Lowey Psychological Services

04/01/2026

After major life changes or emotional disruption, people often try to “figure things out” by thinking harder. This awesome article explains that creativity helps the brain reorganize experience into a coherent story. 📖

Writing, art, music, or other creative outlets allow the brain to integrate difficult events instead of endlessly replaying them. Creativity is not just expression. It is how the mind rebuilds meaning.🎨

When life ruptures your sense of self, creativity is how the brain rewrites the story. Here's the neuroscience behind why it works.

03/25/2026

Many resolutions fail not because people lack motivation, but because goals are often built around pressure instead of sustainable change.

Lasting progress comes from realistic expectations, flexible thinking, and habits that support emotional well-being rather than perfection. (Growth tends to happen through small, consistent adjustments over time!) 🌱

Many people make New Year's resolutions but few keep them. Learn the psychology behind why our resolutions fail and what we can do to meet our goals instead.

03/18/2026

Many people search for purpose as something big or life-defining. Research highlighted by NPR suggests purpose often grows from something simpler: feeling that we matter to others.

Small acts of connection, contribution, and belonging help people experience meaning in everyday life. Purpose is less about finding one perfect path and more about building relationships where we feel valued and seen. 💗

Research shows that having a sense of purpose can lower stress levels and boost our mental health. Finding meaning may not have to be an ambitious project.

03/11/2026

Disagreement is not the problem. How we handle it is.

Greater Good Magazine explores how learning to disagree respectfully at work builds stronger collaboration, psychological safety, and trust. When people feel safe expressing different viewpoints, workplaces become more creative and emotionally healthy environments.

Developing skills for listening, curiosity, and respectful dialogue can turn conflict into growth instead of stress.

Read more: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/teaching_the_next_generation_how_to_disagree_at_work

03/04/2026

Vacation doesn’t always require travel. are meaningful opportunities to rest, reset routines, and reconnect with your own rhythms.

When we step away from obligations and allow real downtime (even close to home), we give ourselves emotional space for restoration, perspective, and renewal!

Sometimes the best vacation of your life doesn’t require a suitcase. Turn a week at home into a mental reset, and design a restorative escape that leaves you renewed.

02/25/2026

Not all connection is intimate or intense. Some of it is quiet, familiar, and steady. Research shared by NPR suggests that relationships with neighbors and local communities help people feel grounded and less alone.

These everyday connections may seem small, but over time, they help create a sense of belonging that supports mental health.

If you've always dreamed of having a village but feel disconnected from your community, try these five tips. Plus: We want to hear from you. Tell us how you cultivate community where you live.

02/18/2026

Self-love is often encouraged, but when it turns into avoidance or self-indulgence, it can quietly slow personal growth.

Greater Good Magazine explores how compassion without reflection may leave deeper patterns unchanged. True emotional growth often comes from balancing kindness with curiosity and honesty.

Sometimes, we can avoid hard conversations or uncomfortable connections in the name of self-love. Here's how to love yourself in a way that helps you to keep growing.

02/13/2026

💕 Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to slow down, reconnect, and show up with intention - whether you’re partnered, dating, or focusing on yourself. Therapist Natasha Taffett, MS, LMFT shares thoughtful reflections on self-love, honest communication, and staying present:

1. Start with self-love.

Whether you are searching for love or nurturing a long-term relationship or marriage, it’s important to prioritize how you treat yourself. The way you care for yourself often sets the standard for how others treat you. Engage in practices that support your well-being—regular exercise, for example, has been shown to reduce anxiety, boost mood, and help prevent depression. And don’t underestimate the power of feeling good in your own skin: dressing up, having fun, and taking pride in your appearance can meaningfully shift how you show up.

2. Know your values and communicate your desires.

Clarity helps attract the right kind of love and ensures that you and your partner are on the same page. While many people hope their partner will surprise them with romance or reservations, waiting silently can lead to disappointment. If something matters to you, say so. Communicating your hopes allows both partners to plan intentionally and sets the relationship up for success.

3. Be present in the relationship you’re in.

For those in long-term relationships, consider letting go of past hurts—at least for the evening—and focusing on connection. Ask meaningful questions, such as: What made you feel most loved this year? or What are you hoping for in the coming months?

4. If you’re just beginning a new relationship, ensure you’re well supported by therapy and friendships as you work through old wounds. A healed heart creates space for healthier love.

5. Say yes to new experiences.

Growth happens outside our comfort zones. Go somewhere you’ve never been, try something you’ve always avoided, or revisit something you decided you disliked long ago. You might even discover you like onions after all.

6. Celebrate one another.
Clink glasses over promotions, milestones, successful sleep training of babies, and everything in between. These moments—small as they may seem—are your life. Take stock, be present, and allow gratitude to deepen connection.

And for single parents:
If you don’t have a Valentine this year, you actually do. Take your school-aged child out on a Valentine’s date. Dress up together and make the evening special. Children rise to the occasion when they feel seen as capable and valued—and the memory will stay with both of you.

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with connection, intention, and care. 💗

02/12/2026

Feeling restless, low energy, or emotionally tight after limited social contact is more common than you might think. is a state of emotional discomfort linked to isolation, low stimulation, and reduced connection.

Understanding what is behind these feelings can help you respond with compassion and healthier coping strategies.

Cabin fever is a term for a relatively common reaction to intense isolation. Learn to identify the symptoms of cabin fever, what causes it, and some ways to cope.

01/28/2026

About a year ago, Jennifer C. Veilleux set a goal for herself: She would try never to answer “I’m fine” or “I’m good” if she wasn’t really feeling that way. When she catches those words rolling out of her mouth—which still happens occasionally—she corrects herself and tells the other person she's trying to avoid sticking to the script we all generally expect. If you've ever struggled to respond to "how are you" when you aren't feeling your best, this Time article might help you move through those interactions with a better sense for what to say.

One option: “I’m upright—that’s about all I can say."

01/21/2026

Generative AI chatbots are a growing part of life for American teens. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 64% of adolescents are using chatbots, with 3 in 10 saying they use them daily. Extended chatbot interactions may affect kids' social development and mental health, and the technology is changing so fast that few safeguards are in place. Read more on NPR for a few ways to help teens navigate the technology safely.

Teen use of AI chatbots is growing, and psychologists worry it's affecting their social development and mental health. Here's what parents should know to help kids use the technology safely.

01/14/2026

“Happy hormones” such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin are neurotransmitters and chemicals that regulate our mood and emotions. These hormones work together to create a balanced emotional state, contributing to overall mental and physical health.

You can support healthy hormone levels in a variety of ways, including engaging in regular physical activity, getting exposure to natural sunlight, and seeking out positive social interaction and connection. Supporting happy hormones through daily habits can be a helpful part of maintaining mental and emotional well-being.

Happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin are neurotransmitters and chemicals that regulate your mood and emotions. Here's how you can boost them and enhance your mental wellbeing