Here are two articles of mine for this week’s Psychology Today. Bridging the Love, Sex, and Gratitude Gap In the world of love so often we become trapped in unspoken expectations and hidden agendas. Waiting for “what’s next” we miss the “now” of a faint smile that says “I need you.” An amorous look that…
Author: Rita Watson
The next time anger rears up, try being grateful
The next time anger rears up, try being grateful Rita Watson/ Providence Journal/ Sept 8, 2011 Well, it happened. Despite my determination to remain positive and upbeat about life, after a particularly daunting situation, I found myself with a sleepless night. In a recent interview with university Prof. Diane Kholos Wysocki, she pointed out that…
Cognition: Keeping the Brain Young
01:00 AM EDT on Monday, June 13, 2011 After purchasing my first book of crossword puzzles to improve my memory, I went into a panic. I knew only about 20 of the answers off the top of my head. With one parent who has had Alzheimer’s for 10 years, I was determined to find the…
Cognition: Advances against Alzheimer's (Providence Journal)
Providence Journal 01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, April 3, 2011 By Rita Watson BOSTON Memories — we treasure them. Often people with dementia can retell stories from long ago, but forget what it is they had for lunch just hours earlier. Recently, there have been glimmers of promising research, from a mechanism to switch off…
A quiet place for solitude and prayer
from the Providence Journal 04/04/2011 01:00 AM EDT Whether women chant, meditate, pray, or do yoga, we need a space of our own to decompress, seek solitude, and listen to the voice within us. I have always believed that houses with nooks and crannies were designed by architects who knew the value of secret places…
A prescription for happy hearts
from my Providence Journal column 01:00 AM EDT on Monday, May 2, 2011 Happiness and laughter are contagious, make us feel good, and even protect our hearts. We all know what happens when someone gets the giggles, those around start laughing as well. Laughter emanates from happy people. Facebook has been tracking happiness and found…
Happiness over Hostility; Don't surrender power over your life
from my Providence Journal Column 08/21/2011 01:00 AM EDT Whether you are left at the altar, find your husband has a lover, or realize one day that the child who exhausts you has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you have a choice. You can take control of the situation before it takes control of you, with…
Gratitude: Tradition of Thank you notes carries on
from the Providence journal From the 05/15/2011 01:00 AM EDT Since embarking upon his gratitude adventure of writing thank-you notes, John Kralik has moved from debt to a Superior Court Judge, from overweight to running marathons, from being depressed to becoming a more positive person. I interviewed him about his book, “365 Thank Yous” (Hyperion),…
How one man discovered the power of gratitude
From my Projo Column 03/27/2011 01:00 AM EDT Before discovering the power of “thank you,” John Kralik was living in one room, experiencing strained relationships, and watching his law practice fall on hard times. At this low point, something resonated. He described to me a walk he took in the Echo Mountains of Pasadena, Calif….
Gratitude during happy times and sad ones
02/27/2011 01:00 AM EST Fireworks and rainbows take our breath away. A home run or touchdown sets us cheering. Friendship gives us comfort. Love captivates us. With each experience we are filled with gratitude. When we feel happy, safe, protected, and loved — we are grateful. It is so easy to be grateful when things…