Positive Psychology Articles

Part of the Hardgainer Workout philosophy is to exercise as efficiently as possible in the gym, and one of the easiest ways to gain healthy weight is by using free weights. Today I want to talk about one of the most productive, muscle building exercises that you can do in the gym: the DEADLIFT. Don’t be intimidated by the name. The deadlift is a whole body, multi-joint, ultra-metabolism boosting exercise that should be incorporated into your routine. You need this Hardgainer exercise in order to gain muscle mass and build your body.

Dreams are as centrally exposed and driven as you make them. Either they're important or they're not. It's your night of esoteric surrender. However, dreams do mean different things to different people, depending upon the relevance one places on the content. If you are not interested in investing the time to study, energy to accrue the relative symbolism and most emphatically, simply can’t relate to the messages offered, considering them to be a bunch of hodge-podge nonsense, then that’s precisely what they are.

We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today. To change means to choose to change. ~John Maxwell What kind of thoughts come to your mind when you think about your life? How about your family, your work, your future? Suppose your thoughts could change your destiny. Would you want to change or improve any of them?

Research by leading universities in the field of cognitive and behavioral science proves the existence of so called “automatic thoughts”, i.e. thoughts that come to mind involuntarily and effortlessly as an automatic response to certain stimuli. These are the thoughts that ultimately determine ...

In today’s tough economic times, many people are facing very difficult life situations. There is mounting uncertainty in the air because so many people have already lost their jobs and their homes. It’s not easy to stay cool, calm and collected when you don’t know what to expect tomorrow. You may feel that staying lighthearted is impossible in today’s world. But after working as a psychotherapist for 30 years, I have found seven simple tools that have proven themselves again and again for coming through the darkness to a more lighthearted way of living.

______THE SCIENCE BEHIND SHOELACE TYING Almost always, you put on either your right shoe initially or your left shoe. Usually, you tie your shoes by either passing the right-hand lace around back of the left-hand lace, or vice versa. Tomorrow morning decide which shoe you put on first and how you lace up your shoes. Now, by putting on the other shoe earlier and tying your shoelaces in a contrary way, consciously resolve that for the next 21 days you are going to structure a n

In order to address the importance of self affirmations, one must first know the definition of the word 'self'. The dictionary defines 'self' as the true nature of a person. It is the 'self' which makes one person different from other people. This might be termed 'the individuality of a person'. It may be said that 'self' is the very essence of who we are. ‘Self’ is the “I”, which is the distinguishing facet of our very existence. Now that we have formulated a definit

Whether you are watching a movie, riding in an elevator, listening to a commercial on the radio, or simply shopping, you will find that there is always some kind of background instrumental music playing. You may not even be aware of it, but it is there setting the mood. In a movie, it becomes a part of your experience. You grip your seat as you feel the tension building. The excitement makes your heart race. You feel the sadness and are moved to tears. In an elevator, background instrumental music may comfort and soothe you, or it may help you to relax and slow down a little.

The term Ayur-Veda is well known both in India and in the Western world. Much of what is called Ayur-Veda today in India and around the world has, in fact, been fragmented, lost or forgotten over time, or known to just a few experts. The effect of foreign invasions of India, including the British, has been very detrimental to the knowledge and practice of Ayur-Veda. The knowledge has been distorted through incorrect translations, the practice of Ayur-Veda has been disrupted and in many cases prohibited.

All sorts of things can trigger irritability in people, from minor traffic jams to major headaches. Everyone gets upset or annoyed sometimes. We all have lost our temper and reacted without thinking. We have succumbed to anger that drives us to say and do things we normally wouldn’t. And it is when we lose control over our thoughts and feelings, that our irritability and anger can do some major damage to our relationships and lives.

Many people cling to the myth that those who are successful inevitably feel good about themselves and are free from self-doubt and insecurities. I’ve worked with many clients whose résumés, personal achievements, and reputations garner the deepest respect and admiration, yet their negative self-talk is often utterly brutal. Despite their low opinion of themselves, they’ve managed to fashion lives that many would envy.

