Procrastination isn’t always a flaw—it can be how your mind works things out in the background. When you allow space for it, creativity often shows up where you least expect it. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/on-e...
As if depression wasn't hard enough to overcome, new research finds that mistaken beliefs about it can significantly extend how long people experience it. Here's what everyone should understand.
Most of us have been part of a one-sided, emotionally lopsided friendship, in which much is asked of us and little given in return. Here's how we get stuck and how to start stepping away.
For high achievers, the emptiness after reaching a goal signals that the life they built was inherited rather than chosen.
Being excluded by a parent or sibling is an extreme form of childhood emotional neglect that can make someone feel they don't belong in other places in their life. Here's how it plays out.
Only 11% of people have a best friend of the opposite gender. But for men in particular, platonic friendships with women can have surprising psychological benefits.
Craving doesn’t just feel strong—it can take over your decision-making in an instant. In that moment, relief now can feel more important than consequences later, and that’s often where relapse starts.
When it comes to healing from trauma—and being “over it”—there’s no universal deadline. It depends on the person, the trauma, and the journey they’ve had to navigate.
Breaking up is hard to do, but when it has to be done, a new study shows, we tend to rely on some common approaches—specifically, these 45. Discover which are the most and least popular.
Persistent, aggravating "what if" thoughts can take over your mind even when things are going well. Fortunately, there's a way to settle it down before you get stuck in a spiral.
For much of our history, couples shared beds out of need, not love, and research suggests partners with separate beds may sleep better while sharing no less intimacy. Here's why.
Sigmund Freud had some ideas about sex that have been proven definitively wrong, but he did get a number of very important things right, starting with these.
Cognitive empathy allows us to understand others' perspectives without absorbing their emotions. We can then respond with compassion and wisdom without losing ourselves in the process. Here's how it works.
Belonging isn't just a nice-to-have—it's wired into our very survival. That's why loneliness is so dangerous.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hear...
A black sheep is seldom a problematic or transgressive character, research shows. Often, they're the best and the brightest, but they end up in that role because of subtle, troubling dynamics like these.
What if being “weird” isn’t something to fix, but a sign that someone is more in touch with themselves? Not fitting in can reflect self-awareness, emotional depth, and the courage to think independently.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...
Gifted people often experience a painful awareness that they are capable of more than their life reflects. Here's how they can stop shrinking to fit in and start being their authentic selves.
When we face stress or conflict, we may be tempted to emotionally shut down or go numb. But while this feels like embracing safety, research suggests it comes with its own problems.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/soci...
Cats are known for their independence, confidence, and unapologetic self-care. They remind us to treat ourselves with the same respect and compassion that we often only reserve for others.
Stoicism isn't about a stiff upper lip or bottling up all emotions. The ancient philosophy of Stoicism is based on these 7 dimensions that can improve our lives today.
When people feel like they matter, they flourish. But when they feel insignificant, disconnection, disengagement, anxiety, and depression often follow. Here's what can be done about it. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...
Seeing female actors like Claire Danes aging naturally on screen offers several psychological benefits to viewers—starting with these. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mirr...
Loneliness has many causes. Some of the most powerful, which are often overlooked, are our primal beliefs about the world. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/find...
We don’t have the power to make our partner happy—but we sure can make them miserable. Here are some myths to let go of if you want a thriving long-term relationship.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...
We all have a variety of challenges in our personal and professional lives that require bravery. Here are 5 ways we can develop our courage muscle a little at a time.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/code...
Our cats may seem aloof, moody, and unapologetic. But they are also in many ways excellent role models for maintaining our mental health. Here's what they can teach us.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invi...
"How we cope with uncertainty determines how well we do in life. If we can tolerate it, uncertainty drives us to discover more and connect to one another. It can make us smarter and more compassionate."
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ange...
Narcissists tend to believe that their inherent greatness means that all should bow to them. However, their personalities can be so distasteful that the reality is often quite different.
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulf...
Statistically speaking, there are likely hundreds of Einstein-level minds walking among us today. Here's why more of them don't become what we think of as a "genius," and how we can change that.
