All posts tagged: habits

The unexpected link between loneliness, status, and shopping habits

The unexpected link between loneliness, status, and shopping habits

Published by José Betancourt

Feelings of social isolation can drive people to purchase items to soothe their emotions, a habit that often evolves into buying flashy goods for social validation and ultimately spirals into online shopping addiction. New research published in Deviant Behavior outlines this exact psychological sequence. The authors map how a private attempt to heal emotional pain transforms into a public display of status that reinforces compulsive buying. Online shopping has become deeply integrated into daily life globally, but its convenience brings negative behavioral impacts. Core among these is online shopping addiction, a condition characterized by uncontrollable purchasing that damages an individual’s financial and psychological health. Understanding how this addiction develops is a major priority for behavioral scientists. Online shopping addiction is a condition defined by a strong, persistent craving to make purchases despite negative consequences. Psychologists evaluate this condition through a multi-component model. This includes salience, where shopping dominates a person’s thoughts, alongside emotional withdrawal symptoms when the activity is stopped. It also involves tolerance, meaning the buyer needs to spend increasing amounts of money to …

11 High-Value Habits That Separate Truly Successful People From Everyone Else

11 High-Value Habits That Separate Truly Successful People From Everyone Else

Published by Jenni Sidey

Most people genuinely want to be successful. Whether it’s at work or in our relationships, we typically strive to be the best we can. While not everyone accomplishes this, some people master the art of showing up for themselves by adopting high-value habits that allow them to achieve a kind of success that sets them apart from the average person. It can be hard to push ourselves when we aren’t in tune with what would drive us to our best. Even if we want to achieve the best, it’s not always easy to push ourselves beyond our limits. Some people can jump over any hurdle and reach every goal they set for themselves. They can leave their comfort zone without that sense of panic most of us experience. Or, if they feel it, they use it as motivation. This separates them from everyone else. These are 11 high-value habits that separate truly successful people from everyone else 1. They step outside of their comfort zone Aflo Images via Canva I’m the type of person who …

Is Gaming actually good for children? Experts weigh in on “biggest misconceptions” on gaming habits

Is Gaming actually good for children? Experts weigh in on “biggest misconceptions” on gaming habits

Published by Daniella Wilson

This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. In the UK, nine out of 10 people under the age of 18 play video games, according to the trade body the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment. As they crook their necks over their consoles or tablets, their faces glow with flashing colours and their minds come alive with exciting possibilities. However, two thirds of parents have spoken to their children about the amount of time they spend playing video games, while nine out of 10 have felt the need to set up at least one form of parental control. “I think it’s completely understandable for parents to feel anxious, because it can look like your kid is just wasting time or getting addicted,” says psychiatrist Dr Alok Kanojia, author of How to Raise a Healthy Gamer. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that gaming is just entertainment. For a lot of kids, it’s meeting important psychological needs – things like identity, achievement and connection.” “Gaming can do some good things,” agrees Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, associate professor …

4 Small Habits Experts Say Can Quietly Protect Your Brain From Dementia As You Age

4 Small Habits Experts Say Can Quietly Protect Your Brain From Dementia As You Age

Published by Jenni Sidey

Here are 4 small habits experts say can quietly protect your brain from dementia as you age: Small habit #1: Spacing Mumbling John’s name over and over again, the first time you hear it won’t help you remember. It’ll make your brain bored. Research shows your brain needs breaks to remember things.  Sending yourself a reminder with John’s name two days after you heard it the first time will be much more efficient. This is called the spacing effect. Small habit #2: Taking breaks Gadiel Lazcano / Unsplash Your brain tends to remind you of things you’ve left unfinished. This is called the Zeigarnik effect. In learning, this means while you’re taking a break after a 4-hour hardcore math session, your subconscious keeps processing the last problem you got stuck on, and the solution might come to you in the shower the next morning. So there’s a double benefit to taking breaks: the right input frequency will let the memory sink in deeper, and your brain automatically reminds you of the information at the right …

Shake Off Winter Blues: Brain-Healthy Habits for This Spring

Shake Off Winter Blues: Brain-Healthy Habits for This Spring

Published by Jenni Sidey

Spring has arrived here in North America, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to reset, recharge, and get ready for the heavy speaking seasons ahead. Whether you’ve been hibernating a little too comfortably this winter or you’ve been grinding through back-to-back engagements, now is the time to build some sustainable habits that will keep you sharp, energized, and on your game through the spring, summer, and fall speaking seasons. And the good news? Some of these are practically guaranteed to bring a smile to your face right away. First off, don’t obsess about happiness. A study showed something you might have already suspected: Those of us who keep close track of how happy we are, fretting about minor moments and changes in our happiness barometer, tend to be less happy than folks who simply live in the moment and enjoy themselves. So let go of the scorecard, stop comparing yourself to the other speakers on the conference agenda, and just savor that cup of coffee in your hotel room or that sunset from the …

Psychologists identify nine core habits associated with healthy non-monogamous partnerships