I remember when I was a child how much I loved my grandmother Rose Silverman's things. They were not just the functional plastic items, earthenware and stuffed sofas that most families had when I grew up. All of the furniture and things in her apartment were 'alive' with romance, magic and ...

We’ve all heard the horror stories of young adults and children having hurtful or embarrassing photos, video and/or speech about them posted on the Internet for the world to see. But did you know that cyber-bullying can be as simple as sending an email to someone who has indicated they do not want to have any further contact with you? I also have a personal dislike for all the chain emails that go out, especially those that indicate something will or won’t happen if you don’t forward it on to ten or more of your friends.

Even in the best of times, life can be challenging. Sometimes failing health or loss of a job may be at the root of our concerns. Other times it may be smaller things, such as feeling left out, being criticized or feeling judged by others that sends us for a loop. And that’s the focus of this piece.nnDisapproval may feel uncomfortable, but it can also be instructive and helpful. When someone reacts negatively to you, or doesn’t respond at all, it may actually be their iss

To find the good life you must become yourself. ~ Dr. Bill Jackson We all want to be liked by others. We want to be accepted for who we are, and we want to feel free to be our genuine selves around them. But sometimes we feel pressured to live up to a certain image or expectation of what we think will please or impress others. So we try to become someone we are not. And we might even compromise our values and beliefs to receive the approval we seek.

There is nothing quite as agonizing as waiting. We wait for people. We wait for reports and news. We wait to get to where we want to go. Waiting slows us down and it also speeds us up. It speeds us up in that we get restless, anxious and agitated. We might become even more motivated and ...

“Have you Decided to Be Happy?” Happiness is a state of the mind. Therefore one must decide to be happy. It is an emotion that can be controlled. However, the focus should not be limited to if one obtains tangible things. For example, I will be happy if I get a house, a car, or a higher paying job. When an individual base their happiness on the “if contingency,” they are limiting their emotion.

“Take a deep breath” you must have heard these words many a times but hardly anybody knows how it helps us. Breathing is very important part of our life. If we don’t eat we might survive for one week or if we don’t drink then we might survive for 3 or 4 days but if we don’t breathe then we can’t survive for more than 2 minutes. So let’s understand how deep breathing works and what are its benefits.

How many times have you told yourself, "It's just your imagination"? How many times, particularly when you were young, were you told, "It was just your imagination"? Have you ever told anyone, when they confided an experience to you, "It was just your imagination"?

One of the greatest challenges in loving others is to forgive them when they have wronged us and caused us pain. Every time we are wronged, we have to choose how we are going to deal with the hurt. Ultimately, we have to decide if we will forgive the person or persons who have wronged us, or if we will hold on to the hurt. If we hold on to the hurt, it will keep us from loving them. It will keep us angry and upset. We will not be open the release the hurt. Instead, it will continue to fester and grow. Unresolved hurts that are not forgiven continue to cause pain.

People in today’s world are continuously on a move. They rarely find the time to vent their thoughts and emotions in real life. In earlier times, men had less work and ample free time. They found the time to share their different thoughts through various mediums. They resorted to writing letters, penning the deepest thoughts of life in the personal diary. As days progressed, people became busy with various activities. Life became too fast. They could rarely find the time to

Awhile ago, I attended a beautiful wedding. A young Jewish couple came together in joy and the room was filled with happiness. Outside of the banquet room I noticed a group of older women sitting near the door collecting charity. They all looked very pure and plain at the same time, young seniors and older seniors, nothing fancy about them. Their hips were full. They were wearing comfortable walking shoes and somewhat frumpy looking clothing. There wore either wigs or kerchiefs.

Five Joyous Habits Human beings are moral animals. According to Dr Martin Seligman we each exhibit six virtues common across cultures and traditions. They are wisdom and knowledge, courage, love and humanity, justice, temperance, spirituality and transcendence. These virtues encapsulate the notion of good character. The way in which we each achieve the virtues is dependent on our individual strengths of character. Using our strengths produces good consequences and positive emotion, not only in yourself but in those around you who witness the display of a strength.

