Self-Improvement

Life has its ups and downs, and it takes quite some practice to be able to handle it well. A really good foundational theory to help make sense of the world and your reaction to it is the idea of self-concept. It’s a powerful idea that when understood can be…

In order to be rewarded throughout life, you sometimes have to take a little risk. Going outside the box can be daunting, if not outright terrifying. Your 20s and 30s are the perfect time to take these risks and reap the rewards. You’re still young enough to recover from any…

Intermittent fasting is one of the quickest ways to improve your overall health. Consistency, finding the right schedule for you, and being patient are all key to witnessing the effects of intermittent fasting. Overeating slows down your mind and body due to the overwhelming number of calories consumed. Intermittent fasting…

Compassion is sharing someone’s pain without sharing their suffering, according to meditation teacher and researcher Shinzen Young. While this sounds kind of contradictory, there’s a point to Young’s logic.   One of the core skills of meditation involves focusing on the details of your experience while also accepting that experience…

Listening to music increases productivity and happiness at work. This, from researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University. The research team analyzed emotional and physiological responses to music, as well as how these responses affect work performance. They found that all music helps productivity and increases happy feelings at work, but certain…

“How do I achieve my goals?” This is probably the most common inquiry on Google. People are always looking for tools to help them achieve their greatest goals and dreams. Yet, the best tool for this matter lies within ourselves. It’s our curiosity. Psychiatrist Judson Brewer says that you should…

Resilience is how well you’re able to adapt: an individual with a lot of resilience can adapt well in the face of struggle, while someone with little or no resilience cannot. A resilient mindset is important as it helps you bounce back from difficult losses and maintain positivity even when…

The mindset you accept and employ in your everyday has a major impact on the course of your life, especially your rate of success. It can benefit you to transition from a fixed to a growth mindset: or, to shake the assumptions that you can’t and believe that you can….

Some people are innately happy and optimistic about life; however, assuming a positive mindset also takes a bit of effort. You can be more optimistic by first remembering to smile: smile at others, at your own reflection, and even when things don’t go your way. Also, practice gratitude—take a moment…

During the holiday season, there’s a distinct emphasis on giving thanks for all that we’re fortunate enough to have. But in trying to make the season festive, we often put unnecessary stress on ourselves and each other. As a result, we might not feel as merry as we could. That’s…

Let’s face it, sometimes the holidays aren’t always a time for fun and celebration. They can be a time of increased depression because we are alone, or they can be filled with anxiety because we have to be around family or people we don’t always get along with. Regardless of…

Pessimists and optimists are polar opposites; the former focus on the downside, while the latter tend to look on the bright side. While neither of these mentalities are classified as mental illnesses, they each can have some seriously negative effects on our mental health. First, optimism isn’t always the way…