A phobia is a form of anxiety disorder characterized by an extreme and irrational fear of a situation or object. Phobias are one of the most common types of mental disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 12.5% of all U.S. adults will experience some type of phobia at some point in their lives. One phobia that has been discussed on many websites and blogs is known as anatidaephobia....
Morning sickness, aching muscles, swollen ankles—these are some of the unpleasant symptoms most of us expect during pregnancy. But sometimes pregnancy comes with some surprises, and many of us end up experiencing some unusual (and yes, kind of gross!) symptoms. For example, while you probably know that vomiting is a common pregnancy symptom, you might not know that some people end up throwing up mucus during pregnancy. While this isn’t an incredibly common occurrence, it can happen....
Since pornography’s migration from magazines and videos to a digital format, it is readily accessible, easily kept private, and anonymous. As a result, pornography use has become more prevalent. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that 91.5% of men and 60.2% of women reported pornography use within the previous month. Women also view porn, yet men are still the biggest consumers. Pornography can be an acceptable way to explore and express sexuality, but for some people, it can become a problem that harms their well-being and relationships....
Katya Libin is an unstoppable force. She’s an immigrant who is living the American dream (her family moved from Russia to Queens, New York, when she was just 3 years old). 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. This is an unfiltered look at a few days in the life of HeyMama CEO Katya Libin....
If you’re grieving the death of a spouse or close family member, now isn’t the time for major life decisions. The death of a loved one is among the most stressful events a person can experience, according to the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, also known as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS). Given the emotional and physical toll a death can have on survivors, it’s far from the best time to make serious decisions....
A report issued by the National Vital Statistics Report in 2018 revealed some interesting data about twins, triplets, and other multiples and how they stack up against singleton births. The numbers make it clear that multiples are born earlier and smaller, weighing less than their singleton counterparts. The Average Birthweight of Twins While the risks for twins are not as elevated as they are for higher-order multiples, twins are still more likely to be born early and weigh less....
More children are nearsighted than ever before. The World Health Organization projects that by the year 2050, more than half of the people in the world will struggle with myopia, or nearsightedness. Key Takeaways By the year 2050, half of the people in the world will struggle with myopia.Scientists can’t pinpoint the cause of the rise in cases.Eye exams, taking visual breaks, and even fun games can help reduce kids’ risk of severe myopia....
If you’re looking for a name that conjures up the joy of the holiday season, Noel is the name for you. Noel or Noël is derived from the Old French word, “nael,” meaning “of or born on Christmas.” The name goes back to the birth of Jesus, which was referred to as “natalis dies” meaning “day of birth.” It later emerged into Middle English as “Nowel.” Since the Middle Ages, the name has traditionally been given to children born during the Christmas period....
If you are looking for a school environment that offers individualized, student-led learning with an emphasis on social justice, citizenship, and personal growth, you have probably considered a Montessori school. Montessori schools are most popular at the pre-school level, but many parents end up sending their children to Montessori schools throughout their elementary years, and even through high school. So what is a Montessori education really like, and how can you figure out if it would be the best match for your child?...
When the weather’s nice, Christina Cay, mother of two in South Carolina, packs her kids up and takes them to the beach. There, she often takes the opportunity to make a quick phone call to her sister once the kids are happily playing by her side in the sand—their favorite summertime activity. Key Takeaways Everyone is using screens and smartphones more during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that’s OK.A study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that parental smartphone use is unlikely to have a majorly detrimental effect on your child’s development....
While nobody wants to be deal with postpartum depression, receiving a diagnosis can actually be a welcome relief in some ways. Now that you and your medical team have identified the problem, you know what needs to be done and can begin treatment. These days, there are so many resources out there to help moms who are struggling with a postpartum mood disorder—from therapists, psychiatrists, medications, and support groups. So you are well on your way toward feeling better and more like yourself again....
You may have heard that deep breathing exercises can relieve stress. Unlike some stress-relieving techniques, solid research shows that breathing techniques are not only very effective in reducing stress in our lives, but they are remarkably easy to learn and use at any time. How to Breathe Properly It may sound strange, but many people actually don’t breathe properly. Natural breathing involves your diaphragm, a large muscle in your abdomen. When you breathe in, your belly should expand....
Social psychology research methods allow psychologists to get a better look at what causes people to engage in certain behaviors in social situations. In order to empirically study social behavior, psychologists rely on a number of different scientific methods to conduct research on social psychology topics. These methods allow researchers to test hypotheses and theories and look for relationships between different variables. Why do people do the things they do? And why do they sometimes behave differently in groups?...
If you follow a vegan diet, it is certainly possible to meet all of your nutrient needs. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that planned vegan diets are appropriate for all life stages. Plus, those who follow vegetarian and vegan diets may be at lower risk of developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Vegans do have to be extra conscious of getting enough of certain nutrients that either are not present in plant foods or are present in lower quantities....
The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that elevated arousal levels can improve performance up to a certain point. Learn more about how this works and why sometimes a little bit of stress can actually help you perform your best. Arousal and Performance Have you ever noticed that you perform better when you are just a little bit nervous? For example, you might do better at an athletic event if you are excited about participating or do better on an exam if you are somewhat anxious about your score....
Becoming a doula is not a difficult task for most in a physical sense. However, the decision to enter a career in helping women and their families give birth is a big decision. You must be willing to live life on call, even if you’re working with partners. You will work odd and late hours, sometimes for days in a row. And you must learn how to allow others the freedom and knowledge that they need to make decisions for themselves and their babies, even when they don’t agree with your ideas....
Visualization is a great relaxation technique for nearly everyone. It can be done in many situations and has great potential to be very individualized, even though it is something that many people don’t hear about until they’ve taken a course in relaxation or a childbirth class in preparation for their birth. When we talk about visualization, most people are going to think of things like reading scenarios of walking through the forest or laying on the beach listening to waves....
There’s a mental health crisis in the United States. In addition to the mounting pressure we all experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers have also experienced increasingly stressful workplace conditions that have contributed to mental health consequences. Inflexibility, low wages, and hostile environments are just the tip of the iceberg. Much of the stress workers are experiencing is also being compounded by increasing financial pressure from the highest inflation Americans have experienced in four decades....
Anyone who has looked into treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)—a disorder in which someone avoids food)—may experience frustration due to the lack of clear and defined modalities used to treat this illness. ARFID has only been in the DSM-5 since 2013, and despite the fact that it is in there as a legitimate eating disorder, there is little consensus about how to effectively treat it. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or your child dealing with this issue, it’s important to know what your options are....
If you’ve spent time lately browsing parenting-related TikTok or Instagram posts, you may have come across the term, “sittervising.” Sittervising is exactly as it sounds: it refers to sitting down while supervising your kiddos during play. This creates a bit of a healthy distance between yourself and your child. You are there if they need you, but you aren’t hovering over them, which allows them to work on their independent play skills....