Divorce is a major stressful event for children and adults. To children, divorce is confusing. They have so many conce s and questions about how their lives will change. They cannot control what is happening to their family, and they often think that they are responsible for their parents divorce. Strong emotions are experienced such as hurt and anger. For adults and children, divorce is an adjustment that takes time. It is more difficult for some than others, depending on a number of factors. Conflict between parents creates more stress and difficulty for children of divorce.

Practicing gratitude is one of the best habits we can develop. It not only changes our lives, but it affects others around us. Our gratitude is like a positive energy that can inspire and energize others. I knew a woman who always confessed that she had a black cloud that followed her wherever she went. And guess what, it did! That black cloud was her negativity and lack of gratitude. Although she had much to be thankful for and some good opportunities in her life, she always found something to grumble and complain about. This woman was one of the most unhappy people I have ever known.

GOOD NEWS FOR NEW MOMS What every new Mom needs to knowr Seven ancient secrets to restoring happiness and vitality after childbirth: Childbirth — a turning point in a woman's lifer

How do you typically embrace the world? Are you constantly waiting for the storm to arrive, or do you look forward to a day of uncertainty? Do you typically see the good in most situations, or are you constantly looking over your shoulder? nnI am a firm believer that the lens through which you see the world can color all your experiences in life. I was lucky enough to have been brought up in a loving and enriching home, where we expected the best and survived the worst. My mo

This is the century in which the introvert will “shine.” In the past, we have valued the extrovert more in the marketplace, because communication, negotiation, marketing/sales, etc. always occurred face-to-face, and the extrovert thrived in an atmosphere of “people presence” and lots of activity. The introvert, on the other hand, tended to be the back office person, perhaps the “number cruncher” or the researcher, but never the big deal closer or the one responsible for the successful marketing campaign. How things have changed!

I believe the current popular 'Models' for PTSD, depression and suicide are not accurate, as they are not time efficient. n nAt this time, November 2008 the widely applied and acceptable therapies are not brief, and the disabilities go on for years, if not decades. If the symptoms were relieved or addressed in a brief time, that would show the model of depression is correct. n nContained here are over 20 years of my own experience and directed education. This education and ex

People have a need to be listened to because of an increased sense of isolation at home and at work. Listening to someone shows that you care for that person. When we do not listen, we are showing that we really do not care about the person who is talking. Listening creates connection, caring, a sense of community or belonging and can be a catharsis for the speaker. It is one of the most important aspects of a helping relationship. Also, listening is good for your health.

It comes as no surprise, but stress isn’t good for you. Well of course, you knew that already but the question for most people is how to tame it. Here’s a secret I discovered: In actuality there is no such thing as a ‘stress thing’ outside of us. It is our interpretation of the events in our life that causes us to feel stressed or not.

Mindfulness – So What? Most have heard of mindfulness while few truly practice it Mindfulness comes to us in two forms: the spiritual/meditative practice or as a tool in self examination and behavior control.

When I was a younger person, anger and anxiety were my "best friends". I never went anywhere without them. I did not like how they felt but I also did not like the feeling of being without them because they had become so familiar. It was almost like a void if they weren't present. My nervous sytem is very sensitive, so it was constantly in a state of overdrive. I lost my temper easily and could not function very well in a situation that required focus.

Living a balanced life has almost become a fashionable thing to do. Between work, fitness, intellectual stimulation, entertainment, planned relaxation and healthy eating it seems that we have identified all the right ingredients for a healthy and balanced life. While doing all “the right things” ...

We all need a sense of wonder and mystery in our lives. Sometimes a fast paced adventure movie or a good mystery read will satisfy that urge inside of ourselves. But sometimes we need to reach into the past and see that all through the centuries people have reported strange phenomenon, and of ...

So, you are at the point where you realize that you have Binge Eating Disorder and you want to make a change in your life for the better… But what do you do next? If you are like how I was, a mixture of emotions used to begin to fill my head about what my new self would be like. I was excited ...So, you are at the point where you realize that you have Binge Eating Disorder and you want to make a change in your life for the better… But what do you do next? If you are like how I was, a mixture of emotions used to begin to fill my head about what my new self would be like.

