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There is a long-standing notion that playing brain games, such as puzzles and memorization activities, can help stave off the negative effects of aging. But is the old “use it or lose it” adage really true? Do these cognitive games really have any sort of impact on mental functioning? This training may be beneficial for helping people to maintain and even improve some aspects of cognition. With a large population of aging adults, such improvements could have a significant impact on the mental health and functioning of older adults....

If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant or planning to be, you may be curious about the risk factors, such as miscarriage, that hypertension can pose to a pregnancy. The Risks of Hypertension While Pregnant Chronic hypertension is a risk factor for serious pregnancy complications and may increase the risk of late pregnancy loss in women when high blood pressure is not monitored and controlled. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood exerts a higher than average amount of pressure against the blood vessel walls....

Deciding to have a baby is a big step. Once you’ve decided to try to conceive, you tend to think about the physical side of conception and pregnancy. You might track your menstrual cycle, for example. You will probably work on healthy habits like good nutrition and physical exercise. But few people think about preparing for pregnancy through mental or spiritual exercise. Can Affirmations Help Me Conceive? Affirmations can help to prepare the mind—and thus the body—in a few important ways....

Imagine being convicted of a crime you did not commit because a single witness insists that they saw you do it. How is it possible for an innocent person to be found guilty? Is the eyewitness lying? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Now, imagine that you witnessed a crime. The police have shown you a lineup of photos and asked you to identify the suspect. Could you be 100% certain that the person you think committed the crime is the real perpetrator?...

Just when the pandemic seemed to be slowing down, this fall and winter brought an onslaught of RSV, flu, and COVID-19—now dubbed the “tripledemic." Caring for sick children at home isn’t easy and can often be a juggling act between caregivers and their jobs. Key Takeaways Parents’ work life is significantly impacted when a child is sick, with an average of 4 days of work being affected.Mothers are more than twice as likely to take unpaid leave than fathers, according to a new study....

The ongoing presence of COVID-19 is leading many in the workforce to experience anxiety that can result in significant reductions in engagement in their work, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Key Takeaways The pandemic may be causing a significant drop in how employees relate to their jobs, creating an ongoing issue for employers.The reaction could be tied to a theory called terror management, the researchers suggest, which involves deep feelings of self-preservation....

When it comes to getting your baby to sleep, parents have a variety of choices, which may seem overwhelming. There are so many methods that all can teach a baby to sleep independently—it is hard to know where to start! Mona Amin, DO is a board-certified general pediatrician, the founder of Peds Doc Talk, and a mother to 2-year-old Ryaan. For our Ask Dr. Mom series, Dr. Amin is sharing how she approaches cry-it-out sleep training methods as both a doctor and a mom....

When you’re in conversation with someone, it’s common for your mind to drift to other thoughts. For example, maybe you have a lot on your plate, and you’re thinking of what all you need to get done. Maybe you just argued with your partner, and you’re still upset about it. Or, maybe you’re exhausted, and you start fantasizing about how cozy your bed will be when you turn in for the night....

Becoming a childbirth educator is an exciting thing to do. Many women become childbirth educators because of their birth experiences, positive or negative. They want to help educate families on the process of birth and bringing a new baby into their lives. Or perhaps this is simply a field that has always interested you and you are not a parent. Questions to Ask Yourself One of the first things you must do to become a childbirth educator is to figure out which of the many training and certifying organization is best for you....

Every parent-to-be has worries. Whether you are concerned about your developing baby or anxious about labor and delivery, it is not uncommon to have your fair share of nervousness and anxiety. The reality is that behind nearly every pregnant belly is a hesitant, worried—and perhaps even anxious—person. In fact, by some estimates, nearly one in five women meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety disorder during pregnancy, so if you are feeling a tad anxious, you are certainly not alone....

