Samantha Boardman
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Positive Psychiatrist @WeillCornell, APA Distinguished Fellow & author of #EverydayVitality
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Articles by Samantha Boardman
The Missing Half of Mental Health
Positive psychology has had a remarkable run. It has transformed how schools think about students, how companies think about employees, how coaches work with athletes. Walk into any well-run organization today and you will find people talking about strengths, engagement, and meaning in ways that would have seemed unusual twenty years ago. The lay public has embraced it. Bookstores are full of it. My patients quote it back to me.
The Missing Half of Mental Health
The absence of depression is not the presence of wellbeing. Dr. Samantha Boardman Creator • Updated Oct 16, 2026 Updated Fri, October 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC 4 min read (Curly_photo via Getty Images) Positive psychology has had a remarkable run. It has transformed how schools think about students, how companies think about employees, how coaches work with athletes.
A Welcome Distraction: How to Get Out of Your Own Head Original
I recently dropped my youngest off at college. It was a bit of a rollercoaster. The good news–she is in a great dorm with a great roommate. The bad news–she (or apparently I) forgot to bring pillows and towels. Smiles, excitement, frustration, and irritation were all there. “You can go now,” she announced to my husband and me about an hour after arriving in her dorm room and six hours before our flight. The good news is that she was fine. I knew I would be fine too but the tears flowed anyway.
The Elephant on the Couch
Photo: Shutterstock When I finished medical school, like all graduates I took the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. Primum Non Noncere. At the time, I remember laughing with my friends. Doesn't this set the bar a little low? We had spent years training how to help and heal people. Wasn't it a given that we would not do harm? Ideally, but not always. Harm is sometimes unavoidable. Even routine interventions and procedures have untoward side effects and potential complications.
The Elephant on the Couch
When I finished medical school, like all graduates I took the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. Primum Non Noncere. At the time, I remember laughing with my friends. Doesn’t this set the bar a little low? We had spent years training how to help and heal people. Wasn’t it a given that we would not do harm? Ideally, but not always. The Dose is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Harm is sometimes unavoidable.
Living Longer Isn't the Same as Feeling More Alive Original
A close friend of mine is in her 90s and she is one of the most alive people I know. For years we have gone on what she calls excursions together, to galleries and museums around New York. After a visit to a Caspar David Friedrich exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she sent me a note.
Could That Museum Visit Help You Live Longer?
July 18, 2026 10:00 am ET The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Pete Kiehart/Bloomberg News A close friend of mine is in her 90s and she is one of the most alive people I know. For years we have gone on what she calls excursions together, to galleries and museums around New York. After a visit to a Caspar David Friedrich exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she sent me a note.
Could that museum visit help you live longer?
paulmccartney 'The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present' is @barnesandnoble 's Book of the Year! 🏆 #BoTY "I’m beyond honoured to receive this recognition. My team and I are extremely proud of 'The Lyrics' and it means so much to us that you like it as much as we do. Thank you to all the amazing team at Barnes & Noble in helping to launch the book" - Paul 📸 @marymccartney
Could that museum visit help you live longer?
Samantha Boardman A close friend of mine is in her 90s and she is one of the most alive people I know. For years we have gone on what she calls excursions together, to galleries and museums around New York. After a visit to a Caspar David Friedrich exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she sent me a note.
Collective Effervescence: Why Shared Experiences Are Good for the Soul
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals in Times Square on June 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) (Adam Gray) New York is a city of strong opinions and limited patience. That is what made this month so strange. The Knicks championship win brought an unfamiliar feeling to the city. For a few days, it was overflowing with a sense of unity, kindness, and joy.
What if We Have a Perception Problem, Not a Kindness Problem?
During the Boston Marathon, a runner named Ajay Haridasse collapsed about 1,000 feet from the finish line. Four times he tried to get up and four times he fell back down. And then someone stopped. Aaron Beggs, from Northern Ireland, looked at his watch, looked at Haridasse, and decided to help. Within moments, a second runner, Robson De Oliveira of Brazil, stopped too. Both men sacrificed their personal best times to carry a stranger across the finish line.
“You” Is Not a Pronoun. It’s a Verb.
My commencement address on becoming, belonging, and why goodness matters more than greatness. As a psychiatrist, I spend a surprising amount of time helping people unlearn things. Not because they aren’t smart or capable, but because many of the messages we absorb about adulthood, happiness, identity, and success sound wise yet ultimately make us more anxious, isolated, and discouraged.
"You" Is Not a Pronoun. It's a Verb.
Dr. Samantha Boardman delivering Millbrook School's commencement address, May 2026 (Millbrook School) As a psychiatrist, I spend a surprising amount of time helping people unlearn things. Not because they aren’t smart or capable, but because many of the messages we absorb about adulthood, happiness, identity, and success sound wise yet ultimately make us more anxious, isolated, and discouraged.
