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While some people have a strong sense of who they are, others may be left feeling that they don’t really understand their true selves. Feeling unsure of yourself can sometimes lead to a shifting sense of identity. You might always be trying out new ideas or personas to see if they fit. Or you might find yourself changing in response to other people. If you ever find yourself thinking “I don’t know who I am,” you might wonder why you might feel this way and what you can do to change that....

Ice cream, iced coffee, iguana, Iron Man—there are a ton of great things that start with the letter “I,” and your baby’s name could be one of them. The iconic vowel offers up a variety of options to help your little one stand out from the crowd. From the classic Inez, which actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively chose for their daughter, to more unconventional names such as Idris or Inara, your baby boy or girl will have a fun, unique name to match their unique personality....

Asperger’s and ADHD are two conditions that are often confused because they have some overlap in symptoms such as social difficulties and impulsiveness. Additionally, it’s common for people to have both conditions. However, there are also several key differences between the two conditions. The condition, formerly known as Asperger’s syndrome (now referred to as an autism spectrum disorder), is mainly characterized by social and communication difficulties. Meanwhile, ADHD is characterized by problems with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention....

Cell phones are an invaluable technology that has fundamentally changed the way we communicate and get information. But as with anything good, too much of it can lead to problems. A growing body of research is highlighting the various drawbacks of overusing cell phones and other mobile devices, including—ironically—the fact that all this communication technology is actually pulling us farther apart and negatively affecting our interpersonal relationships. One increasingly-talked-about downside to constantly being attached to a cell phone is phubbing, or “phone snubbing,” a trend that is unfortunately on the rise....

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to thrive in chaos, while others get overwhelmed by even positive changes in their lives? Stress is a highly subjective experience. While many of us are stressed by roughly the same things—jobs, money, being overscheduled, relationship conflict—different people may react more or less strongly to the same situation for several reasons: Differences in Resources One widely-accepted definition of stress is that it’s what occurs when the perceived demands of a situation outweigh one’s available resources....

To say it’s unnerving to be pregnant during a pandemic is an understatement. You’re likely facing the possibility of having to wear a mask while you’re pushing, you won’t be able to have anyone except your partner present at the birth, and you’ll have to navigate the newborn phase pretty much on your own. Key Takeaways A recent study indicates that rates of COVID transmission from moms to newborns is relatively low....

Whether it’s hopscotch, four-square, kickball, or jumping off the jungle gym, play has the potential to improve kids’ mental health. That last example may seem out of place, but recent research from a team at the UK’s University of Exeter confirms that risky play, or in their words, “…child-led play where children experience subjective feelings of excitement, thrill, and fear; often in the context of age-appropriate risk-taking,” can have an effect on mental health as well....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Lori Gottlieb Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and author of the New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. In addition to her clinical practice, she writes a weekly column for The Atlantic called “Dear Therapist,” and contributes regularly to many other publications....

Relationships can be tricky. One moment you can be on the highest euphoria cloud, and the next second it can feel like you’re alone in the relationship. However, when you’re in a relationship and questioning staying, there are some key things to consider before calling it quits. Does this person add value to your life? How long have you been together? Have you been through hard times and made it out together?...

One of the popular myths about multiples is that they share a secret language, a form of communication known only to them. Terms such as idioglossia, autonomous language or cryptophasia describe the phenomenon of twin language, a fascinating concept that has intrigued researchers and parents alike. However, it’s actually very rare for twins to develop a true “language,” and usually only in cases of extreme isolation. What Is Twin Talk? Rather, the phenomenon is actually attributable to young twins mimicking each other’s attempts at language, often incorrectly....

Young people who act out typically have no trouble attracting the attention of parents and teachers, but their peers who act inward, or engage in internalizing behaviors, may be overlooked. The truth of the matter is that tweens and teens who use internalizing behaviors to cope with challenges in life need just as much help as adolescents who openly engage in self-destructive manners. Better your understanding of internalizing behaviors and their potential negative consequences for this review....

When we think about dementia, we often discount it as a concern for when we’re older, as something that our parents or grandparents might be grappling with as they age into the latter portions of their lives. Key Takeaways A recent analysis has found that leisure activities can reduce the risk of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’sMedical professionals agree that the key factor in whether an activity is beneficial to someone looking to reduce their risk and....

Life with a new baby is a magical adventure and choosing the perfect name can feel magical, too, if only you could narrow down the choices. (Oh, and get everyone else on board with your picks.) Are you looking for a name that is both strong and mysterious? Or what about something fantastical or quirky? Perhaps you’d like to capture some whimsy with the names of mythical creatures, mystical flowers, or energy-giving gemstones....

NAN is an infant formula that is made by Nestle, the company that also makes Good Start Essentials and Good Start Supreme formula. It is marketed primarily in Latin America. In addition to having a different name, it is made with a different mix of milk proteins. Instead of the 100% whey “comfort proteins” found in Good Start Supreme, NAN is made with a combination of whey and casein milk proteins....

As you experience events and interactions, you give meaning to those experiences and they, in turn, influence how you see yourself and the world. You can carry multiple stories at once, such as those related to your self-esteem, abilities, relationships, and work. Narrative therapy is a style of therapy that helps people become—and embrace being—an expert in their own lives. In narrative therapy, there is an emphasis on the stories that you develop and carry with you through your life....

The mental health benefits of exercise are well-documented, and a new study confirms that running doesn’t just improve mood, but also boosts executive function (the set of cognitive processes that control behavior, such as planning, organization, and self-control). Key Takeaways A new study found that only 10 minutes of moderate-intensity running improves mood and benefits executive function.Researchers suggest that running may provide more mental health benefits than other types of exercise....

A new large-scale study may have uncovered the need to treat smoking, substance use disorders, and mental health problems together. Key Takeaways Research on more than 441,000 US adults found that psychological distress rates were highest among daily smokers with substance use disorders. Experts say smoking and psychological distress can exist in a cycle, whereby each makes the other problem worse.The findings suggest that it may be beneficial to treat smoking, substance use disorders, and mental health conditions at the same time....

Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid addiction. When used as directed, it relieves the symptoms of opioid withdrawal without getting you high. Suboxone also reduces opioid cravings, which helps prevent relapse. Many people recovering from opioid use take it for months, or even years. While it doesn’t get produce a high, Suboxone is still an opioid, which means that you will experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit it cold turkey....

Apnea is a common problem in preemies. When a baby has an episode of apnea, there is a pause in his breathing that lasts at least 20 seconds. During the pause, the baby’s heart rate may go down (bradycardia) and oxygen levels might drop. In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), premature babies are hooked up to monitors with alarms that go off when the baby has apnea or bradycardia. Apnea typically improves as babies grow and mature, eventually going away....

Regardless of whether you work at a desk all day or test your body’s limits with intense workouts on the weekends, you’re probably no stranger to muscle aches, soreness, and tension. The good news? A massager can give you the targeted relief your body needs—and right from the comfort of your own home. The best massagers offer different massage types, heat, compression, and portability. From massage guns to massage chairs to foot massage machines, there’s a wide range of massage tools worth giving a try....