February 2026 - David R Hamilton PHD

Why Harder Can Feel Better

By Dr David R Hamilton | February 25, 2026 |

Superman depiction. Cartoon image of a tall, skinny man wearing black trousers and a blue suit jacket over a white shirt. He's carrying a brown brief case and has a Superman cape flowing from him. He's holding a barbell with heavy weights on it above his head with one hand. It's so heavy the bar is bending.

Have you ever noticed that the things you work hardest for often mean the most Psychologists call this the IKEA Effect. It’s the tendency to value things more when we’ve put effort into building, creating, or attaining them.

The Science of Positive Empathy

By Dr David R Hamilton | February 18, 2026 |

Brightly coloured pastel painting of a heart with lots of arms and hands of people from diverse cultures reaching up to it. The colours are red, blue, yellows, and other bright colours.

A happiness shared is a happiness doubled. That’s what the science of positive empathy tells us.

An unexpected way to slow ageing

By Dr David R Hamilton | February 11, 2026 |

Middle aged woman in a kneeling-meditation pose in a brightly lit studio. She is wearing red leggings and a white t-shirt. There are two windows behind her with bright sunshine shining through them, with white wispy curtains open, illuminating the room. She is kneeling on an olive green mat, which sits on a wooden floor.

Research shows that compassion-kindness based meditation can slow the rate of telomere attrition (a reliable indicator of ageing).

The Surprising Science of Exercise (and why it’s good news)

By Dr David R Hamilton | February 4, 2026 |

4 people in their 20s and 30s running, coming towards the camera. There's a man slightly in front and three women just behind - one to the left of the man and two to the right of him, from camera perspective. They're all wearing sports gear and looking happy.

Researchers at the University of Sydney found that just three bursts of intense activity a day, each lasting about one minute, reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by almost 50%.

Archive for February 2026

Why Harder Can Feel Better

The Science of Positive Empathy

An unexpected way to slow ageing

The Surprising Science of Exercise (and why it’s good news)

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