Mind Matters Index

In her bimonthly Mind Matters Column, Irene S. Levine, PhD looks at issues which are faced by many young scientists but very rarely discussed in the lab, let alone in social circles. From shyness to work alcoholism, Levine breaks all taboos and gives advice on how to lead a more successful and fulfilling worklife.

Irene S. Levine, Ph.D. is a freelance journalist who writes about health, mental health, relationships, lifestyles, and travel for national newspapers and magazines. She blogs as “The Friendship Doctor” on The Huffington Post and on PsychologyToday.com. Trained as a clinical psychologist, she holds a faculty appointment as a professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine and resides in Chappaqua, New York.

Resilience

10 June 2011

A growing body of research and experience suggests that individuals possessing personal resilience are more likely to overcome career roadblocks.

Troubled Colleagues

11 March 2011

When confronted with a colleague who is struggling with personal problems, there are no easy answers.

Anxiety in the Workplace

10 September 2010

Everyone feels a bit nervous from time to time, and a little anxiety can improve performance -- but excessive anxiety can be disabling and derail careers.

Back to Work After Baby, Part 2

30 April 2010

New mothers can minimize stress and maximize productivity by adapting to their circumstances.

Back to Work After a Baby

19 March 2010

Dropping off an infant and returning to work is stressful for new mothers.

Gossip in the Lab

29 January 2010

Workplace gossip may not be all bad, but it needs to be handled with care.

In Defense of Downtime

4 December 2009

Working longer doesn't necessarily mean getting more done.

A Low-Stress Semester

4 September2009

September brings inevitable--but manageable--stress for scientists in academia.

10-Minute Tools for Managing Stress

8 May 2009

Small chunks of dedicated time can help relieve the stress endemic in scientific lives.

Stress, an Uninvited Lab Visitor

23 January 2009

Work-related stress is an insidious health hazard especially for workers who, like scientists, take their work very seriously.

Getting Out of a Rut

3 October 2008

Feeling bored or depressed? Finding it hard to make it to work in the morning or to sit through another interminable lab meeting? Our Mind Matters columnist has some suggestions.

Get Moving

25 July 2008

Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and, perhaps, to boost your professional productivity.

Too Perfect?

28 March 2008

Perfectionism can diminish your productivity, undermine your job satisfaction, and damage your relationships with colleagues and supervisors.

Leaving a Lab Gracefully

18 January 2008

When it's time to leave the lab, the key is to make sure the end isn't bitter.

Laughter in the Lab

9 November 2007

When used wisely, humor can defuse difficult situations and increase productivity.

The Complex Biochemistry of Laboratory Friendships

24 August 2007

Many laboratory relationships blossom into friendships beyond the laboratory. Those friendships can have advantages and perils, both personal and professional.

Working Space

29 June 2007

It's easy to overlook the effect that space--its quality and quantity--can have on your productivity. But you overlook it at your peril.

Culture Shock

20 April 2007

Adjusting to a new culture is a challenge experience for scientists working overseas, but knowing what's ahead can make it easier.

Making the Leap to Independence

2 March 2007

Early-career scientists need a mix of scientific, fundraising, and management skills to start up their own independent laboratories--as well as the right attitude.

Getting Yourself Mentored

24 November 2006

Our Mind Matters expert tells you how to spot a good mentor and cultivate a relationship that will improve your professional prospects.

Bosses Who Bully

22 September 2006

Our Mind Matters columnist advises scientists and trainees on how to minimize the personal and professional costs of bullying bosses.

A Case Study of a Mom-Scientist: Canopy Meg

1 September 2006

Being a single mom makes starting out in a scientific career all the more challenging, but Margaret Dalzwell Lowman found a way to involve her two sons.

Forty Winks: Science and Sleep

28 July 2006

In an effort to get as much done as possible, scientists and science trainees often cheat on sleep. But the time they gain is likely to be offset by the consequences.

Scientific Success: What’s Love Got to Do With It?

26 May 2006

Should young trainees hold off on relationships to devote more time to their careers? Our Mind Matters expert studies the personal and professional pros and cons of tying the knot.

The Secret Passions of Scientists

31 March 2006

Have you got a hobby? Our Mind Matters expert looks into how off-hours activities can translate into more productivity and fulfillment at work.

Driven to Distraction

27 January 2006

In a busy laboratory, it can seem as if you are drowning in a sea of information and distractions. Our Mind Matters columnist helps you keep your head above the water.

When You Run Into Brick Walls: Coping With Frustrations In The Lab

2 December 2005

You can't recruit the subjects you need for your study, or your mentor abandons you. What can you do? Our Mind Matters expert helps you tackle the uncontrollable setbacks of research.

Managing Conflict in the Lab

23 September 2005

Next Wave's Mind Matters expert offers tips on how to prevent, and deal with the inevitable conflicts in the lab over resources, personalities, and intellectual ownership.

On Balance

22 July 2005

Do you find it hard to end the work day? Do you neglect or feel like you are missing out on other aspects of life? Our Mind Matters expert looks at how difficult it is for scientists to maintain a balance between work and the rest of your life, and offer solutions.

To Tell or Not To Tell

10 June 2005

When you are newly diagnosed with a condition that is expected to last months or maybe years, you face medical, emotional, social, and professional challenges. Our Mind Matters expert gives advice and whether to tell or not to tell your colleagues and supervisor.

When You're Shy, All the World is a Stage

29 April 2005

Scientific trainees are often expected to perform in their career - to defend their PhD thesis, participate in an interview for a fellowship, or present their work at a conference. But what if you are so shy that just talking to your supervisor makes you sweat? Our Mind Matters expert gives tips on how to recognise and overcome shyness.

Are science trainees driven to drink?

25 February 2005

How common is alcohol consumption in academia, and when does it become a problem? This first instalment of our Mind Matters series looks at readers' experiences with alcohol, and gives tips on what to do if you are in trouble.