Life Smarts

Motivation

COVID-19-Induced Lack of Motivation

David Braucher Ph.D. on March 23, 2021

The cognitive dissonance of living in domestic certainty coupled with an overwhelmingly uncertain future creates an unbearable tension that can leave us exhausted and demoralized.

The cognitive dissonance of living in domestic certainty coupled with an overwhelmingly uncertain future creates an unbearable tension that can leave us exhausted and demoralized.

Loneliness

The Pandemic of Male Loneliness

David Braucher Ph.D. on February 24, 2021

For many males, experiencing the need for connection leaves them feeling inadequate, and unworthy of the very connection they yearn for.

For many males, experiencing the need for connection leaves them feeling inadequate, and unworthy of the very connection they yearn for.

Leadership

Having Thanksgiving with Members of the Other Party

David Braucher Ph.D. on November 25, 2020

The 2020 election can be seen as a referendum on the leader who makes each of us feel safe.

The 2020 election can be seen as a referendum on the leader who makes each of us feel safe.

Anxiety

Obsessed With the Polls?

David Braucher Ph.D. on October 29, 2020

The comfort we get from the numbers is never long lasting—unless those numbers reflect living, breathing people.

The comfort we get from the numbers is never long lasting—unless those numbers reflect living, breathing people.

Media

5 Steps to Social Media Mindfulness

David Braucher Ph.D. on June 24, 2020

Our reliance on social media comes with a price: Feeling connected may leave us disconnected from our intentional and emotional lives.

Our reliance on social media comes with a price: Feeling connected may leave us disconnected from our intentional and emotional lives.

Loneliness

The Lonely Losses of the Pandemic

David Braucher Ph.D. on April 25, 2020

If the mourning process is hindered by minimizing our personal losses or suffering them in isolation, we risk masking our grief.

If the mourning process is hindered by minimizing our personal losses or suffering them in isolation, we risk masking our grief.

Fantasies

Parental Expectations: The Helpful and the Harmful

David Braucher Ph.D. on April 8, 2020

Being mindful of our child’s uniqueness situates them in their rightful place at the center of parental concern and informs the necessary parental expectations.

Being mindful of our child’s uniqueness situates them in their rightful place at the center of parental concern and informs the necessary parental expectations.

Trauma

How to Survive “Social Distancing” and “Shelter in Place”

David Braucher Ph.D. on March 22, 2020

One type of self-care that is particular to us individually is what we can do to reestablish our sense of self-continuity to overcome the traumatic loss of self-experience.

One type of self-care that is particular to us individually is what we can do to reestablish our sense of self-continuity to overcome the traumatic loss of self-experience.

Jealousy

How to Deal with Envy and Jealousy

David Braucher Ph.D. on November 6, 2019

Determining whether someone is envious or jealous requires looking beyond the feelings expressed to the desires behind them.

Determining whether someone is envious or jealous requires looking beyond the feelings expressed to the desires behind them.

Relationships

Why Can’t I Get Over My Ex? Part 1

David Braucher Ph.D. on September 28, 2019

We are revealed to ourselves through our relationships and evolve through the variety of ways in which we can love.

We are revealed to ourselves through our relationships and evolve through the variety of ways in which we can love.

Relationships

Five Reasons a Partner Becomes Overly Critical

David Braucher Ph.D. on September 17, 2019

Criticism often expresses a discomfort with the relationship—and the cause of the discomfort may have more to do with us than our partner.

Criticism often expresses a discomfort with the relationship—and the cause of the discomfort may have more to do with us than our partner.

Career

How Much Is Too Much Work in a Relationship?

David Braucher Ph.D. on September 4, 2019

Working hard on a relationship need not be fatal.

Working hard on a relationship need not be fatal.

Anger

The Good News About Fighting with a Romantic Partner

David Braucher Ph.D. on August 7, 2019

An argument can be a way of coping with insecurities, and a good one reassures some of us that our partner believes the relationship is worth fighting for.

An argument can be a way of coping with insecurities, and a good one reassures some of us that our partner believes the relationship is worth fighting for.

Self-Esteem

Four Ways to Improve Self-Esteem

David Braucher Ph.D. on July 30, 2019

Secure, positive self-esteem can be rooted in a commitment to accept that all of our feelings as valid—whether pleasant or painful.

Secure, positive self-esteem can be rooted in a commitment to accept that all of our feelings as valid—whether pleasant or painful.