Americans spend an estimated 90% of their time behind closed doors, meaning our indoor air quality has never been so important. However, new research has highlighted the hidden dangers of breathing in polluted air from inside our own homes. Air pollution has been linked to the premature births of up to 6 million babies worldwide every year, with indoor air pollution contributing to approximately two-thirds of the total exposure. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cooking, cleaning, and even our pets are among the common pollutants that can negatively impact the quality of our indoor air....

Panic disorder is an anxiety-related condition that is characterized by persistent and often unanticipated panic attacks. Such attacks occur seemingly out-of-the-blue when you are suddenly overcome by feelings of dread and apprehension. During a panic attack, uncomfortable physical sensations often begin to take hold. Some of the most common somatic sensations that panic sufferers endure include shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, excessive sweating, and even chest pain. How Breathing Exercises Can Help Ease Anxiety It is not uncommon for physical sensations to intensify during a panic attack, causing you to become increasingly anxious and fearful....

Relationship anxiety refers to feelings of doubt, insecurity, nonstop worry, and a need for constant reassurance that sometimes occurs during a relationship. Such anxiety may have roots in early childhood attachments and is often a sign of an insecure attachment style. Picture this: it’s the start of what could be a perfect relationship. The conversation is fantastic, communication is loud and clear both ways, and everything seems set for a happily ever after—except for one or two doubts you can’t seem to shake off....

What Is Lust? Lust is a feeling that alters the chemicals in our brains. Hormones like testosterone, pheromones, and androgens all factor into how lust may be experienced. This is also a part of our natural biological processes and the human instinct to procreate. Upon seeing someone we find ourselves attracted to, we may experience lust and desire sexual intercourse with them to continue our species. People can experience feelings of lust upon meeting someone new or within a committed partnership....

A record 4 million Americans quit their jobs in April 2020, according to the Department of Labor, in what’s now being referred to as “The Great Resignation.” The pandemic has upended life as we know it, and people are rethinking their priorities. Key Takeaways A new report shows Millennial women are shifting perspectives around career goals and work-life balance.The immense pressure and stress of the pandemic has compelled women to consider what really matters when it comes to the future....

Slowly but surely, the topic of depression is becoming less taboo in social discussion. But a recent survey called the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor (sponsored by the company Myriad Neuroscience) pinpoints a population for which there’s still work to be done. The nationwide survey found that nearly two-thirds of Americans aged 65 or older who are experiencing depression won’t seek treatment. Key Takeaways Two-thirds of older adults dealing with depression won’t seek treatment, according to a recent survey....

If you’re looking for a classic and versatile name for a baby boy, then Nicholas might be it. The name Nicholas is of Greek origin meaning “victory of the people.” The Greek word nike means “victory” and laos means “people.” Nicholas can also be shortened in many different ways for a more relaxed take on the name. Nicholas is often associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th century bishop. Saint Nicholas of Myra was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent during the time of the Roman Empire....

For many new parents, especially those who work outside the home on a full-time basis, the hardest part of having a newborn is the lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a common problem with new parents as most parents find out quickly that it is very difficult to sleep when the baby sleeps. Getting extra support is very important during those first few months. For families where both parents work full-time, parents of multiples, older parents, or even parents of fussy infants who wake up frequently all night, a good solution might be hiring a night nanny....

Progesterone is a hormone that naturally occurs in the human body. During the menstrual cycle, progesterone levels rise after ovulation to help build and sustain a lining in the uterus. This lining is where the fertilized egg will implant. The lining will then nourish the growing baby for the early part of the pregnancy. The ovaries will produce progesterone during the first trimester until the placenta takes over this function around the ninth or tenth week of pregnancy....

The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be far-reaching and debilitating. The symptoms of PTSD can have a negative impact on your mental health, physical health, work, and relationships. You may feel isolated, have trouble maintaining a job, be unable to trust other people, and have difficulty controlling or expressing your emotions. Learning healthy strategies for coping with PTSD is possible and can offer a sense of renewal, hope, and control over your life....