Positive Psychology Center

10/23/2026

New research suggests that building positive emotional experiences may complement traditional approaches to depression and anxiety. It’s a reminder that mental health is not only about reducing distress, but also about strengthening well-being.

Targeting impaired reward processing reduces key risk factors in depression and anxiety and produces superior clinical outcomes than negative affect treatment.

10/21/2026

Trauma can show up quietly in the body, relationships, and everyday reactions. This podcast explores how EMDR is used in practice and what trauma treatment can look like in session.

Podcast Episode · The Carlat Psychiatry Podcast · June 8 · 31m

10/19/2026

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/resilience-programs/resilience-research

10/16/2026

New research suggests awe can come from witnessing exceptional human ability, not just nature. Seeing athletic or intellectual excellence was linked to greater motivation to grow, improve, and help others. What we watch may shape more than entertainment.

Awe is a self-transcendent emotion gaining attention in media psychology, yet most research focuses on nature-based awe; ability-based awe – elicited by witnessing extraordinary human abilities – r...

10/14/2026

Perfectionism can fuel avoidance, burnout, and self-criticism. This podcast explores practical ways to loosen perfectionistic thinking and a simple habit linked to greater happiness and a more sustainable approach to life.

583. We talk about a specific, easy way to reduce the unworn clothes in your closet, and we also share a listener’s clothes-related hack for keeping track of lost items. We explore an interesting distinction: are you a nostalgic person or an expectant person?

10/12/2026

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/resilience-programs/resilience-clients

10/09/2026

New research from UMass Amherst suggests stress-related drinking in early adulthood may alter brain circuits well into midlife, even after years of sobriety. A thoughtful look at how stress and alcohol may shape long-term brain health.

Using alcohol to cope with stress when young may permanently alter the brain, making it harder to adapt to challenges and increasing the risk of returning to drinking later in life. Researchers also found signs of brain damage associated with early dementia, suggesting the effects can linger long af...

10/07/2026

Grit isn't about going in alone. Angela Duckworth explains why high achievers know that asking for help is actually a skill, not a weakness.

Being a successful self-starter doesn’t mean pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.

10/05/2026

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/services/penn-resilience-training

10/02/2026

Reflective practice plays a critical role in how individuals learn from experience and apply that insight to future decisions. This article explores how reflection supports deeper learning, strengthens critical thinking, and connects theory with practice.

Self-reflection, which refers to thinking about one’s actions, is widely used in classroom teaching. However, little research has been conducted on the use of self-reflection to foster resilience a...