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What Is Fatalism? Fatalists believe that everything that happens has already been decided by some higher power, and there is nothing we can do to change it. This can have a number of effects of someone’s outlook. On the one hand, fatalism can be positive when it leads to a person’s acceptance of events that are really beyond their control, so that their view is in line with reality. Fatalism is the belief that events are predetermined by fate or destiny, and that humans cannot do anything to change them....

According to the Center for Media Literacy, a leading advocacy organization, media literacy “provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and participate with messages in a variety of forms—from print to video to the internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.” We live in a world that is saturated in media of all kinds, from newspapers to radio to television to the internet....

Pregnancy is a time filled with joy—and also a lot of sacrifices. Because you’re responsible for another human being during these nine months, you are encouraged to err on the side of caution to keep yourself and your little one healthy. Does this mean you have to say goodbye to everything you love when your pregnancy test comes up positive? No, but you will have to make some changes. Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you should avoid during pregnancy (and things you can do instead, too)....

Has your teen, grown-up kid, or work colleague tossed the words “OK, Boomer!” in your direction? It may have happened post-argument, mid-conversation, or seemingly out of blue. If these words have been directed at you, you are not alone. “OK, Boomer!” they snap. And, just like that, you have been shut down. As you search for a response or a comeback, you find yourself speechless. What does the phrase “OK, Boomer” even mean?...

In the United States, over 7% of adults and children (over the age of 12) experience depression within any two-week period. In fact, depression is one of the most common chronic health conditions listed by doctors on their patients’ medical records. While depression is common, if you think you have it, you may be unsure about where to begin. Here are the steps to getting your mental health treated, so you can feel well....

School’s out for the holidays and you have two whole weeks to bond as a family. Watching movies together is a good way to do something quiet and relaxing if you’re tired of the hustle and bustle that this time of year often brings. It’s also a nice tradition to watch the same holiday favorites every season, because they’ll start to become part of your kids’ core memories. For years to come, these movies will always mean it’s that special time of year, and they will evoke memories of love and togetherness....

Plantar fasciitis is a common injury among women who run. It can sideline you for weeks or even months. The pain, usually felt in the heel and bottom of your foot, can sometimes be caused or made worse by wearing the wrong type of running shoes. If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis (or you’re worried about it coming back), what you’re wearing on your feet matters. “People who are prone to plantar fasciitis should look for good support in a running shoe as well as cushioning,” podiatrist Ami Sheth, DPM, FACFAS, says....

As the school year fast approaches for some states and has already begun in others, teachers are being forced to navigate their roles as educators through the lens of the coronavirus pandemic. Key Takeaways As schools reopen in the midst of a pandemic, teachers face the daunting task of protecting their students and themselves.Risk increases when teachers have no way to track which students were exposed to the virus outside of the classroom....

Overstimulation is what happens when there’s too much sensory input for your brain to handle. It can make you feel overwhelmed, irritable, and uncomfortable. Because the ADHD brain isn’t as equipped to filter out sensory input, you’re more likely to have a lower threshold for the amount of stimuli you can tolerate before becoming overstimulated. ADHD Symptom Spotlight is a series that dives deep into a hallmark or overlooked symptom of ADHD each week....

So there’s a pandemic raging outside and you’re locked in your residence with a larger stockpile of food than usual. You find yourself struggling with emotional or stress eating. What should you do? Key Takeaways During this time of overwhelming stress, many people are turning to food for comfort.Emotional eating is not a problematic coping strategy unless it is your only coping strategy.People who have previously recovered from an eating disorder may find themselves slipping into a relapse....

Astrid is an old Scandinavian name that means “divinely beautiful.” It’s a traditionally feminine name, but will be a great fit for babies of any gender. The name comes from the Old Norse word “ “Ástríðr.” “Ástríðr” is made up of two words, “áss” which means god and “fríðr” which means beautiful. It has been in use since the 10th century and was a name given to Scandinavian women of royalty....

If you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism — or an underactive thyroid — you may be wondering if it may cause problems during pregnancy or even a miscarriage. In fact, hypothyroidism is linked to miscarriages so it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of this condition. Overview The thyroid is a gland in your neck (above your collarbone) that produces hormones involved with many of your body’s activities. It plays an important role in your body’s metabolic and hormone balance....

You’re at the very end of your pregnancy. You and your baby are healthy and everything is looking good, but you can barely see your toes, everything aches, and you are more than ready to get the ball rolling and meet your newborn. If this is you, you may be wondering if there is a natural, gentle method you can try to induce labor—one that actually has a chance of working....

There are many possible causes of diarrhea in toddlers. Here are some common ones. A milk allergy, lactose intolerance, or another underlying health condition may be causing malabsorption. An infection, such as giardiasis, could be the trigger. “Toddler’s diarrhea” (also known as chronic non-specific diarrhea of childhood) is another possible cause and is often related to excessive fruit juice (fructose) consumption. Toddler’s diarrhea usually begins between the ages of six months and 30 months and goes away by the time the child is about four years old....

Everyone gets a little nervous before a big game or athletic event. However, for those who experience the severe symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder (SAD), the quality of their athletic performance will often suffer. The relationship between anxiety and athletic performance is so strong that a whole field of psychology—sports psychology—has been devoted to helping athletes combat nerves. Fortunately, you can use a number of strategies to help overcome game-day jitters and manage anxiety before it gets out of hand....

What Are Elimination Disorders? Elimination disorders are present in children that urinate or defecate in places other than the toilet. Children with these disorders are usually past the age where such acts are common behavior. This condition is diagnosed in children between the ages of 7 and 12. Elimination disorders primarily fall under enuresis, where urine is passed outside the toilet. Alternately, encopresis is the passage of feces in unsuitable locations away from the toilet....

Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Friday Fix: Episode 219 Whether you want an extra hand moving furniture or you need professional help for depression, asking for help can be tough. It can feel scary too. We don’t want people to reject us, judge us, or feel more powerful than us....

Being different is one of the most common reasons why kids are bullied. As a result, it should come as no surprise that teens are often bullied because of their religion, especially if it is not a common belief system. For example, Muslim girls who wear hijabs (head scarves) and Sikh boys who wear patch or daystar (turbans) are often targeted simply for wearing visible symbols of their religion. But the bullying is not limited to non-Western religions....

Candles flickering in the darkness as you listen to Billy Joel croon his lullaby. You’re wearing your big, soft t-shirt and the room smells of baking cookies. Of all the things you plan for during your labor and birth experience, the room is probably way down on your list. I would argue that you should actually move it up on the list. The reason is that your physical environment can influence your state of mind and how well you can relax and yes, even enjoy the experience....

When George Floyd was killed, countless Americans took to the streets to protest his death and bring awareness to racism in the United States. In some cases, the protests were peaceful and unifying. In others, they were chaotic and dangerous. Protests, regardless of the intention behind them, attract all types of people, each with different motives. Things can quickly turn from an atmosphere of solidarity and purpose to one of chaos and uncertainty....