Understanding why we fall prey to FOMO can help turn you fear and anxiety into a positive force for good Why it’s so hard to put the phone down Think of the last time you were having dinner with friends or family. It’s likely that sometime during the evening, one or more people at the table picked up their phones and … Read more
Chatting to complete strangers might seem like a social taboo, but it can bring a surprising range of positive benefits More people live in urban settings than ever before. 54% of the world’s population now live in cities, surburbs and towns, and that number is expected to continue rising. The global population shift from the rural … Read more
The tradition of story-telling and using fiction to explain human behavior is as old as human civilization itself. Over time, storybooks took the place of the village story-teller; and provided all the same benefits. Generations of children developed a sense of right and wrong through the tales and fables their parents helped them read. Adults used novels to entertain themselves and … Read more
They say it can’t buy you love, but can money buy you happiness? The money-happiness relationship is far from straightforward. In some cases, ie people living on very low incomes, researchers have found a very strong correlation between money and happiness. Other studies suggest that for wealthy people, money itself does not seem to be a source of happiness at all. … Read more
Experiencing the awe of nature makes us more kind and generous In the Urban Dictionary the word awesome is defined sarcastically, but perhaps quite accurately, as “something Americans use to describe everything.” Despite this lexical fall from grace, the meaning of awesome has loftier origins. The word stems from the 16th century and means “filled with awe“. So what exactly … Read more
Saying thank you can bring a range of positive psychological and physiological benefits We’d all like to have a little – or a lot more happiness in our lives. It’s hard, though, to figure out what can make us happy. And the first things you might think of, such as more money, a new car, or … Read more
Research reveals that successful couples have five times as many positive interactions than negative interactions Maintaining a relationship takes continuous effort. The good thing is that it seems that this process is biased towards positive experiences for both partners. Through decades of research, Dr. John Gottman, Dr. Silver and their colleagues have found that when partners … Read more
Hugs are like drugs, scientists say. Here are six amazing effects hugging has on your body and brain. You already know hugging feels good. What you might not know is that hugging is also good for your health and well-being. Here are six astonishing physiological and psychological benefits of hugging revealed in recent scientific studies. 1) Hugging Protects … Read more
Philosopher Alan Watts says we should enjoy life as we enjoy music Alan Watts (1915-1973) may or may not be a name familiar to you, but his legacy certainly is. British-born Watts was an author, philosopher and speaker with a deep interest and passion in the spiritual teachings of Eastern philosophy. After moving to the US, Watts, … Read more
