Why higher emotional intelligence boosts happiness Emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to understand and control our emotions, as well as being sensitive to others’ feelings, nurtures our relationships and boosts our empathy. This can lead to stronger social connections. And as we age, our social bonds become even more vital to our well-being. With … Read more
Picture it: Your co-worker, who you normally get along with, avoided you at lunch, then grunted when you offered to grab him a coffee. He’s clearly annoyed at you, but won’t address it. This is textbook passive-aggressive behavior — a hallmark of people who have trouble handling conflict. As a public speaking trainer, I’ve found that the best way … Read more
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc | Digitalvision | Getty Images Despite your instincts, telling your child that they can do “anything” can be counterproductive. “‘You can do anything,’ is positive, but it’s very generalized,” according to Joanna North, a consultant psychotherapist. “I think that we need to draw it down to specifics for children, and [find] … Read more
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive and evaluate feelings accurately in ourselves and in others. The most emotionally intelligent people can access and evoke emotion, understand non-verbal cues, and regulate their feelings to build stronger relationships. As a Harvard-trained psychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how this is key to long-term professional and personal success. So how … Read more
The author behind the best-selling book “The Psychology of Money” is trying to relieve investor anxiety over market downturns. “Realizing how inevitable it is makes it more palatable to deal with when you go through it,” author and behavioral finance expert Morgan Housel told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” recently. It’s one of the major themes in … Read more
For the past 20 years, I’ve traveled across the world to study the five Blue Zones — areas in which people live exceptionally long lives: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California. Based on my interviews with 263 people ages 100 or older, I’ve found that the world’s longevity … Read more
Bewildered, I asked, “You mean, how old am I?” “Yes,” she said. “50.” “You would be joining a young, progressive team, but you look much younger, so I think you’d fit in just fine,” she said. My excitement turned to apprehension as we wrapped up the interview. Driving home, her unsettling words playing in my … Read more
Clinical depression is considered one of the most treatable mood disorders, but neither the condition nor the drugs used against it are fully understood. First-line SSRI treatments (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) likely free up more of the neurotransmitter serotonin to improve communication between neurons. But the question of how SSRIs enduringly change a person’s mood … Read more
The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Science routinely puts forward theories, then batters them with data till only one is left standing. In the fledgling science of consciousness, a dominant theory has yet to emerge. More than 20 are still taken seriously. It’s not for want of data. Ever since Francis … Read more
The conflict in Israel and Gaza has dominated the news cycle for the last week. Turn on the TV or log on to any social media platform and you’ll be confronted with a barrage of horrific headlines. While staying informed is important, consuming an excess of graphic images and videos can negatively affect your mental … Read more