People Are Happier in States That Allow Ballot Initiatives
Twenty-four states allow citizens to vote directly on policy matters, and research shows that life satisfaction is higher in them.
Health & Happiness
Women Are Better At Expressing Emotions, Right? Why It’s Not That Simple
Men and women both suffer from a culture that discourages us from expressing complex emotions. The answer is deeper listening, and it's the key to healthier, more engaged lives.
What Our Breasts Are Telling Us
Author Florence Williams and her daughter discovered they had high levels of toxins—like flame retardants—in their bodies. Getting rid of the chemicals was harder than they expected.
Another Extinction: Words We Use to Describe the Natural World
Why naturalists and their linguistic allies fight to keep the language that gives us our sense of place from falling out of modern dictionaries.
The Bravest Response to Fear
From strangers on the street to Muslim refugees—why we should embrace the humanity of people we may fear.
The Brilliance of Using Pillowcases to #GiveRefugeesRest
A human rights campaign to protest Islamophobic rhetoric sent message-scrawled pillowcases to 31 governors who expressed support for refugee bans. And more are on the way.
6 Cities Designing for Health
From Detroit to Edinburgh, these cities are helping residents live more healthful and equitable lives.
How Strong Friendships Defy Dementia
The Momentia movement uses strong social ties to ward off the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Why Do Boys Dress as Warriors and Girls as Princesses? It Starts With the Books They Read
Research shows that children develop their understanding of things like gender and race before the age of 5 from the characters they meet in stories.
Our Favorite Books on How to Live a Happy and Meaningful Life
Thinking about your New Year’s resolutions for 2016? Here are 13 of this year’s most thought-provoking and useful nonfiction books on the science of a meaningful life.
Project Fatherhood: Uniting the Men of LA’s Toughest Communities
In the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, Project Fatherhood helps end the cycle of absent fathers and gives men a place to discuss what it means to be dads, partners, and sons in one of the city's roughest areas.
My Year of Magical Tidying
How getting rid of two-thirds of my belongings created more space for joy.
How Sustainability Almost Ruined Christmas
As a new parent I tried to delight over stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, and battery-powered plastic thingamabobs. But none of it made me happy.
After Trauma: A Graphic Journey Through Wild Healing
In this collection of watercolor illustrations, a comics artist illustrates her journey through grief after the sudden death of her first child.
It’s OK If Winter Makes You Sad
Four scientific strategies for an emotionally authentic holiday season.
Maintaining Real Relationships in the Digital World
Social media has become a fundamental part of my life. As an American in 2015, I am the rule, not the exception. So what does healthy use of these sites look like?
Latinos Live Longest Despite Poverty. Here’s Their Secret
U.S. Hispanics who pass down a tradition of food, family, and healing are healthier. But can they sustain that as generations become more assimilated?
Why Manning Up Is the Worst Thing to Do
Can we cure the toxicity of male trauma and the resulting illnesses it creates?
How College Students Are Resisting the Mental-Illness Stigma
Student-led organizations are bringing mental illness into the light to lower the suicide rates of young people.
REI Will #OptOutside on Black Friday. Can It Change Retail (and the Economy)?
All 143 REI stores will be closed on Black Friday. But what more can the co-op do to live up to its values and transform the conversation in the United States?
A Quarter of Pakistani Girls Are Married Before They’re 18. This Film Shows What That Feels Like
In her directorial debut, Afia Nathaniel brings the reality of Pakistan's child bride crisis to American audiences.
10 Kids’ Halloween Costumes Inspired By Rad American Women, From Angela Davis to Patti Smith
At a time when GOP candidates can barely name an important woman from history, these Rad American Women of Halloween are a great way to have fun and educate others.
It Took Me Years to Believe That Black Lives Matter. Now Here’s What I Need From You
Internalized racism prevented me from seeing how the system works.
Take a Walk: 11 Ways to Build the Healthy Habit
Walking might just be the easiest way to get in daily exercise. Here are a few ways to make the practice even easier.
Researchers Say Watching Movies Helps You Work Your Empathy Muscle
Can something as simple as watching movies—and empathizing with fictional characters—help generate more compassion and understanding in the real world?
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