We’re Wrong About Small Talk
Did you hear about the Spanish woman named Carmen Jiménez who pretended to be blind for 28 years? Not because of an illness or accident, but because she couldn’t stand small talk. “I was tired of seeing people and stopping to say hello,” Carmen was quoted as saying.
We're Wrong About Small Talk
Dr. Samantha Boardman and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. (The Good Brigade via Getty Images) Did you hear about the Spanish woman named Carmen Jiménez who pretended to be blind for 28 years? Not because of an illness or accident, but because she couldn’t stand small talk. “I was tired of seeing people and stopping to say hello,” Carmen was quoted as saying.
The Fear of Saying the Wrong Thing Is Killing Conversation Original
I almost missed it. I was in a taxi on my way to the airport in the Bahamas, phone in hand, the familiar gravity of the scroll pulling at me. There were emails to check, headlines to skim, daily Duolingo lessons to complete (I’m on day 464 and my French score is 75, in case you’re wondering). But my battery was running low and the driver didn’t have a charger, so I put the phone away and a conversation unfolded.
Fear of Saying the Wrong Thing Is Killing Conversation Original
I almost missed it. I was in a taxi on my way to the airport in the Bahamas, phone in hand, the familiar gravity of the scroll pulling at me. There were emails to check, headlines to skim, daily Duolingo lessons to complete (I’m on day 464 and my French score is 75 in case you’re wondering). But my battery was running low and the driver didn’t have a charger, so I put the phone away and a conversation unfolded.
The Overview Effect: What We Can Learn From Astronauts About the Importance of Feeling Small Original
(BC Dushmantha via Getty Images) We live in a world that tells us the goal is to be larger than life. But what if we’re missing out on the invaluable experience of feeling small? Four astronauts launched Wednesday evening from Kennedy Space Center, bound for the Moon. It is the first crewed mission beyond Earth’s orbit since 1972. In a few days, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will look back and see our planet the way almost no one ever has.
The Relationship Advice Making us Lonelier: When Did Difficulty Become a Dealbreaker Original
Something has changed in how we talk to each other about love and relationships, especially when we hit a rough patch. A researcher recently analyzed fifteen years of posts on Reddit’s r/relationship_advice, one of the largest relationship forums on the internet, and tracked how the advice given has shifted over time. Comments urging people to communicate, compromise, and work through difficulty have steadily declined.
A Scientific Reason to Lighten Up
(Jeff R Clow via Getty Images) “If your client doesn’t laugh at least three times during a session, then you’re not making any progress.” A few months ago I was in Mexico City for the World Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting and my fellow panelist, Dr. Hamid Peseschkian, made the observation above. His words stuck with me. Of course humor is not helpful if used to make light of something painful or to deny the seriousness of a situation.
A Scientific Reason to Lighten Up
A few months ago I was in Mexico City for the World Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting and my fellow panelist, Dr. Hamid Peseschkian, made the observation above. His words stuck with me. Of course humor is not helpful if used to make light of something painful or to deny the seriousness of a situation. If used improperly, it could alienate a patient who is sharing something traumatic. That said, there are occasions when a little humor can go a long way.
The Spotlight Illusion: We Think Everyone's Watching. They're Not. Original
(Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images) Something strange is happening at concerts and clubs: people have stopped dancing. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on this phenomenon. DJs and venue owners are baffled as crowds stand rigid, phones raised, too self-conscious to move. Even Austin Butler was recently spotted awkwardly hovering by a DJ booth at a party, too nervous to dance. The reality is that the fear of being in the spotlight is almost entirely in your head.
Why We Need More Failure, Not Less
Discover more from The Dose Actionable science-backed insight and advice on how to boost vitality, build resilience and turn full days into more fulfilling days. Over 32,000 subscribers Already have an account? Sign in Avoiding discomfort doesn’t strengthen us. Practice does. People keep asking me about “Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria” or RSD. They’re convinced that they or someone they know has it.
Aging Without Raging: The Secret Sauce of Longevity Original
I have a January birthday, so aging is on my mind. There's a lot of advice out there about how to live long and well. Following a Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, and socializing are all well-established contributors to healthy aging and longevity. Snooze. This is not exactly breaking news. We've all heard this before.
Even Better Than Chocolate? Little Acts of Love
Valentine’s Day will arrive soon with its familiar rituals: flowers, chocolates, and heart-shaped everything. These visible gestures of affection have their place but what about the role of invisible acts of love in everyday life? Put simply, how much do the little things matter? A lot, according to research.
