Whether breastfeeding comes easily to a parent or presents some challenges, the act of nursing a child in a public place can bring about anxiety. Perhaps there is a concern over modesty or bringing unwanted attention on oneself when the goal is simply to make sure your baby is fed. For our Perspectives series, we are interviewing diverse people from around the country on how they have overcome worry surrounding breastfeeding in public....
Brewing a pot of coffee or going out to grab a cold brew can feel like an important step in a morning routine that often fuels productivity throughout the rest of the day. And for good reason: Research has shown that caffeine is linked to increased alertness, focus and concentration while also improving energy levels and mood. Key Takeaways A new study links excessive coffee consumption to increased risk of dementia....
If you have high-functioning anxiety, you appear to be successful, together, and calm—the typical Type A personality who excels at work and life. However, the way you feel inside may be very different., What Is High-Functioning Anxiety? It’s a catch-all term that refers to people who live with anxiety but identify as functioning reasonably well. It is not a recognized mental health diagnosis. Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety High-functioning anxiety typically propels the person forward rather than leaving them frozen in fear....
When you quit smoking, the health benefits begin within minutes of your last cigarette. According to the Surgeon General, physical improvements in your body begin within the first hour of smoking cessation. Your Body Within the First 2 Days of Quitting After 20 Minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop back to normal, and the circulation in your hands and feet starts to improve. After 12 hours: The carbon monoxide levels in your blood reduce, and the oxygen level in blood increases to normal....
Few things are more associated with childhood than play, but some kids aren’t getting enough free play time. These are times when kids need to use their imagination or enjoy physical activity rather than being coached on a team or watching electronic entertainment, and there are many benefits to this type of simple, unstructured play. Overscheduled Kids Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth....
In the United States, COVID-19 vaccines from four companies are available: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), and Novavax. With some misinformation still circulating, it’s important to find science-backed answers to all your vaccine questions. Key Takeaways The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available for people ages 6 months and older and the Novavax vaccine is available for people ages 12 and older. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available for people ages 18 and older, however, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferred....
Phobias can range from the common—such as a fear of spiders, heights, flying, or public speaking—to rare—such as a fear of chickens, walking, or mirrors. This article explains what a phobia is and details which ones are the least common. While phobias can come in a variety of different types, there’s little doubt that they can seriously impact the lives of the people affected by them. Specific Phobias According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), specific phobias affect approximately 12....
What Is Tourette’s Syndrome? Tourette’s syndrome (also called Tourette syndrome and Tourette’s disorder) is a type of childhood-onset tic disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations. It was named after French neurologist Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who first described the disorder in 1885. Tourette’s syndrome is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 86% of children with Tourette’s syndrome also have at least one other behavioral, mental, or developmental condition, and the most common of these are ADHD and OCD....
Thoughts records for social anxiety (also known as thought diaries) are a way of understanding and changing your negative thought patterns. The cognitive-behavioral model of therapy holds that emotions and behaviors can be changed because they are (at least partly) the result of your thoughts. Psychologist Albert Ellis was the first to propose the “ABC Model” of behavior: An activating event (A) triggers beliefs and thoughts (B) which in turn result in consequences (C)....
A representative sample is a group that closely matches the characteristics of its population as a whole. In other words, the sample is a fairly accurate reflection of the population from which the sample is drawn. Why does this matter? What impact does a representative sample have on research? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key reasons why scientists use this important technique in their research. Why Use a Representative Sample?...
Mom and Dad are vaccinated. Older teens are vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines say in many instances, they no longer have to wear masks. Key Takeaways CDC guidelines say that fully vaccinated individuals can stop wearing masks and social distancing.Living with unvaccinated or vulnerable family members may necessitate vaccinated members wearing masks.Uncertainty surrounding the delta variant could increase the need for vaccinated people to continue wearing masks....
What Is Celebrity Worship? Celebrity worship is an extreme feeling of attachment to a celebrity. The most frequently used measure to identity celebrity worship is the Celebrity Attitude Scale, which suggests there are three levels of the phenomenon: entertainment-social, intense-personal, and borderline-pathological. Celebrity worship has been criticized for pathologizing fans of celebrities. History of Celebrity Worship The concept of parasocial relationships, a one-sided relationship between a viewer and a media persona, was introduced by Donald Horton and R....
Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how dire or difficult a situation is, people should maintain a positive mindset. While there are benefits to being optimistic and engaging in positive thinking, toxic positivity rejects all difficult emotions in favor of a cheerful and often falsely-positive façade. Having a positive outlook on life is good for your mental well-being. The problem is that life isn’t always positive. We all have painful emotions and experiences....
Depression can have many causes, all of which are complex and can be difficult to understand. In some cases, feelings of depression can be clearly connected to an experience in someone’s life, such as a tragic loss or a violent event. Other people may be aware they have a family history of mental illness and, as a result, may not be caught off guard by a diagnosis of depression. However, some people become depressed and don’t know why....
Floral-inspired names for babies were once a vintage sentiment. Names like Rose, Daisy, Violet, and Lily were most popular nearly a century ago. Just like other cyclical trends, the practice of naming babies after flowers has come back into fashion. Names inspired by things that grow and bloom help connect us to the natural world. Flower and plant names can evoke a sense of innocence, simplicity, and reverence for nature. With the wide range of botanical names to choose from, there is sure to be a classic, unique, modern, bold, or creative moniker to suit your taste....
Being bullied is not easy to cope with and there are no simple solutions. Bullying can leave kids feeling helpless, vulnerable, and confused. They are often so shocked, embarrassed, or upset that they are not sure what to do. Unfortunately, this indecision or lack of response can open the door to more bullying. “The goal is to de-escalate the situation,” says Karen Gail Lewis, EdD, MFT, MSW, a marriage and family therapist in Washington, DC....
If you’re one of a growing number of parents concerned about the representation of marginalized communities, you should have Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month on your radar. It’s no secret that minority groups get short shrift when it comes to how American history is taught. Commemorative months can’t fix everything, but they’re a place to start. And with anti-Asian racism on the rise, it’s important for families to educate kids and disrupt stereotypes....
Benzodiazepines are a class of medications commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks associated with panic disorder. There is little dispute that benzodiazepines can be physically and psychologically addicting. What is up for debate, however, is the extent of the problem among users who take these medications solely for therapeutic purposes in the treatment of anxiety. To get a clearer picture of the dependency risks associated with benzodiazepine use, it is important to make the distinction between drug dependence and drug addiction....
Injectable dermal filler can do a lot for the face, from plumping lips and enhancing cheekbones. Even though the gel-like injectable has been around since the 1970s, it’s become a major topic of conversation in recent years and has continued to rise in popularity. More than 3.4 million Americans receive filler each year, but whether you’re a seasoned filler user or are considering it for the first time, you shouldn’t be among these patients if you’re pregnant....
The obsessions and compulsions associated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), though generally similar enough to be recognizable, do vary from person to person. But many people with OCD wonder if their obsessions and compulsions will change or be replaced by others over time. For most people, the answer to that question is not a simple yes or no. Types of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms Numerous research studies have established that there are distinct types of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms....
