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A group of researchers examined data that illustrates the long-term health benefits of paid maternity leave, and their findings could provide guidance for countries that are lacking in parental benefits. Key Takeaways A recent study examined the health of new mothers in Norway before and after paid maternity leave became law.Researchers found that mothers who were given more generous paid maternity leave lived healthier lives entering middle age.Paid maternity leave policy in the United States is severely lacking, which can put both mother and child at greater risk of unhealthy outcomes....

You walk into the kitchen to prepare the meal that your toddler just asked for, and you realize that you can’t remember what you’d agreed to make! Later, as you’re helping your second grader with their schoolwork, you smell the toast you put in the toaster 10 minutes ago… because it’s burning. You used to be a great multi-tasker, but now you can’t seem to even do one thing right. Why is your brain so fuzzy?...

Kindness and compassion are qualities all parents hope to instill in their kids. But achieving this goal requires more than simply asking your child to do nice things for other people. In fact, authentically kind people are motivated by feelings of empathy. They can see things from another person’s perspective and understand how they might be feeling. They also can anticipate what might make a person feel better. When they can do these things, they are truly empathetic....

Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews experts, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Kyle Guy Kyle Guy is an NBA player who first made headlines when he led the University of Virginia Cavaliers to their first ever national championship....

If you are succeeding at breastfeeding, you’ll want to continue when you go back to work. To do so, you’ll need to pump breast milk while at work. You’ll also need to know your rights, and you’ll need a plan. Specifically, you’ll want to write a letter about your lactation plan that explains what you need to successfully continue breastfeeding. If you’re unsure what to include in your letter we have included a sample letter to help get you started....

Divorce can be a pivotal experience for children, at times changing the trajectory of their lives. In fact, from a child’s perspective, divorce represents a loss of stability, and more importantly, a loss of a united family. Consequently, it is not surprising that a divorce can cause a range of emotional responses in kids including everything from anger and frustration to anxiety and sadness. But the impact of divorce is not solely emotional....

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you just can’t get out? Odds are it happens at least once a week, if not more often. But, what about when you wake up—is the song still there? Key Takeaways A new study found that people who regularly listen to music are likely to report having frequent nighttime earworms and poorer sleep quality.“Earworm” is the term for involuntary musical imagery....

Stroller frames and travel system strollers are two options that offer parents a way to carry an infant car seat easily when outside their vehicle. However, each option has advantages and disadvantages. Before you choose, take a look at how a stroller frame or travel system might work in your lifestyle. That way, you’ll have a better idea of which features you might want or need. Travel System Pros and Cons Travel systems are multi-piece sets, sold together as a package, that include a stroller and infant car seat....

We’ve entered a renaissance in psychedelic research. Advocates of psychedelic medicines have reignited a public curiosity in these often ancient substances for the sake of science, and it’s becoming clear that many hallucinogenic drugs can provide immense mental health benefits when used responsibly and in the right setting. Key Takeaways Ayahuasca is a psychedelic drink that’s been used for hundreds of years in South America for ritual purposes.A new study suggests ayahuasca usage is linked to physical and mental health benefits, as well as overall better quality of life....

Sarah Michelle Gellar has spent the last 18+ months trying to keep it real with her two kids amid a global pandemic. The actress grew comfortable slaying fictitious bag guys onscreen as the formidable Buffy Summers, but that was a cakewalk compared to tackling the challenges brought on by COVID-19. Like other parents, she became a remote school teacher, hand-washing enforcer, 24/7 kid entertainer, and her children’s go-to source for updates on what was and wasn’t risky in terms of staying healthy....

“Motility” is the ability of an organism or fluid to move. Sperm motility is the movement and swimming of sperm. Sperm motility is one component of sperm health that is tested in sperm analysis. Poor sperm motility means that the sperm do not swim properly, which can lead to male infertility. Poor sperm motility is also known as asthenozoospermia. Learn more about sperm motility and how it impacts male fertility....

Nosebleeds, although common, are a frequent cause of confusion for parents. They can also be kind of scary, especially if your child wakes up with blood on their pillow or has a nosebleed that you just can’t stop. One of the problems is that many parents still treat nosebleeds incorrectly, using old-fashioned and outdated advice. This might include having the child lean back, pinching the bridge of their nose, putting ice on the bridge of their nose, or simply letting it bleed until it stops on its own....

Smart scales can help measure and track body weight as well as other metrics, like body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, muscle mass, and more. While standard scales typically only display weight from their screen, smart scales often wirelessly connect to your smartphone via compatible apps, record data from multiple users over time, and even help track health goals. A significant advantage of using a smart scale is the ability to create a digital, long-term health history by transferring and storing data in a user profile....

Did you wake up feeling extra tight, stiff, or sore this morning? Your muscles and connective tissue might benefit from a little TLC with myofascial release. Myofascial release is a physical therapy technique that addresses sensitivity in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports every muscle in your body. And with the right myofascial release products, you can get these benefits from the comfort of your home. By addressing specific trigger points within the fascia where the pain originates, you can help reduce pain and ease tension and tightness....

Reciprocal determinism is a central concept of Albert Bandura’s social learning theory. Also known as triadic reciprocality, reciprocal determinism is a model composed of three factors that influence behavior: the individual (including how they think and feel), their environment, and the behavior itself. Previous theories of learning, such as the one put forth by B.F. Skinner argued that people’s behavior was always controlled by the environment. That people were nothing more than passive recipients of environmental influences....

Imagine if you were about to do the deed, reached into your bedside drawer, and went to grab a condom. The drawer is empty. And you can’t get another one, because stores are closed. You’re not even allowed out of the house unless it’s an emergency. This was like during the UK’s first lockdown, and situations like these led to nearly twice as many unplanned pregnancies. Key Takeaways A U.K. study found that there were almost double the number of unplanned pregnancies during the first national lockdown, compared to pre-pandemic times....

Everyone hopes that the vows they exchanged on their wedding day will remain true over the years, through moves, career changes, children, and more. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen for every couple. Many people reach a point at which they need to make the brave decision to leave a toxic or conflict-riddled relationship. When there are children involved, parents may feel like they can’t simply sign divorce papers and part ways forever....

SAHM is an acronym for a stay-at-home mom. Typically, a SAHM is a woman who cares for the children while the other partner is working outside the home. Similar, more antiquated terms are a homemaker or housewife, although some people still embrace these monikers for this role. The Role of a SAHM SAHMs often play many diverse roles, meaning there’s not a single task that defines them. Typically, they handle many different jobs to keep the children engaged, fed, clean, active, and hitting developmental milestones, while also acting as the family’s housekeeper, organizer, social planner, treasurer, personal shopper, and chauffeur, among myriad other roles....

What Is a Substance? Substance use disorders are on the rise and account for hundreds of billions of dollars in repercussions. Substance Substances refer to illegal drugs, prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and alcohol. Caffeine, nicotine, anabolic steroids, and synthetic drugs are also considered substances. While not all substances are harmful when consumed in moderation—caffeine or prescription medications, for instance—problems can occur when they are abused. This article discusses the types of substances, the impact of substance abuse, and how to get help if you have a substance use disorder....

Most of us are shown videos about shaken baby syndrome in the hospital after we have a baby. But while we might have a general idea about what shaken baby syndrome is, it is a topic most of us would rather not think about. After all, the idea of anyone harming a baby is unthinkable. Although the vast majority of parents would never shake their baby, shaken baby syndrome is something that can happen out of the blue, especially when you are up all night with a screaming baby and feel overwhelmed....