Every day we see evidence all around us of life slowly returning to normal. Our children are back in school in-person, workers are gradually returning to offices, and the hustle and bustle of life appear to have returned. For many, this is a drastic change from our year of quarantine and a simpler life, albeit…
DetailsJust about everyone has received some kind of scam email. Most people just delete these emails, but many do not. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers stole nearly $3.3 billion in 2020. Con artists have numerous (and often believable) methods to trick people out of money. They may set up a fake dating profile…
DetailsMy childhood friends and I have celebrated a milestone birthday this year, leading many of us to reflect on age. As I have been paying more attention, I have heard comments of disbelief, complaints of aching body parts, stories of new adventures, or narrowing of experiences, often independent of actual health factors. It has made…
DetailsResilience is an important part of successful aging that can help combat negative experiences like depression and chronic illness. It has even been linked to longevity in some research. Resilience refers to one’s ability to adapt well and bounce back from physical, emotional, or social challenges. The American Psychological Association (APA) also says that “As…
DetailsIt is no secret that marriage is popular. In Western culture, more than 90% of people marry by age fifty. Why? According to the Pew Research Center survey, most often, people marry for love (88%), followed by making a lifelong commitment (81%), companionship (76%), having children (49%), religious recognition of the relationship (30%), financial stability…
DetailsI remember growing up and playing board games with our family. I had an older brother and younger sister. Of course, most games would end up in a terrible fight where one or both siblings shouted “unfair” and stormed away in a huff, leaving the rest of us to find the scattered game pieces. Some…
DetailsOf the many lingering COVID-19 symptoms making headlines, there has been significant research suggesting a link between COVID-19 and Erectile Dysfunction (ED). In addition, news reports citing COVID’s effects on our cardiovascular system have given substantial evidence that this novel virus may, as a result, be one of the new causes of ED. When COVID-19…
DetailsIn his excellent New York Times opinion piece on July 11, 2021, organizational psychologist Adam Grant discussed the influence of social interactions on our emotions. In his essay, “The Joy We’ve Been Missing,” Grant proposes that “peak happiness lies mostly in collective activity.” He utilizes the concept of “collective effervescence” coined by the French sociologist…
DetailsIt’s not uncommon for me to receive a call from someone who has decided to talk to a psychologist that practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). They usually confess that they don’t know what CBT is or that there are different approaches to doing therapy. If this comes as a surprise, you are not alone. Many…
DetailsThere is something about stepping outside on a warm, sunny day that lifts any doldrums and clears the mental cobwebs. I have often wondered if there is any biological basis for improved mood when the weather warms up. It turns out that there are a plethora of studies conducted on this topic. It is quite…
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