Note: this story mentions suicide. Seventeen years ago today, I had just picked up my friend from the airport on a Thursday night. I remember getting the call at around 10pm from one of the captains of the ultimate frisbee team I coached. One of the girls on the team, Mandy, had taken her own
Have you been stuck sitting around your house too much during this pandemic? Me too. Though I suppose if you’re one of those people that loves getting lots of exercise, good for you … (I’m not sure if that’s actually sarcastic or not). But for the rest of us, it’s often a struggle. And because
While Black History Month may be over, racism lives on. Racism is pervasive and toxic, and one thing that makes it so insidious is how our brains are wired. Whenever I think about racism I’m reminded of a fascinating fMRI study on race and empathy. And while scientific publications usually have boring and confusing titles,
Tonight, just after sunset, go outside. Bundle up if you have to. Look up to the Western sky, and you’ll see Jupiter and Saturn slowly converging. And no, this isn’t some astrological BS. It’s astronomy … and, as I’ll explain in a moment, neuroscience. The two planets won’t reach their closest distance until December 21st,
While emotions are hard to quantify, it can sometimes be helpful to try. In other words, being scientific about your emotions can’t tell you everything you need to know about how to be happier, but it can be a very useful tool. If you’re trying to find greater happiness and wellbeing, it’s important to figure
I’ve been talking with a lot of people recently who are feeling stuck – not just physically stuck at home, but stuck in a mental and emotional rut. Many of us are struggling to stay happy and productive during these difficult times. So I gathered some tips from The Upward Spiral to help with getting
