Better Mental Health

The ability to bounce back from adversity has been referred to as "resilience." It is important for good mental health.

Good decisions are made using the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. Here's an approach to help you make better decisions.

Is your life a battle or a journey? We all have life metaphors that shape how we live. What are yours?

Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. Even though many of us don't suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, it is clear that some of us are mentally healthier than others.

Childhood experiences make a difference in how secure we feel, but it's not too late.

This newsletter course will focus on helping you improve your own mental health. It is not intended only for those with a mental disorder, although it may help you if you have been diagnosed. Most of us can improve our mental health and manage the stress in our lives.

Kay Redfield Jamison’s latest book, Exuberance: The Passion for Life, is a groundbreaking book in the study of human emotions.

Jon Kabat-Zinn's book Coming to Our Senses expands on his earlier work to mindfully consider the present moment in the wider world around us.

Reader-submitted articles. Use the form here to submit your own mental health contribution.

Sadness is an emotion that we all feel at times. It's not the same as depression. Here are some ways to tell the difference.

It is important to live in the present moment, and to understand the difference betwen importance and urgency.

Anticipatory anxiety and negative fantasy can ruin life in the present.

One of the keys to good mental health is balance.

Anger is an emotion that we all experience. It's not bad, but it can cause problems. Here are some ways to manage it.

The winter season brings its own mental health issues. Shorter days and holidays create stress, and we have ways to help.

A sensitive and well-written book on female sexuality

'Data Smog' and 'TechnoStress' have reduced our productivity and our sleep. Here are some ways to cope.

Letting go is difficult, simple, and essential.

Mounting evidence is showing that mindfulness can increase life enjoyment, expand the ability to cope with illness, and possibly improve physical and emotional health. Harvard Women’s Health Watch takes a detailed look at how learning to focus the mind can be a healthful antidote to the stresses of everyday living.

In a first-of-its-kind study focusing on ill children and adolescents with depressed immune systems, researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center will try to determine if laughter can help reduce pain and prevent and treat diseases.

Extroverts experience the most positive connections between their work and family roles, according to a new study that looks at the role of personality in the work-family experience.

Highly educated workers seem to be at greater risk for poor mental health than the general U.S. population, a 2003study suggests.

When a group of caregivers was given “skills training” in problem solving, behavior management techniques, and other areas, they reported that they experienced reduced stress, felt more positive about their caregiving roles, and experienced increased satisfaction with leisure activities.

An important 1998 Dutch study expanded our understanding of recovered memories.

Ridding schools of bullies improves the learning environment. Research at the Menninger Clinic has developed methods to diminish the power of bullies.

Road Rage is a popular topic. Why do we get so angry on the highway and how can we stay safe?

In order to be effective adults we need an internal sense of security. Here are some of the ingredients.

A 2002 Gallop poll found that most Americans return tired from vacations. With the right planning your vacation can actually leave you feeling rested and recharged. Here are some suggestions.

Wonderful times, or times straight from hell.  It depends on your family.  

Just one lunchtime drink could still be dangerous for drivers because of its impact on the natural afternoon dip in mental alertness.