What is psychological science?

In this short 2-minute read, we break down psychological science in simple terms and share practical tips on how it can help you make small yet powerful changes in your life...

What is Psychological Science?

Psychological science is the study of how people think, feel, and behave. It explores why we make decisions, how emotions shape our actions, and what drives human connection.

Unlike pop psychology or self-help trends, psychological science is based on research and evidence, helping us understand the human mind in a way that is both practical and reliable.

The best part? You don’t need to be a scientist to benefit from it. Simple, science-backed strategies can make a real difference in your daily life.

How can Psychological Science help you?

1. Boost Your Mental and Physical Health with Small Shifts

Research shows that small, intentional changes can significantly impact happiness. For example:

• Gratitude: Taking just a few moments each day to list things you're grateful for can improve your mood and increase resilience.

• Acts of Kindness: Doing something nice for others, even as simple as a compliment, boosts both mental and physical health.

  
  

2. Manage Stress More Effectively

Stress is a normal part of life, but psychological science offers ways to handle it better:

• Mindfulness: Paying attention to the present moment, rather than worrying about the past or future, helps reduce stress and increase focus.

• Reframing: Instead of seeing a challenge as a disaster, try viewing it as an opportunity to learn and grow. This shift in perspective makes stress feel more manageable.

  
  

3. Strengthen Your Relationships

Healthy relationships are key to happiness, and psychology provides insights into how to build and maintain them:

• Active Listening: Truly hearing what someone is saying (instead of just waiting for your turn to talk) strengthens connection and trust.

• Expressing Appreciation: Regularly acknowledging and thanking people in your life improves both romantic and social relationships.

  
  

4. Improve Your Habits and Motivation

Ever struggled to stick to a goal? Psychological science reveals strategies that help:

• Habit Stacking: Pair a new habit with an existing one (e.g., doing squats while brushing your teeth) to make it stick.

• Small Wins: Setting tiny, achievable goals creates momentum and keeps you motivated to reach bigger ones.

  
  

5. Increase Your Mental Resilience

Life throws challenges our way, but resilience helps us grow through the experience. Science-backed ways to build it include:

• Self-Compassion: Treating yourself with kindness (rather than harsh criticism) when you struggle helps you recover faster.

• Growth Mindset: Viewing failures as learning experiences rather than personal shortcomings fosters perseverance.

Final Thoughts

Psychological science isn’t just for researchers—it’s for everyone. By applying these simple, research-backed strategies, you can improve your mood, relationships, motivation, and resilience. Small changes, rooted in science, can make a big difference in how you experience life!

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Hi I'm Dr Bex Bell, a mindset and behaviour change coach.

I help people do great things by fuelling themselves with self-awareness, self compassion and self worth. Begin your journey by reading my book: Inner Critic to Inner Coach, book a free 20 min chat about empowering your team with one of my evidence-based workshops and webinars or reach out for a 1-to-1 coaching session