Posts by Neil Petersen

We often take it for granted that being in a romantic relationship is a good thing and that being single means being relatively lonely. Culturally, the common message seems to be that having a long-term romantic partner is preferable, and that being single means being alone. So does the science back this idea up? To…

Meditation is one of those things like exercise that’s often brought up as a practical task anyone can make a habit of to improve their mental health. And just like there are different forms of exercise, there are also different kinds of meditation to choose from. For example, mindfulness meditation emphasizes, as the name suggests,…

Have you ever wondered how some people can keep their cool even when they’re under extreme pressure? Or maybe you’re one of those people! A new study from researchers in China suggests that personality could be part of it. In the study, participants were subjected to what psychologists call the Trier Social Stress Test, which…

Maybe you’ll never again be as happy as you are right now. Or maybe you’ll continue to get happier and happier as you get older. Clearly, the trajectory happiness takes is different from individual to individual. Some people might experience their thirties as the best time of their lives while others may not hit their…

It’s easy to think of psychiatric disorders as categories with distinct boundaries. Schizophrenia is separate from depression, which is different than anxiety. At a genetic level, though, it’s not at all clear that this is the case. We know that most mental health conditions have a significant genetic component. If you have a family history…

Do you have a Facebook problem? If so, you’re not alone – well, as long as you’re on Facebook, anyway! Psychologists sometimes talk about “Facebook intrusion,” which is the idea that Facebook use can develop addictive or compulsive elements to the point that it starts to interfere with people’s lives. There’s even a questionnaire designed…

Would you take a job that was a bad fit for your personality to make a lot of money? If so, you might be doing it wrong. That’s because, according to a new study published in Psychological Science, being financially successful may in part depend on finding a job that suits your temperament. In the…

If you’re feeling thankful this Thanksgiving, you should be thankful that you’re feeling thankful. Being able to count your blessings is itself a blessing. That’s because psychology research has shown repeatedly that gratitude is associated with a range of good mental health outcomes. Here are some examples. 1. Gratitude Exercises and Psychological Well-Being Because of…

We don’t like to think about it, but there’s no denying it – that turkey that’s now your Thanksgiving dinner was once alive. It was once a living, breathing, gobbling being with hopes, dreams, a loving family, career aspirations. But what really goes on inside the minds of turkeys? I decided I’d do my best…