Happy Minds

Our Articles

Unleash your curiosity and dive into a world of captivating knowledge with our wide range of articles.

Mind Matters | Feeling strange

Feeling empty despite everything seeming fine can signal unresolved emotions or deeper issues worth exploring with support.

Navigating one-sided friendships

If you’re always initiating, talk openly. If things don’t improve, consider stepping back.

When Hard Work Hurts

The Hidden Toll of Hustle Culture on Students

The Kathmandu Post | The dangers of toxic positivity

Emotions are essential signals that help us navigate life. Without experiencing sadness and despair, we can’t fully appreciate happiness and hope.

Mind Matters | Feeling undervalued

A 21-year-old man feels trapped in a cycle of constant effort with no results, despite his strong work ethic and belief in himself.

The Kathmandu Post | Why genuineness matters in therapy

When a therapist is genuine, clients sense it. They feel a connection, understanding that the therapist gets them.

Mind Matters | Transition

Fresh college student in Kathmandu struggles to adjust. Misses old friends, feels isolated living alone, and academic performance suffers. Yearns to recapture past joy and sense of belonging.

The Kathmandu Post | The psychological parent within us

Negative inner voice has the power to limit and restrain us, making us doubt ourselves.

The Kathmandu Post | Navigating self-doubt

Instead of running away from a disheartening experience, we can always choose to take a moment to question why we are not able to stand up for ourselves.

The Kathmandu Post | The depths of emotional suppression

When we don’t keep emotions hidden, they don’t overwhelm us as much. This is a healthy way of regulating emotions.

The Kathmandu Post | Being a little kinder to ourselves this year

The pressure to make resolutions can overwhelm us, leading us to develop unrealistic goals.

The Kathmandu Post | How projection influences us

It is a common defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own negative traits or emotions to others to avoid confronting intense and painful thoughts and emotions.

The Kathmandu Post | The connection between avoidance and fear

Fear makes us want to avoid things, and avoidance makes our fear stronger.

The Kathmandu Post | Navigating empty nest syndrome

The condition refers to the grief experienced by parents when their children move away from home.

The Kathmandu Post | Festivals are different for everyone

While many associate festivals with joy and togetherness, others experience feelings of isolation and anxiety.

The Kathmandu Post | Spending festivals alone

During my childhood, Dashain was often a lonely experience. I remember spending time idly and missing my working parents.

The Kathmandu Post | Holding ourselves accountable

If we’re willing to take responsibility for our actions, thoughts, and feelings, we empower ourselves to create a more positive future.

The Kathmandu Post | Power of delayed gratification

The ability to control impulses and prioritise long-term goals over immediate pleasures plays a pivotal role in our success.

The Kathmandu Post | How assertiveness is different from aggression

Being assertive means striking a balance between being passive and aggressive. It involves expressing one’s needs and respecting the needs of others.

The Kathmandu Post | Here is why workplace wellness matters

Organisations often prioritise growth and progress for their own success, but they overlook the importance of employee well-being in the process.

The Kathmandu Post | Talking to yourself is normal. What matters is whether it’s negative or positive

While self-talk can feel embarrassing, and people often associate it with mental health problems, it is pretty common.

The Kathmandu Post | The benefits of staying idle

Boredom, surprisingly enough, allows us to recharge and heightens our awareness.

The Kathmandu Post | Okay with being alone

The crippling feeling of loneliness has been one of the debilitating factors for mental health problems.

The Kathmandu Post | Questioning your existence? You’re not alone

Existential crises often arise during significant life transitions—like when moving to a new place or ending a long-term relationship.

The Kathmandu Post | How intergenerational trauma influences our families

To break from the pattern of unaddressed trauma, we need to discuss every member’s experiences of sorrow, pain, shame, guilt, grief and other intense emotions.

The Kathmandu Post | Feeling helpless is inevitable. But you can overcome it

Constant feelings of helplessness can lead to a vicious cycle of reduced motivation, inaction and dependency.

The Kathmandu Post | How childhood experiences shape our adulthood

When parents are warm and guide children while also respecting their independence, it helps them become confident and independent.

The Kathmandu Post | Finding meaning through gratitude

When we choose to be grateful, we accept our life the way it is.

