Learning that you or a loved one has a chronic illness is news you never want to hear. The knowledge of such information is often accompanied by feelings of fear, anger, and depression, which can cause debilitating, unnecessary stress. By understanding more about your condition and adopting a positive outlook on life, you can set…
We all search for something larger than short-term satisfaction New research led by social psychologist Roy Baumeister articulates a paradox each of us faces—an internal battle between our desire for happiness and the quest for meaning in our lives. If you’ve ever been a tired-eyed new parent, you understand this fascinating tug-of-war. Normally when people…
Numerous studies have shown that stress can be unhealthy—the American Institute of Stress has linked it to the six leading causes of death. Unfortunately, knowing how bad it is makes us fear stress even more. But this is only half the story. The human brain actually works best in the presence of this tension. Stress can…
I was at a Starbucks in New York, completely minding my own business, when… Actually, in truth, I was at a Starbucks intentionally eavesdropping on the conversation of some people at the table next to me, when I overheard one slightly overweight woman say to her three fit friends, “I’ve tried 19 diets over the…
One afternoon in Los Angeles I took my mom out to lunch. We had decided to try a cute little café in Santa Monica that is well known for healthy food. Both of us were trying to get more exercise and eat more fruits and vegetables, so splitting a salad there fit in perfectly with…
For you, which comes first: happiness or success? My guess is that you have already answered that question several times today. You answer it every time your brain says, “I’ll be happy when I find a job.” “I’ll be happy when I get a promotion.” “I’ll be happy when my dissertation is finished.” The formula is clear: Work harder,…
The greatest metric for predicting job satisfaction and engagement is the social support perceived by the employee. And job satisfaction and engagement directly correlate with productivity. So the best and fastest way to more connected and therefore more productive is to receive more social support from others at work, right? Not so fast. Some of the…
“I will be happy when…” This innocent comment is the very reason that happiness is so elusive for us in the modern world. We think: I will be happy when I have a successful relationship. I will be happy when I find a job. I will be happy when I’m out of this relationship. I’ll…
Nearly every company in the world gives lip service to the idea that “our people are our greatest asset.” Yet when the Conference Board Survey came out earlier this year, employees were the unhappiest they have been in their 22 years of tracking job satisfaction rates. Around the same time, CNNMoney reported a survey that…
If someone were to say to you: “You are not a good friend,” you would instantly list off a number of reasons why that person is wrong. How could they be right if, just this week, you surprised your co-worker with a get-well card, called your mom for her birthday, and talked with your best…