The Psychology Behind a Good Hair Day
Are you having a good hair day? Seems like a simple, even silly, question coming from a psychologist whose work is about getting underneath the surface. Having recently been asked to consult for a...
View ArticleWhy Some Midlifers Spiral Out of Control?
When I think of Demi Moore, I envision her almost naked—and very pregnant—body on the cover of Vanity Fair. I recall her feminine, sexy figure in the film "Striptease" and her powerful, muscular one in...
View ArticleReal Women Take Center Stage as Hollywood Finally Gets It!
Meryl Streep, at age 62, not only made it to the February cover of Vogue magazine, but soon after was celebrated at the Academy Awards for her starring role in the "Iron Lady." It is a wonderful thing...
View ArticleSleep Like a Baby: At Any Age!
It is surprising how often patients tell me that even if they were once good sleepers, they more or less give up on sleeping well by the time they hit their 40s and 50s. Frequently, they attribute this...
View ArticleDoes Stress Cause Wrinkles and Gray Hair: Fact or Fiction?
Many of us see President Obama's graying hair and think, "it must be all the stress he's under." We view Hillary Clinton's furrowed brow and assume, "it's the weight of the world that is adding years...
View ArticleFemale Competition as We Age: Who's the Fairest One of All?
A patient came to me to deal with her anxiety over being phased out of her job. She couldn't tell if her worries were grounded in reality—provoked by a younger colleague who was biting at her heels—or...
View ArticleDoes Aging Level the Playing Field?
Did you get asked to your senior prom? Were you a cheerleader or one of those jocks they cheered for? Or were you home hiding behind books and eyeglasses, hoping one day your time would come?read more
View ArticleThe Beauty Paradox
Amazing how the face of one beautiful woman can set off a firestorm, igniting a torrent of emotions far beyond simply "has she or hasn't she?" Welcome to what I call the "Beauty Paradox."read more
View ArticleLove Is Blind: But Only Until the Honeymoon Is Over
A new survey conducted by Harris Interactive debunks the belief that "all you need is love" for long-term relationships to succeed. It turns out that paying attention to your appearance and maintaining...
View ArticleBridging the Authenticity Gap
The message baby boomers have been shouting for a while is finally being heard across the generations: Beauty does not—and for many, cannot—be equated with flawless perfection.read more
View ArticleThe Secret to Aging Well – Not Keeping It a Secret!
One thing that continues to surprise me is how shocked people (especially other women) seem when I admit my age. With such frequent public displays of midlife success — think Streep at 62 on the cover...
View ArticleMaintaining Attraction in Long-Term Relationships
Scott and Mary have been married for seven years. Given these tough economic times, they feel fortunate to be employed, have two great kids, a home and still have a little extra money, and energy, for...
View ArticleGrandparenting in Contemporary Culture
Today, for millions of women who are reaching that stage of life, reluctance about being called grandma is about more than just vanity.read more
View ArticleCosmetic Surgery—Proceed with Caution
I find it ironic that cosmetic procedures intended improve a person's self-esteem too often lead to the opposite outcome.read more
View ArticleRelationship Secrets: When To Tell or Not to Tell
I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that many people believe marital happiness requires complete and full disclosure.read more
View ArticleTo Be Real and Beautiful
By now, no one could doubt the potential power of a social media campaign. We saw how one toppled a longstanding dictatorship in Egypt. And now young women are trying to revolutionize the way beauty is...
View ArticleDoes Intimacy Require Complete Honesty?
By now the news of Tom and Katie's divorce has begun to fade from the headlines. While some people still feel disappointed, most were not at all surprised. Conjecture about the break-up focused on the...
View ArticleFirst Impressions Can Be Lasting Ones
When we think back to when we first saw Jennifer Aniston on Friends, many of us recall her amazing locks. With George Clooney, it's his bedroom eyes. When we picture Angelina Jolie, it's her signature...
View ArticleWomen Can Be Their Own Worst Critics
Why are women's looks so often a topic of fascination — and criticism — even among women themselves? We seem so ready to judge the choices our fellow sisters make, from how we handle our relationships,...
View ArticleWhen Plastic Surgery is Used as a Solution to Bullying
Bullying in on the minds of many and is a serious concern with lasting impact. We generally think of it as a psychological issue, but now it seems it has become a physical one, as well.read more
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