So you’re having fun at a party, and you see a cute possibility across the room. The next day, you remember precisely what that person looks like. But you just can’t remember the name — which is frustrating, since there’s …
Happiness
Q&A: The Surprising Upside of Getting Old
Americans have tremendous fear of aging — and a great deal of prejudice against the elderly. But, as the joke has it, being old is better than the alternative. And, despite our fears, new research suggests that being old is …
How to Think Yourself into a Happy Place
Sometimes happiness is absolute: you land your dream job or the perfect girl. You’re psyched. But sometimes the situation isn’t so clear cut: you got the job you wanted, but not at the salary you’d hoped. Still happy?
Study: Tai Chi Helps Fight Depression Among the Elderly
Save the karate for the kids. To stave off depression among the elderly, a new study proposes the practice of a gentler martial art — tai chi.
The Secrets to Long Life: Worry, Work Hard and Marry Well (If You’re a Man)
Worrying is good for your health. Optimism is overrated. Women thrive post-divorce (men don’t). These are just a few of the unexpected findings that psychologist Howard Friedman explores in The Longevity Project, a new book based …
Study: Having a Bad Job Is Worse than No Job For Mental Health
Maybe unemployment isn’t so bad after all. A new study says that, income notwithstanding, having a demanding, unstable and thankless job may make you even unhappier than not having a job at all.
Kid Crazy: Why We Exaggerate the Joys of Parenthood
All parents know that having kids is a blessing — except when it’s a nightmare of screaming fits, diapers, runny noses, wars over bedtimes and homework and clothes. To say nothing of bills too numerous to list.
Why Are College Students Reporting Record High Levels of Stress?
College students are more stressed out than ever before — at least according to the latest findings of a large, national survey that has been conducted annually for the last 25 years. The survey includes more than 200,000 …
Smoking Cessation Linked to Happiness, Elevated Moods
As if you needed another reason to give up smoking for good: Researchers have now determined that successfully quitting is not only linked to greater happiness, but also to elevated moods, contrary to the popular belief that …
5 Ways to Stop Stressing and Become Happier and More Confident
Stress is unavoidable, but there are ways to lessen the burden. Here, some proven methods from Dr. Martin Rossman, author of the new book The Worry Solution.
Middle Age: It’s Not Downhill from Here — At Least in Terms of Mood
In what seems like an unrelenting year of bad news, the Economist has a lovely and uplifting feature headlined “The U-Bend of Life.”
CommittedSex
Married to a Negative Type? Have More Sex
Lots of sex is not necessarily a prerequisite for a happy marriage. But apparently, if you are neurotic or the spouse of a neurotic, it really, really helps.
Religion’s Secret to Happiness: It’s Friends, Not Faith
Religion can be good for your health, and especially your mental health, according to the latest studies, which show that church-goers are happier and more satisfied with their lives than those who don’t attend services. But …