Aging Without Raging: The Secret Sauce of Longevity Original
( ) I have a January birthday so aging is on my mind. There is a lot of advice out there about how to live long and well. Following a Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, and socializing are all well-established contributors to healthy aging and longevity. Snooze. This is not exactly breaking news. We have all heard this before.
Doing Less Might Be Exactly What You Need Right Now Original
(Johner Images via Getty Images) It’s mid-January, and if you’re feeling the weight of these dark days, you’re not alone. About 40% of Americans report their mood declining during winter, and today—the second Friday in January—is actually nicknamed “Quitter’s Day” because an estimated 80% of resolutions have already fizzled out by now. When we’re looking to improve our lives, our instinct is always to add more, new habits, new routines, new rules.
Stop Asking "Am I Happy?" - Here’s The Question That Actually Matters
(Gratian Veres / 500px via Getty Images) We’ve been taught to treat happiness like a vital sign—something to constantly check, measure, and optimize. Open Instagram and you’ll find a thousand gurus telling you to “choose happiness,” “manifest joy,” or “prioritize your bliss.” But here’s what nobody mentions: the relentless pursuit of personal happiness might be precisely what’s making us miserable. Put simply, the more directly we pursue happiness, the more it eludes us.
Stop Asking "Am I Happy?" - Here’s The Question That Actually Matters
We’ve been taught to treat happiness like a vital sign—something to constantly check, measure, and optimize. Open Instagram and you’ll find a thousand gurus telling you to “choose happiness,” “manifest joy,” or “prioritize your bliss.” But here’s what nobody mentions: the relentless pursuit of personal happiness might be precisely what’s making us miserable. Put simply, the more directly we pursue happiness, the more it eludes us. The Dose is a reader-supported publication.
21 Books I Read and Loved in 2025
“Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them….” There is nothing better than getting lost in a book. As the year winds down and a new one approaches, reading can feel like a small way of turning the page. My reading was all over the place this year: fiction, history, memoirs. The Dose is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. What I love most about books is that these worlds don’t stay contained.
The Best Therapy Might Be Your Best Friend Original
Dr. Samantha Boardman and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this story. Pricing and availability are subject to change. (Ilona Nagy via Getty Images) This weekend brought devastating news from two corners of the world. At Brown University, two students were killed and nine injured during finals week. At Sydney’s Bondi Beach, sixteen people—including a ten-year-old girl—were murdered at a Hanukkah celebration. Communities are shattered. Grief is overwhelming.
The Antidote to Rage Bait: How to Make Your Feed More Friendly
Samantha Boardman, MD Tue, December 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM UTC 5 min read The Antidote to Rage Bait: How to Make Your Feed More Friendly Oxford Dictionary just named “rage bait” its Word of the Year for 2025, which feels just about right for a time when outrage has become the internet’s favorite currency. The good news is, the fact that we even have a term for this phenomenon means we’re catching on to something important.
The Antidote to Rage Bait
Oxford Dictionary just named “rage bait” its Word of the Year for 2025, which feels about right for a time when outrage has become the internet’s favorite currency. The good news is the fact that we even have a term for it means we’re catching on. Those posts designed to make you furious and the takes so bad they seem almost engineered to provoke? It turns out they are engineered.
The Antidote to Rage Bait
(Javier Zayas Photography via Getty Images) Oxford Dictionary just named “rage bait” its Word of the Year for 2025, which feels about right for a time when outrage has become the internet’s favorite currency. The good news is the fact that we even have a term for it means we’re catching on. Those posts designed to make you furious and the takes so bad they seem almost engineered to provoke? It turns out they are engineered.
Opting Out of the Holiday Stress Olympics
Every November, like clockwork, my inbox fills with articles about “surviving” the holidays. Social media feeds explode with memes about toxic family dinners and gift-giving anxiety. Wellness influencers launch special “holiday stress management” programs. The message is clear. Brace yourself: the holidays are coming, and they’re going to be terrible. But what if our obsession with holiday stress is actually creating more of it?
The Past Explains You, But It Doesn’t Define You Original
One cannot read a book or watch a movie these days without encountering a revelation of past trauma. In the New Yorker, Parul Sehgal calls this the “trauma plot” — narratives that center around a character’s traumatic past experiences that conveniently explain all present-day behavior and personality.
The Leaf Blower Mindset Original
Last weekend, I watched my neighbor meticulously blow every leaf from his driveway, directly onto mine. As I stood there amid a swirling cloud of oak leaves that weren’t mine five minutes ago, I realized I was witnessing something far more common than inconsiderate lawn care. I was seeing the leaf blower mindset in action. The leaf blower mindset is the reflexive impulse to solve our problems by making them someone else’s. We meet a deadline by creating chaos for our colleagues.
