Rumination is often defined as a repetitive thought cycle focusing on causes, consequences, and symptoms of one’s current negative state. When you obsessively think about a negative situation and find that you cannot stop, it will likely make you feel worse. That is how rumination can transform a minor or trivial mistake into a major catastrophe.

“Over”-thinking involves thinking that is not getting us anywhere and is not helpful to us. So, if you notice that you’re stuck thinking about the same issue over and over again but are not coming to any sort of “solution,” you may be overthinking.

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend or coworker and everything you said to them seems to have gone through one ear and out the other? It’s frustrating, right? This article discusses the importance of empathic listening and provides tips on how to practice it in our daily lives.

The box breathing technique is simple, accessible, and effective in helping you to function better during stressful times, which for so many of us is most of the time. This article describes and defines what box breathing is, outlines techniques and best practices for box breathing, and reviews some of the many benefits of box breathing.

Sometimes we genuinely race against the clock, such as when we try to catch a flight. Yet many people rush daily as they try to accomplish every task on their to-do lists. But what exactly is rushing?

Oftentimes, we spend too much time thinking—thinking about what is to come in the future, what has happened in the past, or even what is going on right now. These are the times when we may crave a peaceful mind. There is actually a pretty good amount of research on how we can decrease our distressing thoughts and calm the body.

Mindlessness is a state of unawareness, of going through the motions without being consciously aware of your surroundings or your inner states. It’s often understood and defined as a state of being in contrast to mindfulness, which is associated with greater overall well-being and better physical and mental health.

Mindfulness meditation is a mindfulness-based meditation technique that systematically guides your attention. This systemic guidance allows you to be aware of your breath, bodily sensations, and thoughts you have at that moment without judging them. Mindfulness meditation can improve your well-being in many ways when practiced regularly.

Do you ever find yourself at work having difficulty focusing on the assignment you’re working on? Trying to stay focused can be a challenge for many of us. This is where centering comes in to help us.

Do you sometimes feel like life is more complex than it needs to be? Do you feel like society expects you to buy more than is necessary, own more things than you need, or do more work than you want? Then you may want to find ways to live more simply.

Stressful experiences activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. If we experience stress too frequently, our HPA axis can start to get dysfunctional, leading us to feel "wired but tired." In this article, we will talk about some of the science-based stress relief strategies you can try.

Most of us are strapped to our phones 24-7, overwhelmed by work and feeling uncertain about the future of our country or the planet. We feel our well-being slipping and are in need of some good relaxation techniques. Here are eight relaxation techniques that science says can help you increase calm or decrease anxiety.

Do you feel like you’re constantly running on the treadmill of life? Not quite sure how to take a break or stop feeling like you always have to be 'doing' something? It’s not always easy to slow down, but it turns out that slowing down is exactly what we need. Slowing down is not only good for our well-being, but it can also help us feel less stressed while accomplishing more.

Self-soothing is defined as an individual's efforts or capacity to calm oneself while in a state of emotional distress. Improving our self-soothing skills as adults requires self-insight, the development of self-soothing skills, and the ability to effectively use these skills to return to an emotional baseline.

Peace of mind is a mental state of calmness or tranquility. It may also include freedom from worry and anxiety. When our minds are buzzing with thoughts, it can be intense and overwhelming. We just want a calm, relaxed, and content mind. A lot of research has pointed to ways we can decrease stress and calm down an overactive mind.

Calming anxiety usually means we want our body to return to homeostasis (or its normal resting state). Generally, it involves feelings of relief, a reduction in negative emotions, and a general sense that we're okay. Given how unpleasant we might be feeling at times, learning strategies to calm down can be a great boon to our well-being.

People pleasers are often considered the glue that holds relationships together, as they’re generally very kind, helpful, and agreeable. They’re highly attuned to the needs of others and often put their own needs and desires aside. While this type of behavior can be beneficial in many situations, it can also become a harmful pattern of self-sacrifice or self-neglect.

Self-esteem is an important concept to understand, as it affects how we think about ourselves and how we interact with others. It’s important to remember that everyone has both strengths and weaknesses and that having healthy self-esteem means that we can learn to accept and appreciate ourselves for who we are.

Gratitude is an emotion that goes beyond simply feeling thankful; it captures a deep sense of appreciation. It also reflects an awareness of the opportunities available to us and how much we have to be thankful for. Research shows that cultivating gratitude has mental and physiological benefits, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.

Self-love is an essential part of living a healthy and successful life. It requires moving away from self-rejection and instead embracing oneself with kindness. Self-love is about making the conscious decision to put your well-being first, taking care of yourself, and advocating for your needs.