Psychologist Angela Duckworth identifies “grit”—a blend of passion and perseverance for long-term goals—as the key trait shared by elite achievers across fields. Her research, including studies of West Point cadets and National Spelling Bee contestants, shows that grit consistently outperforms traditional predictors of success like intelligence, SAT scores, and physical fitness. Duckworth emphasizes that grit involves sustained effort, resilience during setbacks, and deliberate practice. While she acknowledges that grit isn’t the only factor in personal development, her work underscores that effort plays a crucial role in turning potential into achievement.

Applying Angela Duckworth’s findings on grit to healthcare work—especially in high-stress environments like primary care, emergency departments, or behavioral health—highlights the importance of sustained effort and resilience. Healthcare professionals often face emotionally taxing situations, systemic barriers, and long-term challenges in patient care. Her research supports continuous learning and deliberate practice, which are essential for adapting to evolving medical knowledge and patient needs. Cultivating grit among healthcare teams may enhance retention, morale, and the delivery of compassionate, evidence-based care.

Ready to learn more? Want to take the Grit measure and others? Visit https://angeladuckworth.com/

Practicing humility offers a range of psychological and physical benefits that contribute to overall well-being. Psychologically, humility enhances emotional resilience, helping individuals recover from setbacks by fostering acceptance and reducing self-critical thoughts. It improves emotional regulation, lowers stress and anxiety, and promotes realistic self-assessment, which leads to healthier coping strategies and reduced defensiveness. Humble individuals tend to form stronger relationships due to increased empathy, active listening, and openness to others’ perspectives. Physically, these psychological benefits can translate into better health outcomes by reducing stress-related ailments and encouraging supportive social networks. Humility also supports personal growth, spiritual well-being, and a balanced sense of self, making it a powerful yet often overlooked trait for mental and physical health. Need help practicing? See below!

Wright et al. (2017) – This article in The Journal of Positive Psychology discusses the psychological significance of humility, defining it as a virtue that fosters emotional resilience, openness to feedback, and interpersonal harmony. It emphasizes humility’s role in reducing defensiveness and enhancing self-awareness.

• Citation: Wright, J. C., Nadelhoffer, T., Perini, T., Langville, A., Echols, M., & Venezia, K. (2017). The psychological significance of humility. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1167940 [psycnet.apa.org]

Ross & Wright (2021) – This study in Psychological Reports found that humility correlates with lower depression and anxiety, higher happiness, love of life, and self-efficacy. It also links humility to personality traits like conscientiousness and openness.

• Citation: Ross, L. T., & Wright, J. C. (2021). Humility, personality, and psychological functioning. Psychological Reports, 0(0), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941211062819 [researchgate.net]

Tangney (2012) – In The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology, humility is described as a multifaceted construct involving accurate self-assessment and a “forgetting of the self,” contributing to psychological balance and interpersonal effectiveness.

• Citation: Tangney, J. P. (2012). Humility. In The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (pp. 483–490). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195187243.013.0046 [academic.oup.com]

Van Tongeren & Myers (2017) – This review in Current Directions in Psychological Science highlights humility’s role in acknowledging biases, fostering openness, and prioritizing others’ well-being, which supports mental health and social functioning.

• Citation: Van Tongeren, D. R., & Myers, D. G. (2017). Humility. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(5), 463–468. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419850153 [jstor.org]

Pumpkin spice and falling leaves remind us that fall is a season of change—and a great time to refresh our routines. Even small shifts, like taking a brisk walk during lunch or swapping one coffee for water, can give your body and mind a boost. Let the season inspire you to try one small healthy change this week. Need more tips on achieving these goals?
Visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/healthy-eating/

When we make mistakes at work, it can lead to a cycle of negative thinking. The damaging thoughts swirl: “I’m an impostor.” “I’m not smart enough.” “I’m failing at my job.” Feeling like an impostor — doubting one’s own abilities despite a track record of success — is common, especially among women and members of marginalized groups. Even on days when everything’s going right, it can be hard to shift out of a cycle of self-doubt.

Cathy Bussewitz at The Associated Press recently sat down with Dr. Judith Beck, president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy just across the river in Philadelphia, to discuss this phenomenon and what we can do about it. The full article, It can be hard to shift out of negative thoughts, but there are ways to stop spiraling, can be read at apnews.com. Below is a summary.

Main Points

• Mistakes at work often trigger a cycle of negative thinking: “I’m an impostor,” “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m failing at my job.”
• Impostor syndrome—feeling unqualified despite evidence of competence—is common, especially among women and marginalized groups.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is useful for interrupting negative self-talk by helping people:
  1. Identify recurring unhelpful thoughts
  2. Evaluate whether those thoughts are accurate
  3. Reframe them into more realistic or constructive narratives

Psychological & Evolutionary Insights

• Our brains are wired to notice threats and negatives—survival mechanisms still influence us today. This bias makes us more likely to dwell on problems than successes.
• We also tend to filter out positive feedback and magnify mistakes.
• To counter this, repeatedly practicing positive self-beliefs can help build a “healthier thinking muscle.”

