Living Forward

Relationships

Why Situationships Rarely Evolve Into Relationships

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on January 16, 2024

Situationships are becoming much more common but they generally lack a fundamental condition needed to evolve into committed relationships.

Situationships are becoming much more common but they generally lack a fundamental condition needed to evolve into committed relationships.

Stress

Nurturing Serenity: Natural Ways to Calm Your Nervous System

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on January 1, 2024

In today's world, almost everyone's nervous system is overstressed, which can negatively affect how we think, feel, and behave. Learn natural ways to restore calm and balance.

In today's world, almost everyone's nervous system is overstressed, which can negatively affect how we think, feel, and behave. Learn natural ways to restore calm and balance.

Relationships

How to Navigate the Confusing Communication of Modern Love

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on December 26, 2023

Modern love communication has gotten more confusing. When mental templates fail, these 5 strategies can provide insight.

Modern love communication has gotten more confusing. When mental templates fail, these 5 strategies can provide insight.

Hedonic Treadmill

Why It's OK to Want More Than What You Have

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Ever feel guilty for wanting a better life? Not being satisfied is an important psychological drive, but you can still be happy.

Ever feel guilty for wanting a better life? Not being satisfied is an important psychological drive, but you can still be happy.

Bias

Filter Bubbles Aren't Just Online, They're Also in Your Head

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

Filter bubbles don't just exist on the internet. Our cognitive biases shape our reality. Learn what you can do to avoid getting trapped by the filters in your head.

Filter bubbles don't just exist on the internet. Our cognitive biases shape our reality. Learn what you can do to avoid getting trapped by the filters in your head.

Cognition

How Your Thinking Affects Your Brain Chemistry

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on April 10, 2023

Your thoughts are chemical and what you think about matters because it affects the balance of your neurochemistry. These strategies can help improve your brain health.

Your thoughts are chemical and what you think about matters because it affects the balance of your neurochemistry. These strategies can help improve your brain health.

Mindfulness

5 Ways to Connect to Your Authentic Self

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

Many people are confused by the idea that we are not our thoughts. These five strategies can help you connect more with your authentic self.

Many people are confused by the idea that we are not our thoughts. These five strategies can help you connect more with your authentic self.

Cognition

Why Thinking About the Future Can Improve Depression

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 26, 2023

Traditional therapy focuses on talking about the past, but research has shown that focusing on the future may be the key to feeling good.

Traditional therapy focuses on talking about the past, but research has shown that focusing on the future may be the key to feeling good.

Confidence

The Change That Can Boost Anyone's Dating Confidence

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on January 22, 2023

Many people struggle with a fear of not being chosen. Learn how to turn the tables and become a more confident dater.

Many people struggle with a fear of not being chosen. Learn how to turn the tables and become a more confident dater.

Friends

Why Asking Your Friends for Support Could Be Hurting You

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

Not all support from your friends is in your best interest. Learn what you can do to get the positive support you need and want.

Not all support from your friends is in your best interest. Learn what you can do to get the positive support you need and want.

Loneliness

3 Ways to Communicate Your Feelings After You've Been Hurt

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

The automatic tendency to withdraw or lash out when you are hurt can make the situation worse. Here's how to communicate your feelings in a way that brings you closer.

The automatic tendency to withdraw or lash out when you are hurt can make the situation worse. Here's how to communicate your feelings in a way that brings you closer.

Ghosting

Why Fading Out of a Relationship Can Be Worse Than Ghosting

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on June 27, 2021

Ghosting is mean, but the slow fade is a prolonged form of gaslighting that can harm someone's future relationships.

Ghosting is mean, but the slow fade is a prolonged form of gaslighting that can harm someone's future relationships.

Dreaming

4 Ways to Recover from Disappointment

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 31, 2021

We all have dreams that sometimes get crushed. Learn how to stop disappointment from holding you back.

We all have dreams that sometimes get crushed. Learn how to stop disappointment from holding you back.

Depression

You Can Be Happy and Here's Why You Should Never Stop Trying

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 21, 2021

Happiness is not an elusive, mysterious force. It is the result of a set of skills that anyone can learn.

Happiness is not an elusive, mysterious force. It is the result of a set of skills that anyone can learn.

Career

7 Ways to Get More Out of Your Therapy Sessions

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 20, 2021

For some, therapy radically alters their lives, while others feel like they are going in circles and never getting anywhere. Find out what you can do to make it transformative for you.

For some, therapy radically alters their lives, while others feel like they are going in circles and never getting anywhere. Find out what you can do to make it transformative for you.

Career

How to Create Positive Affirmations That Really Work

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on December 31, 2020

Research shows that affirmations aren't just magical, wishful thinking. These tips will help you create the kind of affirmation that can change your life.

Research shows that affirmations aren't just magical, wishful thinking. These tips will help you create the kind of affirmation that can change your life.

Friends

6 Common Break-Up Mistakes That Often Make Things Worse

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on December 30, 2020

How you handle a break-up can make many degrees of difference in how much distress you feel and how quickly you are able to recover.

How you handle a break-up can make many degrees of difference in how much distress you feel and how quickly you are able to recover.

Cognition

How to See the Blind Spots in Your Thinking

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on December 29, 2020

We all have blind spots that prevent us from making good choices and seeing the world clearly. Use this well proven technique to help you seen what you don't know is there.

We all have blind spots that prevent us from making good choices and seeing the world clearly. Use this well proven technique to help you seen what you don't know is there.

Cognition

4 Common Beliefs That Keep Many People Stuck and Unhappy

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

Living with faulty beliefs is a little bit like playing the game of life with the wrong rules. Learn how to correct them so they won't hold you back.

Living with faulty beliefs is a little bit like playing the game of life with the wrong rules. Learn how to correct them so they won't hold you back.

Confidence

Never Feel Good Enough? How to Find Your Self-Confidence

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on September 28, 2020

Not feeling good enough is very common, even among the most successful people. But not having self-confidence can really hold you back. Learn how to feel good about who you are.

Not feeling good enough is very common, even among the most successful people. But not having self-confidence can really hold you back. Learn how to feel good about who you are.