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In Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is located at the very top of the pyramid, representing the need to fulfill one’s individual potential. According to Maslow, peak experiences play an important role in self-actualization. Self-actualization is actually considered quite rare, which means that peak experiences can be equally elusive. Not all people reach the peak of Maslow’s pyramid. Peak experiences are not restricted solely to self-actualized individuals, however. Maslow believed that all people are capable of having these moments, but he also felt that self-actualized people were likely to experience them more often....

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! It’s an exciting time for your ever-changing body. And whether you enjoy shopping for pregnancy clothing or loathe it, there’s no denying that renting clothes has become just as popular for people during pregnancy and postpartum as it is in general. If you’re interested in learning why pregnancy clothing rentals have grown in popularity, what kinds of rentals there are, a few key sites to rent from, and what’s currently trending, this is the article for you....

There is no clear and easy answer to the age-old question of whether you should stay in a troubled marriage for the sake of the kids. It’s important to figure out whether the children would be better off in a home where their parents are unhappy together or in two homes where parents are happier but not together. Risks of Staying Together Parenting experts point to a number of negative effects on children raised in a family characterized by frequent anger, frustration, and pain....

Situational anxiety is a form of anxiety that occurs in response to a specific situation. This type of anxiety is common and can be normal—after all, everyone has situations that tend to make them feel anxious, such as a job interview, the first day of school, or giving a presentation in front of a large group. Situational anxiety is not recognized as a distinct condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the clinical manual that doctors utilize to diagnose mental health conditions....

You are probably familiar with stress. You encounter it in your day-to-day life. Whether dealing with a challenging course at school or handling a difficult family situation, stress’s effects on your body can be physical and mental. When stressed, you experience physiological symptoms like your heart rate quickening and your blood pressure rising. This is a normal response to stress, and your body returns to normal when the stressful event passes....

Taking a break from time to time is essential, and yet many people leave their vacation time unused. Whether you plan a vacation, a staycation, or a playcation, it’s important to take a break from your job, your routine, and the demands of life in order to keep stress levels in check. When you take a break, you’re not shirking responsibility. You’re taking care of yourself so you’ll have the stamina to be your best....

Taking away privileges can be an extremely effective discipline strategy when your child misbehaves. Whether you decide to take away a fun event or you remove a favorite toy, there are some strategies that will make privilege removal an effective consequence that can encourage your child to make better choices in the future. When it comes to taking away privileges, you need to be realistic and logical in your approach. For instance, you don’t want to take away their Chromebook if it’s required for school....

While people generally associate grief with sadness, anger is also a common reaction to grief. If you’ve lost a loved one, you may find yourself wondering why it happened, and be angry at yourself, the world, the person you lost, or the circumstances. Apart from the loss of a loved one, you may also experience grief and anger if you’ve lost other things that were meaningful to you, such as a relationship, a job, or anything that ties to your identity, says Angeleena May, LMHC, Executive Director at AMFM Healthcare....

If you have celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or are simply looking for alternatives to traditional pasta, there are many gluten-free pastas on the market. They are made with a variety of bases including rice, quinoa, corn, cassava flour, and legumes like chickpeas, peas and lentils. Each has their own nutritional profile, but typically those made with a legume base are higher in protein and fiber. However, blends with rice and corn tend to yield a more similar flavor and texture to regular pasta....

Even before a woman has a clue she might be pregnant, an amazing array of events are taking place in her body. From the moment of conception, when one lucky sperm beats out tens of millions of others to meet up with and fertilize the egg that was released during that month’s ovulation, the clock begins ticking on what will be a remarkable 40 weeks or so of the development of a new human being....

A worldwide survey, published in the journal PLoS ONE, found that pregnant and postpartum women reported high levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takeaways A recent study found that pregnant and postpartum women experienced higher levels of depression and other mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.What should have been a time of celebration and excitement became one of isolation and fear for pregnant and postpartum people due to pandemic restrictions....

When a cesarean section is performed, the risks and benefits of the procedure need to be considered and weighed. This process includes looking at the added benefits and potential risks of birthing a child by c-section compared to vaginally. Sometimes, the benefits of the cesarean birth will outweigh the risks, and sometimes, the vaginal birth benefits will outweigh the risks of the cesarean birth. The best option varies on an individual basis....

You’re sending your child off to a sports camp this summer, but do you have everything you need to pack for them? Trying to remember everything can be overwhelming, and while the camp may send you a suggested packing list, it’s possible that the organizers didn’t include everything your kid will need. Whether it’s a day camp, an overnight camp, or a week filled with your child’s favorite sport, let’s review a list of supplies you should pack....

Toward the end of pregnancy, your doctor may use something called the Bishop score to determine your chances of having a successful vaginal birth in the near future. Your provider is probably keeping tabs on what your score is when you go for prenatal appointments in the last month of pregnancy, even if you’ve never heard of it before. Don’t worry—even if they are not be sharing it with you (because you’re too pregnant to be crunching numbers!...

What Is Executive Dysfunction in ADHD? Executive dysfunction isn’t an official diagnosis, but rather, a set of symptoms associated with ADHD. Billy Roberts, LISW-S of Focused Mind ADHD Counseling tells us that “the reason executive dysfunction is not a diagnosis is because executive dysfunction can be caused by a variety of conditions including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, and depression.” Executive dysfunction occurs when the brain has difficulty with important functions related to memory, attention, and thinking....

If you have a newborn, this may seem like a joke. “What do you mean, ‘What else can I do while I’m breastfeeding?’ I’m breastfeeding, and I have no hands to spare! What can I do except for…well…breastfeed?” But, once you get the hang of positioning and latching your baby on, you will realize that you’ll be spending a lot of time in your glider or on your couch. So, how can you multitask and spend this precious time?...

The body undergoes several changes during pregnancy, and sexuality is no different. Interest in sex while pregnant may fluctuate depending on the trimester, how you feel, and any preconceived notions you have regarding pregnancy sex. During this time, communication with your partner is at an all-time importance level to ensure that you are adjusting to each other’s needs and preferences. Benefits of Sex During Pregnancy Unless your doctor advises otherwise, there is no reason to change your sexual behavior during pregnancy....

Even casual, recreational use of marijuana by young people can affect the regions of the brain involved in emotion, motivation, and decision-making. Scientists say that they now have the evidence to prove it. A review of studies on the functional and morphological impact of marijuana use on the brain shows changes in three areas. These include the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. The differences in brain abnormalities compared to non-smokers is directly related to how much marijuana is consumed, the researchers found....

People who struggle with anxiety often need more than psychotherapy and medication to overcome their problems. One of the most important factors is strong support from people in their lives. Friends and family can be an integral part of the treatment system and can make a difference in recovery time as well as sustain remission. The following are guidelines for helping your friend or family member with an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety or social anxiety....

The conversation around police violence took the national stage after the killing of Michael Brown in 2014, and protests following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 amplified the call for police reform. But still communities see continued loss or endangerment of life due to senseless police violence. Key Takeaways Law enforcement stands in the path to care for nearly one-third of people with mental illness in the United States.Calls for police reform have included shifting responsibility of crisis response away from police and toward health professionals....