The Flip Side

You can't spell "joy" without the "oy"

Humor
How and Why They Make Us Laugh

Mindy Greenstein Ph.D. on October 3, 2014

Even in the darkest depths, while he was a prisoner in Auschwitz, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl gave himself and a depressed colleague a homework assignment to think of a funny story every day.

Even in the darkest depths, while he was a prisoner in Auschwitz, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl gave himself and a depressed colleague a homework assignment to think of a funny story every day.

Environment
The Art of Transcendence Over the Years, Part II

Mindy Greenstein Ph.D. on September 24, 2014

Experiencing “the purest beauty” can be a transporting experience, taking us to another, lovelier, place even if all we’re doing is sitting in a park.

Experiencing “the purest beauty” can be a transporting experience, taking us to another, lovelier, place even if all we’re doing is sitting in a park.

Education
The Art of Transcendence Over the Years, Part I

Mindy Greenstein Ph.D. on September 23, 2014

There are as many ways of experiencing transcendence as there are people. It can be a religious experience of feeling close to God, or a non-religious but spiritual feeling of connectedness to other people, nature, or the universe, or it can refer to a secular experience of rising above a difficult situation. Sometimes, age can help us be more open to transcendence.

There are as many ways of experiencing transcendence as there are people. It can be a religious experience of feeling close to God, or a non-religious but spiritual feeling of connectedness to other people, nature, or the universe, or it can refer to a secular experience of rising above a difficult situation. Sometimes, age can help us be more open to transcendence.

Midlife
Scenes from Across the Ages

Mindy Greenstein Ph.D. on March 25, 2014

My seventeen year old son came home from school and announced to me, “My social studies teacher is really old.”

My seventeen year old son came home from school and announced to me, “My social studies teacher is really old.”

Optimism
The Savvy Reader's Guide to Science

Mindy Greenstein Ph.D. on June 11, 2013

The average person has more access than ever to cutting edge scientific research. But the downside is that with more information also comes more responsibility—and confusion—especially as research keeps reversing itself (eggs are bad for you, no, good for you, no…)

The average person has more access than ever to cutting edge scientific research. But the downside is that with more information also comes more responsibility—and confusion—especially as research keeps reversing itself (eggs are bad for you, no, good for you, no…)

Leadership
Tell Us Who You Are

Mindy Greenstein Ph.D. on April 17, 2013

After embarking on a whirlwind tour of six colleges in six days with my 11th grade son, I diagnosed myself with a new psychiatric condition —CAMP, or College Application Meshugas Psychosis.

After embarking on a whirlwind tour of six colleges in six days with my 11th grade son, I diagnosed myself with a new psychiatric condition —CAMP, or College Application Meshugas Psychosis.

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Magazine
July 2026 magazine cover
July 2026
26 Keys to Thriving

From the power of pausing to the ability to ignore, we’ve culled 26 simple, actionable measures for gaining a sense of control and living a meaningful life.

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Tests
Self Tests
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.

Self Assessments
Quizzes