Friendship 2.0

Cognition

4 Small Psychological Shifts for Your Spring Well-Being

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

"Spring cleaning" often applies to dusty closets, leaf-riddled yards, or cluttered kitchens. But why not make a few small changes to help your brain feel freer and clearer as well?

"Spring cleaning" often applies to dusty closets, leaf-riddled yards, or cluttered kitchens. But why not make a few small changes to help your brain feel freer and clearer as well?

Loneliness

The Startling Loneliness of Middle-Aged Americans

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on March 27, 2024

It's been known for years that loneliness is a significant public health problem across the globe. New data suggests the problem may be getting worse.

It's been known for years that loneliness is a significant public health problem across the globe. New data suggests the problem may be getting worse.

Stress

How Spending Time With Dogs Can Benefit the Brain

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on March 24, 2024

Many of us feel like time spent with dogs helps our bodies relax and our minds destress. New research attempts to see exactly why that happens.

Many of us feel like time spent with dogs helps our bodies relax and our minds destress. New research attempts to see exactly why that happens.

Artificial Intelligence

Can Artificial Intelligence Predict Your Life, and Death?

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on December 21, 2023

Discussions around AI's effects on our lives are numerous. Recent research into an additional angle, the prediction of what will happen in our lives, raises additional questions.

Discussions around AI's effects on our lives are numerous. Recent research into an additional angle, the prediction of what will happen in our lives, raises additional questions.

Health

6 Ways to Avoid All-or-None Thinking About Your Health Habits

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

Research shows that many of us let go of our health habits over the holidays. Here are some ways to enjoy the season without disrupting your goals permanently.

Research shows that many of us let go of our health habits over the holidays. Here are some ways to enjoy the season without disrupting your goals permanently.

Trauma

Traumatic Memories Really Do Feel Different

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on December 17, 2023

New research adds concrete evidence that traumatic memories are stored and recalled differently than everyday memories, even everyday memories that are sad.

New research adds concrete evidence that traumatic memories are stored and recalled differently than everyday memories, even everyday memories that are sad.

Depression

How Social Support Can Reduce Your Risk for Depression

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on September 30, 2023

The role of social support in buffering against depression just got even more clear.

The role of social support in buffering against depression just got even more clear.

Career

The High Cost of Overfocusing on Work

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

We all know that workaholism doesn't sound ideal. But a recent study examines even more clearly the possible detrimental effects of overfocusing on achievement.

We all know that workaholism doesn't sound ideal. But a recent study examines even more clearly the possible detrimental effects of overfocusing on achievement.

Child Development

How Recess May Help Your Child's Resilience

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

A new study shows that children who got more daily exercise had important differences in stress hormone activity when facing unsettling situations.

A new study shows that children who got more daily exercise had important differences in stress hormone activity when facing unsettling situations.

Anxiety

A Surprising Way to Make Weekends More Refreshing

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on June 29, 2023

Research shows that there is a specific mindset that can make your weekend feel significantly more fulfilling, and it's not hard to come by.

Research shows that there is a specific mindset that can make your weekend feel significantly more fulfilling, and it's not hard to come by.

Neuroplasticity

How Entrepreneurs' Brains Might Be Different

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

New research illuminates the role of cognitive flexibility in the brains of entrepreneurs. But what made them that way?

New research illuminates the role of cognitive flexibility in the brains of entrepreneurs. But what made them that way?

Depression

Can Birth Control Pills Raise the Risk of Depression?

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on June 20, 2023

New research establishes a potential connection between oral contraception and depression—but what does it really tell us?

New research establishes a potential connection between oral contraception and depression—but what does it really tell us?

Anxiety

The Realities of JOMO Versus FOMO

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

Some people with social anxiety express JOMO rather than FOMO—they get joy from missing out rather than having the fear of it. But recent research suggests that it may be more complicated.

Some people with social anxiety express JOMO rather than FOMO—they get joy from missing out rather than having the fear of it. But recent research suggests that it may be more complicated.

Stress

Why You Should Call an Old Friend Today

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

Proactively reaching out to a friend, even in a simple way, can provide a meaningful boost in mood and decrease stress, according to a new study.

Proactively reaching out to a friend, even in a simple way, can provide a meaningful boost in mood and decrease stress, according to a new study.

Prosopagnosia

Can Covid Cause "Face Blindness"?

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on March 17, 2023

A recently published case study links Covid infection with the development of prosopagnosia in one particular young woman.

A recently published case study links Covid infection with the development of prosopagnosia in one particular young woman.

Suicide

How to Tell Who's at Risk of Suicide

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on December 31, 2022

The more that we know about the risk factors and warning signs for suicide, especially for kids and teens, the more we can connect people to the help they need.

The more that we know about the risk factors and warning signs for suicide, especially for kids and teens, the more we can connect people to the help they need.

Sleep

11 Ways to Make Winter a Little Brighter

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on December 14, 2022

Many people find that the darkness of winter corresponds to a darkness in their mood. Here are some actionable tools that can help combat the winter blues.

Many people find that the darkness of winter corresponds to a darkness in their mood. Here are some actionable tools that can help combat the winter blues.

Bias

When Mental Health Problems and Societal Ills Interact

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on October 13, 2022

Reactions can be complicated when those with potential mental health challenges go public with troubling beliefs.

Reactions can be complicated when those with potential mental health challenges go public with troubling beliefs.

Anxiety

Anxiety About Pregnancy Is Tied to Preterm Birth

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Anxiety in pregnant women is common—and they need proper support to help avoid negative outcomes, recent research reveals.

Anxiety in pregnant women is common—and they need proper support to help avoid negative outcomes, recent research reveals.

Forgiveness

6 Things Not to Do During an Apology

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on September 29, 2022

Apologies come in all varieties, from truthful to disingenuous and collaborative to manipulative. Here's how to make yours more meaningful and effective.

Apologies come in all varieties, from truthful to disingenuous and collaborative to manipulative. Here's how to make yours more meaningful and effective.