Mind Matters | Struggling to maintain relationships

I’m a 24-year-old woman and my relationships don’t last, be it with friends or a romantic partner. Everyone wants to maintain distance with me. I think part of the problem is me, but I don’t know what to do.

The Kathmandu Post | How to stop mindlessly scrolling through social media

Unrestricted usage of the internet leads us down a path of comparison, addiction and burnout.

The Kathmandu Post | You’ve decided to go to therapy. Where do you start?

Finding a therapist who is the right fit can be a significant challenge. But with a little patience and proper research, things get much easier.

The Kathmandu Post | Coming to terms with guilt

Guilt may be conscious and unconscious, but it stays with us no matter how much we try to forget it.

The Kathmandu Post | Dissatisfied with your job?

Feeling unfulfilled is one of the leading causes of work-related stress and burnout, which may lead to depression and anxiety.

Mind Matters | Relationship concerns

Long-distance relationship (LDR) struggles. Feeling disconnected despite past efforts. Tired of empty promises. Need advice.

The Kathmandu Post | Extending support during times of grief

Acknowledging a grieving individual’s feelings and reassuring their emotions while actively listening can make them feel a lot better.

The Kathmandu Post | Beyond the diagnosis

We mustn’t box an individual seeking help for their mental health based solely on diagnosis.

The Kathmandu Post | Overthinking: Strength or weakness?

The issue here is not that we overthink. It is whether or not we have control over these thoughts.

The Kathmandu Post | Why you should have a strong support system

Are we really listening when our loved ones talk to us or are we listening just to respond?

The Kathmandu Post | How pets can improve our mental health

Research shows that having a pet can ease loneliness and depression, reduce stress, and increase exercise.

The Kathmandu Post | Experiencing grief

Grief is not an intellectual response. It is an emotional one. Using logic is hardly helpful.

Mind Matters | Adjustment issues

I’m a 21-year-old international student and my anxiety has gotten worse ever since I left Nepal. I feel like I’m not making much progress. There is always this feeling of heaviness whenever I think about my future.

The Kathmandu Post | Embracing mistakes and moving forward

Forgive others and forgive yourself not because you should, but because you deserve peace.

The Kathmandu Post | How to tell parents that you need help

Opening up may be difficult at first, but it can lead to a happier and healthier life in the long run.

The Kathmandu Post | Is it easy to forgive?

Forgiveness is an active choice—very intentional and voluntary—that helps release all the negative emotions in our body.

The Kathmandu Post | The paradox of pleasure

How the culture of instant gratification is making us unhappy.

Mind Matters | Accepting myself for who I am

28-year-old struggling to come out to family. Anxious about their reaction, especially pressure to marry. Needs advice on how to have the conversation.

The Kathmandu Post | Letting go

The hardest part about letting go is the unhealthy attachment we develop over time with people or possessions.

Mind Matters: Childhood trauma

I’m a 20-year-old student, and I think I might be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a child, I was pretty outgoing. But that changed when I started getting bullied, and there was no one to help me out.

The Kathmandu Post | Why vulnerability is important in relationships

Vulnerability in emotions means connecting with the unpleasant feelings that surface because of our experiences—especially in relation to others.

Mind Matters | Attention issues

I’m a 19-year-old student with a short attention span, mood swings, and focus issues. Worried it might be ADHD. Wants to know if it's laziness or a symptom and what to do next.

The Kathmandu Post | Why asking for help can be difficult

The stigma around asking for help, especially when one is having mental health issues, is deeply rooted in us.

The Kathmandu Post | The power of ‘no’

A clear ‘no’ will allow you to put yourself first, to pursue your interests, improve relationships and feel confident.

The Kathmandu Post |Why setting boundaries matters

Boundaries help build a path for clear communication and do away with past feelings of resentment and bitterness.

The Kathmandu Post | Beat procrastination and achieve your goals

We often find it easier to procrastinate than to put in the effort needed to get the job done.

The Kathmandu Post | Taking care of emotional hygiene

Not paying heed to our psychological well-being could lead to serious mental and physical problems.

