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The Science of Self

Unpacking our inner monologue

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How to Be Kind to Yourself

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on March 13, 2025

It can feel really challenging to be kind to ourselves. Here is how the latest neuroscience and therapy techniques can help.

It can feel really challenging to be kind to ourselves. Here is how the latest neuroscience and therapy techniques can help.

Narcissism
How to Handle Narcissistic Fragility

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on January 21, 2025

Narcissists lash out when they feel threatened or hurt. If you are on the receiving end, it can feel excruciating. Here are six things to keep in mind to stay centered.

Narcissists lash out when they feel threatened or hurt. If you are on the receiving end, it can feel excruciating. Here are six things to keep in mind to stay centered.

Emotion Regulation
Do You Have a Regulation Partner?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on September 27, 2024

Everyone needs mental health support in the form of regulation partners—people with whom we can share our deepest experiences. Men especially so.

Everyone needs mental health support in the form of regulation partners—people with whom we can share our deepest experiences. Men especially so.

Stress
Men and Women Experience Stress Differently

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on March 20, 2024

Neurologically, women tend to experience stress differently than men. Having this understanding can improve how each sex supports the other when times get tough.

Neurologically, women tend to experience stress differently than men. Having this understanding can improve how each sex supports the other when times get tough.

Bias
People Don't Judge You as Harshly as You Think

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on February 19, 2024

Two foundational biases in social psychology, the actor-observer bias and the fundamental attribution bias, may not be entirely accurate.

Two foundational biases in social psychology, the actor-observer bias and the fundamental attribution bias, may not be entirely accurate.

Sleep
How to Stop Traveler's Insomnia

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

Staying overnight in a new place can lead to a terrible night's sleep. Research shows that the brain is to blame.

Staying overnight in a new place can lead to a terrible night's sleep. Research shows that the brain is to blame.

Stress
Does Stress Activate or Suppress the Immune System?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on October 26, 2023

Stress activates the inflammatory part of the immune system while suppressing the illness-fighting part, making us more susceptible to getting sick.

Stress activates the inflammatory part of the immune system while suppressing the illness-fighting part, making us more susceptible to getting sick.

Parenting
The Spirituality of Parenting

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on September 21, 2023

It’s hard to watch kids grow up because they once connected us with something more. Here's how to reconnect with that even when kids are fully grown.

It’s hard to watch kids grow up because they once connected us with something more. Here's how to reconnect with that even when kids are fully grown.

Introversion
You’re Not Introverted. You’re Vertically Attached.

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on August 20, 2023

We live in a peer-oriented world. For individuals who are closer to their families, it can seem like they are introverts. In fact, they just have a different attachment style.

We live in a peer-oriented world. For individuals who are closer to their families, it can seem like they are introverts. In fact, they just have a different attachment style.