HOW TO CHANGE A NEGATIVE IMAGE

If you think back on your experiences you will notice that the outcomes of a particular event, or your whole life for that matter, have been determined by how you were feeling about yourself. For example, job interviews go better if you are feeling like you are on top of the world than if you are feeling like your life is doomed. In general, life is determined by our psychological state. The problem lies in knowing how to change our perception of ourselves or of our lives. How can someone go from feeling like a failure to feeling like a winner.  Read More

NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN A RUT

Yesterday I had one of those days. It all climaxed in one moment of utter despair. I sat there feeling myself cycling downwards, minute by minute I felt myself getting more down. I said to myself, “Stop the cycling!” That didn’t work. I said to myself, “Stay in the moment; ride the wave.” That made it worse. I felt that the more time I spent in this rut, the worse it got.  Read More

The Key to Getting What You Want: Stop Wanting It!
“Seeking the extrinsic outcome makes the failure to achieve that outcome more likely. A focus on the process and intrinsic qualities of an activity reduces the likelihood of anxiety and depression Read More

Say “YES” to Pain!
WRONG:  The best remedy for getting over a painful experience is to ignore it or to do something that will get your mind off of it.
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HAPPINESS IS A DECISION!

The happiness experts state that we can become happier if we engage in certain activities (e.g. socializing, being thankful, experimenting new things, etc.).  But engaging in particular activities doesn’t seem to be enough.  Read More

5 Acts of Kindness a Day Keeps the Blues Away
Researchers conducted a 6-week-long intervention where participants were prompted to commit acts of kindness in one day. Results showed that compared to the control group, well-being increased for these participants.  I wonder if it is the act of kindness in itself that makes one happy or the fact that being kind gets us closer to social ideals of a “good” person. Either way, it doesn’t matter, as long as it makes us happier!

Mindfulness Prevents Depression Relapse

A study in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that mindfulness based interventions significantly reduced risk of major depression relapse/recurrence.  Read More

WHY IS PLEASURE HEALING?
Scholars have noted that a lack of pleasure in life leads to particular emotional and mental states. Depression, schizophrenia, addiction, anxiety, obesity have been reported to be indicative of a “missing ability to experience pleasure.” Pleasure appears to be necessary for a healthy and happy life. Endorphins are released when we engage in pleasure. Read More