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Older people who report higher levels of social engagement show more gray matter in regions of the brain associated with dementia risk, according to research published in the Journal of Gerontology. Key Takeaways Older adults who remained more socially engaged showed more robust gray matter in areas related to dementia, a recent study suggests.Loneliness and isolation have been considered major risk factors for early mortality for seniors in previous research.There are many ways to help older adults feel connected, experts note, and these can have long-term benefits....

When it comes to youth sports, specialization is becoming the norm. Although the reasons vary from family to family, the vast majority of parents feel that if their kids aren’t playing the same sport year-round they will fall behind their peers and ultimately be cut from high school and travel teams. Other families opt for single-sport participation due to cost and time constraints. And still, others give in to pressures from coaches and club directors and encourage their kids to specialize at an early age....

There’s no better feeling than watching your kids explore the world, develop their own personalities, and expand their imaginations as they play. The feeling is extra satisfying when you know you found a great sale on that toy they love and saved lots of money. But looking for deals and comparing prices is time-consuming, so we’re here to help. Our team of shopping editors scoured the internet to find the best toy deals this Cyber Week and found sales on the most popular toys of the year, trending favorites, and best-selling classics, like the latest Barbie Dreamhouse and LEGO sets up to 30% off, PAW Patrol toys up to 50% off, a killer Nintendo Switch Bundle for $100 off, and many more exciting deals....

If you’re looking for an effective full-body workout that elevates your heart rate while being low-impact on your joints, a vertical climber is the perfect equipment addition to your home gym. Vertical climbers simulate rock climbing and engage all the major muscle groups, only safer and at a much faster pace. Plus, most vertical climbers are also portable and easy to move, which makes them perfect for smaller spaces. “Vertical climbers are a good option to change up the routine of an elliptical, a rower, or a treadmill,” Dr....

If you pay attention to mainstream media, you’ll undoubtedly find that it often sends a strong message that thin, white, and able bodies are the most desirable and, by extension, that all other bodies have less value. Furthermore, beauty products and diets are marketed, especially to women, as a way to achieve that so-called desired body. In fact, millions of dollars are spent each year marketing both the beauty and diet industries....

When your child brings home a bad report card, your first instinct might be to yell and punish. However, it really isn’t the end of the world. Knowing how to deal with poor grades can take some finesse. It may also require you to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. Let’s explore a few good tactics you can use in this situation. Understand the Grading System Read the key indicating how the grading system works before reacting....

These are higher-level functions of the brain and encompass language, imagination, perception, and planning. Cognitive psychology is the field of psychology that investigates how people think and the processes involved in cognition. Cognition is a term referring to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension. Some of the many different cognitive processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving. History of the Study of Cognition The study of how humans think dates back to the time of ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle....

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) substantially updates the DSM-5, which was originally published in 2013. The changes can be classified into four categories: cultural, criteria for children’s diagnoses, addition of new disorders, and changes to existing criteria. The Major Changes The new text revision incorporates some significant changes. It adds Prolonged Grief Disorder and specific coding for suicidal and self-harming behavior, updates language around sex and gender, and changes the criteria for more than 75 diagnoses....

It’s normal for everyone to wonder about their purpose. At times, however, you might question existence to the point where you wonder, “What’s the point in life?” When such feelings are accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, and disinterest, it might signify a mental health condition such as depression. For some people, the purpose of life may be to make the world a better place. Others may believe that the point of life is to find and achieve personal fulfillment....

It’s a common question that people ask when they hear about someone who has attempted or died by suicide. “Why would they do that? They seemed to be doing so well.” The truth is, we don’t always know why. However, there is often a period of time between the initial crisis and the act of suicide itself. During this time, the individual may appear to be feeling better. At first glance, it may not make sense....

Sexual assault at U.S. universities is a serious problem, with one in five women and one in 16 men being sexually assaulted while in college, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Here’s what experts say college administrators should do to lower these rates, and what first-year college students can do to keep themselves safe. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), 11.2% of all students (undergraduates and graduates) experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation....

An undergraduate degree in psychology provides excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers. While many undergraduate psychology majors later choose to study psychology in graduate school, some students opt for different educational and career paths. The great thing about a bachelor’s degree in psychology is that it provides preparation for graduate study in many different areas. Psychology majors often go on to study education, counseling, or social work in graduate school....

While every practitioner is different, the basics of the prenatal appointment are usually the same. Some of these will be done in different orders, some at every visit, while others not at every visit. Your first prenatal visit is usually the longest. You may even have things done that are not on this list. The thing to remember is always asking what the test is for, how are the results given, do you have an option for a different test, to skip the test, or wait for a while....

For example, imagine that a person believes left-handed people are more creative than right-handed people. Whenever this person encounters a person that is both left-handed and creative, they place greater importance on this “evidence” that supports what they already believe. This individual might even seek proof that further backs up this belief while discounting examples that don’t support the idea. Confirmation Bias A confirmation bias is cognitive bias that favors information that confirms your previously existing beliefs or biases....

Counseling psychologists help people of all ages deal with emotional, social, developmental, and other life concerns. These professionals use a variety of strategies to help people manage behavioral issues, cope with stress, alleviate anxiety and distress, and deal with the issues associated with psychological disorders. The Society of Counseling Psychology describes the field as “a specialty within professional psychology that maintains a focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span....

COVID-19 can pose a greater risk to immunocompromised children. Along with other symptoms, the impact on their breathing and daily functioning can be enormous. A new study published in the journal EBioMedicine found that COVID-19 may also lead to prolonged infection in children and young adults with compromised immune systems. Key Takeaways A new study notes that youth with compromised immune systems may keep the COVID-19 virus in their systems for a prolonged period....

Playing host to a tiny human can be the most thrilling and also the most challenging experience you’ve ever had. Some parts of pregnancy are quite fun, like watching your belly jiggle as a growing baby stretches and kicks. Other bits such as figuring out how to deal with morning sickness can be miserable and overwhelming. You might suffer nausea, vomiting, and dry heaving, not just in the mornings (as the name suggests), but throughout the entire day....

For people who are ready to start their families, finding out there are fertility issues can be a challenging diagnosis to receive. Infertility affects over six million people in the United States, according to the American Pregnancy Association. However, there is still hope for people to have a natural pregnancy if they desire; various methods of medical intervention are available to help couples dealing with infertility. Key Takeaways A study found that those who knew they had endometriosis before starting fertility treatments had a better rate of success....

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails children a free book each month from birth until they are 5 years old. These high-quality books are chosen by experts in publishing and education, and are based on the child’s age. There are no eligibility requirements for Dolly Parton’s book club; any child can join. Parton’s mission is to foster a love of learning in children, making the experience of reading fun and meaningful....

Asian communities have been affected by white supremacy and xenophobia for a long time. As a result, Asian individuals are subject to increased mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and the severe psychological effects that victims of hate crimes often develop. To stop this perpetuated harm on Asian communities, the underlying systems of white supremacy and xenophobia must be addressed by individuals and by society as a whole through sustained anti-racist efforts and education....