happiness

On paper, everything’s fine: steady job, decent house, friends you see regularly. Nothing’s obviously broken. So why does the question “why am I not happy?” keep showing up uninvited in your head? This question can make you feel alone, but therapists hear it often. “I’d say it’s probably one of…

In the search for knowledge and self-understanding, the right words can be just what you need to spark insight or inspiration. The best psychology quotes have the power to reframe your thoughts, shed light on your habits, offer hope, or simply remind you of truths you already know deep down….

“Forgive yourself. Let it go. Forget about it. Move on.” They’re easy phrases to say, but so much harder to actually do. We all mess up sometimes, whether it’s lashing out at a friend, engaging in self-destructive behavior, or cutting corners at work. Those mistakes often come with overwhelming feelings…

Self-reflection is essential for cultivating self-awareness, understanding personal identity, and identifying unique characteristics, whether physical, psychological, or interpersonal. Its objective nature, focusing on “what” rather than “why,” fosters productive self-awareness and decreases self-criticism. Self-reflection is valuable in various aspects of life, such as relationships, parenting, and professional development.  Practicing self-reflection…

Kindness is a remarkable quality that not only warms the hearts of those who receive it but also provides a host of positive effects for the givers. The simple act of being kind has far-reaching implications for our physical and emotional well-being. The benefits of kindness are both scientifically proven…

Journaling is a powerful tool. It serves as an outlet, allowing us to express our emotions and process our thoughts without fear of judgment — there is no need or temptation to censor ourselves when we’re writing to and for nobody but ourselves. What a gift. And yet, for some,…

My brother shakes his head and sighs, “You’re too nice. It’s going to get you into trouble one day.” I’ve heard this one too many times. I know that I’m a people pleaser, but I’ve always struggled to see the flaw in that… until recently. After exhausting myself, taking on task…

Q: What is more important? Following your heart, mind, body, and soul, even if it means hurting others’ feelings and emotions, or continuing to live in denial to make your dying spouse, special needs child, and others happy? A: Thank you for reaching out. I really feel for you and…

We all feel lonely sometimes—say, when we’re drowning in work and too busy to hang with loved ones, or after a tough breakup from a significant other. This loneliness is often discouraging and, for some, loneliness transforms into depression. Sometimes resolving depression isn’t possible by ourselves, especially when our friends…

Dopamine is probably the only neurotransmitter that could be considered a household name. News sources, tech bros, and mental health outlets toss the word around like a frisbee. Everyone and their dog seems to know what dopamine is—a feel-good chemical that’s produced in the brain, which rewards us for performing…

Ask anyone headed to watch the next Marvel flick: It’s hard not to idolize the heroines and heroes within the realms of popular fiction. Whether they’re on the silver screen, in books,  TV series, or even video games, many of us admire these depictions of larger-than-life characters. But, even though…

For tens of thousands of years humans have been passionate about their fur babies. The deep bonds between Homo sapiens and other animal species seem so common and obvious that they’ve only recently been studied scientifically. So how did we get from throwing food scraps to wolves at the outskirts…