8 Habits of Happy Families

Happiness can vary depending on our personal circumstances. But why are some families more resilient and happier despite the obstacles life throws their way?  Happy families often have certain traits in common, and you can adapt their habits to create a happier home of your own. Here are eight things they do:   1. Eat together Multiple […]

Spring-Clean Your Mind

There’s something invigorating about the birds chirping, the plants growing, and days lengthening. Springtime is almost like a new year with abundant fresh starts. For many, the season heralds a tradition that dates back thousands of years to the Persians and Israelites: spring-cleaning. Whether deep cleaning carpets, donating unused clothing and household items, or edging […]

Tame the Holiday Circus

Are holiday traditions, parties, volunteer commitments, and shopping turning you into the frenzied ringmaster of a runaway circus train? For your sanity and health, put the brakes on the holiday rush. Here’s how. 1. Cancel some of the sideshows.  Leave a few activities off the program this year. Ellie Griffin, a vitality coach, says this is […]

The Science of Giving

Want to feel happier and calmer while also helping to make the world a better place? Research tells us that the simple act of giving to others can have profound mental and physical benefits, changing your brain activity and triggering positive emotions. When you spread kindness to your community through gifts, charitable donations, random acts […]

No Longer Alone

“I don’t have anyone in my life to talk to, spend time with, have a relationship with. No real friends, just a couple acquaintances and a family I hardly speak to. I’m usually lonely. . . . It almost physically hurts. . . . That’s the only way I can describe it. I watch my […]

Why Kindness Is Good for You

When you help others, they benefit from your kindness. But did you know that it also makes you happier and healthier? It may sound a bit selfish to look at how being kind to others is beneficial to you personally, but the research surrounding kindness is so fascinating that we can’t ignore it. Kindness is […]

Digital Detox

I have a confession to make. I’m addicted. Yes, you read that right.  Let me explain.  I don’t smoke, do drugs, or drink alcohol. Neither do I use opioids or painkillers. My addiction isn’t to any kind of substance that I ingest. My addiction is to a little three-inch by six-inch oblong-shaped box made of […]

Do Politics Make You Angry?

Anger triggers a fight or flight response that floods the body with stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase, and you experience a surge of blood sugar. When you’re in an argument, this stress response reduces your ability to discuss a situation rationally. It also reduces your short-term memory. […]