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There are many different ways to meditate. As long as a meditation technique provides the opportunity to quiet the mind and relax the body, there are many benefits of meditation for health and stress relief. One strategy that some people enjoy is meditating with incense. This article explores some of the benefits of meditating with incense and how to do it. It also discusses some of the research behind the potential risks and benefits of this type of aromatherapy....

One of the most common questions people who struggle with alcohol use and try to quit drinking ask is whether they really have to stop forever. Can they learn how to drink in moderation? Can they become social drinkers? Is it true that they can never have another drink? For years, the answer was assumed to be no, there is no room for “just one drink” for anyone with a drinking problem....

Many new moms want to know if codeine and breastfeeding are a safe combination. Codeine is an opiate that is used in pain medications. Opiates are drugs that are derived from the opium poppy and range from some of the most addictive painkillers such as codeine, oxycodone, and fentanyl to illicit drugs, such as heroin. Over-use of any of the opiate drugs can lead to addiction and opioid use disorder....

The 9- to 12-month-old stage in your baby’s life is often the turning point for them as they make some big developmental milestones like standing, stacking items, and feeding themselves. And while they love experimenting with finger foods at this age, be sure you are mindful of choking hazards. For instance, babies this age should not be given hot dogs, popcorn, raisins, nuts, hard candy, and grapes. Breast milk or formula continues to be a vital part of their diet even though they will eat much more solid food at this age than they did in the 6 to 9 month-old range....

Just about everyone agrees that time is passing very strangely since COVID-19 took hold in early 2020. Some days take forever, while months are flying by, partly because there is so much “sameness” in being stuck at home every day. A survey conducted in the UK revealed more than 80% of participants felt like their perception of time had shifted during the past few months of lockdown restrictions compared to pre-quarantine times....

Preterm labor, also known as premature labor, is a very serious complication of pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women do not understand the signs of preterm labor. Early detection can help prevent premature birth and possibly enable you to carry your pregnancy to term or to give your baby a better chance of survival. While some women are at a greater risk of preterm labor, it can happen to anyone in any pregnancy....

If your partner is going to therapy, you may find yourself wondering how their therapy sessions are going, what they’re discussing with their therapist, whether they’ve talked about you, and how much progress they’re making. You may worry about whether your partner would appreciate your asking about their therapy sessions or whether they would consider it intrusive. This article discusses whether it’s all right to ask your partner about their therapy sessions as well as some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while having this conversation....

If you have been diagnosed with a mood disorder like major depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental health disorder you may have experienced symptoms such as passively wishing you were dead, actively beginning to plan your death, or becoming absorbed with thoughts of dying. 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....

Chafing results from skin irritation caused by repetitive rubbing. Common in runners and walkers, it manifests as burning, stinging, and red skin, and can also lead to swelling, pain, and bleeding. It’s typically found in areas of your body that get excessively sweaty when you work out or where your skin repeatedly rubs against itself or clothing. “Anti-chafing cream is used to prevent friction from causing skin breakdown,” says Dorothea T....

If during your search for a preschool for your little one, you would like to find a program that teaches children about a host of skills in a non-competitive, play-based learning environment, the Bank Street preschool method (or Bank Street College method), may be just what you are looking for. What Is the Bank Street Method? The Bank Street method employs a child-centered education program focusing on the diversity of curriculum....

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Great leaders are born, not made”? This quote sums up the basic tenet of the Great Man theory of leadership, which suggests that the capacity for leadership is innate. According to this theory, you’re either a natural-born leader or you’re not. The term “Great Man” was used because, at the time, ​leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership....

While there’s a general understanding that all bodies are naturally diverse—there’s a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors—we do live in a culture that values certain bodies more than others. Research has shown that systems of power (that disproportionately affect BIPOC and other marginalized groups) may contribute to eating disorders and affect individuals of minority ethnic backgrounds—dealing with disordered eating—differently than their white counterparts. Society’s Body Standards In our society, thin bodies are highly idealized....

According to the American Library Association (ALA), there has been “a dramatic uptick in book challenges and outright removal of books,” which disproportionately impact narratives that are BIPOC, gay, queer, trans, etc. Key Takeaways The recent increase in book bans in the US tend to target stories that are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, etc.When books are banned in school curricula and libraries, marginalized groups often face mental health repercussions. Books can be an opportunity to engage in dialogue, rather than erase certain experiences to render those readers invisible....

The misinformation effect is the tendency for information received after an event to interfere with one’s memory of the original happenings. Research has shown that the introduction of even relatively subtle new information later on can have a dramatic effect on how people remember events they have seen or experienced. The misinformation effect illustrates how easily memories can be influenced. It also raises concerns about the reliability of memory—particularly when the memories of eyewitnesses are used to determine criminal guilt, referred to as eyewitness testimony....

The increasing availability of COVID-19 vaccinations may inspire you to finally book a family vacation. Now, kids aged 6 months and older are all eligible for vaccination. But travel is still tricky, especially if you have babies under 6 months old or older children who have not been able to get the vaccine yet. Update In October 2022, the FDA authorized the updated bivalent boosters from Pfizer and Moderna for everyone ages 5 and older....

Are your twins right-handed or left-handed? Or perhaps they are one of each? Or even ambidextrous? Twins have played an important role in the scientific research about handedness, although in many ways they muddle the mystery more than resolve it. Handy Facts on Handedness and Twins Less than 10% of the population is left-handed.There are slightly more left-handed males than females.About 20% of all identical twin pairs have one right-handed twin and one left-handed twin....

Many new moms have questions about their baby’s urination pattern. You may be wondering how many wet diapers your baby should have each day, what color baby’s urine should be, and what you should be checking for at each diaper change. Here you find information and guidelines for what’s normal and what’s not. Wet Diapers in the First Week of Life Breastfeeding moms are often more concerned about wet diapers than moms who bottle-feed....

These days, the stigma surrounding postpartum mood disorders is receding—and that’s a good thing. We talk more openly about the fact that so many of us experience mood disturbances and disorders following childbirth, which means that we are more likely to get help and proper treatment. Still, there’s more work to be done in our understanding and education when it comes to postpartum mood disorders. For example, so much of postpartum mental health focuses on postpartum depression and anxiety....

Sometimes referred to as amaxophobia, the fear of driving is incredibly common and may be mild or severe. Some people fear only specific driving situations, such as driving in storms or on freeways, while others are afraid of simply sitting behind the wheel. Related Phobias Often other phobias can be linked to the fear of driving, especially one or more of the following: Agoraphobia The fear of driving is commonly associated with agoraphobia....

The Scandinavian sleep method, also referred to as a 2-duvet system, is the term for sleeping in the same bed as your partner but each having your own blanket, quilt, or duvet. While this seems like it would be complicated in regards to a top sheet, that problem is mitigated by not using one. Studies have shown that sleeping in the same bed—and with the same blanket—as another person can reduce your sleep quality by 30%....