The Kathmandu Post | The influence of fathers on their children

Dads play a vital role in shaping their children, which is why it matters how they behave with their little ones.

The Kathmandu Post | Let’s talk about men’s mental health

A patriarchal society that expects men not to exhibit emotions and admit vulnerability is doing more harm than good.

The Kathmandu Post | How online violence is shaping our lives

It is important that we use gender-informed approaches to better deal with online abuse, which has become more common than ever.

The Kathmandu Post | The oversimplification of mental health

If you feel you have a mental health issue, seek a professional’s help instead of self-diagnosing.

The Kathmandu Post | Understanding peer pressure and tips for resisting it

Negative peer pressure can cause our lives to spiral out of control and lead us down a difficult path.

The Kathmandu Post | Dealing with anxiety and fear over dengue

Concerns over getting infected by dengue negatively impact our mental health.

The Kathmandu Post | Dealing with unnecessary remarks from family members

As families gather for Tihar, many of us are likely to have to listen to elders making hurtful remarks that can trigger us to react.

The Kathmandu Post | Why we fail to take care of ourselves

Just being physically healthy does not necessarily mean we are taking proper care of ourselves.

Mind Matters | Fear of abandonment

21-year-old with BPD struggles and abandonment fears. Feels invalidated even by small actions. Wants to manage these anxieties despite existing diagnosis and medication.

Mind Matters | Menopause blues

55-year-old homemaker experiencing emotional swings (crying, anger) and suspecting menopause. Feeling exhausted and restless. Needs coping tips.

Mind Matters | Suffering for others

Veteran journalist (35) struggling with emotional toll of covering traumatic events (10 years). Empathy bleeds into personal life, hindering work. Needs advice on emotional separation.

Mind Matters | My anger issues

In my childhood, I had many bouts of explosive rage, which led me to throw things, misbehave with friends and family and even cut my arms. As I grew up, I started developing depressive symptoms.

Mind Matters | Anger issues

26-year-old student with anger issues. Minor frustrations escalate to violence and memory loss during outbursts. Feels guilty and isolated. Needs help managing anger before losing friends.

Mind Matters | Postpartum issues

35-year-old new stay-at-home mom struggles with guilt. Misses her career and feels pressure to be perfect. Afraid to share feelings with husband for fear of judgment. Needs support.

Mind Matters | Letting go of the past

22-year-old student with past trauma struggles in relationships. Small triggers lead to emotional outbursts (crying). Wants to manage emotions and heal from the past to avoid hurting loved ones.

Mind Matters | How can I manage burnout?

“Recently, I have been burnt out and I cannot accomplish anything without feeling immensely tired or irritated. Any suggestions on how I manage?”

Mind Matters | Meeting in-laws’ expectations

Newlywed (33) struggles with in-laws' expectations and workload. Feels burnt out balancing work, home duties, and traditional housewife role. Wants to manage expectations and workload.

Mind Matters Mind Matters | Feeling burned out

Stressed 22-year-old student-worker with plummeting grades and job performance. Anxiety cripples motivation and focus. Needs help managing anxiety before failing exams or losing job.

Mind Matters | My quiet daughter

Mom worried about withdrawn 13-year-old daughter. Quiet at home and school, counselor visit unhelpful. Daughter won't open up. Needs advice on how to connect and help her daughter.

Mind Matters | Relationship trouble over finances

3-year relationship (23F, 25M) struggles with past financial burdens and constant money arguments. Fear of "owing" each other creates tension. Wants advice on managing finances and communication to avoid future problems.

Mind Matters | Asking for help

Proudly independent 25-year-old man struggles to overcome stigma of asking for help with mental health. Wants to break self-reliance habit but fears judgment. Needs advice on approaching others for support.

Mind Matters | Why is my daughter anxious?

Working mom (36) worried about 13-year-old daughter's anxiety and panic attacks. Daughter gets therapy but mom struggles to understand anxiety despite seemingly having everything. Needs reassurance that mental health doesn't discriminate.

Mind Matters | Workspace patriarchy

27-year-old female engineer in Nepal struggles with lack of recognition in male-dominated construction company. Feels undervalued despite strong work. Needs advice on navigating a misogynistic work culture.