Supersurvivors

The research behind post-traumatic growth.

David B. Feldman Ph.D.

Why Nostalgia Is on the Rise

People are once again snapping Polaroids, adopting Tamagotchis, and revisiting favorite old TV shows. Here’s what’s good about it, what might not be, and why.

Is Hope Possible in Terminal Illness?

Some people consider situations like terminal illness to be “hopeless.” But one man’s story of hope and humor shows why this isn’t always true.

5 Tips for Getting the Answers You Need from a Doctor

If you or a loved one face serious illness, you know that talking with doctors can sometimes be difficult. Here’s how to get the most out of your conversations.

Why Does Having Friends Make Us Happy?

We’re wired to care about relationships. But what exactly is it about our relationships that makes us happy? The answers to that question may be simpler than you think.

3 Things People Say That Irritate Psychologists

Why psychologists often dread telling others what they do.

What to Say to Someone with a Life-Threatening or Terminal Illness

When a loved one is diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness, it’s hard to know how best to provide emotional support. Here are four tips that may help.

Do Our Lives Gain Meaning as We Age?

Who perceives life as more meaningful, recent high-school graduates or adults ready to retire? The answer may be “both.”

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion One Year into COVID-19

During the past year, many of us have criticized ourselves for not being super-human. But, a simple practice may help grow our self-compassion when facing challenges.

So You Set a New Year’s Resolution, Now What?

Despite the best of intentions, most people give up on their resolutions. Here are four common traps that stop our goals in their tracks and how to avoid them.

What If Everything You Believed About Love Was Wrong?

According to some research, love is more expansive than you might think. It’s a view that may be just what we need in alienating times.

5 Tips for Maximizing Your Creativity

According to research, creativity isn’t necessarily about God-given talent but about skills that can be developed by anyone. So, why do most of us feel so uncreative?

The Power of Gratitude During the Holidays

During a pandemic, holidays can be hard. But, as we look toward a better 2021, it’s important to notice the blessings in our lives, even if they seem small compared to the losses.

How Marketing Unconsciously Manipulates What We Buy

Though we’d like to think we’re making rational choices when we buy products, we’re unconsciously influenced by marketing tactics.

Three Positive Psychology Practices for Our Troubled Times

We hear a lot about how to cope. But most of us want to do more than cope—we want to be happy, find meaning, and connect with others. Here some practices that might help.

The Power of Journaling

Research shows that journaling is an effective and often overlooked coping technique. It may be able to help during these troubling times.

Three Ways to Address Guilt When You’re Grieving

In the midst of COVID-19, our normal ways of mourning have changed. Guilt was a common grief reaction before the pandemic, but it may be even more common now.

Is It Still Possible to Hope?

Words like "tragic" and "painful" come to mind when considering the state of our world. But amid the pain, is it still possible to hope?

Two Reasons It’s Not Good to Be Happy All the Time

Research shows that living a good life is about more than pleasure, and that happiness may cause us to miss the most meaningful experiences of all.

Do People Trust the News About COVID-19?

Solid, factual information matters, particularly in times of crisis. But new data suggests that people don’t trust White House statements about coronavirus any more than Twitter.

Why Some People Prepare for COVID-19 and Some Don't

New research shows that that two experiences—hope and fear—may distinguish who protects themselves and who doesn't. We know there’s reason for fear. But is there reason for hope?

What Exactly Is Happiness?

At a conference of Western psychologists and Buddhist scholars, I was struck by how differently these two groups used the word “happiness."

What’s Normal to Feel When Caring for a Dying Loved One?

People expect to feel sad when losing a loved one, but may other emotions are also normal. Here are some surprising ones, and how to stop beating yourself up for having them.

The Causes of Stress in America

We can’t always control the stressful events around us. Relationships provide a sense of safety, but technology and current events may be eroding it.

Building Emotional Intelligence Isn't as Hard as You Think

It can feel risky to get in touch with our feelings, let alone express them. But one psychologist argues that getting to know our feelings can be one of the best things we ever do.

The Power of Rituals to Heal Grief

Rituals are important ways to find meaning when we lose a loved one. But rituals don’t have to be formal or complicated. Here are four questions to help develop a personal ritual.

Five Myths About Grief You May Believe

Our reluctance to talk about grief can provide a space for myths to proliferate, ultimately making it harder to cope.

Four Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Calling

A small handful of surprisingly simple practices may help connect us with what makes the journey of life meaningful.

The Three Conditions for Hope to Thrive

We may increase our hopefulness quotient by setting three simple conditions in our lives.

What's the Right Thing to Say When Someone Is Grieving?

Four simple steps for supporting the people we care about.

How Important is Character in Choosing a President?

Though people say presidential elections should hinge on issues, candidates’ personalities inevitably come into play. Is there an objective, scientific way to gauge good character?

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