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Bite-sized insights on the human condition.

Empathy
Is It OK to Feel Good During the Coronavirus Outbreak?

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on May 1, 2020

It isn't bad to feel happy, content, or confident when others are suffering. To understand why, it's important to recognize the difference between empathy and compassion.

It isn't bad to feel happy, content, or confident when others are suffering. To understand why, it's important to recognize the difference between empathy and compassion.

Stress
Top Ways to Deal With Coronavirus Stress

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on April 10, 2020

A recent survey revealed seven major sources of stress related to the coronavirus outbreak. This post provides tips on mitigating these sources of stress.

A recent survey revealed seven major sources of stress related to the coronavirus outbreak. This post provides tips on mitigating these sources of stress.

Happiness
7 Ways We Miss Out on Happiness (and 3 Ways to Stop)

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on May 3, 2016

We all want to be happy, but most of us fall short because of the 7 most common mistakes that we commit. Here are 3 practices that can help us overcome these "happiness sins."

We all want to be happy, but most of us fall short because of the 7 most common mistakes that we commit. Here are 3 practices that can help us overcome these "happiness sins."

Happiness
Is Being a Control Freak Ruining Your Happiness?

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on April 26, 2016

Being overly controlling of others is neither good for your happiness nor for your success. Here's how you can overcome this self-defeating tendency.

Being overly controlling of others is neither good for your happiness nor for your success. Here's how you can overcome this self-defeating tendency.

Happiness
The Case for Gross National Happiness

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on April 12, 2016

If what we ultimately want in life is to lead a happy, fulfilling life, why don't countries measure the happiness of its citizens?

If what we ultimately want in life is to lead a happy, fulfilling life, why don't countries measure the happiness of its citizens?

Happiness
Smart, Successful, and Yet Not Happy?

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on May 26, 2015

Why aren't the smart-and-the-successful as happy as they could--or should--be? In this article, I attempt to provide a broad answer to this question.

Why aren't the smart-and-the-successful as happy as they could--or should--be? In this article, I attempt to provide a broad answer to this question.

Happiness
A Crash Course on Happiness

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on May 19, 2015

Are you a "seeker"—someone who's always been interested in happiness? Have you wondered about what it would take to sustain happiness? Are you curious about the true and the fake determinants of happiness? If so, you may be in luck!

Are you a "seeker"—someone who's always been interested in happiness? Have you wondered about what it would take to sustain happiness? Are you curious about the true and the fake determinants of happiness? If so, you may be in luck!

Conformity
Investors Beware: Good News May Not Breed Good Decisions

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on June 13, 2014

Easy access to online information and the growth of online brokers presents great opportunities for investors, but it also presents some threats. The article explores the danger posed by the tendency to selectively seek and weight confirmatory information, and presents some tips to avoid the "allure of homophily."

Easy access to online information and the growth of online brokers presents great opportunities for investors, but it also presents some threats. The article explores the danger posed by the tendency to selectively seek and weight confirmatory information, and presents some tips to avoid the "allure of homophily."

Appetite
The Nurturer's Curse

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on March 5, 2014

Even at a time when weight-gain and obesity are becoming increasingly prevalent, numerous kids are subject to the nasty habit of being force-fed by their parents. In this article, I examine some of the negative side effects of being force-fed and how parents can get rid of this nasty habit.

Even at a time when weight-gain and obesity are becoming increasingly prevalent, numerous kids are subject to the nasty habit of being force-fed by their parents. In this article, I examine some of the negative side effects of being force-fed and how parents can get rid of this nasty habit.

Happiness
Is Happiness = Reality/Expectations a Good Formula?

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on February 6, 2014

Most people believe that managing expectations is a good way of maintaining high levels of happiness. However, the strategy is not without its pitfalls. In this article, I offer another — more effective — strategy for enhancing happiness.

Most people believe that managing expectations is a good way of maintaining high levels of happiness. However, the strategy is not without its pitfalls. In this article, I offer another — more effective — strategy for enhancing happiness.

Relationships
The Need to Love

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on January 8, 2014

All of us recognize that to feel happy, it's important to feel loved and nurtured. But few of us realize that we have just as deep a desire to love and take care of others.

All of us recognize that to feel happy, it's important to feel loved and nurtured. But few of us realize that we have just as deep a desire to love and take care of others.

Bias
How Negative is Your "Mental Chatter"?

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on October 10, 2013

The thoughts of which most of us are aware tend to be positive. For example, we believe that we are more talented than our peers, that we have a rosy future, and that we are in control of our life. However, my colleagues and I are finding that our sub-conscious thoughts--which could be referred to as our "mental chatter"--tends to be negative. What underlies this discrepan

The thoughts of which most of us are aware tend to be positive. For example, we believe that we are more talented than our peers, that we have a rosy future, and that we are in control of our life. However, my colleagues and I are finding that our sub-conscious thoughts--which could be referred to as our "mental chatter"--tends to be negative. What underlies this discrepan

Happiness
The Coffee or the Cup: Which is More Important?

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on August 19, 2013

Research on happiness reveals that many of us are not as happy as we could be because we chase the superficial things in life—prestigious brands, wealth, beauty, etc.—more than we should. In this article, I discuss some subtleties involved in overcoming the lure of the superficial things in life.

Research on happiness reveals that many of us are not as happy as we could be because we chase the superficial things in life—prestigious brands, wealth, beauty, etc.—more than we should. In this article, I discuss some subtleties involved in overcoming the lure of the superficial things in life.

Happiness
Slow the Seed to Happiness and Success

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on May 28, 2013

Most of us lead such hectic and busy lives that we constantly feel rushed and out of time. Yet, to be happy—and successful—we need to perceive that we have time on our hands to do the things we need and want to do. This article explores the connection between time and happiness, and suggests some ways of slowing down your perception of time.

Most of us lead such hectic and busy lives that we constantly feel rushed and out of time. Yet, to be happy—and successful—we need to perceive that we have time on our hands to do the things we need and want to do. This article explores the connection between time and happiness, and suggests some ways of slowing down your perception of time.

Happiness
The Top 10 Happiness Quick-Fixes

Raj Raghunathan Ph.D. on April 17, 2013

All of us can use a mood booster (or two) when we are feeling blue. Here are the Top Ten Happiness Quick Fixes that can reliably get you out of your funk.

All of us can use a mood booster (or two) when we are feeling blue. Here are the Top Ten Happiness Quick Fixes that can reliably get you out of your funk.