The science of thriving never ceases to amaze me.  In 2024, researchers discovered or confirmed 9 ways to boost mental health. Beyond fascinating research, it helps to have practical tools to work with. So, in this latest Spark Blurbs™ post, I’m offering some easy-to-try ways to incorporate these 9 mental fitness boosters into personal and workplace wellbeing practices.

9 Ways to boost mental health

1. Writing by hand beats typing for learning and memory

Personal Wellbeing: Keep a handwritten gratitude journal or use a notebook to jot down daily reflections and affirmations.

Workplace Wellbeing: Encourage handwritten note-taking during meetings or brainstorming sessions to improve memory retention and engagement. Methods like bullet journaling and mind mapping can make this fast and effective. Also, online mind-mapping tools can make it collaborative.

2. Your gut microbes can affect your mood.

Personal Wellbeing: Incorporate fermented foods like yogurt, kefir,...

When it comes to setting and achieving goals, the stakes are high. Research from the field of positive psychology consistently shows that pursuing meaningful goals enhances our overall well-being, fueling happiness, resilience, and even better physical and mental health. Yet, for most of us, the process of setting and sticking to goals often feels daunting, stressful, and, let’s be honest, sometimes completely demotivating.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in this cycle, you’re not alone. In fact, studies suggest that as many as 92% of people fail to reach the goals they set.

But what if there was a way to flip the script—to make goal-setting and achievement an enjoyable, life-affirming process that supports your growth and fulfillment instead of draining your energy?

That’s exactly what The Science & Magic of Achievement is designed to help you do. Let’s explore why goals matter, why they’re so hard to achieve, and how this program...

Seasons of Change

As the crisp air rolls in and the leaves put on their annual fashion show of red, orange, and gold, we find ourselves moving into the heart of Fall. Well, OK… maybe not so much here in Texas… but I am enjoying the cooler mornings in the 70s and daily highs under 95!  I can feel my body craving soups and looking forward to spending more time outside - which I avoid from June to September each year (Texas heat, right?). So I say bring on Fall!

Wherever you live, it’s likely that you are at least starting to sense the changing of the seasons. For some of you, it will include the visual delight of fall colors, and maybe some pumpkins, and slightly different sunsets. Whatever fall looks like to you… it's a great time to remember that change is a natural part of life. Seasonal changes are a perfect opportunity to reflect on our daily practices, energy levels, and routines. Are they serving our well-being, or do we need to tweak things a...

Let’s talk about community

The people we surround ourselves with can have a huge impact on our lives in general, especially when we are working on personal growth or specific goals.

Existing in community is a powerful and natural part of the human experience. We are not designed to human alone. Communities are a primary way that we share stories, relate to each other, find belonging, learn, have experiences, and build bonds. It’s where we develop our values, priorities, norms, and goals. It’s how we gather resources and meet our physical and emotional needs, including safety and survival.

Being part of a community is essential to a thriving human experience. Without a sense of connection that comes from communing with others, we are often sicker, struggle more in life, and die earlier! 

A 2021 Harvard study shows that around 36% of Americans experience a sense of “serious loneliness”. That jumps to 51% for mothers with young children and to 61% for...