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How Would Your Life Change if You Didn’t Seek Approval?

Many of us have learned to cope by accommodating others and seeking their approval, but that keeps us from living our lives. Try these questions and suggestions to help break out.

Many of us have learned to cope by accommodating others and seeking their approval, but that keeps us from living our lives. Try these questions and suggestions to help break out.

How to Conquer the Four Fears That Hold You Back

There are four daily fears that can hold you back. They can shape your life in a way you did not intend. Here's how to overcome those fears and take back control of your life.

There are four daily fears that can hold you back. They can shape your life in a way you did not intend. Here's how to overcome those fears and take back control of your life.

The Transformative Power of Speaking Out

After violence enters a community, fear changes daily life. This is what happens when silence breaks.

After violence enters a community, fear changes daily life. This is what happens when silence breaks.

30-Second Sprints: A New Way to Tame Panic Attacks

New research shows that 30-second bursts of intense cardio can reduce panic symptoms by teaching your nervous system that "fight-or-flight" responses aren't always dangerous.

New research shows that 30-second bursts of intense cardio can reduce panic symptoms by teaching your nervous system that "fight-or-flight" responses aren't always dangerous.

Becoming You: How to Unlock Your Full Potential

Reaching your full potential is about taking risks, pushing back against self-criticism, and letting go of expectations. Here are four steps to get you started.

Reaching your full potential is about taking risks, pushing back against self-criticism, and letting go of expectations. Here are four steps to get you started.

Maggots
What to Make of Nightmares

It was the shocking image of maggots on the walls that set this dreamer in motion, determined to uncover why they were appearing.

It was the shocking image of maggots on the walls that set this dreamer in motion, determined to uncover why they were appearing.

Sharing Your Truth With a Defensive or Aggressive Partner

A truth, presented strategically and discerningly, is no less true than one presented without any concern for consequences.

A truth, presented strategically and discerningly, is no less true than one presented without any concern for consequences.

Is It "Mother’s Intuition" or Postpartum Anxiety?

Have you ever felt like your "gut" is actually a loud, broken alarm? Learn how to tell the difference between your true intuition and postpartum anxiety.

Have you ever felt like your "gut" is actually a loud, broken alarm? Learn how to tell the difference between your true intuition and postpartum anxiety.

The Key to Unshakable Safety When Speaking the Truth

Safety isn’t the promise that nothing will go wrong. It’s knowing we can stay present if and when it does.

Safety isn’t the promise that nothing will go wrong. It’s knowing we can stay present if and when it does.

The Fear Trap: Why We Need a Rational Revolution

Fear—of displacement and the unknown—drives much of our division. Combined with limited exposure to diverse perspectives and critical facts, it risks the common good.

Fear—of displacement and the unknown—drives much of our division. Combined with limited exposure to diverse perspectives and critical facts, it risks the common good.

How to Be an Apprentice to Love

We don't learn about love by avoiding it, but by approaching it with courage and humility.

We don't learn about love by avoiding it, but by approaching it with courage and humility.

When Listening Becomes a Threat

Personal Perspective: Listening changed how young men regulated fear and response, and someone who relied on that control noticed.

Personal Perspective: Listening changed how young men regulated fear and response, and someone who relied on that control noticed.

Do You Have a Fear of Public Speaking?

Some degree of fearing public speaking is common, but it usually can be overcome.

Some degree of fearing public speaking is common, but it usually can be overcome.

Could I Snap? How to Overcome Your Fear of Losing Control

Are you afraid of losing control and doing something you later regret? Discover the secret to greater confidence in your mental control ability and eradicate a source of anxiety.

Are you afraid of losing control and doing something you later regret? Discover the secret to greater confidence in your mental control ability and eradicate a source of anxiety.

Why Does Going Home in December Feel So Hard?

Going home at year-end shouldn’t feel this hard. Here’s why old places reopen old wounds even when you think you’ve moved on.

Going home at year-end shouldn’t feel this hard. Here’s why old places reopen old wounds even when you think you’ve moved on.

Working With Our Fears

We will always have fears, but we are no longer compelled to act on them.

We will always have fears, but we are no longer compelled to act on them.

'Gota a Gota': When Fear Enters Life Drop by Drop

Behind informal loans lies a psychology of fear that can reshape time, choice, and survival itself.

Behind informal loans lies a psychology of fear that can reshape time, choice, and survival itself.

3 Ways to Manage Chronic Pain Without Medication

If you suffer from chronic pain, and modern medicine has done all it can for you, psychological pain management methods based on ancient principles could help you regain your life.

If you suffer from chronic pain, and modern medicine has done all it can for you, psychological pain management methods based on ancient principles could help you regain your life.

When You Are Suffering, Offer Yourself Compassion

Self-­compassion is based on the understanding that all human beings, including you, experience suffering and that all human beings, including you, deserve kindness.

Self-­compassion is based on the understanding that all human beings, including you, experience suffering and that all human beings, including you, deserve kindness.

How to Help Children Process Scary Events

When scary events happen, children need honest conversations, emotional safety, and tools to calm their bodies, so fear doesn’t have to be carried alone.

When scary events happen, children need honest conversations, emotional safety, and tools to calm their bodies, so fear doesn’t have to be carried alone.

Lassie, June Lockhart, and a Lesson I Learned Too Late

Personal Perspective: A story about a dog I loved, a mistake I made as a kid, and how that moment quietly shaped how I deal with pain, love, and showing up in life.

Personal Perspective: A story about a dog I loved, a mistake I made as a kid, and how that moment quietly shaped how I deal with pain, love, and showing up in life.

Overcoming Fear of Therapy

Despite some common myths and misconceptions, psychotherapy is nothing to fear.

Despite some common myths and misconceptions, psychotherapy is nothing to fear.

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March 2026
The Friend Effect

Having friends protects you in multiple ways, from slowing cellular aging to deterring bullies to bolstering your self-esteem.

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Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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