Welcome to Up for Debate. Each week, Conor Friedersdorf rounds up timely conversations and solicits reader responses to one thought-provoking question. Later, he publishes some thoughtful replies.

In today’s world, where stress is common and negativity feels constant, it’s important to understand how our thoughts affect our health. Recent scientific findings have shed light on a crucial aspect ...

Whether they’re positive or negative, our thoughts are powerful. When receiving feedback on a project at work, an athletic performance, or an academic paper, we tend to be more affected by negative ...

Sending a positive note to yourself or someone else could save you a headache or health issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking means that you approach unpleasantness in a more ...

The considered wisdom in positive psychology is that to feel better, you just need to think happy thoughts. If this conjures up the song “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” then you’re on the right track.

How you see things in the world can have a positive or negative impact on your life. If you are constantly complaining, degrading or nagging, most likely, your life feels like a drag. At the other end ...

All feelings come from our thoughts. If we feel happy, we are happy. If we feel sad, we are sad. My mentor and friend Dan Zelling M.D. said, “You can change your thoughts and thereby your feelings.” ...

From an early age, we're taught the golden rule: "Treat others as you would like to be treated." The irony here? Many of us don't even treat ourselves the way we'd like to be treated. A 2023 poll ...

New research ties positive thoughts about aging to better recovery from mild cognitive issues. The reason for the link isn’t entirely clear. Experts say it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re ...