“I’ve always envied people who sleep easily,” one insomniac wrote. “Their brains must be cleaner, the floorboards of their skull well-swept, and all the little monsters closed up in a steamer truck at the foot of their bed.” People can have trouble sleeping for lots of … [Read more...] about Taming the “Little Monsters” of Insomnia
inner passivity
The Origins of Feeling Overwhelmed
One sufferer described the misery of feeling overwhelmed this way: “Has anyone seen my brain? It ran off this morning flailing and screaming about being overwhelmed. I’d really like it back.” As the comment suggests, the feeling of being overwhelmed can be agonizing. … [Read more...] about The Origins of Feeling Overwhelmed
Why We’re Quick to “Go Negative”
Comedian Bill Maher wrote an amusing article in The New York Times recently, asking, “When did we get it in our heads that we have the right to never hear anything we don’t like?” In the article, Maher makes the point that we’ve become too easily offended and too quick to … [Read more...] about Why We’re Quick to “Go Negative”
Occupy the Psyche
The Occupy Wall Street movement (OWS) is searching for insight, wisdom, and a sense of direction. These resources are available to us when we turn inward to occupy our psyche. In the absence of psychological insight, each of us to some degree is divided from within. Also … [Read more...] about Occupy the Psyche
Underlying Dynamics that Breed Bullies
If we want our society to put a stop to bullying—an excellent goal, of course, one embraced by President Barack Obama, educators, and celebrities—we can help the cause by better understanding the underlying psychological dynamics of bullying and by teaching this knowledge to our … [Read more...] about Underlying Dynamics that Breed Bullies