Let Them, Let Me
I’ve written several blog posts about how important acceptance and focusing on what you can control are for your psychological well-being. In her latest book, The Let Them Theory,
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
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
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!
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
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
To Be Resilient Take Control
Resilient individuals use active coping skills to get through difficult times. They identify what they have control over and focus on what they can do about the things within their
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
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
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
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
Protect Your Telomeres to Live Longer
I recently attended the World Congress on Positive Psychology in Montreal, Canada. It was exciting to hear about the latest research being done in the field. I was especially intrigued
Want a Happier Marriage? Try Acceptance
What would you guess the most read article in The New York Times in 2016 was about? The presidential election? The Rio Olympics? The war in Syria? Actually, it was
Technology and Well-Being
Technology can be bad for our well-being. The constant distractions of text messages and emails can increase our stress levels and prevent us from being mindful, which can hurt both
How to Help Your Kids Thrive
Parenting isn’t easy, is it? How can you help your children live their best lives? One thing you can do is to positively influence their self-narratives. According to Timothy
Saban & Swinney Know What Matters Most
Tonight is the big game! Alabama and Clemson play in the college football national championship. Their coaches, Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney, were interviewed together on ESPN. In just five
Thank You for Celebrating with Me!
A few years ago I wrote a blog post about the benefits of celebrating the success of others. In it I explained how responding positively to someone else’s good
Accepting Change
Our son leaves tomorrow, off to Georgia Tech to start his freshman year of college. I’m having a much harder time with this than I imagined I would. There
Buying Happiness
My parents-in-law celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year by taking their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren on a cruise in the Baltic Sea. They used their money to buy happiness.
Are You Fully Charged?
I recently read Are You Fully Charged?, the latest book by well-being expert Tom Rath. I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list! Tom has written six best-selling
Look Up!
It’s hard to believe The Breakfast Club came out 30 years ago this month. What an awesome movie! And how sad to think that something like that would probably
Have You Thanked Your Role Models?
Today is the 5-year anniversary of my blog. I’m surprised I have kept it up for this long. But it is more surprising that I even started. I had
Don't Just Feel It, Say It!
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward Many of us will be counting our blessings next week as we