Think, Act, Be

Philosophy

How to Handle Difficult People Like a Stoic

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on April 22, 2024

Our automatic reactions to challenging people tend to be anti-Stoic and increase our suffering. Follow these principles to guard your equanimity.

Our automatic reactions to challenging people tend to be anti-Stoic and increase our suffering. Follow these principles to guard your equanimity.

Trauma

4 Ways Healing From Trauma Can Enrich Your Life

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on April 1, 2024

Trauma often leaves a lasting mark on our bodies and brains. Trauma specialist Peter Levine shares his own healing journey in a new autobiography.

Trauma often leaves a lasting mark on our bodies and brains. Trauma specialist Peter Levine shares his own healing journey in a new autobiography.

Sleep

7 Ways Better Sleep Efficiency Can Fix Your Broken Sleep

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on March 25, 2024

Feeling well-rested isn't just a matter of sleeping more; quality is key. Understanding this crucial measure can help you overcome insomnia.

Feeling well-rested isn't just a matter of sleeping more; quality is key. Understanding this crucial measure can help you overcome insomnia.

Stress

Why Stress Could Make You Age Faster

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on March 18, 2024

Multiple studies have shown that mental health significantly affects biological aging—which in turn can contribute to psychiatric conditions.

Multiple studies have shown that mental health significantly affects biological aging—which in turn can contribute to psychiatric conditions.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Why Does a Difficult Childhood Affect Adult Mental Health?

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on March 11, 2024

Adverse childhood experiences are correlated with adult mental health. But are they the actual cause? A new study pulls apart the effects of genes and the environment.

Adverse childhood experiences are correlated with adult mental health. But are they the actual cause? A new study pulls apart the effects of genes and the environment.

Happiness

Do You Know Someone Who's Chronically Serious?

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on March 4, 2024

Personal Perspective: This common "condition" often strikes in middle adulthood and can crowd out the ability to experience joy.

Personal Perspective: This common "condition" often strikes in middle adulthood and can crowd out the ability to experience joy.

Therapy

8 Ways That Walking Can Transform the Therapy Experience

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on February 28, 2024

Discover all the advantages of therapy sessions that engage body, mind, and heart.

Discover all the advantages of therapy sessions that engage body, mind, and heart.

Stress

A 24-Hour Plan for Reducing Daily Stress

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on February 20, 2024

Life can be a continual series of challenges and demands. Use these simple techniques throughout the day to prevent stress and strain from overwhelming you.

Life can be a continual series of challenges and demands. Use these simple techniques throughout the day to prevent stress and strain from overwhelming you.

Relationships

What It Means to Truly Be Loved

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on February 13, 2024

There are many formal and informal theories about love, and then there are experiences that tell you: This is love.

There are many formal and informal theories about love, and then there are experiences that tell you: This is love.

Depression

Does Depression Serve a Useful Purpose?

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on February 5, 2024

No one enjoys being depressed, but several lines of evidence suggest it can be a helpful teacher.

No one enjoys being depressed, but several lines of evidence suggest it can be a helpful teacher.

Therapy

What Therapy Can and Can’t Do

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on February 2, 2024

Most people find psychotherapy to be beneficial. Bringing realistic goals and expectations to therapy can help you get the most out of it.

Most people find psychotherapy to be beneficial. Bringing realistic goals and expectations to therapy can help you get the most out of it.

Anxiety

How to Help When an Anxious Child Refuses to Go to School

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on January 29, 2024

Parents understandably want to ease an anxious child's distress, but allowing them to miss school might only make it worse. Here’s how to empower kids to face their anxiety instead.

Parents understandably want to ease an anxious child's distress, but allowing them to miss school might only make it worse. Here’s how to empower kids to face their anxiety instead.

Relationships

How to Stop Fighting With Your Partner

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on January 25, 2024

In every couple's arguments, both partners believe they’re right. Rethinking that assumption can greatly ease the conflict.

In every couple's arguments, both partners believe they’re right. Rethinking that assumption can greatly ease the conflict.

Anxiety

5 Ways to Deal With Anxiety That Won't Go Away

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on January 17, 2024

Unrelenting anxiety can be exhausting. Use these five strategies to find greater peace—even when the anxiety is still there.

Unrelenting anxiety can be exhausting. Use these five strategies to find greater peace—even when the anxiety is still there.

Relationships

The Surprising Reason Why Many Breakups Turn Nasty

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on December 12, 2023

Romantic partners often believe their relationship was "destined to be." But destiny beliefs come with big risks—especially when the relationship ends.

Romantic partners often believe their relationship was "destined to be." But destiny beliefs come with big risks—especially when the relationship ends.

Identity

4 Reasons Why You May Still Not Feel Like a Real Adult

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on November 20, 2023

Being a grown-up might not feel like you thought it would, even with all the external markers of adulthood. Here are 4 reasons why.

Being a grown-up might not feel like you thought it would, even with all the external markers of adulthood. Here are 4 reasons why.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Healing the Pain of Trauma by Writing About It

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on November 3, 2023

The best-tested treatments for PTSD require intensive therapist involvement. A new study found that written exposure therapy can be just as effective and may be better tolerated.

The best-tested treatments for PTSD require intensive therapist involvement. A new study found that written exposure therapy can be just as effective and may be better tolerated.

Sleep

Is Your Painful Childhood Making It Hard to Sleep?

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on October 23, 2023

A new 22-year study of over 12,000 people found that events from childhood can contribute to bad sleep well into adulthood.

A new 22-year study of over 12,000 people found that events from childhood can contribute to bad sleep well into adulthood.

Stress

Which Personality Types Are the Best at Dealing With Stress?

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on October 3, 2023

People vary widely in how they react to stress. A recent meta-analysis found that stress is lower for those who score higher on these five personality traits.

People vary widely in how they react to stress. A recent meta-analysis found that stress is lower for those who score higher on these five personality traits.

Stress

Handling 7 Types of Daily Hassles That Can Make Life a Pain

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on September 13, 2023

Much of the stress we experience comes from small, everyday annoyances. Discover three ways to make peace with the challenging parts of your day.

Much of the stress we experience comes from small, everyday annoyances. Discover three ways to make peace with the challenging parts of your day.