A Unified Theory of Happiness

Intelligence

Five Ways to Make Brighter Choices

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on October 16, 2021

Don't judge yourself or others for mistakes. Instead, learn about intelligence. Find out five ways to make brighter choices.

Don't judge yourself or others for mistakes. Instead, learn about intelligence. Find out five ways to make brighter choices.

Pessimism

3 Ways to Shake Off Cynicism

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on June 30, 2021

Cynical people can be brave, but often, and more likely, they can bring about their own depression, loneliness, and disease.

Cynical people can be brave, but often, and more likely, they can bring about their own depression, loneliness, and disease.

Personality

How to Deal with Borderline Personality Disorder

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on June 1, 2021

Six strategies that can help when others cross your boundaries.

Six strategies that can help when others cross your boundaries.

Wisdom

Ten Steps to Return to the Path of Wisdom

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on April 30, 2021

When the loudest people influence the rest of society, wisdom goes out the window. How can we return to our more intelligent hearts and minds? It is about time to return to wisdom.

When the loudest people influence the rest of society, wisdom goes out the window. How can we return to our more intelligent hearts and minds? It is about time to return to wisdom.

Happiness

Relax, Nothing Is Under Control

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on March 31, 2021

Naturally, we must assume control. However, when things are chaotic and the sea is rough, we need to be able to let go of the illusion.

Naturally, we must assume control. However, when things are chaotic and the sea is rough, we need to be able to let go of the illusion.

Adolescence

Thoughts on Reducing Anguish

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on February 28, 2021

"Are we there yet?" seems to cause great anguish. The future is always uncertain, but now things seem entirely out-of-control. Here's one thing that helps YOU, others, & your teen.

"Are we there yet?" seems to cause great anguish. The future is always uncertain, but now things seem entirely out-of-control. Here's one thing that helps YOU, others, & your teen.

Attention

Five Strategies to Deal with a Compulsive Attention-Seeker

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on January 31, 2021

When attention-seeking behavior causes drama, everyone becomes emotionally charged, restless, and generally unhappy. Here is what we can do.

When attention-seeking behavior causes drama, everyone becomes emotionally charged, restless, and generally unhappy. Here is what we can do.

Happiness

The Life You Did Not Have 

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on December 31, 2020

Often we wonder, "What if I had taken a different path?" Is this oddly modern preoccupation with our alternative lives conducive to happiness or not? Here is what to watch out for.

Often we wonder, "What if I had taken a different path?" Is this oddly modern preoccupation with our alternative lives conducive to happiness or not? Here is what to watch out for.

Happiness

How to Manage Social Awkwardness

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on November 30, 2020

Here are three ways to accept, relax, and decrease social awkwardness in the age of high anxiety and AI.

Here are three ways to accept, relax, and decrease social awkwardness in the age of high anxiety and AI.

Flow

Get Over It Already

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on October 31, 2020

Who hasn't been told to snap out of sadness or just let it go? It is not merely annoying to hear this advice, it is harmful. Happiness and sadness belong together.

Who hasn't been told to snap out of sadness or just let it go? It is not merely annoying to hear this advice, it is harmful. Happiness and sadness belong together.

Guilt

5 Ways to Release Toxic Guilt

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on September 30, 2020

Guilt is a natural response but it can become unhealthy. Learn to notice your guilt even when it is uncomfortable and release it with these techniques.

Guilt is a natural response but it can become unhealthy. Learn to notice your guilt even when it is uncomfortable and release it with these techniques.

Self-Control

7 Ways to Resist Temptations

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on August 31, 2020

Times are tough. Many of us over-control our lives and strain ourselves with too many decisions. Often, our efforts back-fire. So, here are some winning strategies...

Times are tough. Many of us over-control our lives and strain ourselves with too many decisions. Often, our efforts back-fire. So, here are some winning strategies...

Relationships

Why Some People Avoid Intimacy Even if They Want Love

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on July 31, 2020

Why do we always end up with a partner incapable of intimacy? Why do we start rejecting the one we loved so much? A five-step approach to get over fears.

Why do we always end up with a partner incapable of intimacy? Why do we start rejecting the one we loved so much? A five-step approach to get over fears.

Animal Behavior

Six Benefits of Having a Pet

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on June 30, 2020

Why is it that even small critters can cause us to bond strongly and mourn over their deaths? Pets give us tremendous pleasure, which has never been truer than now during COVID-19.

Why is it that even small critters can cause us to bond strongly and mourn over their deaths? Pets give us tremendous pleasure, which has never been truer than now during COVID-19.

Play

6 Ways to Deal with Arrogant People

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on May 31, 2020

Nobody likes arrogant people, albeit compassion for them brings peace. Learn how to respond most effectively while staying true to yourself.

Nobody likes arrogant people, albeit compassion for them brings peace. Learn how to respond most effectively while staying true to yourself.

Relationships

Love in the Time of a Crisis

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on April 30, 2020

The right mindset allows us to love even under stressful circumstances.

The right mindset allows us to love even under stressful circumstances.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

4 Coping Mechanisms for COVID-19

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on March 31, 2020

The collective trauma of COVID-19 forces us to cope. There are healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms we should examine and test with caution.

The collective trauma of COVID-19 forces us to cope. There are healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms we should examine and test with caution.

Happiness

7 Ways to Keep Your Cool over Political Differences

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on February 29, 2020

Happiness is an inside job. This becomes clear when political discussions cause you to blow up. Here's how to be strong and peaceful at the same time.

Happiness is an inside job. This becomes clear when political discussions cause you to blow up. Here's how to be strong and peaceful at the same time.

Religion

Help, We Are Losing Our Religion!

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on January 31, 2020

Religion used to help us form our morals. Make sure you provide well for those who leave religion with these 7 essential offerings.

Religion used to help us form our morals. Make sure you provide well for those who leave religion with these 7 essential offerings.

Psychopharmacology

How to Be Your Sexiest, Smartest, and Happiest Self

Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on December 31, 2019

Our culture encourages us to enhance ourselves artificially, though we can pay a high price for such improvements. Here is a resolution that is real, safe, and effective.

Our culture encourages us to enhance ourselves artificially, though we can pay a high price for such improvements. Here is a resolution that is real, safe, and effective.