Prioritizing Connection and Commitment
I read David Brooks’ latest book, The Second Mountain, after hearing him talk in Aspen. In it he argues that our society is suffering from a crisis of connection. I
Trusting that Change is Good
I’m writing this as I sit on my porch, trying to stay out of the way of the movers who are loading our belongings onto a truck. My husband
From Aspen with Love
I recently attended the Aspen Ideas Festival. It’s a weeklong event featuring discussions of politics and economics, the environment, technology, science, health, education, and the arts. I learned a
A Powerful Path to Self-Control
Self-control is about sacrificing something now in order to gain something in the future. The ability to resist temptation is essential for success. Typical suggestions for increasing self-control include relying
Together We Can
The well-being of our planet has a direct impact on our own well-being. Climate change is bad for our physical and mental health. The good news is there are hundreds
On Earth Day, Reasons for Hope
A joint program between George Mason and Yale universities has been surveying Americans’ perception of climate change since 2008. The latest poll shows that more people than ever are worried
Help the Environment to Boost Your Well-Being
Some of the things I’ve been doing for my “year of less” have not only been making me happier, but they are also giving me a greater sense of
Choosing “Less but Better”
A couple of years ago I wrote a blog about choosing one word or idea as a theme for the year. This year my word is “less”. Instead of making
Deep Work for Well-Being
In his book, Deep Work, Cal Newport argues that the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task is an essential skill for success. I would add that
How Meaning and Purpose Differ
Meaning in life is a critical component of well-being. Research has made this very clear. What isn’t as clear is exactly what meaning is and how we can build
Do Talk to Strangers
Researchers Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder conducted a study where they asked some of the participants to engage in conversation with a stranger on their commute. Those participants reported having
How to Expand Your Sense of Time
Do you feel like time is rushing by too fast? I’m guessing that’s something most of us have in common. Our hectic, over-scheduled lives leave us feeling pressed
4 Ways to Experience More Joy
Experiencing frequent positive emotions is an important aspect of well-being. Joy is a positive emotion that I’d like to experience more often. What about you? Here are a few
Why You Should Take More Breaks
According to Anne Lamott, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Human beings are not machines. We need down time in order
Your Words Impact Your Well-Being
Last summer I heard a talk by Johannes Eichstaedt. He discussed the research he and his colleagues are doing as part of Penn’s World Well-Being Project. They are using
Smartphone Use Impairs Focus and Memory
In her book, How to Break up with Your Phone, Catherine Price presents research showing the negative impact smartphone use can have on our brains. In order to focus, our
Staying In is as Important as Leaning In
As I have mentioned before, I believe Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In provides good advice for women who aspire to top leadership positions. However, in my research interviewing and
Employee Well-Being: A Workplace Imperative
I just finished filming a course for The Great Courses entitled “How to Build a Thriving Workplace: A Leader’s Guide.” It should be available in the fall, so stay
Be Happy in Spite of
People are often surprised to hear that we get happier as we age. It seems like a paradox, because old age is filled with aches and pains and losses. But
What's Your AQ?
A lot has been written about the importance of IQ, your intelligence quotient, and EQ, your emotional quotient, for success. A lesser-known quotient, your AQ, can also have a big
Use Design Thinking for Positive Change
Are there things you’d like to do differently in 2018? According to one study, only 9% of people achieve their New Year’s resolution. We often give up trying
Wishing You a Phubbing Free Holiday
I love to celebrate the holidays by giving and receiving presents. But this year, I’m going to do my best to also give the gift of presence. The holidays
Finding Flow
Flow is a mental state that occurs when you’re so absorbed by an activity that you are completely immersed in the moment. You lose your sense of self, forgetting
How Curiosity Helps You Learn
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein Did you know that curiosity helps you learn better? It also makes learning more fun. That’s because
Focus on the Positive to Build Your Well-Being
I gave a TEDx talk at George Mason University yesterday. The title of my talk was “How Focus Builds Well-Being”. I’ve been studying well-being for many years now, and