We are wired to pursue pleasure, but too much often backfires — among both children and adults. Here’s how to break the cycle and restore balance. — This article is part of a Wise & Well Special Report: The United States of Depression. Gregory is an intelligent and kind young man in his mid-20s. At age 16, he dropped out of school. He still lives with his mother. …

You might think it happens only to bad parents. But anyone can fall prey to the brain glitch that causes these horrific accidents. — This article is part of a Wise & Well Special Report: Extreme Heat and Human Health. Each case is different. But there’s always that awful moment when the parent realizes what they’ve done. There’s a desperate sprint to the car. A nightmarish discovery. A gut-wrenching call to 911.

Dachau was one of the most brutal places on earth. I traveled over 5000 miles to walk the path of my friend. — As a college student, I received a writing assignment to interview someone I didn’t know. So I walked up to an old man sitting in the lobby of my apartment building and asked if we could chat. And chat we did. Over many hours, the old man told me stories…

Lessons in civility learned from behind a fast-food counter — When I turned 16 I took my first job, at McDonald’s. I was a “counter girl” — meaning I took customers’ orders. These were the days before drive-thrus, so I got to talk to a lot of people face-to-face. I liked that a lot. However, I did deal with my…

I needed to shake things up, so I put my fate in the hands of Lady Luck — Before retiring two years ago, I made a bucket list — capturing my dreams like fireflies in a glass jar. Rediscovering the list, I reviewed each scribbled item. I did, in fact, plant a veggie garden. Hubby and I bought that hot tub. We even scored tickets for the Rose…

From Bruce Springsteen to Michelle Obama, many people confront depression later in life. Here’s how to tell if you or your loved one is just getting older…or if it’s something more serious. — This article is part of a Wise & Well Special Report: The United States of Depression. When Bruce Springsteen hit his 60s, it was his turn to be rocked. That was when The Boss began experiencing bouts of depression that left him feeling anything but in charge.

I made a list of my biggest worries. The results were astounding. — It was just another birthday. At my age, no big deal. But this one felt different. As the day approached, I noticed my thoughts growing increasingly dark — ranging somewhere between free-floating anxiety and stomach-churning dread. Exactly why, I couldn’t say. So I turned to the one trick that always…

Busting through layers of consumer packaging can be a real headache. But in a world of meddlers and tamperers, it’s a small price to pay. — People lick ice cream and return the carton to freezer shelves. A hospital nurse replaces medication with saliva. A person at the grocery store slips sewing needles into packages of soft bread rolls. Delivery drivers sneak bites of customers’ food. Crooks, con artists, and pranksters have long messed with consumer…

An overlooked force fuses with extreme temperatures to create dangerous, even deadly conditions. What to know and do. — This article is part of a Wise & Well Special Report: Extreme Heat and Human Health. One recent summer morning, I checked off a bucket list item: I hiked the beautiful Paria Canyon in Arizona. Mesmerized, I wandered through its rainbow-streaked cliffs, sandstone arches, and red rock amphitheaters.