Managing Expectations for Greater Happiness
Have you ever heard the saying “happiness equals reality minus expectations”? It is true that expectations have a significant impact on our happiness. We are happier when reality is aligned
Using Mindful Optimism to Stress Less
In her book, The Mindful Body, Ellen Langer proposes that a mindless view of events causes stress. Stress relies on two things: 1) we assume something is going to happen
Using Mindfulness to Improve Your Health
For years, Ellen Langer’s research has fascinated me. She is a psychology professor at Harvard who studies mindfulness, which she defines as the process of actively noticing things. One
Do You Have a Psychologically Rich Life?
In my book, Beyond Happy, I discuss two factors that are important for well-being: happiness and meaning. A couple of years ago, psychologists Oishi and Westgate proposed a third path
Caring for Your Future Self
Many of the things we should do to be happier and healthier in the future require sacrifices today. In his book, Your Future Self, Hal Hershfield identifies several reasons why
How Minimalism Enhances Well-Being
I’ve written blogs in the past about the positive impact reducing clutter, embracing simplicity, and living with less have on your well-being. So, I wasn’t surprised when an
The Benefits of Embracing Your Biological Clock
Your circadian rhythm is your internal representation of time or your biological clock. It helps your body respond to the 24-hour day/night cycle by regulating essential functions. In his
Using Your Senses to Boost Well-Being
Our senses play a crucial role in our well-being. In her latest book, Life in Five Senses, Gretchen Rubin explains how sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch can impact human
Helping Others Helps You
I recently joined the board of Hands On Atlanta and I’m excited to be part of an organization that so closely aligns with my passion for well-being. The mission
A Little Stress for a Longer Life
Have you heard of hormesis? It occurs when small amounts of stress trigger biological processes that enhance health, slow aging, and make you more resistant to future stress. Short bursts
Becoming a Better Learner
Jim Kwik’s latest book, Limitless, teaches us how to upgrade our brain and learn faster. In it, he shares strategies for improving focus, memory, reading speed, and study habits.
How to Use Time to Boost Your Well-Being
“It’s not about being time rich, it’s about making the time that we have rich.” In her book, Happier Hour, UCLA professor Cassie Holmes argues that time is
To Keep Your New Year’s Resolution, Make it Positive
Many people set goals for the new year. This makes sense because January 1 is a “temporal landmark,” a day that stands out from other days. This offers us a
Flexibility Keeps You on Track
Establishing habits is a great way to make healthy behaviors automatic. Habits work well for simple behaviors performed in a stable environment. It’s been easy for me to stick
How Discomfort Can Increase Happiness
The fascinating connection between pain and pleasure in our brains can explain why too much pleasure may be bad for happiness, while experiencing some pain or discomfort may increase happiness.
Food as Medicine
“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” – Ann Wigmore Dr. William Li is a physician who
The Relationships That Matter Most
You probably know that relationships are one of most important factors for well-being. What you might not know is the kind of relationship that matters most for our happiness: friendships!
How I Work to be Well
Your happiness and health are determined to a great extent by lifestyle choices. Nearly half of all premature deaths in the U.S. are due to behaviors that can be
A Positive Mindset Can Increase Longevity
In my last post, I wrote about how your mindset regarding stress determines its impacts on you. Your mindset shapes your health and well-being in many profound ways. In her
A Meaningful Life is Stressful
According to David Robson, author of The Expectation Effect, the phrase “stressed-out” started being used in 1983 after a Time cover story declared that people’s fast-paced lives were emerging
Using Regret for Good
In his latest book, The Power of Regret, Daniel Pink argues that regrets can be used to make us better. Instead of ignoring our regrets or ruminating about them, we
Paying Attention to Your Attention
A lot of different things impact your well-being. Attention is near the top of the list. Your ability to focus and the choices you make regarding what you pay attention
It’s Not You, It’s Your Environment
Dan Buettner wants you to know that if you’re struggling with health problems or your weight, it’s probably not your fault. In his latest book, The Blue Zones
Cultivating Curiosity
Several years ago, I started choosing a word each January that I wanted to focus on for the coming year. I chose mindfulness one year, gratitude another, and compassion. The
In Praise of Pride
Pride is one of the seven deadly sins, but is it really that bad? Pride is a positive emotion and there is a lot of research showing the benefits of