When I was a kid, I was told repeatedly, "TV rots your brain". More recently, that media rotting our brains idea has been redirected at the internet. We're all aware of the effects too much of anything will probably turn to a bad thing, but more
When was the last time you fretted and worried about someone noticing something about you? That stain on your top you picked up at breakfast? That thing you said to your friend over the weekend? That thing you didn't say to your friend over the weekend? The truth
Now that lockdown is relaxing an eeny wheeny titsy bit, no doubt your calendar is popping off with invites for some top social gathering. But, before you start filling your diary, it's worth casting your minds back to the distant past, otherwise known as 2019. Back then, life
Who you are, or rather, who you think you are, relies on who other people think you are. Here is a completely unscientific anecdote to demonstrate this. When I got to secondary school, a certain art teacher (who will remain nameless) took a disliking to me. Side note: the disliking
I love a Plan B. And a Plan C. And a Plan D. I am someone with an eternal number of alternate plans. But, says two business professors, this hedging of plans might have negative consequences. Jihae Shin of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Pennsylvania’s Katherine
That's a weird idea, isn't it? That our charitable side comes out more often when we're less aware of it. But that's the thinking behind a paper in Psychological Science. In it, David G. Rand, an associate professor of psychology, management, and
Are you finding the thought of meeting up with friends, family, and acquaintances a daunting experience? Or have you already done so and now you're calling for a return of lockdown so you can recover from the bombardment of social gatherings? You're not alone. One of
When was the last time you told someone about a dream you had? For me it was last week, and it involved being chased by a giant gut down the street and me not being able to get away from it. I concede this is also very similar to a
How do you make yourself feel better? You might exercise, you might eat, you might eat while exercising. Or like me, you'll spend hours window shopping online for things you'll never actually buy but it's nice to feel like you could. But researchers at
Have you ever been bumped into and said sorry for the other person? Or started a conversation with a stranger by saying, 'sorry'? While you may have chalked it up as being exceedingly polite - or exceedingly British - relentless people-pleasing can be bad for your health. One
No, not that type of loose friend, we're talking about those people we know and spend time with that we wouldn't immediately call friends. These 'weak-tie' friendships play a surprisingly large role in helping our moods and mental health, say researchers. A 2016 study
I love a routine. Whether it's the early morning walk with the dog, or sitting down and writing exquisite prose for you lot. Having a to-do list that I repeat frequently and often is what has kept me sane during lockdown. But, it turns out, a routine can