5 simple hacks to make your Facebook experience more enjoyable TODAY Show, Kayla Jardine August 2, 2016 Most of us spend a decent chunk of time on social media, but we often complain about how badly it makes us feel about ourselves and our lives. It’s time to change that. TODAY spoke with Michelle Gielan, author…
The 3 Reasons Why You Should Be Playing Pokémon Go Over the past three weeks, you’ve undoubtedly heard the buzz about Pokémon Go, the augmented reality game that has inspired over 75 million people to hit the streets in search of imaginary friends, cute little monsters called Pokémon that you need to catch and…
The Science of Friendship Success Magazine, Shawn Achor July 21, 2016 Our need for social support isn’t just in our heads. Evolutionary psychology explains that the innate need to form social bonds is wired into our biology. When we make a positive social connection, the pleasure-inducing hormone oxytocin is released into our bloodstream, immediately reducing anxiety…
The Data-Driven Case for Vacation Harvard Business Review, Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan July 13, 2016 Over the past three years, we have partnered with the U.S. Travel Association to more clearly understand the relationship between well-being and taking time off from work. Our hypothesis has been that without recovery periods, our ability to continue performing at…
Spotlight: The Spire Stone Science is now connecting our external and internal worlds in ways we couldn’t do or even understand 100 years ago. We have evolved from using kitschy mood rings and carnival mood meters to having real tech to understand what’s going on inside our bodies on an intellectual, emotional, and even molecular…
Back to the Future…of Happiness Recently, my husband and I decided to show our three daughters (ages 9, 6, and 3) the classic movie Back to the Future. Of course, my kids were immediately enthralled, but my youngest had a few key questions like, Mommy, what is the future? And what is the present?…
I Stopped Complaining for One Month. Here’s How it Changed Me. Greatist, Locke Hughes May 11, 2016 I’ve never been one to “look on the bright side.” That’s slightly embarrassing to admit, since in the grand scheme of things, I don’t have many—if any—things wrong with my life. I’m a healthy 20-something, living and working in…
Resilience is About How You Recharge, Not How You Endure Harvard Business Review, Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan June 24, 2016 As constant travelers and parents of a 2-year-old, we sometimes fantasize about how much work we can do when one of us gets on a plane, undistracted by phones, friends, and Finding Nemo. We race to…
Laugh Your Way to a Happy Workplace Success Magazine, Shawn Achor June 24, 2016 We are drawn to funny people. Researchers have discovered that humor is attractive not just in romantic partners, but in business partners and politicians as well because it is a sign of cognitive fitness. Your brain must be flexible and sharp to create…
8 Reasons You’re Tired All the Time Redbook, Amy Gorin June 24, 2016 Your diet could use a tweak The combo of protein, healthy fat, and fiber provides lasting energy. So if you’re not getting enough of these important nutrients throughout your day, your food may be zooming through you. The fix: Aim for a mix of protein (from lean…
