It’s not always easy to be happy for others when they share good news. Learning to do so can improve our relationships and benefit us in other ways as well.

The Benefits of Conversing with Strangers

We tend not to place a lot of importance on brief social interactions, but studies show that friendly encounters with strangers can actually improve our mental health, making us feel more happy and optimistic.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiAugust 31, 2023strangers, connection, conversation, introvert, well-being, interactions, social skills, stranger danger, fear, rejection, happiness, optimism Comments

Breaking up is Hard to Do

The longer we live, the more likely we are to go through some kind of heartbreak. Self-reflection can give us perspective, and provide us with information about what we need going forward.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiAugust 3, 2022love, breaking up, romantic, dating, self-esteem, relationships, connection, self-reflection, processing, heartbreak, separation, divorce, loss, grief, pain, growth, perspective, happinessComment

Gratitude Provides a Path to Happiness

Our brains are wired to notice negative events. We can compensate for that tendency by looking for and noticing all there is to be grateful for in our lives.

Cheerfulness is a Gift

It’s hard to be positive during tough times. Even if it doesn’t come naturally to us, we can learn to adopt a more cheerful demeanor.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiSeptember 22, 2021cheerfulness, spirits, nature vs. nurture, therapy, brain, personality, happiness, joy, optimism, Married at First Sight, mood, positivity, Julian of Norwich, Mary Poppins Comments

To Boost Your Mood, try Looking at old Photographs

Studies show that one very quick way to reset our moods is to look at old photographs. Recalling fond memories and fast friends reminds us of happier times.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiJune 16, 2021mood, happiness, meditation, memories, body image, perspective, aging, authenticity, mistakesComment

Hugs Reduce our Stress and Lift our Moods

When we receive a warm embrace, we don’t have to wonder about how someone feels about us. In addition to improving our relationships, hugs reduce our stress, strengthen our immune systems, and promote resilience.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiMay 12, 2021hugs, health, happiness, resilience, immune systems, relationships, physical touch, affection, relaxation, anti-depressants, self-esteem, mood Comments

Delight in Moments of Joy

There are many opportunities for moments of pleasure throughout our day, if only we take note of them. Doing so can increase our overall level of happiness.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiMay 5, 2021joy, bliss, delight, positive affirmations, happiness, pleasure, enjoyment, paying attention, gratitude, Greater Good Science Center, positive psychology, well-being, simple pleasures, units of momentary happinessComment

Blessings From the Irish

For all the contributions the Irish have made to civilization, it’s their people—full of charm, stories, and song—that we celebrate today.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiMarch 17, 2021blessings, Irish, Ireland, St. Patrick, Holderness Family, history, Christianity, stereotypes, positive traits, heritage, troubles, happinessComment

To Improve your Relationships, try Focusing on the Little Things

By taking note and writing down the daily kindnesses our partners show us, we can diminish our irritation and increase our positive feelings towards them.

How to Cultivate Joy

Sometimes we get so stuck in our struggles that it doesn’t occur to us that there are ways to infuse our lives with more joy, by eliminating the negatives and adding the positives.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiJuly 22, 2020happiness, joy, cultivating joy, Facebook, Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, suffering, struggles, joyful momentsComment

Make Room for Love

All couples have ongoing differences. Learning to accept each other’s personality traits without judgment and using affection and humor when we communicate about them can make room for more loving feelings.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiApril 18, 2020love, relationships, personality differences, judgements, acceptance, pacing, feelings, behaviors, stress, perceptions, emotional connection, conflict resolution, peace, happiness, control, admiration Comments

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