Compassion and empathy
Goals and motivation
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Eight ways to give yourself a pep talk when you feel stuck
All of us could do with more words of encouragement and perspective, and they don’t need to come from another person
by Rachel Goldsmith Turow
Stories and literature
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Fiction has a special power to give us insight into our flaws
Losing yourself in a book, film or show provides a useful mirror for character – one that is hard to access in real life
by Martina Orlandi
Compassion and empathy
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Many of us have the wrong idea about poverty and toughness
The ‘thick skin bias’ obscures the reality of hardship. We should check our assumptions about those who are struggling
by Nathan Cheek
Communication and language
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Why listening well can make disagreements less damaging
Offering undivided attention and curiosity not only lowers the temperature of a conversation but can change its outcome
by Guy Itzchakov
Sleep and dreams
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The reason we dream might be to bring us closer together
Research has tended to focus on what dreams do for us when we’re sleeping – but what if the benefits play out the next day?
by Mark Blagrove
Mindfulness and meditation
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Here’s what to know about using meditation to be a better person
Meditating has long been thought to enhance morality. But the type of meditation – and the aspects of morality – matter
by Jakob Hohwy & Kevin Berryman
Fear and phobia
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To fear well is virtuous and more important than being brave
Fear is not the enemy, but a real and legitimate emotion. To truly support another in their fear, let them give it a voice
by Ami Harbin
Compassion and empathy
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Improve your relationships with the science of perspective-taking
Social psychology research is breaking down the process of perspective-taking and revealing ways to help us get along better
by Hunter Gehlbach
Ethics
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Morality aside, there’s another good reason to love your enemies
Wishing your antagonists well can be seen as a moral obligation or a misguided ideal. But it might serve your interests
by Alex Moran
Death and dying
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I thought I knew everything about death. Then grief struck me
Even though I grew up in Death World, and still live there, it couldn’t prepare me for being my family’s sole survivor
by John Troyer
Virtues and vices
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What the ‘fundamental attribution error’ misses about blame
Classic research says we overlook situational factors in explaining people’s misdeeds. But the reality is more complex
by Laura Niemi, Jesse Graham & John M Doris
Attachment and parenting
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Six steps to self-compassion when your parent has mental illness
Growing up with a parent with mental illness can be very tough. Learning to exercise self-compassion can truly help
by Addy Dunkley-Smith