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Play Your Way Sane

Improv, science, and the everyday.

Cognition
Lower Your Expectations

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on May 14, 2024

Disappointment got you down? Try lowering your expectations. Turns out, there's a science to managing expectations.

Disappointment got you down? Try lowering your expectations. Turns out, there's a science to managing expectations.

Parenting
Putting the Kids in Charge

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on May 1, 2024

The kids are all right... as long as we give them the space and opportunity to flex their independence.

The kids are all right... as long as we give them the space and opportunity to flex their independence.

Default Mode Network
Improv, Shrooms, and Neuroscience

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on April 13, 2024

What do improv, meditation, and shrooms have in common? Research shows they help alter the brain's default mode network, which may help improve mental health.

What do improv, meditation, and shrooms have in common? Research shows they help alter the brain's default mode network, which may help improve mental health.

Anxiety
What Can Gen Z Do About Skyrocketing Anxiety?

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on February 28, 2024

Gen Z's slang may be bussin, but their anxiety rates aren't! Find out what's giving young adults anxiety and what they can do to help manage it.

Gen Z's slang may be bussin, but their anxiety rates aren't! Find out what's giving young adults anxiety and what they can do to help manage it.

Philosophy
Ariana Grande’s "Yes, And" Improv Philosophy

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on January 16, 2024

Ariana Grande's latest single is a nod to improv's "Yes, And" principle. Here's what that reveals about dealing with criticism and pushing forward creatively.

Ariana Grande's latest single is a nod to improv's "Yes, And" principle. Here's what that reveals about dealing with criticism and pushing forward creatively.

Parenting
Wish You Were a Better Parent?

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on January 12, 2024

Do you ever wish you were a slightly better parent? One word can make validating your child's feelings feel a lot more fun and natural.

Do you ever wish you were a slightly better parent? One word can make validating your child's feelings feel a lot more fun and natural.

Creativity
The Constrained Creativity of Elf on the Shelf

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Wishing you'd never started hiding that elf? This divisive holiday tradition can be a burden, or it can be an exercise in constrained creativity.

Wishing you'd never started hiding that elf? This divisive holiday tradition can be a burden, or it can be an exercise in constrained creativity.

Creativity
Just Write Some Garbage

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on October 7, 2023

Are you suffering from writer's block? You may be trying too hard and zapping the fun out of the process.

Are you suffering from writer's block? You may be trying too hard and zapping the fun out of the process.

Empathy
How Can We Fix Our Empathy Deficit?

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on August 31, 2023

Are we losing our sense of empathy? Research shows that empathy has been on the decline for decades. Improv may be the surprising solution.

Are we losing our sense of empathy? Research shows that empathy has been on the decline for decades. Improv may be the surprising solution.

Confidence
Taking the Sting Out of Rejection

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on August 27, 2023

Rejection can be devastating, but one study showed that improv could help people practice taking the sting out of social slights.

Rejection can be devastating, but one study showed that improv could help people practice taking the sting out of social slights.

Education
Keith Johnstone’s Improv Wisdom Lives On

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on June 10, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Improv pioneer Keith Johnstone recently passed away, but his contributions could transform how you think about creativity.

A Personal Perspective: Improv pioneer Keith Johnstone recently passed away, but his contributions could transform how you think about creativity.

Career
Say 'Yes' More Strategically and Say 'No' More Often

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on May 4, 2023

Some experts tell you that saying yes will change your life. Others think that saying no is the key to happiness. They're both right. We just have to learn when to say what.

Some experts tell you that saying yes will change your life. Others think that saying no is the key to happiness. They're both right. We just have to learn when to say what.

Confidence
7 Research-Backed Benefits of Improv Comedy

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on April 1, 2023

Improv may not seem like an obvious psychological treatment, but recent studies show it can boost creativity and confidence and decrease anxiety and stress.

Improv may not seem like an obvious psychological treatment, but recent studies show it can boost creativity and confidence and decrease anxiety and stress.

Bullying
5 Lessons From a Child About Small Talk With Strangers

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on March 13, 2023

Do you find mingling and small talk challenging? Do what my 5-year-old does and just say some things. Here are five lessons for braver, bolder interactions.

Do you find mingling and small talk challenging? Do what my 5-year-old does and just say some things. Here are five lessons for braver, bolder interactions.

Cognition
Kindness Matters More Than You Think

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on January 7, 2023

You're probably underestimating the impact of that small act of kindness. New research shows how beneficial kindness is for the giver and the receiver.

You're probably underestimating the impact of that small act of kindness. New research shows how beneficial kindness is for the giver and the receiver.

Family Dynamics
5 Ways to Edit Awkward Conversations

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on December 18, 2022

Improv's "yes, and" principle can help you keep real-life scenes going, but edits can help you navigate the most unwanted conversations.

Improv's "yes, and" principle can help you keep real-life scenes going, but edits can help you navigate the most unwanted conversations.

Play
5 Games You'll Actually Like Playing With Your Kids

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on October 18, 2022

Are you tired of your kids complaining about being bored? Improv-inspired games are a quick and easy way to boost their creativity, listening, and collaboration.

Are you tired of your kids complaining about being bored? Improv-inspired games are a quick and easy way to boost their creativity, listening, and collaboration.