BRAIN WAVES
Doubt it. We all experience self-doubt every now and then. How do you overcome it? Most of us try to reason our way out of the problem, convincing ourselves of our strengths and accomplishments. But at Psyche, psychologists Joe Oliver and Kristy Potter say this strategy might backfire on us. “The ‘solution’ to tricky thoughts isn’t just more thinking,” they write. “Instead, it involves changing how you relate to the thoughts.” They suggest avoiding weighing whether or not the thought is true, but whether or not it is useful. In other words, next time you think, “I’m not good enough,” ask yourself something like, “Does this thought help me live the life I want?” Most likely, the answer will be no. Such an awareness makes it easier to let go of the self-doubt — it’s simply not useful. “This approach involves grounding yourself in the present, distancing yourself from the thought, and then choosing actions that line up with your values,” they write. More on what they call “acceptance and commitment therapy” here.
Morals. Being a good human might come with a bonus perk. A new study found a compelling relationship between happiness and having strong morals. Researchers had people rate the moral reputation of people they knew, based on traits like compassion, honesty, and fairness. They then asked those people — the ones who were rated — about their well-being. People who had a reputation for having strong moral character also felt happier and reported feeling more meaning in life. However, “given the...complexity of conceptualizing and measuring morality,” the researchers concluded, “our investigation is far from the last word on whether moral people are happier.” Still, it’s a good reminder to get your daily dose of moral fiber.
Time for a change. When should you stay the course in life, and when should you shift with changing tides? Listen to learn more.
RECORD YOUR STORY
For an upcoming podcast episode, we’re looking for examples of a time when you engaged in a perverse pleasure – where you deliberately sought out something painful or embarrassing or grotesque, just to test your limits, or because you were curious. If you have a story like this you’d be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, record your story on your phone (2-3 minutes is plenty) and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line “Perverse Pleasures.”
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
Relationships 2.0: The Price of Disconnection: All of us want to “seen” by the people around us. We want to be recognized as unique individuals. Yet the experience of being seen in this way can be dispiritingly rare. This week, we kick off our “Relationships 2.0” series by talking with researcher Allison Pugh about the psychological benefits of what she calls “connective labor.” She explains why this labor is often overlooked, and how to cultivate the superpower of making other people feel seen.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Terry Hill’s Story: In 1968, when Terry was four, she and her two young siblings were left briefly in the car by themselves. Her one-year-old brother accidentally hit the gearshift, and the car began to roll downhill, toward oncoming traffic. Then a young man rushed over.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
MIND GAMES
There are seven apples and you take away three of them. How many apples do you have?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
What five-letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down?
Answer: SWIMS
A MOMENT OF JOY
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.