A long-awaited book has recently come out documenting the 80-year-long study by Harvard University on happiness. The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness (Jan 10th, 2023) followed 700 men and their families. Co-authors Robert Waldinger and Mark Schulz give the #1 answer up front.

Ever wonder why we’re so tired in the Fall returning back to school and what to do about it? When we are out of routine and not under the demands and expectations of getting up early, being on time, completing homework, and performing successfully, it’s a life transition.  Life transitions are naturally tiring because we must adjust in every way (physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically). There are steps we can all take to feel better through life transitions such as this one.  Here are 5 steps to feel better going through the transition of returning to school.

Transitions are not easy, but there are ways we can ease the pain and frustrations. Student-athletes are under more pressure due to the expectations of their minds and bodies to perform at optimal levels. If we are asking our minds and bodies to perform at their best, we need to make sure the fuel, environment, and setup are conducive for success.

If you haven’t watched Stranger Things, you don’t need to have seen any of it to read and learn. Stranger Things season 4 has broken the Netflix record for the biggest premiere weekend ever for an English-language TV show with 286.79 million hours viewed. It was also the first season to reach #1 in 83 countries on the Netflix Top 10. I personally have described it as The Goonies meets a Sci-Fi psychological thriller, with a fun, witty, and nostalgic, 80’s twist. Due to its justified popularity, I found it pertinent to explain how the actors/actresses in Stranger Things, demonstrate and teach the use of mental toughness to survive.

egative thinking perpetuates depression, anxiety, and stress. We don’t believe everything we hear and see, so why would we believe every thought that goes through our heads? Following negative thought trails can send us down a rabbit hole that we don’t want to go down. It is “normal” to have negative thoughts, but we don’t have to accept them and sit in those negative emotions. Some believe that humans are predisposed to negative thinking. We can take back control with 3 steps.

Taking responsibility for our actions empowers us, which leads to success, confidence, and happiness. When we take responsibility, we take ownership of our behavior and the consequences. We accept our choices and outcomes without blaming others or life circumstances.