When someone comes to you to talk about a problem, if you move the conversation on to a discussion of potential solutions, you fuel their creative problem solving abilities on average by 20% - not to mention you make them feel better! You make them smarter and more empowered to tackle challenges.

Being in touch with the problems in the world or our lives is important, but even more important is to focus the brain on what we can do about them.

If you want a particular behavior from someone else, try spotlighting those times when he or she is already doing it.

Even five minute meaningful conversations with other people not only fuel us in the moment but also build up a reserve of social capital so that when hard times strike, we can draw down on that bank account.

Social comparison that leads to unhappiness is the downside of social media.

With technology and over-scheduling, we are forgetting to invest time in simple connective moments with others.

People will often say "You can't change other people." My research shows this societal belief is not only dis-empowering, it is scientifically false.