Self Improvement

The practice of mindfulness can alter the brain's response to pain.

Religions teach us to turn the other cheek, but in practice, forgiveness may seem impossible. We may feel justified in our resentment, or believe it will protect us from getting ...

Making progress in life and ourselves doesn't always require strain and stress

Altruism may begin in infancy, according to a new study. In a study of nearly 100 19-month-olds, the researchers found that children, even when hungry, gave a tasty snack to ...

Putting down our ideas of how things should be—including ourselves—can free of us a certain kind of suffering

Motivation is the will to change. But for many of us, the well often runs dry. Everyone may have a fleeting notion to learn a new skill or break an ...

Lack of sleep blunts our generosity, research finds.

The apparent trend toward division and away from empathy isn’t irreversible, according to new research. Empathy is a skill that one can cultivate over time, Stanford University psychologist Jamil Zaki ...

So many of us spend a ton of time and energy stuck in indecision—the stress and delays that come with this are quite incredible. One of the things I’m proud ...

People tend to underestimate how good small acts of kindness make the recipient feel, research finds.

Using our time according to our deeper intentions takes self-awareness and structure

Immunity is very much linked to several aspects of our character, including our daily habits, stress levels, and even how honest we are

Making a personal breakthrough takes heart, the right conditions, and a clear sense of our internal season

I am finding it harder and harder to stay focused. I get distracted with information overload and too often get upset about something I read. What are some ways to ...

The shorter days and the upcoming holiday season can zap your energy. There’s a lot to do and seemingly little time to do it. Perhaps you’re thinking of reaching for ...

Brief, free mental exercises can help health care workers recover and recharge, a new study finds

Holidays are a time when lots of us tend to overindulge in food and drink, and many people gain weight. Once gained, weight is difficult to lose, and it is ...

Gain freedom from distraction by meditating on what drives you to be more focused

Cancer is the kind of disease that strikes fear at its mere mention, much less a definite diagnosis. However, when Japanese doctor Takashi Funato was diagnosed with cancer, he began ...

Your greatest impact in this world is almost always a result of your focused attention

We can make the good life possible by pushing back against the spirit of our age

Break out of your complacency and live a more interesting life

Less than seconds after the word “NO” is uttered, dozens of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters erupt in the speaker’s and listener’s brain, says Andrew Newberg, former director of The University ...

People in a recent study who were more grateful had lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as greater feelings of appreciation toward others. The study, published in the ...

This one personality trait can be a deciding factor in whether you take up life's challenges, or let them pass you by

6 practical tips for finding your way out of the fog of uncertainty

What is the top cause of accelerated aging? Bad habits such as smoking and excessive drinking are often the first things that come to mind. However, perhaps surprisingly, scientists have recently ...