Jane Brody's article emphasizes how important it is to our well-being to have close, loving, meaningful relationships. Dr. John T. Cacioppo, Univeristy of Chicago psychologist, is quoted as saying, "Is it any wonder that we turn to ice cream or other fatty foods when we're sitting at home feeling all alone in the world? We want to soothe the pain we feel by mainlining sugar and fat content to the pleasure centers of the brain, and absent of self-control, we go right at it.” What can you do to combat loneliness? Dr. Cacioppo points out that doing "random acts of kindness" for others, volunteering, or even paying someone a compliment can make you feel better. He refers to this phenomenon as the "helper's high," and it can even lead to new friendships.

The New York Times, 5/13/2013

Roland Warren, father of two sons and board member of the National Fatherhood Initiative, explains the simple but critical things every son needs from his dad. These are things that every good father needs to do, including providing, nurturing and guiding.

The Huffington Post, 5/1/2013

"There are some sibling relationships that really are toxic and that are better left alone,” says Philadelphia psychologist Marjory Levitt. “Apart from those, it’s an absolutely irreplaceable connection and, for me, I would go as far as I could to maintain the connection.” Although the death of a parent might put some strain on a sibling relationship, it's important to try and work through any issues that come up and preserve that sibling relationship.

Chicago Tribune, 4/29/2013

Dove is kicking off a new "real beauty" campaign to tell women they look better than they think they look. Dove recently released their short film, Real Beauty Sketches, documenting a social experiment whereby women saw themselves as much less attractive than objective observers depicted them. The campaign was created as a way to help women feel better about themselves.

TODAY, 4/22/2013

What are the consequences of being constantly connected? Tweets, texts, e-mails, Facebook, and other means of social messaging are taking more of people's time these days.  How does this affect the quality of our relationships? And how does it impact our ability to concentrate, focus, be creative, have "aha" moments, and deal effectively with emergencies when we are overloaded with information? These are the questions being raised in books like "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains." Author Nicholas Carr writes, "Our efforts to keep up with the latest tweet or update do not connect us to the present moment, but insures that we are remaining focused on what just happened. We guide ourselves and our engines as if we are steering our car by watching a slide show in the rear mirror."

The New York Post, 3/30/2013

Life expectancy is increasing, as is quality of life for many people. So, how old are we, really?

EcoSalon, 3/21/2013

Recent research from Ohio State shows that long-term unemployment can hurt marriages and may even be a risk factor for divorce, especially if the husband is unemployed. Read on for tips on how to keep your relationship strong while your partner is unemployed.

CBS MoneyWatch, 3/13/2013

One in three teens is a victim of dating violence. Most of this is hidden violence, because teens and parents are often in denial. A boy constantly texting his girlfriend, which the girl may see as flattery, could actually be obsessive behavior that could lead to problems down the road. Once abuse begins, teens in these relationships are often too embarrassed to admit they are the victims of violence. Recognizing the need to facilitate more communication and openness, especially between teens and their parents, Montgomery County in Maryland has stepped up awareness efforts in public schools for students and parents. 

wtop.com (a CBS Affiliate), 3/4/2013

Research has been continuing to find that the simple act of smiling is good for our health and well-being. The benefits of smiling include slowing down the heart and reducing stress. Some research suggests that only a full, genuine smile will produce these benefits, while other studies suggest that even a forced, polite smile may be beneficial. Frowning also may affect on our health: a recent study found that preventing people from frowning, such as with Botox, can help alleviate depression. So try smiling, and see how it affects you and those you meet and greet!

The Wall Street Journal, 2/25/2013

A University of Rochester study finds people who put their spouses' needs first make themselves happier too. Couples are finding that saying "I love you" isn't always enough to sufficiently convey the strength of their emotions. Small acts of kindness, or "compassionate love," have a much bigger impact when it comes to bringing spouses together. Unfortunately, people tend to forget the strength of a small gesture. Stress can get in the way, and couples often begin to take each other for granted. Surprising a loved one with their favorite meal shows thoughtfulness and tends to ease any tension that has been lingering in the marriage.

The Wall Street Journal, 2/11/2013

Congressman Tim Ryan questions, "How much faster literally can we go, until you are so distracted all the time that you're actually missing your life?" Ryan believes Social Emotional Learning (S.E.L.) can make a huge difference in people's lives, especially when introduced at a young age to schoolchildren. S.E.L. teaches students to relax, calming themselves into a state where they are better able to learn. Ryan will be introducing a bill that will help states implement S.E.L. standards and promote mindfulness in medical schools, teacher-training programs, and to help treat veterans.

CBS Evening News, 2/9/2013