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Love it or loathe it, aging is an unavoidable part of life for all of us. So it’s no surprise that scientists are fascinated by how we age—and how we can make it a more fulfilling experience. Key Takeaways A recent journal supplement focused on the importance of motivation for healthy aging.Specifically, goal-setting is key to fulfilling our potential into old age.Experts believe motivation boosts mental health, fosters creativity, encourages promotes healthy lifestyle choices, and spreads compassion....

You are unlikely to find anyone claiming medical residencies are an easy time in someone’s life. After years of education, they’re working as doctors while trying to prove themselves and complete the necessary steps to become independent. Key Takeaways Two recent studies looked at the mental health of first-year medical residents.Residents in the surgical field and those who identified as a sexual minority were more likely to experience depression than other first-years....

What Is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s disease is a health condition that affects the brain and nervous system. It is classified as a neurological movement disorder because it affects the brain’s ability to control movement. This condition is characterized by symptoms like tremors, muscle rigidity, and difficulties with movement, balance, and coordination. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive health condition, which means it gets worse over time. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition; however, it can be managed with medication and surgery, often for a significant period of time....

Arguably the most popular book in mental health, the American Psychiatric Association’s fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, is the standard guide used by mental health professionals to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. In early March, the DSM-5 was revised to include new conditions, clarifications and updated wording. Key Takeaways The DSM-5, a diagnostic manual for mental health professionals, was updated in early March....

Setting boundaries aren’t always easy. The process itself—letting people know where your needs and limits are—can often be stressful, especially for those who aren’t used to it. When people are used to relationship boundaries that are at a certain point, they can put up a fight if you try to change your boundaries with them, and people (like children) often try to test boundaries among one another. This can all be stressful, especially when you take into account the toll of conflict on stress levels....

Your toddler is down for the night and you sink into your sofa cushions for some much-deserved rest. After chasing your little explorer around all day, nothing sounds better than a glass of wine and your latest favorite show. But before you settle in, you decide to take one last peek at your sleeping angel. Instead of seeing your child in peaceful repose, their body jerks up and down and a jumble of nonsense words comes out of their mouth....

Anemia is a condition that occurs when your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells. Your body needs red blood cells to transport oxygen to all of its organs. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, this could create a shortage of oxygen to these organs, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations, and pale skin. When your organs don’t receive enough oxygen, they lose the ability to function effectively....

While so much energy is put into preventing teenage pregnancy, there’s little support for women age 18 and under who experience a miscarriage. The insensitivity adults experience around miscarriage can be exponentially worse for teens, who are often told, “This is a blessing,” or “This worked out for the best,” or even, “You got lucky” – all of which are terrible things to say to someone who has just had not only a potentially painful physical experience, but also an emotional loss....

A high-neck sports bra offers the ideal combination of style, fit, and support. Whether you’re searching for more coverage during workouts or a new addition to your wardrobe, there are dozens of high-neck styles to choose from. When shopping for a high-neck sports bra, consider your workout routine. “Are you going to wear this for running? Light workouts? Yoga? Daily wear? The activity type will dictate how compressive and supportive the bra is,” Ellyn Ferriter, MPH, CPT, certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Lifetime, says....

By the time children become tweens, they’ve outgrown some of the discipline strategies that worked well when they were younger. With one foot in childhood and another in adolescence, the behaviors that require discipline are also likely to shift. When children turn 10, peers and appearance become increasingly important while authority might be something they start to question in their quest for independence. This can be challenging for parents to navigate....

The labels of many available vitamins and supplements can sometimes feature some pretty bold claims about how they can give your health an upgrade. And for some of us, a pill to make you healthier will beat 30 minutes on a treadmill every time. Unfortunately, the statements made by some manufacturers are not always vetted by reputable outside agencies. This makes it tough to figure out which vitamins are worth the investment and will actually provide you with health benefits....

Have you ever felt like you’ve had “one of those days” before the day has really even begun? Some days can be so stressful that we still feel stressed when we wake up the next morning, though all we’ve experienced for the last several hours is sleep. At times, the stress of a day can plague your dreams so your night feels anything but restful as the challenges of the day become characters in your stress-fueled dreams....

Your maternity leave is quickly coming to an end and you might feel a mixture of excitement and reluctance to return to work. The predictability of the workday with its chances for adult interaction might be a welcome breath of fresh air, but at the same time, you could also have feelings around leaving your baby during the day. No matter how you feel about going back to work, the fact remains that you’ll likely need to arrange for childcare when you do....

Early potty training is a goal for most parents. After all, who doesn’t want their kid out of diapers as soon as possible? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents start toilet training once their infant can control their nerves, muscles, language, and bladder sphincter—usually between 18 months and 4 years old. But some parents essentially start toilet training their kids from birth using elimination communication (EC). “In my current patient panel, I might have 1 to 2% of patients using elimination communication for toilet training,” says Virginia-based pediatrician Florencia Segura, MD, FAAP....

In most cases of bipolar disorder, medication is used to help keep someone stable. Medications that are prescribed may be used to treat psychosis, depression, hypomania, or mania present in someone who has bipolar disorder. This article covers some of the most common medications used to treat bipolar disorder as well as some other non-pharmacological treatments. While once lithium was the only medication used for bipolar disorder, there are now many medications used in the management of the illness that fall under the following categories: anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines....

The Bradley Method of childbirth preparation is one of many educational options parents can consider if they are hoping to have a medication-free childbirth experience. The Bradley Method’s official website claims that 86% of its students go on to have an unmedicated birth. (There are no outside research studies to confirm or refute this claim.) The idea that a woman could give birth without medication and only with her partner by her side to support her during labor was radical and revolutionary in 1947, when Dr....

Every sleep-deprived parent longs for the point when their baby begins to sleep through the night. But, for better or worse, sleeping through the night is achieved only after key developmental processes take place. For instance, babies will start sleeping more when they have a reduced need for frequent feedings, experience melatonin production, develop sleep-wake circadian rhythms, and receive clear social and environmental cues from caregivers. This usually happens by baby’s first birthday, when solid foods have been introduced and a nighttime sleep schedule is usually established....

It’s easy to discount the importance of having high self-esteem. However, having positive personal regard can be the difference between feeling good about and taking care of yourself and not. We’ve likely all heard the advice to believe in yourself, value yourself, be your own cheerleader, and that you can’t fully love others until you love yourself—and all of that is true. But what exactly does that really mean in real life?...

An ADHD-friendly home is set up to make it easy for family members with ADHD to manage daily stress and avoid emotional meltdowns. By following these strategies, you’ll not only simplify your family’s life, but you’ll lower stress levels for everyone. Optimum Organization For Your Home Kids and adults with ADHD are coping with a lot of chaos inside their brains and bodies. So surrounding them with a calm, orderly, predictable environment on the outside is essential....

Depression is treatable and most people see improvements in their symptoms with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. That said, what works for one person might not necessarily work for another. It’s important to talk to your physician and or healthcare provider about which options may be most effective for you. To help with that discussion, here is an overview of the most commonly used treatments for depression....