People text more and make fewer voice calls than they did a decade ago. For some people, that reluctance to make and receive calls is caused by telephonophobia, or phone anxiety. Phone calls can make people feel ambushed, trapped, or acutely self-conscious—but fortunately, there are different approaches that may help…
Loneliness is an unpleasant state we all experience at times; fortunately, an animal companion can help us resolve those lonely feelings. Dogs often prove to be great pets and they come with mental health benefits including stress and anxiety reduction, a boost in self-esteem, and improved social connection. Cats are…
There are some pretty ridiculous national holidays out there from Hot Sauce Day to Fruitcake Toss Day to Dance Like a Chicken Day—but I have yet to mention the craziest of all. Are you ready for it? National Thank God It’s Monday Day. That’s right: there’s a whole day dedicated…
I’m not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but I was always a star student. I paid attention in class, did the assigned reading each night, and went above and beyond on my projects. Needless to say, I made A/B honor roll every year (I even have the…
Today is National Pumpkin Day, and it’s yet another amazing excuse to continue on your goal to eat nothing but pumpkin-flavored foods from now until October 31st. You’ve probably already consumed some pumpkin ice cream, some Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and I’m also willing to bet that you recently purchased some…
Sure, sports is primarily all about being an elite athlete, but the mental game is what tends to separate the good players from the truly great ones. Athletics is just as much about being physically superior as it is about being able to mentally dominate your opponents. While it isn’t…
Gamers have always had to defend their entertainment vice far more than your average cinephile or bibliophile over the years, but that’s all about to change thanks to science… and video games. Several scientists and mental health researchers (who are probably all avid gamers) have been conducting studies over the…
I Have Cancer. The words “you have cancer,” send shivers down the spine. And each time you brave yourself enough to share your story, you see the looks of terror in people’s eyes that mirrored yours on that life-changing day. Maybe you continue to move forward feeling that “cancer saved…
Some of us can remember life before smart phones, back when we didn’t have all sorts of media at our fingertips at any time, or others urgently demanding our attention throughout the day through texts and email. Now it is commonplace to watch a movie while writing a report and…
Healthy or Not? With the end of summer comes the return to old familiar routines in many families. The comfort of school bells and calendars (for our children and quite honestly ourselves), the launching of our fall sports programs and the return of volunteer commitments which encroach on family and…
My 15 year old daughter, has had three role models in her life: Hannah Montana, Taylor Swift and, now, Lana Del Ray. I say “Hannah Montana” (and not Miley Cyrus) because this was when she was a sweet actress/singer who played a double role similar to the role played by…
It has been said that the beauty of Michigan is experiencing its four seasons — fall, winter, spring and construction (although some would argue the seasons are more like almost winter, winter, still winter and construction). On some days, construction and road work seem to pop up rather suddenly and…