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Before you have a baby, you might not realize how much time you will devote to thinking about sleep. You will likely become laser-focused on making sure they fall asleep and stay asleep (at least for a few hours). And you may worry about whether your baby is safe, according to doctor recommended sleep guidelines, and comfortable—especially as the weather changes. Summer nights have their own set of concerns, but perhaps the season that presents the most stress when it comes to baby sleep is the winter....

Some people can strike up a conversation with anyone—even complete strangers. But many others find it difficult to talk to a stranger. This can be particularly stressful if you have social anxiety disorder (SAD). But even if social small talk is hard for you, it is possible to improve your conversational skills and feel more comfortable talking with strangers. The best way to do this is to practice. Your initial goal is to make an introductory statement, which does not have to be complex....

The relationship between inflammatory responses and depression is an area of developing research, as scientists try to learn more about what triggers mental illness, and how it can best be treated. Key Takeaways Mental illness is complex and may involve numerous factors.A new study suggests that there is a connection between the body’s response to inflammation and depression.People whose bodies create an exaggerated inflammatory response to social stressors are at higher risk for developing depression over time, say researchers....

If you’re terrified of snakes or even dogs, you’re not alone in your animal phobia. It’s possible to develop a phobia of anything, including any imaginable type of animal. However some animal phobias are much more common than others. Common animal phobias generally fall into a few unofficial categories including predators, “disgusting” animals, and superstition-based fears. Predators Commonly feared animals that generally fall into the “predator” category include dogs and sharks....

Poverty can wreak havoc on personal relationships, create trauma, and lead to physical health issues. Living with low income doesn’t only impact one’s ability to have consistent access to food, safe shelter, and basic needs, but it can also severely impact one’s mental health. How Low Income Impacts Mental Health Mental health isn’t only a function of psychological and emotional well-being. But physical health, a sense of community, and belonging, and access to education can be major contributors to whether or not your mental health is at its best....

If you are married to a “workaholic,” you may feel as if you have an unfaithful spouse who’s replaced your intimacy with work. The sense of being alone, broken promises, feelings of anger and disappointment, and a belief that you are not very important are all similar for spouses of people who cheat and spouses of people who work all the time. When one partner devotes a lot of time to work—whether out of necessity or by choice—they have less time to nurture the marriage....

The Black community isn’t any less likely than others to develop mental illness, but Black Americans may lack the resources to get help for their psychological problems. They’re greatly underrepresented as patients, even though some reports say Black Americans experience even more psychological distress than other ethnic groups. In fact, only half of Black adults with mental illness get treatment, according to the nonprofit organization Mental Health America. A number of factors contribute to this trend....

What Does Milo Mean? Are you looking for a strong, masculine name that is traditional yet not too common? Consider using the name Milo. This name has several possible meanings, including beloved and merciful, adding to its allure. The name Milo is derived from multiple sources. In Slavic languages, the root mil- means “dear” or “beloved,” and the name may have come from a Latinized form of this root. However, some believe the name is related to the Latin word “miles,” meaning “soldier,” or even the ancient Greek word “milos” for “yew-flower”....

The term “motivation” describes why a person does something. It is the driving force behind human actions. Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. For instance, motivation is what helps you lose extra weight, or pushes you to get that promotion at work. In short, motivation causes you to act in a way that gets you closer to your goals. Motivation includes the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate human behavior....

People who experience non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) struggle with spatial and social skills. A key feature of NVLD is that someone does have age appropriate verbal skills, such as speaking and being able to decode reading, but have difficulty in areas not related to verbal ability. Research from Columbia University suggests that NVLD is related to how the brain processes the size, shape, and location of objects (spatial processing). While the name non-verbal learning disability suggests that someone lacks verbal skills, the disorder actually involves having normal verbal abilities and struggling with spatial processing....

Sex shouldn’t be painful. However, nearly three out of four women will experience some sort of painful sex in their lifetime. Painful sex (also known as dyspareunia) can interfere with getting pregnant. For one, painful sex may indicate an underlying medical condition that is negatively affecting your fertility. Second, painful sex itself can make getting pregnant difficult to impossible. If you can’t tolerate sexual intercourse, especially around the time of ovulation, you won’t be able to get pregnant....

Pregnancy and the weeks immediately following birth are physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging. It’s not uncommon to experience feelings of elation and happiness one moment, only to feel sadness, fatigue, and anxiety the next. While these emotions can reflect normal mood swings during pregnancy and postpartum, there are instances when these changes in mood may be reflective of something more serious. What Is Perinatal Depression? Perinatal depression is depression experienced during or after pregnancy....

Phnewfula Frederiksen wanted to shop eco-friendly when she was pregnant with her oldest son. “I couldn’t find any eco-friendly baby stores,” she says. “If there was one, they weren’t kind to people who look like me. I didn’t want any other parents to have to go through that.” Parents don’t work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—we work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., from the moment our kids wake up until they go to sleep....

Everyone is going to encounter some kind of stressful or dangerous situation in their lifetime, and fortunately, our body has a natural, built-in stress response to threatening situations called the “fight or flight response.” Learning about our body’s natural response to threat and danger can help us better understand the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Difference Between Anxiety and Fear Before we discuss what happens in the fight or flight syndrome, it is important to first discuss the difference between fear and anxiety....

Establishing a milk supply by pumping breast milk for a preemie is a challenge for many moms. Babies usually establish their milk supply by nursing frequently at the breast, but many preemies are born too early to breastfeed. In these cases, moms must pump breast milk in order to establish (and maintain) their milk supply. The Goals of Pumping Pumping breast milk for a preemie accomplishes two things: First, premature babies often have difficulty breastfeeding at first and with expressed milk, they can still receive the benefits of breast milk without having to nurse....

Substance or medication-induced anxiety disorder is the diagnostic name for anxiety or panic attacks that are caused by alcohol, drugs, or medications. While it is normal to have some feelings of anxiety in stressful situations, and even the transient feelings of anxiety or panic that can happen spontaneously during intoxication or withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, substance-induced anxiety disorder causes clinically significant distress or functional impairments. Unfortunately, the same drugs that many people use to try and boost their confidence, help them relax, and lower their inhibitions are the ones most prone to causing substance-induced anxiety disorder or panic attacks....

Suicidal behaviors and completed suicides are very common in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Research has shown that about 75% of people with BPD will make at least one suicide attempt in their lifetime, and many will make multiple suicide attempts. Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor....

In general, different brands of the same type of formula have the same basic ingredients. Switching between formula brands is not a problem, even though many parents wonder if doing so may cause fussiness or stool changes in their baby. In fact, you can even mix different brands of the same type of formula together if you feel that your baby responds better to a mixture of one brand with another....

Few trail items will make or break a successful trek more than your hiking boots. “Hiking boot requirements depend on the person, the terrain, and the weight of the pack you’ll be carrying,” Josh Rasmussen, Backroads Trip Leader and Guide based in Salt Lake City, Utah, says. “If it’s an easy trail with not a lot in the pack, light hiking shoes or even trail running shoes might be sufficient. However, as the terrain difficulty increases, so should your hiking boots and ankle support....

No winter gear collection is complete without a cozy pair of socks. Whether your plans include hiking through snow, brisk walks around your neighborhood, or spending as much time indoors as possible, you need a pair of socks that will keep you—and your feet—warm and comfortable. “Since our feet are the furthest body part from our heart, they receive the least circulation and tend to chill quickly,” says Dr. Rob Conenello, DPM, founder and podiatrist at Orangetown Podiatry....