Strategies & Techniques

• Question your thought’s validity
  Ask: “What evidence supports this?” “What contradicts it?” “What does ‘good enough’ really mean?”
• “Microscope” technique
  Write down negative statements (e.g. “They don’t value my work”) and then do exercises like reading backwards, counting words, or visualizing them on a cloud to reduce their emotional impact.
• Replace with healthier thoughts
  For example:
  • “I’ve made good choices today.”
  • “Some things went well; tomorrow I’ll try again.”
  • Use scripts or mantras to respond when old negative thoughts resurface.

In the fast-paced environment that is Cooper, even a few minutes of intentional stillness can make a meaningful difference. This 10-minute meditation, adapted to be done even while seated behind a desk, is designed specifically for healthcare staff to reset, refocus, and reconnect with their inner calm—right from where they are. Regular practice can help reduce stress, improve emotional resilience, and foster a greater sense of presence during demanding shifts.

Recently, Anya Kamenetz and Cory Turner at NPR updated their article in which they spoke a handful of child development experts about what parents, teachers and other caregivers can say to help kids process all the scary news out there. The full article can be listened to and read at https://www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716704917/when-the-news-is-scary-what-to-say-to-kids and a summary of their advice is available below.

Limit children’s exposure to breaking news, especially unsupervised or ambient viewing (e.g., the TV running in the background). Adults need to control when and how kids come across disturbing content.

Check in gently on what they’ve heard and how they feel. Choose a calm time—like dinner or bedtime—to ask, “What have you heard? How does that make you feel?” This creates a safe space for kids to express themselves.

Provide facts and context to help dispel misinformation—especially important in the age of social media. For instance, clarify serious rumors, like “No, there’s not a draft and World War III hasn’t begun.”

Avoid labeling individuals as “bad guys”. Instead, describe behavior—explain that some people might be in pain, angry, or making poor choices. And it’s okay to say, “I don’t know why it happened,” when the answer is simply not available.

Encourage children to process events through play and art. Creative expression helps them make sense of what’s overwhelming—allowing them to construct their stories and understand emotions in a safe way.

Focus on the helpers—highlight stories of people taking care of others. Fred Rogers’s advice—“When something scary is happening, look for the helpers”—can help shift perspective toward hope and resilience.

Take positive action together. Involve kids in meaningful efforts like peaceful rallies, donation drives, or writing to officials. Taking action creates a sense of agency and reduces anxiety.

Weather you yourself are preparing for a new semester or young ones in your family are headed back to school, today we are sharing tips to reduce anxieties around that and set everyone up for success!

A new school year can bring both excitement and nervousness. New teachers, friends, and routines may feel overwhelming, but preparing ahead can help your child start confidently and smoothly.

Tip #1: Start Routines Early Ease the transition by practicing school routines during the summer: Wake up and get ready at a consistent time. Pick out clothes the night before. Add in learning games, regular mealtimes, and a bedtime routine. Use a visual schedule and give small choices to increase independence.

Tip #2: Visit the School If possible, tour the building before school starts. Meet the teacher and key staff, find important places (bathrooms, nurse, counselor), and review expectations like lining up or carrying a lunch tray. Open houses and private tours can make the environment more familiar.

Tip #3: Create a Social Story Social stories help children know what to expect in their day. Write or use pictures to show steps such as greeting the teacher, getting lunch, or asking for help. Practice behavioral expectations like raising a hand or telling the teacher if they feel unwell. Using real photos of your child’s school can make this more effective.

Tip #4: Check In Regularly Build emotional check-ins into daily routines (after school or dinner). Use tools like a feelings chart or the “Rose, Bud, Thorn” game (best part, what’s next, what was hard). Practice calming skills such as deep breathing, coloring, or sensory play, and model healthy ways to handle mistakes.

With preparation, the new year can be a positive time of growth, helping your child feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Many professionals today live in a near-constant state of pressure, managing careers, families, personal health, and social responsibilities as though they were juggling too many fragile balls in the air. This relentless sense of responsibility often breeds chronic stress and anxiety, leaving them fearful that one misstep will cause everything to come crashing down. Over time, the emotional toll can manifest as burnout, irritability, decreased focus, strained relationships, and a loss of connection to personal values, making even success feel hollow or unsustainable.

Skills to Address This (ACT + DBT):

• ACT Skills
  • Cognitive Defusion: Noticing anxious thoughts (“I’ll drop everything”) as mental events, not truths.
  • Acceptance: Allowing space for stress and uncertainty without needing to control every feeling.
  • Values Clarification: Identifying what truly matters (e.g., presence with family, meaningful work) to prioritize.
  • Committed Action: Taking small, values-driven steps instead of chasing unrealistic perfection.
  • Self-as-Context: Observing the self beyond roles and tasks, reducing over-identification with performance.
• DBT Skills
  • Wise Mind: Balancing logic and emotion when overwhelmed by responsibilities.
  • Mindfulness: Anchoring in the present moment rather than spiraling into “what if” fears.
  • PLEASE Skill: Taking care of Physical health, balanced Lifestyle, managing Emotions, avoiding mood-Altering substances, Sleep, and balanced Eating.
  • DEAR MAN: Communicating needs effectively at work or home to redistribute burdens.
  • Radical Acceptance: Acknowledging life’s limits and choosing peace with what cannot be controlled.