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How to Survive Family Drama During Holidays?

How to Survive Family Drama During Holidays?

Many of us dread a few common challenges as the holiday season approaches. One of the most significant is dealing with family drama and its aftermath. Vacation is meant to be a time to break free from obligations and restore our energy. However, family gatherings...

Optimism and Happiness How are they Related?

Optimism and Happiness How are they Related?

To be resilient, we must delve deeper into our inner strengths and enhance our ability to recover from stressful events. High optimism, or hope, is one of the critical characteristics. However, individuals suffering from clinical depression or suicidal ideations often...

Embrace Radical Acceptance, Find Happiness

Embrace Radical Acceptance, Find Happiness

During my recent vacation in Croatia with my family, I experienced a flight cancellation on my last day of travel. Despite feeling disappointed, I chose to practice radical acceptance. I acknowledged that the situation was beyond my control and decided to make the...

Kindness: How can this virtue make us Happy?

Kindness: How can this virtue make us Happy?

“Mother Teresa Holding a Child “painting by Dominique Amendola. Most world religions have long taught that people should prioritize others over themselves. Charles Darwin didn’t see humankind as biologically competitive and self-interested. He believed we are a...

What is Flow? How can being in “Flow makes us Happy?

What is Flow? How can being in “Flow makes us Happy?

Have you realized how quickly time passes when you are engrossed in an activity? It can be playing cards, musical instruments, or fine needlework. What is happening here? Scientists call it a state of Flow or being in a zone.  What is it? "Psychological Flow"...

Happiness through Spirituality

Happiness through Spirituality

Gulf Shore State Park, Alabama In my previous blog, I talked about the advantages of religion in providing positive mental health. This blog will focus on the positive advantages of spirituality on mental health, well-being, and happiness. What is spirituality? ...

How Traveling Can Boost Your Happiness

How Traveling Can Boost Your Happiness

The recent pandemic made us realize how much we miss traveling. It brought out cabin fever, and we felt stuck in a rut like in the Groundhog Day movie. However, the recent rush for traveling, combined with poor service and inclement weather, has made us think twice...

Want to live longer and happier? Work on Social Fitness 

Want to live longer and happier? Work on Social Fitness 

Look at the Fingers!! In 1938, a group of researchers from Harvard University began a study on 724 teenagers. The study spanned several decades and aimed to uncover the key factors contributing to life's happiness. The participants were monitored every two years....

Do not let Comparison and Envy steal your Happiness

Do not let Comparison and Envy steal your Happiness

Many years ago, one of my patients told me that happiness is a commodity. Its value decreases when negative emotions enter one’s life. Unfortunately, comparison and envy can be significant obstacles on the path to happiness.  “Be yourself; everyone else is...

Road To Happiness: Can Our Pet Bring Happiness?

Road To Happiness: Can Our Pet Bring Happiness?

This may be one of my most challenging articles as I never had a pet and never intended to have one. This study(PDF) supports my dislike. However, coming to the USA, I realized that pets are essential to our lives. This article is dedicated to those who love their...

How Our Hobbies Can Make Us Live a Happier Life

How Our Hobbies Can Make Us Live a Happier Life

How Our Hobbies Can Make Us Live a Happier Life We divide our time into sleep, work, family/other connections, and personal or leisure time. A 2021 study showed that whereas having too little time is linked to lower subjective well-being caused by stress, having more...

Achieving Well-Being and Happiness Through Forgiveness

Achieving Well-Being and Happiness Through Forgiveness

Unforgiving Atacama Desert, Chile Life is a long journey, and studies suggest that nearly 70% of people may experience some form of trauma during their lifetime. These experiences can range from minor to severe and involve us or people we are close to, such as...

Road to Happiness: Can our Community Work make us Happy?

Road to Happiness: Can our Community Work make us Happy?

Holidays are created around traditions, and one of the holiday traditions is to give either by money or by time. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25% of adults volunteer. The number goes up as we age and down after age 80. Those who volunteer early are...

Road to Happiness: How Can Money Buy Happiness?

Road to Happiness: How Can Money Buy Happiness?

In the last few articles, I introduced the concept of achieving happiness following the five W's I have thought through. These are •      Well-being of ourselves: physical, mental, and personality •      Working...

Road to Happiness: Can Money Buy Happiness?

Road to Happiness: Can Money Buy Happiness?

In the last four articles, I introduced the concept of achieving happiness following the five W’s I have thought through. These are Well-being of ourselves: physical, mental, and personalityWorking partner/Spouse/LoveWork and retirement⦁ Wealth or absence of poverty⦁...

Road to Subjective Well-being is right in front of you.

Road to Subjective Well-being is right in front of you.

As we discussed earlier, happiness is a transient concept as it changes like a pulse or blood sugar. Happiness is short-lasting, and it will escape quickly from your heart with new negative stresses or expectations in life. Well-being talks about our...

Road to Happiness Part 2 : Well-being for Our Selves 

Road to Happiness Part 2 : Well-being for Our Selves 

Last month I introduced the concept of achieving happiness following the five W’s I have thought through. These are Well-being of ourselves: physical, mental, and personality Wealth or absence of poverty Working partner/Spouse/Love Work and retirement Well-wishers...

Grief through the Holidays

Grief through the Holidays

They say that nothing is guaranteed but death and taxes.    We grumble about the former and try to avoid the reality of the later.  Most of us would rather pay taxes than have to deal with the reality of the death of someone close to us.  The finality of death...

Positive Psychiatry: Its Time Has Come

Positive Psychiatry: Its Time Has Come

Executive Summary  Positive psychiatry is the science and practice of psychiatry that seeks to understand and promote well-being through assessment and interventions aimed at enhancing behavioral and mental wellness. Positive psychological characteristics such as...