A study published in Psychological Science evaluated the link between happiness and personality traits in 973 twins. The authors found that happiness was heritable, and that it showed genetic linkage to certain personality traits. Those who were extroverted, open, agreeable and conscientious were more likely to be happy. Moreover, twins who exhibited similar personality traits had similar levels of happiness in a seemingly genetic pattern. Read more →

I ask this question because as a medical professional I believe this is a significant question for all of my patients to consider. Whether you are currently healthy or sick, young or old, this is the key question.

All too often, I see patients who don’t have an answer to this question. Perhaps they are healthy and haven’t gotten sick or ill before. Perhaps they already are sick and they are a widower or do not have a strong support system. Whatever the situation, the fact is that most of the people that come into the hospital and don’t do well outside of the hospital are those that don’t have people to take care of them. Read more →