Racing pulse, tense muscles, dry mouth, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating⌠The symptoms of anxiety are many, but sometimes we canât pinpoint why exactly we experience this panicky feeling. Objectively, everything seems to be going well, and yet the sensations of anxiety are definitely there. The American Psychological Association refers to this phenomenon as free-floating anxiety, … Read More
Itâs easy to stay calm when things are under control. But, sometimes, life happens. A deadline is moved up. Your train is canceled. Your luggage gets lost. Then, your heartbeat goes faster. You can feel the tension in your muscles. Your breathing accelerates. Thatâs it: Youâre stressed. Psychologists often say that our freedom lies in … Read More
At this point, most people are aware of the benefits of physical exercise. Like with many things we know are good for us, it doesnât mean we actually act on it: itâs estimated there is between $400 million and $1.3 billion spent on unused gym memberships in the U.S. only. But at least we do … Read More
Making your bed in the morning, that first cup of coffee, grabbing a croissant on your way to work, listening to your favorite podcast on the train⌠As much as we wish for each day to be different, repeating some of the same actions is an important part of our lives. Researchers have found that … Read More
By most standards, I work a lot. Between running a company, pursuing a Ph.D., speaking at events, and writing a book, my days are filled with work. My friends sometimes comment that I work too much. But it doesnât feel this way. I do work a lot, but not too much. I know because I … Read More
Interoceptive journaling is a mindfulness practice that involves recording and reflecting upon oneâs own bodily sensations. Itâs an intentional way of tuning into the often subtle signals our bodies send us, ranging from hunger pangs and heartbeats to flutters of anxiety in the stomach or warm waves of contentment. By deliberately writing about these internal … Read More
âSee, hear, smell, taste, touch⌠With our five senses, we can learn so much!â Youâve probably heard some variation of this nursery rhyme. Most languages have their own version, walking kids through each of their senses. But those songs paint an incomplete picture of our sensory system, for they only include our outward-facing senses, which … Read More
You are probably all too familiar with the dreaded creative block: sitting in front of your computer, your mind as blank as the page you are staring at, hoping that some miraculous burst of inspiration will suddenly rush through your fingers so you can finally get back into the flow. You also know of the … Read More
Picture this: Youâre at work with a big deadline coming up. Unfortunately, someone made a mistake, and part of the project needs to be completely redone in a rush. As the pressure mounts, you can feel the tension gripping your mind and body, causing your patience to wear thin. In those stressful situations, itâs not … Read More
Maslowâs Hierarchy of Needs is an elegant theort but it has been heavily contested. So what are some alternative theories of happiness that better capture the diversity and complexity of the human psyche?