Sorry, Pessimism Isn’t Wisdom Original
Sarah prides herself on being realistic. “Look, I’m clear eyed about how the world works. It’s a dangerous place filled with dangerous people.” She plans for worst-case scenarios and assumes people will always take advantage of her. Sarah is convinced that her realism is protecting her from being ill-prepared and considers herself a realist in a world full of naive optimists.
How Numbers Can End Up Ruling Your Life
Written by Dr. Samantha Boardman on October 8, 2025. Posted in Current News I recently watched a friend check her phone during what should have been a blissful sunset walk. She wasn’t scrolling Instagram or answering texts, she was making sure her steps were “counting.” Because apparently, if your fitness tracker doesn’t witness your exercise, did it even happen?
The Tyranny of the Tracker: When Numbers Take Over Our Lives
I recently watched a friend check her phone during what should have been a blissful sunset walk. She wasn’t scrolling Instagram or answering texts, she was making sure her steps were “counting.” Because apparently, if your fitness tracker doesn’t witness your exercise, did it even happen?
The Tyranny of the Tracker: When Numbers Take Over Our Lives
I recently watched a friend check her phone during what should have been a blissful sunset walk. She wasn’t scrolling Instagram or answering texts, she was making sure her steps were “counting.” Because apparently, if your fitness tracker doesn’t witness your exercise, did it even happen?
A Simple Rule to Shift Your Perspective
Growing up, I was not allowed to use the word "hate." It was considered a four-letter word in our house. "Dislike" was perfectly fine, but "hate" was verboten. It was my beloved nanny who made this rule, and it applied to everything from broccoli to people. She believed that hating said more about the hater than the object being hated. In her view, hating something gave it both power and permanence.
A Simple Rule to Shift Your Perspective
Growing up, I was not allowed to use the word "hate." It was considered a four-letter word in our house. "Dislike" was perfectly fine, but "hate" was verboten. It was my beloved nanny who made this rule, and it applied to everything from broccoli to people. She believed that hating said more about the hater than the object being hated. In her view, hating something gave it both power and permanence.
Therapy is a tool, not a lifestyle
Written by Dr. Samantha Boardman on August 14, 2025. Posted in Current News Here are 15 simple, evidence-backed activities that boost resilience—no couch time necessary If you live in New York City, it is not unusual to meet someone who has been in talk therapy for over a decade. “I started in my twenties after my dad died and just kept going,” explained Rob. For years, he had a standing appointment at 6pm every Tuesday with Dr. M.
Stop Making Such a Big Deal About Going Back to School
Every August, the same ritual begins. Parents frantically Google "back-to-school anxiety tips." Schools send home preparation checklists. Mental health experts publish articles about the "inevitable" stress of returning to the classroom. We're told children are "bound to experience" anxiety, that the transition will be "jarring," and that we must watch for behavioral warning signs indicating distress. But what if all this well-intentioned preparation is backfiring?
Going Back to School Isn’t a Mental Health Crisis
Every August, the same ritual begins. Parents frantically Google "back-to-school anxiety tips." Schools send home preparation checklists. Mental health experts publish articles about the "inevitable" stress of returning to the classroom. We're told children are "bound to experience" anxiety, that the transition will be "jarring," and that we must watch for behavioral warning signs indicating distress. But what if all this well-intentioned preparation is backfiring?
How Psychobabble Is Ruining Our Relationships
Sarah sits across from me, visibly frustrated. “I’ve been setting boundaries with my mom like everyone says I should,” she explains, “but now she won’t talk to me at all. My old therapist said it was progress but I feel worse than ever.” This scene plays out daily in therapy offices across the country.
How Psychobabble Is Ruining Our Relationships
Sarah sits across from me, visibly frustrated. “I’ve been setting boundaries with my mom like everyone says I should,” she explains, “but now she won’t talk to me at all. My old therapist said it was progress but I feel worse than ever.” This scene plays out daily in therapy offices across the country.
How Psychobabble Is Ruining Our Relationships
Sarah sits across from me, visibly frustrated. "I've been setting boundaries with my mom like everyone says I should," she explains, "but now she won't talk to me at all. My old therapist said it was progress but I feel worse than ever." This scene plays out daily in therapy offices across the country.
Samantha Boardman on Why Therapy Culture is Toxic Original
This article originally appeared in Samantha Boardman, MD’s substack The Dose, which you can subscribe to here. If you live in New York City, it is not unusual to meet someone who has been in talk therapy for over a decade. “I started in my 20s after my dad died and just kept going,” explained Rob. For years, he had a standing appointment at 6 p.m. every Tuesday with Dr. M. “It was like a reserved parking space in a garage,” he fondly recalled.
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