Mental health

The Science of Physical Touch and Human Connection

Touch is a primary language of human connection. Explore the science of why physical touch matters so much for wellbeing.

Frisson: Why Music Gives Us Chills

A swelling moment in a song can send a shiver through the body. Explore frisson, the science of musical chills.

Why We Get Butterflies in the Stomach

Anxious or excited moments produce a flutter in the gut. Explore why emotional states reach so deep into the body.

The Science of Nostalgia: Bittersweet by Design

Nostalgia was once considered a disease. Today, science finds it to be a surprisingly useful, predominantly positive emotion.

Eustress and Distress: The Two Faces of Stress

Not all stress is harmful. Explore the difference between eustress and distress, and why the right kind of stress is essential to a good life.

The Science of Empathy: How We Feel With Others

Empathy is not one ability but several. Explore the components of empathy and why the distinction between them matters.

Hedonic Adaptation: Why Happiness Returns to a Set Point

Good and bad events affect happiness less, and for less time, than we expect. Explore hedonic adaptation and what it means for a good life.

Self-Compassion: The Science of Treating Yourself Kindly

Self-compassion means treating yourself as you would a good friend. Explore the science of self-compassion and why it is not self-indulgence.

Rumination vs. Reflection: Two Ways of Looking Inward

Thinking about your problems can help or harm, depending on how you do it. Explore the crucial difference between rumination and reflection.

Why Social Connection Is a Pillar of Health

Social connection belongs alongside diet, exercise, and sleep as a foundation of health. Explore why relationships matter so deeply.

The Negativity Bias: Why Bad Looms Larger Than Good

The mind gives more weight to the negative than the positive. Explore the negativity bias and how understanding it can ease its grip.

The Science of Laughter: More Than a Response to Humor

Laughter is mostly social, often unrelated to jokes, and deeply human. Explore the surprising science of why we laugh.