Is Home a Feeling or a Place?

It is said that home is a feeling, not a place. But for many of us, the house we grew up in occupies sacred...

9 Ways to Make Yourself Irresistible

Diana Vreeland famously said, You don’t have to be born beautiful to be wildly attractive. Her wise words are supported by science. All too often we...

The Best Tool I Know to Manage Anxiety

Not being able to predict how something will turn out—a job, a relationship, a health concern, or even a pandemic—is stressful and can be...

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....

Wendi Murdoch

Relentlessly curious...

Does Appearance Matter?

It was junior year of high school when I discovered the boy I had a crush on had a crush on someone else. Heartbroken,...

Stop Telling People What to Do: Try This Game-Changing Strategy Instead

Stop telling me what to do! How many arguments grow out of this rebellious sentiment? Nobody likes to be bossed around. Most of us want...

Unlock Your Resilience

If the subway is pulling away just as you reach the platform do you take it personally? Will it affect the rest of your...

Are You a Voter?

An interesting study found that people who were asked the question: "How important is it to you to be a voter in the upcoming election?" were more likely...

Are People Out to Get You?

“Do you ever feel that people are out to get you?” I ask new patients this question. I am trying to assess whether the person...

The Science-Backed Power of Clothes

When I was a little girl, I loved playing dress-up. It didn’t take much. A red napkin magically became a superhero’s cape, and I...

“Sorry Syndrome”: Do You Apologize for the Rain?

When someone steps on my foot, I am the first to say, “I’m sorry.” I apologize for the weather, for terrible traffic, the long...

Do You Check Your Phone First Thing in the Morning?

If checking your phone is the first thing you do when you wake up, you may want to rethink your morning routine. Tristan Harris,...

Walk This Way: The Psychology of Shoes

While scholars and orthopedic surgeons alike may roll their eyeballs at a pair of hair-covered Gucci slides or one of Fashion Week’s towering Ziggy...

Don’t Let A Single Story Define You: Rewriting Your Past

When I was in training to become a psychiatrist, an old-school mastermind in the field asked the class what I thought was an obvious...

How to Overcome the “What the hell?” Effect

Does every day begin with the best intentions? You wake up early, eat a healthy breakfast, and plan on a healthy lunch, working out after...

Gratitude is a Verb

I probably say “thank you” at least 50 times a day. It’s not because I have excessive amounts of gratitude; it’s an automatic response. As...

Is Binge-Watching your Favorite TV Show Making You Depressed?

If getting into bed for a marathon session of House of Cards sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday, think again. It...

Do “Perfect” People Annoy You?

For all those who live in fear of making a mistake, take heart. Kevan Lee explains: “Those who never make mistakes are perceived as less...

Stay Connected While Keeping Your Distance

As a psychiatrist, I recognize how valuable everyday interactions are for mental health. We are deeply social creatures who need others as much as...