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Why do Americans believe in Willpower Fitness?
Believing that willpower is an infinite resource can unlock greater reserves of self-control.
However, many people fall into the trap of viewing their willpower as limited and needing periodic recharging, making this belief their reality.
These folks believe in Willflower Fitness, which can ebb and flow.
A revealing study compared beliefs about willpower fitness between Europeans and Americans, shedding light on how cultural perspectives influence self-control.
Why do I let things piss me off?
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
The Second Coming W. B. Yeats
How being in a hurry reveals our true personalities
As a marriage and family therapist, I often emphasize that time is the very essence of life.
It's fascinating how our true selves emerge under the strain of time pressure, a phenomenon that could be described as "being in a hurry” — the way our authentic traits are exposed when we're in a hurry.
This exposure raises profound questions about our nature and the role of time in shaping our identities.
Boundaries in marriage and the notion of differentiation
“Giving up your individuality to be together is as defeating in the long run as giving up your relationship to maintain your individuality. Either way, you end up being less of a person with less of a relationship.” Dr. David Schnarch.
Understanding Unsupportive Spouse Depression: a closer look
Believing that you have an unsupportive Spouse has been identified as a primary source of depression.
New research shows that partners who believe that they have unsupportive spouses are at higher risk of depression than those who were alone and unmarried.
But what is unsupportive spouse depression?
Emotional abuse and marital conflict quiz
I think of emotional abuse as a combination of two of the Four Horsemen (Contempt and Criticism) standing upon an aggressive foundation of chronically manipulative and controlling behaviors.
It is the investment in control and domination that is the chief feature of emotional abuse. Here’s what you need to know…
Teen internet use and depression
Excessive internet use is increasingly linked to depression, according to a comprehensive review of recent research.
As a marriage and family therapist, I’ll explore the impacts of internet overuse on adolescent mental health, and best practices for achieving a healthier balance.
Can AI De-professionalize Therapy? The curious case of KAI the AI therapist
Imagine spilling your teenage angst to a robot and actually feeling better!
That's not the opening line to a sci-fi novel but the reality for over 10,000 adolescents who chatted with an AI therapist named KAI.
Over six weeks, these young folks reported improvements in their psychological well-being, according to a recent study.
But could this new wave of AI therapy inadvertently de-professionalize the field of mental health?
Marital fight autopsy… the Gold-Standard Gottman model
A meta-conversation is when a couple discusses how their past fights have evolved, paying particular attention to how they treated each other during that heated fight.
Meta originally comes from Greek and means “higher” or “above.”
Meta-conversations are a critical skill in marital repair.
Divorce with kids: help your kids survive
Divorce with kids in mind. Here we discuss how to minimize the effects of divorce on children by taking good care of your own needs, explaining divorce in an understandable way to your children, listen to feelings, don’t try to fix them, and set up valuable routines.
What not to do? That’s here as well…
Natural talent vs. hard work? Which do humans prefer?
The naturally talented hold a special place in people’s minds. Those with superior innate abilities are automatically preferred over hard workers — even when their achievements are similar.
For example, professional musicians prefer a musical performance by someone described as talented over that of a hard worker (Schulz, 1994).
The impact of increased screen time on children's mental health and OCD
During the recent COVID pandemic, children's screen time has significantly increased, doubling from previous levels.
This surge in screen usage raises concerns about its impact on mental health, particularly the risk of developing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).