Does the Thought of Winding Down Wind You Up?

Imagine sitting alone at a restaurant waiting for a friend. How do you pass the time? Do you look around? Do you savor the alone time to reflect? Do you allow yourself to daydream?...

The Feel Good Factor: Vitality

Vitality is a word I didn't hear much in medical school or psychiatry residence. I was well versed in the language of illness, not health. Back then, vitality brought to mind a French yogurt...

The Difference Between Narcissistic And Benevolent Lies

Most of the time honesty is the best policy...but not always. Under some circumstances, telling a white lie may even help bolster social connections. Prosocial lies—lies that benefit others—are grounded in compassion and can...

You Can Stop Worrying About Finding Yourself

Ten years ago I was invited to give a talk at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting. In those days, I wasn't used to public speaking. Like many people, I dreaded the thought of...

5 Strategies to Balance Your News Diet

The news these days is bleak. It's no wonder that people are tuning out. According to the annual Reuters Institute Digital News Report, many are increasingly choosing to ration news consumption and are selectively...

Little Acts of Love Have a Big Impact

What makes a person feel loved? In the movies, it's the dramatic expressions of love that melt our hearts. Think Rose and Jack on the bow in Titanic or my all time favorite, the...