People worldwide tend to gain self-esteem as they grow older, and men generally have higher levels of self-esteem than women, but this self-esteem gender gap is more pronounced in Western industrialized countries, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

Some people start each day with an early morning jog. Others begin with a cup of coffee and a donut. “Everyone knows that people are creatures of habit,” says wellness expert Scott Morofsky, author of the books “The Daily Breath: Transform Your Life One Breath at a Time” and “Wellativity: In-Powering Wellness Through Communication” (www.Wellativity.com).

No matter how well our lives may be going, many of us seem to be at our wit’s end when it comes to attaining that next level of success, but there is a solution to this challenge, says world-traveling entrepreneur Julian Pencilliah.

Not a bad idea in times like these. Intriguing research suggests that positive psychology can help you weather the routine ups and downs of life and also build resilience for times of greater difficulty. Here are three ways to capture the benefits of positive psychology, according to Harvard Medical School’s HEALTHbeat.

An increase in personal income can lead to greater happiness – but only if other factors are present, according to an analysis of new worldwide survey findings published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

To produce good health, positive emotions may need to be long-term, according to a recent edition of the Harvard Medical School’s HEALTHbeat newsletter.