Posts

Neck and shoulder pain is quite common in the general population, especially among people who experience high levels of stress. It’s no wonder that expressions like “carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders” came to be, or that people tend to describe challenging situations or difficult people as “pain in the necks.” Many of us carry our stress directly in our necks and shoulders, which can lead to muscle tension, pain, and headaches....

Self-esteem refers to a person’s overall sense of self-value. It is essentially your opinion about yourself. Your self-esteem can encompass a range of factors, such as your sense of identity, self-confidence, feelings of competence, and feelings of belonging. Self-esteem is about more than just generally liking yourself—it also means believing that you deserve love and valuing your own thoughts, feelings, opinions, interests, and goals. It can also play a role in how you allow others to treat you....

A substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. In fact, some researchers suggest that the percentage of nonverbal communication is four times that of verbal communication, with 80% of what we communicate involving our actions and gestures versus only 20% being conveyed with the use of words. Every day, we respond to thousands of nonverbal cues and behaviors, including postures, facial expressions, eye gaze, gestures, and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, our nonverbal communication reveals who we are and impacts how we relate to other people....

Soon after your baby is born, a nurse will likely tell you how much they weigh. You might wonder whether your baby is considered big, average, or small. And you might worry whether they could be considered a low birth weight baby. The mean or average birth weight in the United States is approximately 7.5 pounds (3,400 grams). However, average does not necessarily mean normal. A birth weight between 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams) and up to 10 pounds (4,500 grams) is considered to fall in a normal range for a full-term newborn....

What Is Bruxism? Bruxism is a repetitive movement disorder in which a person routinely grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth using the jaw muscles. Bruxism can involve all the teeth or only the front teeth and can also include symptoms ranging from headaches or facial pain to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Certain medications increase the risk of bruxism, so sometimes a prescription change could be all it takes to ​resolve the condition....

Depression is a serious mood disorder, with an estimated 17 million American adults having at least one major depressive episode in the past year. It can affect how you think, feel, interact with people, and handle daily life. It can cause feelings of sadness and a loss of interest or pleasure in things you once enjoyed. Anyone can be affected by depression, and it can happen at any age, but it often begins in adulthood....

Often referred to as the “wandering” nerve, the vagus nerve runs from the brainstem, through the neck, chest, and abdomen as our longest cranial nerve. Key Takeaways The vagus nerve runs throughout your body and contributes to mood regulation, immune response, digestion, and heart rate.Experts say stimulating the vagus nerve can be an effective and accessible method of treating anxiety.Stimulating the vagus nerve can be as simple as humming or splashing cold water on the face....

If you’re one of the estimated 4.4% of American adults who may experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives, you may be struggling with how to manage your condition. You may feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster, with highs and lows that are hard to control. And, you may be hesitant to take medication to treat bipolar disorder because of potential side effects. While medication can be an essential part of treatment, it’s not the only thing you can do to help ease your symptoms....

Pregnant women are advised to get the flu shot each year, but studies show that many of them don’t. Key Takeaways Safety concerns stop many pregnant women from getting the flu vaccine. However, a new study found that moms who got the flu shot during pregnancy didn’t adversely affect their infants.All pregnant women are advised to get the flu shot to protect themselves and their baby. According to researchers in Canada, only 36% of pregnant women received the flu shot over four flu seasons in Nova Scotia....

Many universities allow students to pursue what is known as an academic minor. This can add yet another element of confusion for psychology majors who are trying to figure out which subjects to study and which classes will help them the most. A college minor represents a secondary field of study in addition to a college major. While it is similar in many ways to a major, it involves fewer required classes....

It may seem strange that something as simple as drinking enough water can affect your child’s brain. But research shows that hydration status, brain function, and mood are closely linked. Even mild dehydration can cause headaches, low energy levels, and changes in mood and mental status, which is especially important for children who are expected to concentrate all day at school. The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can help your child get enough to drink each day....

When it comes to pregnancy-related physical changes, there’s plenty of obvious ones that come to mind: a growing belly, changes in appetite, thicker or shinier hair—just to name a few. But pregnancy can also impact other parts of your body, including your vision. If you’ve noticed some changes to your sight while expecting, you’re definitely not alone. As the hormones that support your pregnancy and your growing baby fluctuate in your body, they can cause some unintended consequences....

Toddler classes are an excellent way to keep young minds and bodies active. What’s more, participation in different activities, such as swimming or music, during these crucial early years can aid your child’s development and help them hit those all important milestones. However, choosing what classes to enroll your toddler in can feel like a minefield when there are so many available. Here, we take a look at what classes are out there and explore how each one could benefit your child....

It’s much easier to share your thoughts, the intellectual information in your brain, than your feelings. Both women and men can have difficulty expressing feelings, although male partners seem to have an even harder time with heart-to-heart communication. Sharing the depth of your feelings in your heart takes emotional risk and courage, as it can make you feel exposed and vulnerable. However, knowing how to express your feelings is also the very thing that will create closeness and connection in your relationship....

In-home child care, also known as family or home daycare, is a setting in which you pay a child care provider to take care of your child on a regular ongoing basis, in their home, sometimes with other children. Some home daycare providers have received training and some are state-licensed, but many are not. Generally, you can find in-home daycare providers through word of mouth, by way of traditional marketing channels such as flyers passed around your neighborhood, or online....

Does your child seem to be more interested in taking things apart than in putting them together? Do you feel you have to hide all your mechanical possessions to keep them from being taken apart? Your child isn’t being destructive; he’s being curious. He probably just wants to know what makes those things work. Instead of trying to stop your child from destroying all your possessions, help him satisfy his curiosity....

There’s a lot of advice being offered right now about how to keep yourself physically healthy during the coronavirus pandemic, such as washing your hands and practicing social distancing. Key Takeaways Stress, disrupted routines, cabin fever, lack of social contact, and reduced physical activity due to coronavirus can all impact your mental health.It’s important to recognize the warning signs of stress so you can take action and get the help you need....

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as depression that does not adequately respond after trying at least two medications. TRD is not an official DSM diagnosis, but it is used to identify those who may be candidates for different types of treatments. The major areas of treatment for TRD are medications (including everything from SSRIs to antipsychotics), psychotherapy, ketamine and more invasive procedures, such as electroconvulsive therapy. People with treatment-resistant depression are more likely to be hospitalized and/or attempt suicide, so it is key to find adequate ways of treatment that work—and quickly....

If you have borderline personality disorder (BPD), you are already well-acquainted with the serious impact symptoms can have on your life. In addition to problems in relationships, work, and physical health, many people with BPD also suffer from legal issues. In fact, about a third of people with BPD will be convicted of a crime in their lifetime. BPD symptoms can cause you to get in trouble with the law, but knowing more about legal issues and how they are affected by BPD can help you identify potential problem areas....

Malt liquor is not your average beer. Typically malt liquor beverages have a higher percentage of alcohol content, are sold in larger containers, and are sold at a lower price per volume than the average beer. Compared to a standard drink, the typical malt liquor beverage is off the scale. A 12-ounce malt liquor beer can average 40% more alcohol content than a regular 12-ounce beer. Forties (40-ounce malt liquors) contain 4....