Tim Clare likes the theory that this works because of cognitive dissonance: We have to change something major (our behavior) ...

There’s a reason why “little treat” culture is so popular; it’s completely natural to be motivated by a reward waiting for you on the other side of something you don’t want to do. Food is a go-to ...

Rewarding yourself throughout the day can help you overcome feelings of languishing. Here's how to reward yourself and why you deserve it. board-certified doctor of sleep medicine and neurology, ...

At the end of a long day, it’s tempting to order a large pizza or grab a drive-through cheeseburger for dinner. But, if offered cash, you might be persuaded to eat fruits and vegetables instead (or at ...

I always cringe when I see a well-meaning grandma, or anyone for that matter, say to a little child: “What a good girl you are! Here’s a cookie!” Most of us, early on, learned to see sweet foods like ...

When you’re working toward a major financial goal, like paying off debt or saving a hefty sum, the general advice is to break that big milestone up into smaller goals. And each time you hit a smaller ...

Healthy milestones offer a moment to celebrate victories, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement, such as rewarding yourself with a treat, plays an important role in maintaining motivation and ...

Crossing something off your to-do list can be satisfying. But you may need extra motivation to get through the more dreaded tasks. Here’s how to motivate yourself to accomplish those difficult ...

Greyson Spang, 5, celebrates at a children’s Noon Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31, 2022, at the Solon Public Library. Given that it’s the season for new year’s resolutions, a University of Iowa marketing ...

Leslie Leonard is a Ph.D. candidate in American literature and American studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. You can follow her on twitter @lesliemleo. “Gradhacker” has hosted at ...