Psychology Archives

The Importance of Supportive Relationships

Why are supportive relationships important? How can you build a strong support network you can rely on in times of need? We all need support, care, and companionship to remain mentally healthy. This need stems from our evolutionary roots: Belonging to a group was essential for survival when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, so the desire for companionship is genetically wired into our brains. Keep reading to learn about the importance of supportive relationships and how to develop a strong support network.

How to Read Emotions From Body Language

What can body language tell you about a person’s emotional state? What body language cues should you pay attention to when trying to decipher someone’s feelings? Body language cues can reveal a lot about how someone is feeling. If a person is feeling relaxed, secure, and comfortable, they’ll display open and expressive body language. If, on the other hand, they’re feeling insecure or threatened, they’ll exhibit closed and comforting body language. Keep reading to learn how to read emotions from body language.

Untreated Mental Illness: A Leader’s Recipe for Disaster

How can an untreated mental illness impact a leader’s role? What effect does proper treatment have on your work? In A First-Rate Madness, Nassir Ghaemi argues that the manner in which you treat mental illness can affect leadership abilities. Proper treatment can enhance positive traits while improper treatment can impair crisis decision-making. Learn how crucial mental health treatment is for leaders in important positions.

Peak States: The 4 Elevated States of Mind Explained

What is a peak state of consciousness? What are the four different altered states that you can achieve? In their book Stealing Fire, Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal explore the concept of peak states and place them in a historical context. They claim that altered states of consciousness are subjective experiences that are different from normal consciousness, while peak states occur at the high end of the spectrum. Read on to learn about the four types of peak states, according to Kotler and Wheal.

Codependent No More Exercises to Help You Break Free

Are you plagued by stress and guilt? Do you forget to take care of yourself because you’re busy managing other people’s lives? Codependent No More is a guide to reclaiming your life from codependency. Melody Beattie encourages readers to overcome codependency with powerful messages about finding yourself, recovering self-esteem, and living a life that’s free and full of joy. Continue reading for nine Codependent No More exercises that will help you break free from codependency.

Signs of Lying: How to Spot Potential Deception

What are the telltale signs of lying? What signs should look out for to confirm your suspicions that a person isn’t being truthful? Deception is a complex psychological process, and no behavioral cue can tell you with certainty that someone is lying. However, as a general rule of thumb, when someone is trying to deceive you, they’ll exhibit insecure body language. Keep reading to learn how to spot potential deception, according to former FBI agent Joe Navarro.

Poor Decision-Making: Why Mental Illness Isn’t to Blame

Is poor decision-making a result of mental illness? Why is good mental health bad during a crisis? You may think we got it backward, but we didn’t—mental illness can be good to have during a bad situation, and good mental health is not. That is, at least for influential leaders who are under a lot of pressure. Find out why poor decision-making, mental illness, and crises aren’t all directly connected.

The Importance of Attitude in Learning: Why It Outshines Aptitude

Does the aptitude theory of learning hold water? What can help you excel even if you’re not in the “gifted” category? Science now says that we’re capable of learning more and better than we think. So, built-in aptitudes are no longer seen as the be-all and end-all when it comes to how much and how well we learn. Math educator Jo Boaler explains that the way we think about learning matters tremendously. Keep reading to discover the importance of attitude in learning.

Advancements in Psychology Offer New Ways to Heal & Grow

What are some recent advancements in psychology? How are they creating new opportunities for psychological healing and growth? According to Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal, advancements in psychology are uncovering the mysteries of peak states of consciousness. This cultural shift toward exploring human potential began decades ago and has led to a more open-minded approach to psychological study. Read on to learn how recent advancements in psychology are revealing the potential of peak states of consciousness.

Michelle Obama on Racism and Mental Health

How does racial discrimination affect one’s mental health? What psychological problems are victims of racial discrimination likely to suffer from? Discrimination occurs when a person is different from the majority in some way and is treated poorly because of those differences. In her book The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama writes that being discriminated against on the basis of superficial differences (e.g. race) makes people self-conscious and primes them to behave in ways that are acceptable to others. Here’s what Michelle Obama has to say about racism and mental health.