Category Archives: Health & Wellness

“learning to Love Yourself” Might Actually Be “The Greatest Love of All.” A March 2014 survey by psychologists who study happiness identified “ten keys to happier living” and daily habits that make people genuinely happy. In an unexpected finding, the psychologists at the University of Hertfordshire who performed the survey found that the habit which corresponded most closely[…]

During addiction recovery, one powerful technique often used is distraction. While “distraction” might sound negative—like being distracted while driving—healthy distraction is a valuable tool for preventing relapse. This article explains how healthy distraction works, its role in recovery, and how it helps maintain sobriety. Understanding Healthy Distraction Healthy distraction is a way of shifting attention[…]

When working on self-improvement, setbacks can often feel like failures. Whether it’s indulging in a late-night fast-food craving or struggling to quit smoking despite several tries, setbacks can be discouraging. However, they’re not the end of the road. Instead, they’re an essential part of the process. Research shows that each failed attempt can increase your[…]

Catastrophizing is a pattern of thinking where small issues are blown out of proportion, creating overwhelming and distressing thoughts. For instance, a minor scratch on a car or a stain on the carpet may lead to spiraling fears about larger, unrelated consequences. This form of irrational thinking can drive chronic worry and anxiety, leaving individuals[…]

Why Shame Can Both Help and Hurt Self-Control Shame is often discussed as a motivator for self-control, especially in situations like managing weight or resisting unhealthy habits. But is shame truly the key to changing behavior? Research suggests that the real drivers are emotions we anticipate, such as pride, regret, or remorse, which subtly shape[…]

How Eating Well Can Increase Performance & Happiness What turns a healthy dedication to exercise into an unhealthy obsession? And how can this transition be reversed to restore health and happiness? These questions were thoughtfully explored by personal trainer Gillian Mounsey in her experience at the Wichita Falls Athletic Club, under the guidance of Mark[…]

How to Discern Which Attractions Lead to Pain & Which Can Lead to Real Love If I could only share one insight with my single readers, it would be this: Learn to distinguish between your “attractions of deprivation” and your “attractions of inspiration.” Then, only follow your attractions of inspiration. I believe that’s the wisest path to[…]

In today’s fast-paced, capitalistic world, the pursuit of wealth is often mistakenly equated with the pursuit of happiness. The more money people earn and the more possessions they accumulate, the closer they believe they are to achieving happiness. But is this belief true? Not quite. Why Material Wealth Falls Short Research shows that chasing happiness[…]

Intelligent People Are More Likely to Do Stupid Things Not only are more intelligent individuals more likely to consume more alcohol more frequently, but they are also more likely to engage in binge drinking and to get drunk. In an earlier post, I show that consistent with the prediction of the Hypothesis, more intelligent individuals consume larger quantities of alcohol[…]

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) identifies five key factors that can negatively impact a child’s mental and physical health in the long term. Studies suggest that many adults with significant challenges faced at least two of these adverse events during childhood. Five Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Physical Abuse Physical[…]