Reginald Dwayne Betts has always been into books. As a kid, he was once caught reading Sherlock Holmes stories in the back of class, and at home he’d watch an oft-played speed reading infomercial with fascination. Determined to become a speed reader himself but unable to afford the advertised course, he found an instructional guide […]
Having a grandparent around to babysit can give parents much-needed time off to catch up on self-care — but grandparents themselves may reap some health benefits from this arrangement, too. A new study published by the American Psychological Association suggests that looking after grandkids can boost cognitive abilities and, in some cases, slow cognitive decline.
Taking Care of Grandkids May Give the Brain a Boost, Study Says Continue Reading »
Relationships can feel like both a blessing and the bane of your existence, a source of joy and a source of frustration or resentment. At some point, each of us is faced with a clingy child, a dramatic friend, a partner who recoils at the first hint of intimacy, a volatile parent, or a controlling boss — in short, a difficult relationship.
Brad Stulberg starts his new book, The Way of Excellence, by clarifying what his subject is not. Excellence isn’t perfectionism. It isn’t optimization. It isn’t obsession or flow or happiness. Setting that straight is important, the author told Nice News, because hustle culture has co-opted the concept and alienated the average person. Indeed, this isn’t
Getting a compliment is kind of like finding a piece of candy on a hotel pillowcase: It’s a free, unexpected pop of sweetness that puts a smile on your face. But while you likely won’t remember the Andes mint a month later, a few kind words can have a lasting impact on your mental well-being
Each year, on the third Monday of January, Americans honor the life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Born in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929, the Baptist minister was one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, a gifted orator, and a passionate humanitarian. Decades after his assassination in 1968, those of
When you buy books through our links, Nice News may earn a commission, which helps keep our content free. Are you familiar with the 31 types of happiness? That might sound like a lot, but author Pamela Gail Johnson says that’s precisely the point. She wants us to expand how we think about the emotion
A popular New Year’s resolution is to take up meditation – specifically mindfulness meditation. This is a healthy choice.
Regular mindfulness practice has been linked to many positive health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, and quicker healing after injury and illness. Mindfulness can help us to be present in a distracted world and to feel more at home in our bodies, and in our lives.
What Loving-Kindness Meditation Is and How to Practice It in the New Year Continue Reading »
For years, philosophers and psychologists have debated whether empathy helps or hinders the ways people decide how to help others. Critics of empathy argue that it makes people care too narrowly — focusing on individual stories rather than the broader needs of society — while careful reasoning enables more impartial, evidence-based choices.
Self-improvement strategies abound, so opting in to one can sometimes feel like ordering the soup du jour: “That sounds good. Maybe I’ll try it!” But what’s right for one person may not be right for another — or even for the same person at a different point in time. That’s why Tchiki Davis, founder of
