Inquiring Minds are Smarter... and Happier!
Whether you define happiness as a state of being or an emotion, research shows that our happiness is directly correlated with curiosity.
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Melissa Hughes
- Mar 16
- 4 min
We're Better Together
At a time when everything feels upside down, we're more disconnected than ever. Times like these we need to connected the most.
Melissa Hughes
- Dec 22, 2021
- 3 min
The Science Behind the Smile
One's smile is a powerful communication tool that significantly influences how others perceive us.
Melissa Hughes
- Dec 31, 2020
- 3 min
6 Ways to Slay the Afternoon Slump
We’ve all been there… it’s full steam ahead all morning, you grab a quick lunch and have the best of intentions of powering through the...
Melissa Hughes
- Nov 4, 2020
- 2 min
Why Laughter Really IS the Best Medicine
Over the last few decades, we've learned a lot about how laughter affects the brain, the body, and our overall well-being.
Melissa Hughes
- Sep 4, 2020
- 5 min
Unmet Expectations or Magical Thinking?
Our expectations influence our reality as well as our interactions with those around us.
Melissa Hughes
- Aug 11, 2020
- 4 min
6 "In-the-Moment" De-Stress Strategies for Work
We all know that stress is bad for us physically and mentally. Calm your mind and reduce anxiety in minutes with these simple strategies.
Melissa Hughes
- Aug 10, 2020
- 4 min
This is why we LOVED Grumpy Cat
Research shows that warm fuzzy images of animals and babies can make us happier, increase our resilience to stress and prime our brains for
Melissa Hughes
- Aug 10, 2020
- 2 min
A 60-Second Brain Hack for a Competitive Edge
New research shows the vagus nerve can not only help up pump the brakes on stress but also give us a cognitive competitive advantage.
Melissa Hughes
- Aug 7, 2020
- 2 min
6 Foods to Supercharge Your Brain
Can certain foods make you smarter? Science says yes! Supercharge your brain and your body with these 6 foods.
Melissa Hughes
- Aug 5, 2020
- 3 min
Your Brain on Chocolate
Research shows that chocolate can help us cheer up, chill out, and get a little smarter. But be warned: All chocolate is not equal.
Melissa Hughes
- Jul 6, 2020
- 4 min
3 Brainy Secrets in Food Cravings
COVID disrupted our routines and increased anxiety and stress. It also created the perfect conditions for food cravings and weight gain.
Melissa Hughes
- May 27, 2020
- 3 min
Feeling Lonely is More Than a Feeling
With Americans more physically isolated now because of coronavirus stay-at-home orders, loneliness is the second pandemic.
Melissa Hughes
- May 26, 2020
- 4 min
When the Silver Linings Tarnish
It’s hard to keep going when our brains are constantly pumping out stress hormones and on high alert.
Melissa Hughes
- May 20, 2020
- 2 min
4 Ways to be More Mindful in Less Than a Minute
Are you interested in mindfulness meditation, but not sure if you have the know-how or the time? Mindfulness doesn’t have to be time-consumi
Melissa Hughes
- Apr 13, 2020
- 3 min
7 Ways to Boost the Immune System and Reclaim a Sense of Control
Chronic stress depresses the immune system and increases the risk of several types of illnesses making you more susceptible to viral illness
Melissa Hughes
- Mar 26, 2020
- 3 min
The Catch-22 of the Pandemic Panic
Anxiety thrives on uncertainty. When we feel like we have no control over a threat or danger, such as the current coronavirus situation, the
Melissa Hughes
- Jul 23, 2019
- 2 min
The Happiness Factor
Recently, there has been growing interest in a concept called gross national happiness (GNH). The idea is that a happy workforce is
Melissa Hughes
- Jun 7, 2019
- 3 min
Why You Should Take that Beach Vacation
There is a wealth of scientific evidence that spending time in nature has a host of mental and physical benefits. Now, recent cutting-edge
Melissa Hughes
- Dec 21, 2018
- 4 min
4 Ways to a Smarter Brain
Are you one of the 42% of Americans who will make a New Year’s resolution this year? If so, then losing weight or eating healthier is a...