Chicago, Illinois – Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list or stressed out by work or family demands? Perhaps the state of politics, climate change, or global conflicts is adding to your anxiety. While it’s impossible to eliminate all stress, science shows that learning to manage it better is achievable.

According to research psychologist Judith Moskowitz from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, there are eight skills and practices that can help increase positive emotions and reduce anxiety, even in challenging times. Moskowitz has developed an online course aimed at teaching these skills, offering a master class in stress management.

In her studies, Moskowitz has found that even in difficult situations such as caring for a sick spouse or battling serious illnesses, people can be taught to experience positive emotions. Now, she is embarking on a new research study to evaluate how these skills can help individuals deal with everyday stress, open to anyone 18 and older living in the U.S.

Participants in the study will undergo surveys to measure their levels of anxiety and positive emotions before and after taking the course. Moskowitz’s approach emphasizes the importance of focusing on positive events, savoring moments, expressing gratitude, practicing daily mindfulness, and learning to set attainable goals, among other skills.

By immersing yourself in these practices, you can build a reservoir of positive energy to draw upon when faced with challenges or stressors. While these skills are not a magic solution to eliminate stress, they can contribute to increased resilience and more frequent moments of happiness.

Collaborating with researchers like Jeff Huffman from Harvard Medical School, Moskowitz’s work is part of a growing field of research that explores how positive emotional practices can lead to changes in the brain. Studies have shown that repeated practice of compassion and empathy can create new connections in the brain, highlighting the potential of positive emotional interventions.

Overall, practicing these skills offers individuals a pathway to greater emotional well-being and the ability to navigate life’s challenges with more resilience. So, take the step to sign up for Northwestern’s online resilience course and research study and start your journey towards a more stress-free and balanced life.