A recent article in the Scientific American reviewed research about effects of school start time on academic achievement. It probably comes as no surprise to parents of teens, that starting in adolescence, children have “delayed sleep phase” where they start sleep later and sleep later in the morning. In addition, for optimal functioning, teenagers should …Read More
The True Nature of Happiness
Jun 9, 2010
I recently read an interview with Daniel Gilbert, Ph.D., author of “Stumbling on Happiness” and Harvard professor of psychology, where he discussed his personal journey to researching happiness. He discussed that he first became interested in researching happiness after he experienced a lot of personal difficulties (problems with family, friends as well as deaths of …Read More
The How of Happiness – Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D. (book recommendation)
Dec 26, 2009
I listened to the (unabridged) audiobook entitled The How of Happiness, which was read by the author, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky. She is a professor of psychology at The University of California at Irving who has conducted research on happiness for close to 20 years. The material contained in the book is quite fascinating, although I …Read More
How We Decide – by Jonah Lehrer (book recommendation)
Dec 24, 2009
I listened to this (unabridged) audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it (the reader did an excellent job). I’d have to put this on the short-list of one of the most fascinating books that I’ve ever read (ahem, listened to). Lehrer takes us on a journey into the psychological and neurological underpinnings of the decision-making process. He …Read More
Seeing the "Good" in Others
Oct 30, 2009
Part of me is as cynical as the average person, and another part of me really sees “the good” in others. I have come to believe that, but for very rare exceptions, most people have positive intentions and believe that they are a good person. So, whenever anyone chooses to act in a particular way …Read More
Feeling Stuck? Try Something New!
Oct 4, 2009
I’ve always liked that definition that insanity is, “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” When we are feeling chronically down or distressed, it is often helpful to try something new to get us unstuck. I can think of 3 compelling reasons why trying something new can improve our mood when …Read More
The Best Way to Buy Happiness?
Aug 25, 2009
The irony of this strikes me as so hilarious. Want to know what, arguably, might be the best way to buy happiness? Here it is – to give your money away! I’m completely serious though. There is much research to support the notion that people who donate their money to causes that they deem worthy …Read More
Another Way Money Can Buy Happiness
Aug 19, 2009
In my last post, I discussed how that, overall, money doesn’t buy happiness BUT there are ways that money can be used to “buy” happiness if we know how to spend it correctly. Purchasing electronic gadgets, jewelry, nice watches, fast cars, big houses, antiques, expensive pieces of art and so on will not help us …Read More
Buying Happiness – Sort Of
Aug 13, 2009
In my last post, I said that it is true that money cannot buy happiness. This is true – for the most part. Material goods and conspicuous consumption will not lead to greater happiness. Having millions in the bank, in and of itself, does not lead to an enhanced sense of well-being either. And yet, …Read More
Does Money Buy Happiness?
Aug 6, 2009
Woven into our capitalist society is the idea that “more is better.” If we have a lot of money, we can buy a lot of stuff and this will make us happy…right? Is this really true though? What does your own experience tell you about this? You’ve probably found out that you quickly adapt to …Read More