Dr. Samantha Boardman

04/07/2026

We live in a world that tells us the goal is to be larger than life. But what if we’re missing out on something essential by never feeling small?

When astronauts look back at Earth from space, many describe a profound shift—a sense of connection, perspective, and awe. It even has a name: the Overview Effect.

And it’s a reminder that what actually produces meaning, connection, and well-being isn’t magnitude. It’s perspective.

Few of us will ever leave the atmosphere. But the feeling they describe is closer than we think.

Five science-backed strategies to trade self-focus for perspective, no space travel necessary.

12/09/2025

The internet rewards whatever keeps us clicking and anger is one of the easiest emotions to monetize. But even inside an outrage economy, we have more agency than we think.

Outrage narrows our attention.
Awe expands it.
Beauty steadies us.
Delight softens cynicism and opens the door to possibility.

What you engage with shapes how you feel, what you notice, and even who you become. Your feed isn’t just a reflection of the algorithm. It’s a reflection of your choices.

Unfollow what drains you, follow what lifts you, and click on the moments that remind you the world is bigger, kinder, and more magnificent than your screen suggests.

Your attention is a precious resource.
Choose what nourishes your mind.

Here's how to stop feeding the outrage economy and start feeding your mind instead.

11/19/2025

Holiday stress can be real, but the story we tell about it is often the bigger problem. The simplest way to enjoy the season may just be rewriting the narrative we’ve accepted as inevitable.

The holidays don’t always have to be a crisis, here's how to stop treating them like one.

The holidays don’t always have to be a crisis, let’s stop treating them like one.

11/07/2025

We tend to overestimate the power of our past and underestimate our capacity to adapt. But the evidence is clear: how we interpret challenges shapes what we carry forward.

A short set of questions helps rewrite the story: less rumination, more insight, and a clearer sense of what deserves your energy.

It’s a simple, science-backed recipe for resilience: turn the past into data, not destiny, and use it to move forward with purpose.

Why early experiences matter less than we think and what matters more.

10/29/2025

Are you a human leaf blower? 🍂
Most of us don’t think so … but anytime we solve our problems by making them someone else’s that’s exactly what we’re doing.

It works in the moment and costs us in the long run.

Here are 3 evidence-based ways to interrupt the leaf blower mindset.

Shifting your problems onto others backfires. Here’s what to do instead.

10/22/2025

We often confuse pessimism with wisdom and call it “being realistic.” But rehearsing worst-case scenarios doesn’t make us more prepared; it just makes us more anxious.

The good news is that we can train our minds to work differently.

By changing the questions you ask yourself and the stories you tell, you can teach your brain to focus less on problems and more on possibilities.

Strategic optimism isn’t about pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about approaching them from a position of agency rather than helplessness.

How to avoid the realism trap and use optimism as a strategic advantage.

10/03/2025

The more you measure your life, the less it measures up. Fitness trackers and productivity apps promise control, yet research shows they can also fuel stress and anxiety.

The answer isn’t to abandon them, but to use them wisely: tracking with intention, choosing what matters, and leaving space for unmeasured moments that bring meaning and perspective.

Data can guide us but the moments that matter most aren’t measured; they’re lived.

08/13/2025

While some children face real challenges with school transitions, most kids adapt quickly with the right approach.

Overemphasizing “back-to-school stress” can unintentionally teach kids to expect it, making the transition harder than it needs to be.

Instead of elaborate coping plans, focus on four simple, research-backed steps: express confidence in your child, keep routines steady, model calm behavior, and trust their ability to adapt.

September isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity for growth.

Let September spark potential instead of panic.

05/13/2025

Feeling your feelings is healthy. Fixating on them, however, might be what’s holding you back.

Emotions are data, not direction — you don’t need to understand every feeling to keep moving forward.

The real key to resilience is action over analysis.

Emotions are data, not direction. You don’t need to find yourself to move forward.

04/23/2025

Beware the boomerask. Here's a simple strategy to strengthen social bonds and turn curiosity into connection.

A simple strategy to strengthen social bonds and turn curiosity into connection.

12/11/2024

Don't take a shortcut to insincerity.

Don’t take a shortcut to insincerity.

11/04/2024

You don’t need a psychiatrist to tell you that politics is stressing people out. If there was ever a moment to be the best version of yourself it is now—and doomscrolling, catastrophizing, ruminating, and name-calling are not helping. Here are 10 strategies to help you keep calm and carry on.