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Ever wonder what gets your heart pumping while you’re watching a scary movie? Or what’s responsible for your quick reaction when someone cuts you off in traffic? Or why your brain goes blank and your palms get sweaty when you have to give a presentation to a room full of people? The sympathetic nervous system is what stimulates the “fight-or-flight” response when you’re presented with a threat, whether it’s being chased by a wild animal or confronting your fear of public speaking....

Global warming has long been discussed, but the US heatwave of 2021 made our anxiety around climate change feel much more urgent. A new study published in Current Psychology found that collective action may relieve climate anxiety. Key Takeaways Engaging in collective environmental action, like outreach, advocacy, etc, was associated with fewer depressive symptoms.Individual efforts, such as recycling, did not have comparable mental health benefits to those found with group activities....

At the ripe old age of 30, I discovered that I was actually lactose intolerant. With that seemingly simple realization, I suddenly looked back on a lifetime of memories through new eyes. All those times in my childhood that I had complained about my stomach hurting? All the nights I had driven home from my boyfriend’s house, miserable from the bloating I had tried to hide in my stomach all evening?...

Stigma, which is the prejudice and discrimination frequently attached to mental illness, can keep people from seeking treatment and acknowledging that they need help. Since 2011, there has been an increase in the percentage of adults who haven’t gotten the help they need to deal with their mental health issues. But a new study provides some hope that a shift in thinking has led to a more mainstream acceptance of depression....

The day you find out you’re pregnant, you might start frantically searching things: Can I eat cheese while I’m pregnant? Can I dye my hair in the first trimester? And, do I need to switch my beauty routine to all-natural and organic products? “It’s important to note that ‘clean’ beauty is not a regulated term," says Krupa Koestline, Clean Cosmetic Chemist and Founder of KKT Consultants. “As of now, it’s largely up to brands and retailers to define what clean means to them....

The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. Each month, the endometrium thickens and renews itself, preparing for pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the endometrium sheds in a process known as menstruation. If conception takes place, the embryo implants into the endometrium. Conditions that involve the endometrium and may impact fertility include: Adenomyosis Asherman’s syndrome (uterine adhesions) Endometrial cancer Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Luteal phase defect Too thin or too thick endometrium Viral infection What Is the Endometrium?...

What Is Hippopotomonstro-sesquipedaliophobia? Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia is the fear of long words. This 35-letter, 15-syllable word contains the root sesquipedalian, which means “long word.” Therefore, it is sometimes called sesquipedalophobia. However, somewhere along the line, references to the hippopotamus and monsters were added, making it sound even more intimidating. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia is highly personalized, meaning that it can vary from person to person. Some people have a phobia of long words that are multisyllabic, for instance, while others have a fear of long words that are obscure....

The fear of rejection is a powerful fear that often has a far-reaching impact on our lives. Most people experience some nerves when placing themselves in situations that could lead to rejection, but for some people, the fear becomes overwhelming. This fear can have many underlying causes. An untreated fear of rejection may worsen over time, leading to greater and greater limitations in a person’s life. This article discusses the fear of rejection, including how rejection sensitivity can affect your life and behavior....

What Are the Different Types of Hallucinations? A hallucination is something you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste that isn’t really there. Hallucinations can happen through any of the five senses, but the most common types are visual and auditory (hearing) hallucinations. Auditory Hallucinations Auditory hallucinations can range from mild distortions to voices when nobody is speaking. The voices may be quiet or loud, friendly or intimidating. Auditory hallucinations are the most common type that people with schizophrenia experience....

While the terms Hispanic and Latino are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings. These identities can be claimed by anyone, regardless of their heritage. Researchers and publishers (including the U.S. Census) do not dispute how people identify. Hispanic vs. Latino While Hispanic usually refers to people with a background in a Spanish-speaking country, Latino is typically used to identify people who hail from Latin America. In order to use these terms appropriately, it helps to understand their differences and when it is appropriate to use each one....

