Understanding Other People’s Feelings: The Myths & Truths

Understanding Other People’s Feelings: The Myths & Truths

How can you better understand other people’s feelings? What are the benefits of empathizing with others? If you want to understand other people’s feelings, you need to first understand your own emotions, according to Lisa Feldman Barrett. Barrett is a neuroscientist and psychologist who has devoted herself to deconstructing old theories of emotions to create a new, more accurate theory. Read on to learn the myths and truths Barrett has identified about understanding other people’s feelings.

The #1 Rule of Thumb for Making Hard Decisions

The #1 Rule of Thumb for Making Hard Decisions

Are you facing a difficult decision? How do you make a decision when neither option is appealing? When making hard decisions in life, first and foremost, consult your values. If you make a decision that contradicts your values, you’ll likely regret it down the road. Your core values are the guiding compass that will lead you in the right direction even when you don’t know your final destination. Keep reading to learn about the importance of values in decision-making.

Emotion and Facial Expression: Can You “Read” People?

Emotion and Facial Expression: Can You “Read” People?

Is there a relationship between emotions and facial expressions? How can you “read” someone’s emotions, according to psychology? According to Lisa Feldman Barrett’s research, the idea that facial expression reveals emotion is an outdated concept. Barrett claims that emotions are constructed rather than innate to humans, so a facial expression could have different meanings from one person to the next. Keep reading to learn why facial expression and emotion actually aren’t related, according to Barrett.

The 4 Tell-tale Signs of Procrastination

The 4 Tell-tale Signs of Procrastination

What are some common signs of procrastination? What does procrastination look like for you? Many people struggle with procrastination, but it manifests differently for everyone. Paradoxically, procrastination may even look like productivity: You may be busy doing tasks, yet putting off the one task that’s most important. Here are common signs of procrastination so that you can recognize it in your own life.

Why Letting Go of Your Anger Protects You From Illness

Why Letting Go of Your Anger Protects You From Illness

What are the benefits of letting go of your anger? How can letting go of anger protect your body from illness? In her book, How Emotions Are Made, neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett studied how humans create and experience emotions. Based on Barrett’s findings, letting go of your anger might be the healthiest thing you can do—physically and mentally. Read on to learn why Barrett says letting go of your anger protects you from illness.

Using Buddhism and Mindfulness to Manage Emotions

Using Buddhism and Mindfulness to Manage Emotions

What is mindfulness, according to Buddhism? How can using Buddhism and the concept of mindfulness help to manage your emotions? The Buddhist concept of mindfulness has gained popularity recently thanks to its healing effects on your body and mind. In her book, How Emotions Are Made, psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett explains why learning to use mindfulness in your daily life helps to relieve stress and balance your mood. Keep reading to learn about Buddhism and mindfulness, according to Barrett’s findings.

Best Books for Depression: Read Your Way Out

Best Books for Depression: Read Your Way Out

How can reading help you fight your way out of depression? What are some of the best books for depression that can help you get out of a slump?  When you’re depressed, reading books may be the last thing on your mind. But reading can have a substantial impact on your emotional health by exposing you to new ways of thinking and healing opportunities available to you. Below is our roundup of the best books for depression to help you heal and cultivate a positive outlook. 

Martin Seligman: Learned Helplessness Leads to Depression

Martin Seligman: Learned Helplessness Leads to  Depression

What was Martin Seligman’s major contribution to psychology? What is the psychology of helplessness? How can you know if you’ve learned helplessness? Psychologist Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory has changed how we understand pessimism and optimism. Perhaps most importantly, Seligman’s theory helps to explain a leading cause of depression and how to treat it by unlearning helplessness. Read on to learn about Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory and why it can lead to depression.

Lisa Feldman Barrett’s Theory: Emotions Are Learned

Lisa Feldman Barrett’s Theory: Emotions Are Learned

What is Lisa Feldman Barrett’s theory of emotions? How is her theory different from everything psychologists have said in the past? After years of research, psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett claims she’s discovered the secret to understanding human emotions. Barrett’s book, How Emotions Are Made, explains how you actually learn emotions—they’re not innate as many previously believed. Read on for Lisa Feldman Barrett’s theory of emotions and find out why she says “emotions don’t happen to you.”