Matt Huston
Matt Huston is an editor and writer interested in psychology, mental health, and culture. Before joining Aeon+Psyche, he was on the editorial staff at Psychology Today for nearly a decade. He has written about a variety of topics in the realm of human behaviour, ranging from teletherapy to social perception to reproducibility in psychological science.
Written by Matt Huston
Sleep problems
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What to do when racing thoughts keep you up at night
Any attempts to escape your mind or make yourself sleep are likely to backfire. Try these expert tips instead
by Matt Huston
Emotion regulation
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The psychology of impatience could make waiting more tolerable
New studies on the experience of impatience suggest there’s more to it than simply how long you’ve been left hanging
by Matt Huston
Disability
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Prejudice is more of a problem for some disabilities than others
It’s welcome that there’s more awareness of ableism, but further progress means digging into the varied ways it plays out
by Matt Huston
Emotions
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Some emotions seem to be more ‘elastic’ than others
New research findings suggest that guilt behaves like an on-off switch whereas anger is more elastic and dial-controlled
by Matt Huston
Beauty and aesthetics
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Why art seems more beautiful when you can see yourself in it
Research suggests that people find artworks more aesthetically pleasing when they’re personally relevant to them in some way
by Matt Huston
Cultural diversity
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Cultural differences are far more nuanced than East vs West
It’s simply not the case that ‘Eastern’ cultures are relationally-minded, while ‘Western’ societies are individualistic
by Matt Huston
Anxiety
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What to do when your urge for reassurance has gone too far
The need for constant reassurance can show up like a persistent itch. Follow these steps for a more lasting peace of mind
by Matt Huston
Personality disorders
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There’s a growing case for renaming ‘personality disorders’
The concept of personality disorders has been around for centuries but it’s flawed and needs both a rethink and a new name
by Matt Huston
Edited by Matt Huston
Anxiety
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How to cope with climate anxiety
It’s normal to feel troubled by the climate crisis. These practices can help keep your response manageable and constructive
by Lucia Tecuta
Eating disorders
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The important link between eating disorders and past trauma
For someone who’s endured trauma, an eating disorder might be one of the aftereffects. That should inform their recovery
by Giulia Suro
Goals and motivation
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Eight ways to give yourself a pep talk when you feel stuck
All of us could do with more words of encouragement and perspective, and they don’t need to come from another person
by Rachel Goldsmith Turow
Addiction
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You can want things you don’t like and like things you don’t want
The distinct neurochemistry of wanting and liking is helping to make sense of addiction – and more everyday behaviours
by Shayla Love
Trauma and PTSD
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The shadows cast by childhood abuse and neglect are not the same
Unravelling the pathways from different forms of childhood maltreatment to mental illness could lead to better treatments
by Anne Alkema & Marco Boks
Emotions
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How ‘feelings about thinking’ help us navigate our world
The pleasant feeling of knowing, the frustration of forgetting, and other ‘metacognitive feelings’ serve as unsung guides
by Pablo Fernandez Velasco & Slawa Loev
Habits and routines
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Is it better to live in ‘clock time’ or ‘event time’?
Do you stick to a set schedule, or have a looser relationship to the clock? It can affect more than how you plan your day
by Shayla Love
Personality disorders
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To understand borderline personality, imagine having no history
For people with an unfairly stigmatised mental health condition, and the rest of us, it’s vital to connect past with present
by Alexander Kriss
Dance
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How dance taught me to embrace my deformity
In the raw style of Tanztheater, I found a way to take my poetry into the physical world and express myself authentically
by Billy Gigurtsis
Emotion regulation
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Are emotionally resilient people also skilled at soothing others?
Research on the social side of emotion management is showing what’s distinctive about it – and its benefits for all involved
by Christian Jarrett
Meaning and the good life
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How to appreciate what you have
To better face an imperfect world, try a deeper reflection on the things, people and legacies that make your life possible
by Avram Alpert
Stories and literature
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Fiction has a special power to give us insight into our flaws
Losing yourself in a book, film or show provides a useful mirror for character – one that is hard to access in real life
by Martina Orlandi