Note: this story mentions suicide. Seventeen years ago today, I had just picked up my friend from the airport on a Thursday night. I remember getting the call at around 10pm from one of the captains of the ultimate frisbee team I coached. One of the girls on the team, Mandy, had taken her own […]
Tragedy, Gratitude, and Guilt Read More »
Have you been stuck sitting around your house too much during this pandemic? Me too. Though I suppose if you’re one of those people that loves getting lots of exercise, good for you … (I’m not sure if that’s actually sarcastic or not). But for the rest of us, it’s often a struggle. And because
The Easiest Way to Create an Upward Spiral With Your Body Read More »
While Black History Month may be over, racism lives on. Racism is pervasive and toxic, and one thing that makes it so insidious is how our brains are wired. Whenever I think about racism I’m reminded of a fascinating fMRI study on race and empathy. And while scientific publications usually have boring and confusing titles,
Why Your Brain Only Cares About People Who Look Like You Read More »
Tonight, just after sunset, go outside. Bundle up if you have to. Look up to the Western sky, and you’ll see Jupiter and Saturn slowly converging. And no, this isn’t some astrological BS. It’s astronomy … and, as I’ll explain in a moment, neuroscience. The two planets won’t reach their closest distance until December 21st,
How the Night Sky Can Help You Be Happier Read More »
While emotions are hard to quantify, it can sometimes be helpful to try. In other words, being scientific about your emotions can’t tell you everything you need to know about how to be happier, but it can be a very useful tool. If you’re trying to find greater happiness and wellbeing, it’s important to figure
Quantifying Your Emotions Read More »
I’ve been talking with a lot of people recently who are feeling stuck – not just physically stuck at home, but stuck in a mental and emotional rut. Many of us are struggling to stay happy and productive during these difficult times. So I gathered some tips from The Upward Spiral to help with getting
The Power of Positive Reflection Read More »
How are you feeling right now? How are your stress levels? These are simple questions, but they can have a powerful impact, particularly when you ask them of yourself. Since the world is so topsy-turvy I just wanted to share with you a helpful skill for getting a better handle on the emotional swings that
The Importance of Emotional Self-Awareness Read More »
Many years ago when I first heard about the power of gratitude, I was highly skeptical. I mean it sounds nice and all that saying “thank-you” can have a big impact on your physical and mental health, and even your sleep, but come on, really? And yet, it’s true. So why am I bringing it
How Gratitude Shapes Your Brain Read More »
A few years into my PhD program I started to lose sight of why any of it mattered. I struggled with staying productive in my data analysis and writing, and chalked it up to the fact that either I was just being lazy or my research wasn’t as important to me as I once thought
The Secret Message Behind Apathy Read More »
One of my favorite quotes about sleep comes from the writer Ernest Hemingway: “I love sleep. My life has a tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?” That seems to be even truer these days. How’s your sleep been? Not quite feeling fully rested in the morning? Unfortunately I’ve heard from numerous people
Four Research-Backed Tips for Better Sleep Read More »
