How to Change Your Mood: Break Free From the Vicious Cycle

A split image of a man where on one side he's happy and the other side he's sad.

Are you always “in a mood,” causing those around you to walk on eggshells? Do you depend on circumstances, medication, or therapy to bring you out of it? Dr. Julie Smith says that it’s likely that you can change your mood yourself by monitoring and adjusting four things. If you attend to your physical state, your thought patterns, your actions, and your connections with others, you can elevate your frame of mind. Read more to learn how to change your mood with Smith’s recommendations.

How to Make Your Own Philosophy in Life: Food for Thought

Ideas coming out of a thinking man's head as he tries to make his own philosophy in life.

Would you like to have your own life philosophy? Where should you start? What should you consider? In Life Worth Living, authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz discuss the value of having a philosophy of life. They offer bite-sized chunks of various life philosophies to use as a springboard for building your own. Continue reading to learn how to make your own philosophy in life with inspiration from Nietzsche, Aristotle, Oscar Wilde, and others.

Dr. Julie Smith: Anxiety Self-Care Practices to Calm Yourself

A relaxed woman closing her eyes as part of a self-care routine for anxiety.

How often do you feel anxious? Are you able to calm yourself effectively, or are you afraid you must resort to medication or therapy? Psychologist Julie Smith writes that people often mistakenly believe that they need to commit to long-term, in-depth therapy. If they have some basic education about how their minds and bodies work, they’ll be able to take control of their mental health themselves, without intensive help from a professional. Keep reading for Dr. Julie Smith’s anxiety self-care insights and techniques.

Cognitive Reframing Techniques: Reduce People’s Power Over You

A split image of a city with emotional cloud bubbles over them as cognitive reframing techniques.

Is someone in your life a jerk? Do you wish you could neutralize the impact they have on you? When interaction with a jerk is inevitable, you can lessen the jerk’s power over your mental state by changing your mindset. Using cognitive reframing techniques, you can protect yourself from the negative effects of their behavior, even if you’re frequently exposed. Keep reading to learn these techniques and reduce people’s power over you.

Low Mood and Anxiety Self-Care Tips From Dr. Julie Smith

A man with low mood and anxiety, burying his face in his hands.

Are you often inexplicably down or anxious? Are you eager for a solution that doesn’t involve therapy or medication? According to Dr. Julie Smith, one of the main reasons people go to therapy is to rid themselves of conditions such as low mood and anxiety. She argues that many people can resolve these matters on their own by understanding them and making certain adjustments. Continue reading to see whether self-care might be the right solution for you.

How to Protect Yourself From Toxic People You Can’t Avoid

A woman protecting herself from a toxic person by ignoring her when she's yelling.

Do you have a jerk at home or work? Is there a way to protect yourself from them, short of avoiding them altogether? According to Robert I. Sutton, sometimes distancing yourself from jerks isn’t possible; you might be forced to be around them for extended periods. When a lot of interaction with a jerk is unavoidable, you can lessen their power over your mental state by changing your mindset. Continue reading to learn how to protect yourself from toxic people.

Barbra Streisand: Childhood, Self-Perception, and #1 Value

Barbra Streisand: Childhood, Self-Perception, and #1 Value

What was Barbra Streisand’s childhood like? What does she value more than anything else? What question did she ask Queen Elizabeth? We all know Barbra Streisand as a star of theater, movies, television, and music. But, before that, she was a child from a troubled family. In her memoir, she discusses her upbringing and how it affected her. She also shares her top value and how she sees herself—perceptions that are, in part, shaped by that difficult childhood. Read more to learn about Barbra Streisand’s childhood, self-perception, and what she values most.

How to Avoid Toxic Coworkers (or Minimize Interactions)

A male and female coworker failing to avoid toxic coworkers as they

Are there people who are making your work life miserable? Have you considered changing jobs just to get away from them? Your work time constitutes a big chunk of your life. The people you work with can make this time pleasant and productive or difficult and distracting. In The Asshole Survival Guide, Robert I. Sutton offers practical advice on how to avoid toxic coworkers or reduce your interactions with them. Read more for strategies that can vastly improve your work life.

Self-Care for Grief: How to Navigate Mourning (Dr. Julie Smith)

A sad woman looking down slightly who needs self care for grief.

When you suffer a loss, should you dive head-first into mourning or stoically carry on? At what point is professional help advised? In this world, grief isn’t an option. But, healthy mourning is. While you can’t avoid the pain that comes with loss, you can choose to take constructive steps to process the pain in a way that honors your loss and helps you go on with life in a healthy way. Read more for Dr. Julie Smith’s practical insights into self-care for grief.

Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould: A Match Made on Broadway

Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould: A Match Made on Broadway

How did Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould meet? How does she describe their marriage? What’s his side of the story? Barbra Streisand’s first husband was Elliott Gould. They met in 1962, married in 1963, separated in 1969, and divorced in 1971. She talks about their marriage and their relationship since their divorce in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Keep reading to learn about Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould’s relationship.