It doesn’t take a scientist (rocket or otherwise) to prove that bouncing to the beat of your favorite music makes you feel better. But in fact, recent research confirms that music not only improves mood but also changes your experience of reality, so that you perceive more positive things in the ... Read more

Light up your life - literally - to beat the blues that may arrive with the short, cold days. Start by taking a cue from the 5th Dimension: Let the sunshine in, even on cloudy days. When sunlight reaches the brain via the eyes, it stimulates production of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin, so s ... Read more

One of the most frequent questions from my patients during this season is “Do you think I might have seasonal affective disorder?” Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a form of depression that generally manifests in the late fall when there is less natural sunlight and the days b ... Read more

Just as thinking about a good friend can help pull you out of the dumps, thinking about a pet can help stave off feelings of rejection. Research suggests that dogs and cats can be a strong source of emotional support to their owners. And, contrary to popular belief, most pet owners do not rely ... Read more

We all have rough days — things go wrong or the unexpected happens. Although we can’t always avoid those days, we can move through them more effectively and recover from them more quickly. Here are four ways to help you when a stressful situation strikes: Breathe. When you’re in a stressful sit ... Read more