Supersurvivors

Happiness

Why You Should Get a Pet

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Pets do more than keep us company. Here are four research-backed ways pets improve mental health, proving there's real power in the "science of snuggles."

Pets do more than keep us company. Here are four research-backed ways pets improve mental health, proving there's real power in the "science of snuggles."

Gratitude

Why Nostalgia Is on the Rise

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on September 29, 2021

People are once again snapping Polaroids, adopting Tamagotchis, and revisiting favorite old TV shows. Here’s what’s good about it, what might not be, and why.

People are once again snapping Polaroids, adopting Tamagotchis, and revisiting favorite old TV shows. Here’s what’s good about it, what might not be, and why.

Motivation

Is Hope Possible in Terminal Illness?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on September 28, 2021

Some people consider situations like terminal illness to be “hopeless.” But one man’s story of hope and humor shows why this isn’t always true.

Some people consider situations like terminal illness to be “hopeless.” But one man’s story of hope and humor shows why this isn’t always true.

Caregiving

5 Tips for Getting the Answers You Need from a Doctor

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on September 24, 2021

If you or a loved one face serious illness, you know that talking with doctors can sometimes be difficult. Here’s how to get the most out of your conversations.

If you or a loved one face serious illness, you know that talking with doctors can sometimes be difficult. Here’s how to get the most out of your conversations.

Friends

Why Does Having Friends Make Us Happy?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

We’re wired to care about relationships. But what exactly is it about our relationships that makes us happy? The answers to that question may be simpler than you think.

We’re wired to care about relationships. But what exactly is it about our relationships that makes us happy? The answers to that question may be simpler than you think.

Psychology

3 Things People Say That Aggravate Psychologists

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on June 28, 2021

3. "Psychology isn't a real science."

3. "Psychology isn't a real science."

Humor

What to Say to Someone with a Life-Threatening or Terminal Illness

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on June 23, 2021

When a loved one is diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness, it’s hard to know how best to provide emotional support. Here are four tips that may help.

When a loved one is diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness, it’s hard to know how best to provide emotional support. Here are four tips that may help.

Motivation

Do Our Lives Gain Meaning as We Age?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

Who perceives life as more meaningful, recent high-school graduates or adults ready to retire? The answer may be “both.”

Who perceives life as more meaningful, recent high-school graduates or adults ready to retire? The answer may be “both.”

Mindfulness

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion One Year into COVID-19

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on March 8, 2021

During the past year, many of us have criticized ourselves for not being super-human. But, a simple practice may help grow our self-compassion when facing challenges.

During the past year, many of us have criticized ourselves for not being super-human. But, a simple practice may help grow our self-compassion when facing challenges.

Motivation

So You Set a New Year’s Resolution, Now What?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on January 2, 2021

Despite the best of intentions, most people give up on their resolutions. Here are four common traps that stop our goals in their tracks and how to avoid them.

Despite the best of intentions, most people give up on their resolutions. Here are four common traps that stop our goals in their tracks and how to avoid them.

Relationships

What If Everything You Believed About Love Was Wrong?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on December 30, 2020

According to some research, love is more expansive than you might think. It’s a view that may be just what we need in alienating times.

According to some research, love is more expansive than you might think. It’s a view that may be just what we need in alienating times.

Creativity

5 Tips for Maximizing Your Creativity

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

According to research, creativity isn’t necessarily about God-given talent but about skills that can be developed by anyone. So, why do most of us feel so uncreative?

According to research, creativity isn’t necessarily about God-given talent but about skills that can be developed by anyone. So, why do most of us feel so uncreative?

Gratitude

The Power of Gratitude During the Holidays

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on December 25, 2020

During a pandemic, holidays can be hard. But, as we look toward a better 2021, it’s important to notice the blessings in our lives, even if they seem small compared to the losses.

During a pandemic, holidays can be hard. But, as we look toward a better 2021, it’s important to notice the blessings in our lives, even if they seem small compared to the losses.

Consumer Behavior

How Marketing Unconsciously Manipulates What We Buy

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

Though we’d like to think we’re making rational choices when we buy products, we’re unconsciously influenced by marketing tactics.

Though we’d like to think we’re making rational choices when we buy products, we’re unconsciously influenced by marketing tactics.

Positive Psychology

Three Positive Psychology Practices for Our Troubled Times

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on September 28, 2020

We hear a lot about how to cope. But most of us want to do more than cope—we want to be happy, find meaning, and connect with others. Here some practices that might help.

We hear a lot about how to cope. But most of us want to do more than cope—we want to be happy, find meaning, and connect with others. Here some practices that might help.

Gratitude

The Power of Journaling

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on September 20, 2020

Research shows that journaling is an effective and often overlooked coping technique. It may be able to help during these troubling times.

Research shows that journaling is an effective and often overlooked coping technique. It may be able to help during these troubling times.

Guilt

Three Ways to Address Guilt When You’re Grieving

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

In the midst of COVID-19, our normal ways of mourning have changed. Guilt was a common grief reaction before the pandemic, but it may be even more common now.

In the midst of COVID-19, our normal ways of mourning have changed. Guilt was a common grief reaction before the pandemic, but it may be even more common now.

Motivation

Is It Still Possible to Hope?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on June 17, 2020

Words like "tragic" and "painful" come to mind when considering the state of our world. But amid the pain, is it still possible to hope?

Words like "tragic" and "painful" come to mind when considering the state of our world. But amid the pain, is it still possible to hope?

Happiness

Two Reasons It’s Not Good to Be Happy All the Time

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on June 2, 2020

Research shows that living a good life is about more than pleasure, and that happiness may cause us to miss the most meaningful experiences of all.

Research shows that living a good life is about more than pleasure, and that happiness may cause us to miss the most meaningful experiences of all.

Trust

Do People Trust the News About COVID-19?

David B. Feldman Ph.D. on March 27, 2020

Solid, factual information matters, particularly in times of crisis. But new data suggests that people don’t trust White House statements about coronavirus any more than Twitter.

Solid, factual information matters, particularly in times of crisis. But new data suggests that people don’t trust White House statements about coronavirus any more than Twitter.