Think Better-Live Better

07/25/2023

What makes life work living? Sign up for a 5-week class at Arapahoe Community College to learn about the science of happiness.

06/03/2022

We all have "must dos", but what about "get to dos"?

We need prioritize what brings you goodness and act on it. Many of my students will be on their phone for 5 hours a day, but claim they don't have time for friends.

Be mindful of the activities and people that truly bring us joy and amusement.

Barbara Fredrickson opened the first full day of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association conference with the question,

06/02/2022

This is a great resource! Each day, challenge yourself to boost your wellness. Each day has a link to help you with the mission. Bookmark this page!

This month, talk about the hard stuff.

01/01/2022

! Here are some great books that changed my thinking for the good. Reading books about well-being, resilience, self-compassion, etc., has truly helped me. I hope some of these can be helpful to you.

Research has shown the tremendous importance of gratitude.  People that express genuine gratitude are show less depression symptoms, get along better with others, sleep better, and are physically healthier.  In addition, therapists are finding that doing a daily gratitude journal helps suicidal pa...

12/30/2021

The benefits of are great! It can help our response, build better , and make it more . We are built to be , so helping others is an almost instinctual part of us.

A new study shows that doing kind things for others is an important path to happiness.

12/27/2021

Today's Tip--Use active and constructive responding in your relationships.

When someone shares with you, interact with questions, eye contact, and full attention.

Help them relive their positive moment as much as possible.

Capitalization describes the positive response from the sharing one’s successes, which can also be defined as active constructive responding.

06/22/2021

Today's Tip--Think better about helping others. Want to engage in some "self help"? Help someone out today that is unexpected or in a way that makes a difference. It not only will benefit them and lift them up, it will lift you up as well.

The benefits of social regulation of emotion.

03/04/2021

Yes!!

Developing greater agency can help you make important life decisions and feel less overwhelmed, stuck, and lost.

03/01/2021

Today's Tip--Think better about complaining. It is natural for us, and actually good for us, to talk about things that are bothering us. It's a part of our stress response. But, do we do so in an effective way to where we start solving the problem and/or become more settled in a situation? This is a great, short read about how we can complain better to really improve our lives (that doesn't mean we should do it more . . . 😀)

Studies reveal when people complain and what happens next.

03/01/2021

Today's Tip--Think better about work-life balance. Adam Grant from UPenn has discussed that we should give up the work-life balance ideal and think about work-life rhythm. What is the appropriate amount for time for work, play, and self-care? I think we fail to find a "balance" because it's so hard to know what is appropriate. Find time in your day for all and build routines to get you in the flow and stop worrying if you're getting "enough".

Is work-life rhythm a more realistic description of what 21st-century workers can hope to achieve? Here’s why some folks think so.

02/01/2021

Today's Tip--Think better about daydreaming. The mindfulness movement is important--it helps our well-being for sure. But, if we need an escape from our present reality, daydream, don't turn on the TV or get on your phone. It can help creativity and even help relationships.