the lead by forging a resilient connection can be mutually beneficial.

Resilience

What to Do When a Partner Becomes Less Physically Attractive to You

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on September 18, 2021

Four practices that can retrain your mind to remind you of all the reasons you found your partner attractive in the first place.

Four practices that can retrain your mind to remind you of all the reasons you found your partner attractive in the first place.

Marriage

What to Do When You're Annoyed by Your Partner's Appearance

Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on August 26, 2021

What if your partner has become physically unappealing to you? Here are 4 strategies to help you shift your focus in ways that can benefit you both.

What if your partner has become physically unappealing to you? Here are 4 strategies to help you shift your focus in ways that can benefit you both.