Christian Jarrett
A cognitive neuroscientist by training, Christian was the founding editor of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest and an award-winning journalist on The Psychologist magazine. His books include The Rough Guide to Psychology, 30-Second Psychology and Great Myths of the Brain. His latest is Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change, published in 2021. Christian will never forget holding a human brain in his hands as part of a neuroanatomy class, the grey mass so heavy as if filled still with memories and dreams. Find him on Twitter @Psych_Writer.
Written by Christian Jarrett
Emotion regulation
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Are emotionally resilient people also skilled at soothing others?
Research on the social side of emotion management is showing what’s distinctive about it – and its benefits for all involved
by Christian Jarrett
Friendship
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Is it better to have friends who are like you or different from you?
Studies of longterm friends offer surprising insights as to whether friends who are more or less alike tend to endure
by Christian Jarrett
Personality
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To improve your life, consider changing your personality
New research supports the idea that intentionally developing certain traits is not only possible, but comes with benefits
by Christian Jarrett
Sleep and dreams
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Five ways to take control of your dreams
Lucid dreaming lets you shape your dreamscape, whether your aims are practical or fantastical. These tips can get you started
by Christian Jarrett
Sports and games
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How to enjoy running
Going for a jog doesn’t have to be a chore – these mental techniques will make it something you actually look forward to
by Christian Jarrett
Personality
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How to come out of your shell
You don’t have to be outgoing. But if being introverted is holding you back from the life you want, dive in for a way out
by Christian Jarrett
Goals and motivation
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How to let go of a lifelong dream
Adaptability is as much of a virtue as grit. Overcome any feelings of loss or failure by pivoting toward a new passion
by Christian Jarrett
Habits and routines
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How to read more books
Modern life can feel too frantic for books. Use these habit-building strategies to carve out time for the joy of reading
by Christian Jarrett
Anxiety
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How to cope with a panic attack
A panic attack is a dramatic false alarm clanging in body and mind. Recognising this is the first step to dialling it down
by Christian Jarrett
Drugs and psychedelics
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How to have a safe psychedelic trip
A psychedelic experience can be deeply rewarding, but also carries real risks. Here’s how to avoid a bad trip
by Christian Jarrett
Thinking and intelligence
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How to foster ‘shoshin’
It’s easy for the mind to become closed to new ideas. Cultivating a beginner’s mind helps us rediscover the joy of learning
by Christian Jarrett
Edited by Christian Jarrett
Wisdom
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Wisdom is a virtue, but how do we judge if someone has it?
Our team explored who is considered wise in cultures with contrasting philosophical traditions. The results surprised us
by Maksim Rudnev & Igor Grossmann
Place
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‘Place authenticity’ is an important, overlooked part of life
From indie bookshops to artisan cafes, spending time in unique, characterful places can enrich your own sense of self
by Ashley Krause
Work and vocation
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Six ways to use clothes to boost your confidence at work
Regardless of your budget or fashion sense, dressing with more intention can benefit your mindset and performance
by Dahlia Stroud
Technology and media
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Why teenagers are deliberately seeking brain rot on TikTok
Talking to teens reveals a hidden sophistication to their media use. Rather than policing it, maybe we could learn from it
by Emilie Owens
History of emotions
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To ancient Assyrians, the liver was the seat of happiness
Cutting-edge computational techniques are shedding light on how the emotional experiences of past cultures compare to ours
by Juha Lahnakoski & Ellie Bennett
Sleep problems
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How to sleep when you’re a perfectionist
As a high achiever, your problem-solving skills can backfire at night. You need a different way to beat insomnia
by Nick Wignall
Sleep and dreams
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The brain’s twilight zone: when you’re neither awake nor asleep
Neuroscientists are demystifying this in-between state, uncovering its role in memory processing and its creative potential
by Célia Lacaux
Thinking and intelligence
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Expert tips on using gestures to think and talk more effectively
The gesticulations that accompany your speech are so much more than mere hand-waving – they contain and convey meaning
by Susan Goldin-Meadow
Thinking and intelligence
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The surprising role of deep thinking in conspiracy theories
People who endorse and spread outlandish theories aren’t gullible, they’re drawn to the intoxicating lure of discovery
by Stephen Gadsby & Sander Van de Cruys
Architecture
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How the buildings you occupy might be affecting your brain
Cutting-edge research in the field of neuroarchitecture is revealing the public health implications of building design
by Cleo Valentine & Heather Mitcheltree
Creativity
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Your 10-step plan for achieving a creative breakthrough
We often think of Aha! moments occurring by fluke, but there are evidence-based ways to make it more likely they will occur
by Nick Kabrél
Thinkers and theories
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Why I’ll never forget the day I met Daniel Kahneman for lunch
He was an octogenarian Nobel-winning psychologist, I was a nervous 20-something film producer. Here’s what struck me most
by Namir Khaliq