Posts

Most people think of houseplants as a way to beautify an indoor space. But beyond aesthetics, having a few plants scattered around your home may also provide important benefits to your emotional wellbeing during the pandemic, according to a new study published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Key Takeaways A study of more than 4,200 people found that houseplants brought emotional benefits to 74% of participants during COVID-19 lockdowns....

What Is Sexual Chemistry? When you have that immediate physical attraction to someone, that is a sign of sexual chemistry. Your palms sweat and you have shortness of breath. You are drawn to someone quickly and often intensely. Sexual chemistry is usually obvious at the beginning of a relationship and is an important component of many relationships. The danger is you might interpret the sexual chemistry alone as reflecting a deeper connection....

What Is the Difference Between Depression and Bipolar Disorder? Depression and bipolar disorder are two mood disorders that have many similarities. However, they have key differences that are essential to understand for the sake of effective treatment. Mental health is becoming more of a mainstream topic, an incredible advancement that normalizes the experiences of many. As such, isn’t uncommon to hear someone say they’re feeling depressed. However, clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, isn’t just feeling sad....

The mucus plug is a clear, thick, jelly-like mucus. In early pregnancy, the mucus plug forms, sealing the cervix (which sits between the vaginal canal and the uterus) with thick mucus to keep bacteria from entering the uterus. The mucus plug protects the fetus from infection and helps prevent premature labor. Without the mucus plug, maintaining a pregnancy to term would be unlikely and, in some cases, impossible. Why the Mucus Plug Is Important The mucus plug is formed in early pregnancy from secretions of cervical glands and has a thick, gelatinous consistency....

Do you remember when you realized your child preferred to use their right hand over their left, or perhaps the other way around? Parents typically begin to notice hand dominance when babies first reach for and grasp objects. Many parents, however, express concern when their children display left-handedness. You may have heard that left-hand dominance is a sign of a learning disability. Rest assured, in most cases, left-handedness is a normal part of child development....

If you’re pregnant and noticing some changes in your skin, know that you’re far from alone. The vast majority of pregnant individuals, almost 75%, report that their skin looks and feels different. And while pregnancy hormones can bring on some welcomed changes, like a flushed, healthy-looking “pregnancy glow,” others, such as acne, may be more of a bummer. Then, there’s the fact that there is a litany of things you should avoid while pregnant, so it may not be easy to know what your acne-fighting options are....

Diarrhea isn’t something many people feel comfortable talking about. Unfortunately, diarrhea and associated stomach pain can be symptoms of drug withdrawal, particularly opiates. It can also occur after a period of intense substance use. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. This can often lead to distress, and can even be a major factor impacting the decision to quit drugs for many people. This article explores strategies that can help minimize diarrhea and stomach pain caused by drug withdrawal....

Kids can be overly dramatic by nature. To adults, their emotions seem irrational and completely out of proportion with the situation. But that’s OK. They’re allowed to feel whatever they want—even if you don’t feel the same way they do. Of course, that doesn’t mean they can behave however they want. Avoid Minimizing Emotions Kids who believe, “I shouldn’t feel sad,” will go to great lengths to avoid grief. But that’s not healthy....

When trying to conceive, there are many different methods out there for boosting your fertility, such as supplements or eating a healthy diet full of vitamin-rich foods. You might have also heard of a procedure called an endometrial scratch. An endometrial scratch, or endometrial injury, is a procedure that’s intended to boost your chances of getting pregnant when going through in vitro fertilization (IVF). If you’re looking to conceive, a doctor could potentially ask if you want to give it a try, but it’s worth paying attention to all the evidence out there before signing up....

What Is Guided Sleep Meditation? In simple terms, guided sleep meditation involves meditating before sleep, typically while you are laying in bed. While you can practice sleep meditation on your own, guided practice usually means that you listen to an audio recording that directs you through the steps of the guided sleep meditation. Guided sleep meditation is a method for helping you to let go of worrying thoughts and relax your body before bed....

Creativity helps us perceive the world in new and different ways. It helps us create works of beauty, problem solve, and refresh our bodies and our minds. It’s fun, and when you are having fun, you are positively impacting your health. Creativity Improves Mental Health Expressing yourself through artistic and creative activities is like a prescription for your mental health. Turning to creativity has been proven in extensive research to relieve both stress and anxiety....

Codeine, a prescription opiate medication used for relief of mild to moderate pain or coughing, has a half-life of two and a half to three hours. This means that it takes about three hours for half a dose of codeine to be eliminated from your system. Codeine is detected in screening tests for drugs of misuse for up to three days. If you have been taking a prescription medication that contains codeine, it’s important to let your employer or a relevant person know if you’re subject to an employment or forensic drug screen....

You’ve been invited to a social gathering, and your mind is racing. Part of you wants to go, to laugh with friends, and enjoy marvelous food and wine. But there’s another part of you that wants to hide. How can you possibly survive hours among a large group of people, maintain a witty conversation, and manage not to trip/fall/offend anyone/spill drinks on strangers? More than anything, you’re wondering how you can be more outgoing so that you’ll fit in better....

Genital warts are soft, fleshy growths in the genital area, on the cervix, or in the vagina. Warts can appear alone or in clusters, and resemble tiny pieces of cauliflower. These warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42.5% of the United States population 18 and older has been exposed to HPV. This means that many pregnant women have HPV....

When you are looking for a preschool for your little one to attend, you may see that some say they are accredited, some may say they are licensed, some may be both and still others may have neither. What is preschool accreditation and why is it important? Preschool accreditation is a voluntary process that is designed to improve the quality of preschool programs. A preschool that is accredited is guaranteed to offer its students a high level of care in a cheerful, academic environment....

Middle children often get a bad rap. Popular culture imagines they are forgotten, rebellious, or unable to measure up to their older or younger siblings. In fact, stereotypes often tell us that middle children aren’t as smart, connected to the family, capable as leaders, or likely to follow rules as their older or younger siblings. These perceived negative impacts of being a middle child are often called middle child syndrome....

Many adults remember a time when Pepto-Bismol was the first thing they reached for whenever anyone in the family, including kids, had an upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea. However, for safety reasons, Pepto-Bismol is no longer recommended for kids under age 12. Instead, a children’s version of Pepto-Bismol is available for kids aged 2 to 11. Alternatively, you might try a natural method to address their symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of using Pepto-Bismol for kids....

Have you ever started getting ready for a date and thought, “Why bother making an effort? They probably won’t like me anyways.” Or maybe you’ve experienced your partner being quiet about a special event, and your thoughts started swirling with the idea that they don’t care or secretly want to break up. These experiences, known as intrusive thoughts, can make dating or navigating a relationship feel more challenging or overwhelming than it is....

It can be challenging to manage ADHD due to difficulties with concentration. Now, a study published in Journal of Psychiatric Research found inattention may be a predictor of challenges related to hoarding. Key Takeaways Nearly one in five individuals with ADHD reported clinically significant hoarding symptoms.Inattention was the only significant statistical predictor of hoarding severity.Given that hoarding disorder tends to be under-recognized and under-treated, these findings highlight how people with ADHD may benefit from assessments for hoarding....

Failing a class in high school can be devastating to a teen’s self-esteem and it can interfere with them getting into their preferred college. Summer school is one of the many options available and there are very good reasons why you should consider it. The Options For Making Up a Failed Class Before discussing the advantage of summer school, consider all of your options for making up a class: Take the class again the following school year....