Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

Today's Essential Reads Today's Essentials

Happiness

Why Forgiving Does Not Require an Apology

By Robert Enright Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in The Forgiving Life

Sometimes people make the philosophical error of equating forgiving and reconciling. Knowing the difference between the two can improve your psychological health.

Sex

Her Sexy Texas Cowboy

By Glenn Geher Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Darwin's Subterranean World

Many people talk about female sexuality as being complicated. For some clarity, check out Harlequin romance novels.

Memory

The Prospective Power of Savoring

By Hal McDonald Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Time Travelling with Apollo

Savoring a present experience may support emotion regulation by creating nostalgic memories for us to enjoy in the future.

Sport and Competition

A Lifetime of Running: How to Get Started

By Jonathan Wai Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Finding the Next Einstein

Amby Burfoot won the 1968 Boston Marathon and just ran it again 50 years later. Here's his wisdom on how to get started.

News

The Latest

Relationships

#MeToo Hits Home

By Judith Eve Lipton M.D. on April 20, 2018 in Peace and War

#MeToo has had tremendous consequences, in our hearts and minds as well as society. I am allergic to bullying and sexism, and this is difficult for my friends and family. And you?

Anxiety

Anxiety Happens: It's Not a Choice

By John P Forsyth Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Peace of Mind

You may not be able to control anxiety, but you can learn not to let it control you.

Child Development

Helping Children Cope With Violent Events in the News

By Julie Linker Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in The Resilient Teen

Giving a sense of control and stability in a difficult time.

Anxiety

Defense Mechanisms

By Roberta Satow Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Life After 50

Can compulsive humor be a defense against anxiety and pain?

Parenting

The Best Way to Help Teens Snack Mindfully

By Susan Albers Psy.D. on April 20, 2018 in Comfort Cravings

Here are 6 ideas for parents to help teens stop their mindless snacking and choose healthier snacks after school. Avoid the eye-rolls with these simple tips.

Aging

Debunking the Stigma of Age

By Katherine Bouton on April 20, 2018 in What I Hear

You don't have to be old to have hearing loss. Let's debunk that dangerous stereotype.

Sleep

Top 3 Missed Signs of a Sleep Disorder

By Chuck Schaeffer Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Psychlopedia

Are you missing the red flags of a sleep disorder? Learning these signs can give you back restorative, restful sleep.

Creativity

Stone Broken Is All in

By Michael Friedman Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Brick by Brick

"We’re always working – whether it’s in the band or making money to invest in the band."

Personality

What Sir Paul McCartney Can Teach Us About Motivation

By Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Motivate!

Based on how he spends his time and dedicates his effort, Paul McCartney is powerful role model. These five behaviors distinguish him from many other performers.

Child Development

School Doesn't Have to Be Hard

By William R. Klemm Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Memory Medic

Got kids or grandkids in school? Are you in school or college? This post is for you.

Health

Can Acupuncture Help You Lose Weight?

By Temma Ehrenfeld on April 20, 2018 in Open Gently

Here's what we know (and what we don't).

Relationships

5 Steps to Smarter Romantic Coupling

By Jill P. Weber Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Having Sex, Wanting Intimacy

Approximately 40 to 50 percent of married couples divorce, and the rate for second and third marriages is even higher. Here are 5 steps to smarter romantic coupling.

Parenting

Baby in the Senate! Is That Good?

By Darcia Narvaez Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in Moral Landscapes

Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois took her 10-day-old baby, Maile, into the Senate chamber. Is that progress?

Work

5 Hyper-Productive Things to Do at Work Today

By Alice Boyes Ph.D. on April 20, 2018 in In Practice

Workdays often involve endless emails or meetings that seem like they achieve very little. Here's how to turn around an otherwise unproductive day.

Slow Down

You move too fast

Slow Down Your Thinking

A Perfect Meditation

Where Did the Time Go?

Lessons From Near-Death

Neuroscience

Could Compassion Fuel Your Success?

By Michelle McQuaid on April 19, 2018 in From Functioning to Flourishing

Do you ever wonder if being too kind could hold you back from success? Could being too understanding of others leave you standing at the bottom of the career ladder?

Law and Crime

Identity Theft and Murder

By Joni E Johnston Psy.D. on April 19, 2018 in The Human Equation

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime. Recently, some victims have lost more than money when they were targeted by a lookalike criminal looking to start a new life.

Animal Behavior

Support Animals Aren't a Waste of Time or a Panacea

By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Animal Emotions

Emotional support animals can't always keep doctors away, but can work wonders for some people. If their support works for you, find an animal who also benefits from their work.

Ethics and Morality

Why Did Facebook Take a Beating Over Its Terms of Service?

By Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in How Writing Works

The recent flap over Facebook's Terms of Service reveals why hitting "agree" is a mistake

Resilience

Depression and Patagonia

By Madelyn Blair Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Resilient Leadership

When you are feeling sad, hopeless, or depressed, listen to what one man says about the affect of action. Can selected actions change our outlook?

Relationships

An Earth Day Lament: Fireflies, Memories, and Mental Health

By Rita Watson MPH on April 19, 2018 in With Love and Gratitude

As environmental protections are stripped away each day, our grandchildren may never be able to see the dance of the fireflies.

Gender

Will the Path to Power Get Easier for Women?

By Rosalind C. Barnett, Ph.D., and Caryl Rivers on April 19, 2018 in A Woman's Place

Maybe so, but there's a long way to go, research finds.

Resilience

Ending the Pernicious Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse

By John-Manuel Andriote on April 19, 2018 in Stonewall Strong

Were you sexually abused as a child? End the impact of your trauma by rejecting secrecy and shame.

Addiction

What Did Prince Die From?

By Stanton Peele Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Addiction in Society

Prince died due to mixing unprescribed opioids.

Relationships

How to Cope When Your Kindness Is Mistaken for Rudeness

By Jennifer Lea Reynolds on April 19, 2018 in Human Kind

Encounters of the unkind? Here's why not everyone is receptive to the kind gestures you offer, plus tips on how to respond when your caring actions are mistaken for rudeness.

Relationships

10 Reasons to C.O.M.P.R.O.M.I.S.E. in Your Relationship

By Barton Goldsmith Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Emotional Fitness

Compromise is not a hard lesson once you realize the gifts that come from it. Learning to work together will make your relationship and your life a better place to be.