To overcome adversity and live a meaningful life that contains within it many opportunities for happiness is a healthy human goal. To get there it is important to practice two behaviors that help to make life the greatest joy ride of all. These two behaviors are staying connected and taking ...

Negative thinking takes a huge toll on our energy. It prevents us from enjoying every moment that life has to offer (good and bad) and from reaching our goals. We work a job that we really don’t care for instead of making our vocation a vacation (the act of enjoying what you do for a living). I know what this is like because I spent most of my life thinking negatively and had no clue what was wrong with me. What was it that made me different than others who were successful

We are often told to aim high in life, but we must aim at what we would hit instead. A general purpose is not enough. The arrow shot from the bow does not wander around to see what it can hit on its way, but flies straight to the mark. ~Og Mandino

So I said to myself, I want to create something with such paramount value that people love me, my wife and my company. Here it is: How many people in the world do you think are just 'content' in their lives? Most people, for lack of statistics, are NOT happy in their lives. They take pills for anxiety, depression, they overeat, they buy SELF HELP books and don't even open them because they are that far gone!!! Can you believe that? Better question, did I just describe you?

Personal freedom is essential for happiness, for mental well-being and to feel comfortable as an Enchanted Self - someone able to access positive states of meaning again and again, while living a life of meaning and purpose. In the past I have talked about the Exodus from Egypt as a metaphorical ...

This article contains an excerpt from my book, THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive Therapy. The message is so important to all of us attempting to overcome adversity and to live a live of meaning and joy. I hope you enjoy the following and please try the exercise that follows. Time continues to ...

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses. ~ George Washington Carver There never was and there never will be another person exactly like you. Your way of thinking, your appearance, you inherent talents and interests, your skills are like no other. You have untapped potential inside you yet to be discovered and released. As Og Mandino would say, you are "nature's greatest miracle." Are you living like the successful person you were born to be?

Today let's concentrate on being happy. Live life like a child! If you capture the spirit of a child, life becomes much easier. Never let life's pressures bring you down! This is the day the Lord has made--we will rejoice and be glad in it! ~Rev Run Take a moment and think about how you began ...

Matt has an online relationship with a woman from another state. It isn’t anything serious, so why worry his wife? Katie has been hiding her spending sprees from her husband that has put them into serious financial debt. She is afraid if he finds out he will never forgive her. Jason never told his wife that he got fired from his job, but rather, that he got laid off. He did not want her to lose faith and respect for him.

Why would a psychologist take her hand to fiction? Of course because I want people to overcome adversity and live a life worth living, filled with positive emotions. But even more specifically to my own disposition, I am a kind of visionary in the sense that I am always looking for new ways ...

While the Inner Critic is universally destructive and squeezes joy from many lives, its intention is to be a helpful force. It is there to protect. It shames you in an attempt to shield you from experiencing humiliation from exte al sources. Unfortunately while trying to help, it becomes abusive. The Critic believes the best path to receiving love and support is to follow a rigid and limiting set of rules. Those rules, which may have been somewhat helpful when you were a chi

Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever take. The ups and downs, the unexpected changes, the twists and turns, are all a part of living. The roller coaster ride of life can be miserable and uncomfortable or exciting and rewarding. Our states of mind and body are key factors in how ...

In a world where so many people are facing difficult circumstances, what can they do to overcome negative emotions and find happiness? For decades psychologists have been identifying key factors associated with happiness and with depression. However, researchers have rarely looked for a comprehensive formula that can predict happiness and depression accurately.

What every new Mom needs to knowr Seven ancient secrets to restoring happiness and vitality after childbirth: Childbirth — a turning point in a woman's life. But there is often a big gap in the care that is available to new mothers during the first 6-7 weeks after giving birth -- the postpartum period. Usually the first medical check up is after 6 weeks. But this is a time when the new mother can be quite delicate and vulnerable and faces innumerable challenges. It is also during this time that the “baby blues" and postpartum depression often occur.