How long do we feel sad after a serious personal setback? And what sorts of setbacks are particularly impactful?

In these extraordinary times, I took a detour into new research from the field of Labor Economics to examine this question… how long does sadness last after a significant setback?

Generative Questions gently challenge assumptions, disrupt established reactive structures, interrupt automatic cognitive processes and thought patterns, and encourage you to start talking differently, and maybe…even consider behaving differently!

Here are 43 Generative Questions! Try these at home!

As people age, their brains inevitably undergo changes that can impact cognitive function.

However, recent research shows that older adults often develop strategies to use their brains more efficiently than younger folks...

The largest-ever survey on the subject finds that almost 40% of people's first memories are fictional.

Most people's real, verifiable earliest memories date from around three-and-a-half years of age, scientists have found.

However, almost 40% of people claim to have memories from age two or younger, which is highly unlikely.

Older people are more likely to have these fictional early memories.

The impact of our closest relationships on our physical health is significant, with both positive and negative experiences playing crucial roles.

Research indicates that folks who experience more negative interactions and hold more negative perceptions about their closest relationships tend to have worse physical health outcomes.

This includes higher stress levels, increased blood pressure reactivity (a sign of poor health), and greater difficulties coping with daily challenges.

Being a non-conformist isn't just about standing out in a crowd; it could be a marker of higher intelligence.

Recent research suggests that humans with higher IQs are more inclined to resist conformity and make independent choices, even when it means going against the majority.

Using fMRI brain scanning technology, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) system has been developed to interpret people's thoughts.

Although not entirely precise, this AI can grasp the essence of the thoughts of willing participants.

This advancement represents a significant step forward in decoding complex ideas from brain activity, as opposed to the previous focus on single words or short sentences.

Gratitude isn't just about warm feelings; it can be a powerful motivator.

A recent study shows that taking a few minutes each day to jot down things you're grateful for can significantly boost your motivation levels.

Researchers found that this simple exercise had a lasting impact, with participants reporting increased motivation even three months later.

Expressing gratitude through writing, especially in the form of a letter that is never sent, taps into a profound mechanism that enhances our emotional well-being.

The act of composing a heartfelt message to someone we appreciate can evoke deep-seated feelings of gratitude, connection, and positivity.

Research has revealed a method to pinpoint therapists who may unknowingly be at higher risk of emotional contagion, particularly in the context of therapists and other professionals who interact with distressed humans.

These professionals can inadvertently absorb negative emotions from their clients, potentially leading to personal struggles with depression.

This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, occurs automatically and unconsciously, making it challenging for therapists to recognize…

When we engage in empathetic thinking, our brain suppresses the analytical network, and vice versa—when the brain activates the analytical networks, the ability to empathize diminishes.

This discovery marks the first time researchers have observed a limitation in our capacity to be both analytical and empathetic simultaneously…

Research into attachment style compatibility highlights the most challenging combination for personal relationships, revealing that the Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Styles are the least compatible.

But isn’t this sort of armchair astrology playing God? I strongly condemn the trend of identifying the “worst” attachment style combination…