In Practice

Putting social psychology to work for you

Alice Boyes Ph.D.

7 Strategies for Resuming a Good Habit After a Slip

How to get back on track after you've broken a habit streak.

6 Tips for How to Raise a Kid Who Is a Good Problem Solver

There's more to raising a smart kid than violin and robotics lessons. Here's how talking to your kid about thinking and feeling can give them a leg up in the world.

5 Thinking Errors That Could Sink Social Distancing

These thinking mistakes put continued social distancing compliance at risk. Here's how to avoid them.

Are COVID-19 Hygiene Practices Triggering Anxiety for You?

All this hand washing can bring out people's obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Here's what to do if you're overdoing hygiene measures.

3 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Ashamed of Anxiety

Anxiety might be your superpower, not your kryptonite. Research supports this.

Why Are People More Creative in a Crisis?

Have you noticed an uptick in creative problem-solving (or in your own creativity) during the coronavirus crisis? Here are seven possible reasons why.

How to Concentrate When You're Working at Home

Sometimes it's useful to resist messages that the solution to any crisis (personal or communal) is to be hyperproductive.

50 Subtle Joys Experienced at Work

Do the hours you spend at your job feel like being in prison to you? Try these tips for how to feel like you're still living your life when you're at work.

50 Experiences of Positive Emotions You Have Every Day

Paying attention to ordinary positive emotions can increase your resilience to stress and your happiness.

How to Get More Pleasure Out of Everyday Life

Becoming a better self-observer can increase your happiness. These five tips can help.

5 Things People Get Wrong About Self-Care

People who bash self-care fundamentally misunderstand it.

How to Get Emotional Support When You Feel You Have None

Small doses of support can have a much bigger impact than you expect.

20 Gratitude Questions to Spark Your Ideas

If your gratitude thoughts are always the same, try these ideas.

5 Mindsets That Get in the Way of Creating Wealth

Your thinking style matters when it comes to money and stress.

5 Ways to Turn Around an Unproductive Week

Getting more done can be a poor goal. Try this instead.

How to Accept Your Partner's Flaws

Five questions for when you need to cut your partner some slack.

5 Ways to Help Your Partner Be Their Best Self

How to use your knowledge of your partner's strengths to help them grow.

Why Frameworks Make Hard Goals Easier

if you're struggling with self-discipline, you might need a better framework.

6 Things to Do Today That Will Save You Stress Tomorrow

Practical strategies sometimes beat self-care for reducing stress.

5 Questions to Help You Feel More Grateful for Your Partner

Reinvigorate your long-term relationship with gratitude.

How to Make Your Success Inevitable

There are lots of routes to success. Here are four.

6 Solutions for Procrastination Caused by Decision Fatigue

If you put off decisions, try these strategies.

6 Common Causes of Procrastination

The roots of procrastination are more complex than you might guess.

5 Unique Problems Anxious People Face

These five life problems are (reasonably) specific to people who have anxious tendencies.

Why Depression and Procrastination Are Linked

Procrastination is a common aspect of depression. To help sufferers and loved ones better understand, let's unpack the links.

4 Tips for How to Stay Calm When Things Go Wrong

Things going wrong is part of life. Here's how to cope.

4 Types of Powerful but Frequently Ignored Habits

Habits are powerful—but don't overlook these important kinds.

3 Unconventional Strategies to Form Good Habits

Here are alternative ways to form good habits that aren't about how to get yourself to "stick to" challenging or tedious behaviors. 

5 Things Smart People Get Wrong About Managing Anxiety

Smart people often make these strategic errors in handling anxiety.

Swap Out These Anxious Thoughts for Better Ones

These cognitive shifts can relieve unnecessary pressure, stress, and anxiety.

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