Humans are social creatures and we don’t do well in isolation. That’s exactly why state penitentiaries punish prisoners by putting them into solitary confinement. It causes them great mental anguish. Many of us have felt like prisoners in solitary confinement over the last couple of months because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. And […]
How to Cope with the Stress and Anxiety Caused by COVID-19
If you’re like most people, you are doing your best to stay calm during COVID-19 pandemic. But that can feel incredibly difficult at times. When not worrying about friends and loved one’s health, there’s also the conflicting information provided by the media and the economic ramifications of the virus that have people on edge. Signs […]
How Telehealth May Change the Future of Therapy
A while back there was a very funny television show starring Lisa Kudrow (ditzy Phoebe from Friends) called “Web Therapy.” It was an improvised show and Lisa played a therapist who treated her patients over the Internet. Hence the title of the show. Well, back when the show was on, the idea of treating mental […]
Hugs and Cuddles Instead of Spanking
A new set of studies supports affection over punishment. Posted Aug 19, 2019 Harry Harlow (1958) was one of the first researchers to demonstrate the long term effects of touch on mammals. He separated rhesus monkey babies from their mothers, keeping them isolated in cages. They could hear and smell other monkeys but were deprived […]
The Imaginative Child
Understanding the manifestation of make-believe companions. Posted Aug 19, 2019 Boy with Imaginary Companions Source: Lassedesignen/Shutterstock “Abraham Lincoln is my grandfather,” said our 5-year-old matter-of-factly. “What?” I contemplated, standing in stunned silence. “Yes,” he continued almost moved to tears. “I was very sad when John Wilkes Booth shot him in the theater.” This example of […]
Why We Watch Suffering Online, but Often Do Nothing to Help
Research on ‘media witnessing’ helps explain our inaction. Posted May 22, 2019 Source: Pixabay We all know that abhorrent behavior happens behind closed doors. But as soon as it’s brought out in front of us through film footage or photos we feel culpable, responsible, involved. We don’t like being forced to ask ourselves difficult questions […]
When You Love Someone, What Do You Love?
Love is not directed at just a body, soul, or mind, but at an embodied person. Posted Mar 01, 2019 When Romeo and Juliet fell in love with each other, what did each of them fall in love with? Philosophers have proposed various answers to the question of the object of love, including claims that […]
What Is Your Life Purpose?
Exploring why you are here: five questions, one exercise, and one next step. Posted Aug 17, 2019 Source: Unsplash “For you came into existence not when you chose, but when the world had need of you.” I stumbled upon this quote from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. It is the second half of the sentence that […]
How to Get the Relationships That Matter for Personal Growth
New research shows the value of having long-term bonds with loved ones. Posted Aug 17, 2019 Few would argue that being close to the people you care about can help promote your feelings of well-being and happiness. Indeed, there is a large body of research showing the value of social support in maintaining mental health. For […]
Don’t Ever Talk to Me Again
Why having people cut out of your life can be detrimental to your health. Posted Aug 18, 2019 Source: mohamed_hassan / Pixabay Think about the following two scenarios. Scenario A: You belong to an international public Facebook group dedicated to golden retrievers. You’ve got two of them at home and just can’t get enough of them! One day, […]