Psychologists identify nine core habits associated with healthy non-monogamous partnerships

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior suggests that people who maintain multiple romantic or sexual relationships use specific communication and boundary-setting practices to keep their partnerships healthy. The research provides evidence that openly discussing jealousy, sharing resources, and managing sexual health tends to improve relationship satisfaction for both non-monogamous and monogamous couples. Consensual non-monogamy involves having more than one romantic or sexual partner at the same time with the informed consent of everyone involved. This includes relationship styles like polyamory, open relationships, and swinging. The research team, a large international group of relationship scientists and therapists, conducted the new study to investigate how some individuals successfully manage the complicated dynamics of having multiple partners. They wanted to identify the specific habits that reduce conflict and build trust when more than one partner is in the picture. The goal was to create a psychological questionnaire that measures these relationship maintenance habits accurately. “Early in my career, I developed an interest in how people in consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships make multiple relationships work. …

10 Expert Habits From Arthur C. Brooks to Live Life With Purpose

10 Expert Habits From Arthur C. Brooks to Live Life With Purpose

Published by Jenni Sidey

Arthur C. Brooks has made a living by studying the myriad mysteries and meanings of life. Writing weekly columns about happiness for The Atlantic, penning three books about how to craft a better life, and teaching a class at the Harvard Business School literally called “Leadership and Happiness” all make Brooks well-equipped to handle the rigors of modern existence. “I’ll spend the rest of my life writing, speaking, and teaching about the science of happiness,” Brooks said in a recent video chat. His latest venture, a book titled The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose In An Age of Emptiness, is out today. Per the book’s description, its purpose is to use science and evidence-based approaches to help you, dear reader, “find the meaning you need to live a happy, fulfilling life.” Now 61, the man with an eclectic background—he is also an accomplished French hornist, and in the ’90s, he did military research on a special project for the Air Force—shares his expert habits that can turn your life from unfulfilling to unstoppable. Become …

The nightly habits a dermatologist recommends for menopausal skin – and the one ‘myth’ that is actually true

The nightly habits a dermatologist recommends for menopausal skin – and the one ‘myth’ that is actually true

Published by Daniella Wilson

When it comes to skincare, I’ve noticed my friends generally fall into one of two camps: those who follow their night-time routine religiously, and those who collapse into bed without so much as a face wipe – makeup and all. Which group do you belong to? I hope you’re in the first, because if you’re in the second, I’m afraid I have a bit of a wake-up call: you’re not just neglecting your skin, you’re fast-tracking the ageing process quite unnecessarily. Following a solid evening routine is more than just a bit of self-care, it is also the most effective way to keep your complexion healthy, glowing and hydrated.  Did you know that your skin actually “works” overtime while you sleep, making it far more receptive to products? During the night, your skin enters a crucial regeneration phase, meaning a well-thought-out routine is your best ally for waking up fresh-faced, no matter what your age. To cut through the noise, I caught up with dermatologist Dr Natalia Jiménez, who walked me through the essentials of …

People In Midlife Say These 3 Tiny Habits Helped Them Finally Stop Being So Hard On Themselves | Christine Arylo

People In Midlife Say These 3 Tiny Habits Helped Them Finally Stop Being So Hard On Themselves | Christine Arylo

Published by Jenni Sidey

You know how to be a good friend and you give others the kind of grace you would never think twice about offering. But turn that same love toward yourself and something shifts. Suddenly it feels selfish, uncomfortable, or just wrong.  The truth is, being a good friend to yourself is not selfish at all. The more you fill yourself up, the more you actually have to give. And one of the biggest reasons people in midlife say they struggled for so long is simple: they never learned how to give themselves permission to do what they actually needed.  The next time you feel overwhelmed, depleted, or just off, try asking yourself these three questions honestly. If the answer to any of them is no, here is what to do about it. People in midlife say these 3 tiny habits helped them finally stop being so hard on themselves: 1. They started asking themselves, “Am I actually happy right now?” One tiny habit people in midlife say changed everything was simply pausing to ask themselves …

Researchers break down the digital habits of science influencers

Researchers break down the digital habits of science influencers

Published by José Betancourt

A new study exploring how scientists share knowledge on social media reveals that different digital platforms and scientific topics require distinct communication styles to reach wide audiences. The research highlights that while snappy, objective videos perform best on TikTok, detailed and slightly ironic explanations gain more traction on YouTube. These findings were recently published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. In our highly digital society, the way scientific knowledge reaches the general public relies heavily on social media networks. Online platforms allow experts to speak directly to citizens without filtering their messages through traditional news media. This direct line of communication helps combat widespread misinformation and builds a more informed public. Yet, the sheer volume of content available online makes it difficult for users to identify reliable sources. Many science communicators post accurate, well-researched information that fails to attract viewers. Researchers wanted to understand the specific elements that help certain scientific posts go viral while others remain unseen. Knowing what drives audience engagement helps content creators design better educational material. Lead researcher Montserrat Aiger …