Circa 400300 BC
The Tao Te Ching says, Eradicate worldly desires and accept misfortune.
We say, Eat ice cream and live it up.
300s BC
The Greeks love a good tragedy.
To paraphrase Aristotle, watching drama unfold onstage can ease real-life anxieties.
Middle Ages
Magnet therapy is used to treat disease.
Today, some still believe it stimulates blood flow and cures emotional ills.
We’ll keep ours on the fridge, thanks.
Mid- to Late 1800s
Hysteria is the diagnosis du jour for high-strung dames.
Orgasm, courtesy of a new invention now known as the vibrator.
Write us an Rx!
1896
Freud coins the term psychoanalysis.
Lie back on the couch, relax, and let your id hang out.
That will be $250, kindly.
1919
Congress enacts a ban on booze, which “corrupts the public morals.”
Of course, we all know how Prohibition ends.#Fail.
1960s
- Hippies popularize Transcendental Meditation, based on Indian spiritual traditions.
It’s still a groovy way to find inner peace, chanting and all.
So what’s the excuse nowadays for men acting like babies?
Mood rings (purple equals passion!)
are all the rage.
And let’s not forget about those cuddly pet rocks.
1987
The FDA approves Prozac as a treatment for depression.
Within 20 years, about 11 percent of all Americans are on some kind of antidepressant.
Can you say Prozac Nation?
1995
Get ready to LOL, peeps.
Picture a combo of breathing exercises and lots ofhahahahahas.
2002
Oprah-endorsed Dr. Phil launches his shrink TV show, now going into its 11th season.
“Get real.”
Therapy for the masses.
2006
The Secrethits shelves.
The big reveal: it’s possible for you to get what you want simply by visualizing it.
Other claims are sketchier: Avoid observing fat people to slim down?
2010
More than 46 million scripts for Xanax and similar antianxiety pills are doled out.
Source: IMS Health
2012
Get twitchy when your iPhone dies?
We feel your pain.
Unplugging is the latest thing we know we should try.
All together now: Phones down.
14 Days to a Happier, Healthier You
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