Happiness Comes from Making Others Feel Good - Mark Travers Ph.D.
Ubuntu Tom North Ubuntu Tom North

Happiness Comes from Making Others Feel Good - Mark Travers Ph.D.

  • Attempts to make others happy increase happiness more so than trying to make oneself happy, new research suggests.

  • The findings may seem counterintuitive, but they confirm previous research that shows that people derive happiness from helping others.

  • Feelings of "relatedness," or being close to others, may help explain why helping others boosts mood.

Read More
Modern Masculinity: The Atlas Complex - Mickey A. Feher
Male Tom North Male Tom North

Modern Masculinity: The Atlas Complex - Mickey A. Feher

  • About 90 percent of people believe that society would benefit from a conversation about what modern masculinity is, according to a survey.

  • Two-thirds of respondents believe that masculinity and femininity are beyond gender and should be defined for each individual.

  • "The Atlas Complex of Men," the idea that men carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, can lead to mental health issues.

Read More
8 Flavors of Love - Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D.
Love Tom North Love Tom North

8 Flavors of Love - Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D.

  • People use the word "love" to describe a variety of forms of affection — from "loving" one's favorite snack to "loving" a romantic partner.

  • Other words describe different types of love, such as "eros," which describes erotic love, or "ludus," which focuses on playful flirtation.

  • Terms that describe types of love also include "pragma," or pragmatic, mature love, and "philia," which describes friendship and mutual respect.

Read More
Depression: It’s Not About What’s Wrong With You - Denise Winn
Beliefs Tom North Beliefs Tom North

Depression: It’s Not About What’s Wrong With You - Denise Winn

  • Depression can take root when essential needs—such as security, connection, and meaning—are unmet or innate resources are misused.

  • Learning skills that can help people meet their essential needs can help alleviate depression.

  • Developing tactics to handle negative thinking and all-or-nothing thinking can also help people feel happier and more fulfilled.

Read More
The Secret to Happily Ever After - Lori S. Katz Ph.D.
Relationships Tom North Relationships Tom North

The Secret to Happily Ever After - Lori S. Katz Ph.D.

Couples struggle with chronic disagreements that do not get resolved by re-hashing old upsets.

People think that if their partner changes then they will be happy. But one's level of irritation is distinct from their level of happiness.

Exercises to improve listening and appreciation can help build a foundation of giving and receiving.

Read More
American men suffer a friendship recession - Daniel A. Cox
Lesson Zero Tom North Lesson Zero Tom North

American men suffer a friendship recession - Daniel A. Cox

The percentage of men with at least six close friends fell by half since 1990, from 55 percent to 27 percent. The study also found the percentage of men without any close friends jumped from 3 percent to 15 percent, a fivefold increase.

Single men fare the worst. One in five American men who are unmarried and not in a romantic relationship report not having any close friends.

Read More
The benefits of self-forgiveness - Katie Shumake
Forgiven Tom North Forgiven Tom North

The benefits of self-forgiveness - Katie Shumake

Holding onto resentment and being unforgiving increases our stress levels and takes a toll on our well-being. The good news is that we can learn skills to become more constructive and effective in accepting and rectifying our errors -- and, in the process, grow as individuals.

Read More