If you’re wrestling with child support tax questions, like whether child support is taxable or deductible, you’re not alone. A lot of single parents aren’t sure how child support payments will impact their tax bill—and that’s just as true for parents who receive child support on behalf of their children as it is for those who pay it. While the specific tax implications will vary for each person, depending on their larger tax picture, below is the general breakdown of how tax returns are impacted by child support payments....

Some people prefer to dance on their own to their favorite songs on Spotify or on the radio. Others want to learn ballroom dancing or hip-hop. Or take a tango class at their local community center. Whether you prefer solo dancing or being involved in a more formalized and choreographed program, dancing offers obvious plusses to your physical health. You’re not only moving your body in a rhythmic way and expressing feelings....

The holiday season is a joyful and exciting time for parents and children, especially little ones. And while every family celebrates in a uniquely special way, building traditions beginning when your children are small can be incredibly beneficial to their mental and emotional growth and development. Take the Elf on the Shelf, for example. A staple in the homes of many families who celebrate Christmas, this little red-suited elf moves around the house during the holiday season and provides kids with a tangible connection to the mythical story of Santa Claus and his elves....

If you felt like your kids were always underfoot under normal circumstances, the worldwide onset of COVID-19 ratcheted things up a notch—a major notch. Key Takeaways Stay-at-home guidelines during the pandemic significantly reduced parents’ access to alone time, with many feeling like they never get a break.Being stuck at home 24/7 took its toll on parents.In order to stay mentally healthy and have a positive attitude about social distancing, parents had to find ways to carve out time for themselves....

Planning and organizational skills aren’t just for grownups anymore, and that’s a good thing. With all the pressure on students to learn more material in less time than ever, they need tools to be successful in school. This pressure can be particularly stressful for students with learning disabilities, who may already feel overwhelmed by schoolwork demands. Stress reduction is another great benefit of planning. Breaking assignments into subtasks with timelines helps students feel less stressed because they are creating a manageable schedule for each task....

School shootings came to the forefront of our attention after the Columbine shooting in 1999. Over the past several years, school shootings have become more frequent and more deadly. Although many schools have increased security protocols, including hiring armed guards and having police presence on campus, there is no evidence that these measures have increased student safety. In fact, increased police and security presence in schools increases risks for harm and racism against Black students and other students of color rather than improving safety....

The teen years are notorious for parent-child conflict, especially around communication. It can be disheartening for parents (and teens), but when puberty comes along, many kids start pushing mom and dad—who are suddenly “weird,” “embarrassing,” “annoying,” or just too “old”—away. Simple conversations can suddenly feel strained and heart-to-hearts become few and far between. Overview All is not lost—and you’re not alone in this very common, age appropriate struggle. You just may need to rediscover or reinvent how to talk to your teen....

Khat (or qat) is a drug found in the leaves of a wild, East African shrub called Catha edulis. The plant contains a central nervous system stimulant called cathinone. Khat chewing is tied to social and cultural traditions dating back thousands of years, mostly in North-Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where the plant is widely cultivated. Twenty million people worldwide use khat. While it has traditionally been a custom associated with older Muslim men, khat’s use has expanded to include women and younger people....

The Oedipus complex, also known as the Oedipal complex, describes a child’s feelings of desire for their opposite-sex parent and jealousy and anger toward their same-sex parent. The concept was first introduced by Sigmund Freud in his theory of psychosexual stages of development. In simple terms, a boy feels that he is competing with his father for possession of his mother, while a girl feels that she is competing with her mother for her father’s affections....

Every parent knows the feeling of checking on your newborn baby, especially at night. Are they sleeping well? Are they breathing okay? You want anything that will help give you peace of mind that your little one is safe, healthy, and happy. Some parents have found that peace of mind with the Owlet Smart Sock. Key Takeaways Owlet Smart Socks monitor a baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels, but the product is not marketed as a medical device....