Most guides to defining healthy relationship boundaries focus on new couples. How do you set your personal rules of engagement from the beginning so both partners feel safe and respected? But people in long-term relationships know that love is dynamic. Humans continually grow and change both as individuals and as…
Adults with separation anxiety disorder have heightened, functionally impairing fears about being apart from their attachment figures. The mental health condition might cause them to experience a panic attack when their spouse goes to work, or have recurring nightmares about the death of someone they love. Though separation anxiety in…
Glancing at our phones when we hear that familiar “ding” or vibration is muscle memory; after all, we’re curious. It’s also just as common to see what the notification is—and then to put our phone down and wait to respond until, well, we feel like it. From switching off our…
Research shows that 34% of Americans have mental health concerns that they attribute primarily to their romantic relationships–past and present. Healthy relationships have the power to flood us with positive emotions, to make us feel connected, and to enhance our self-esteem. But that power can quickly become a negative force…
The story of your cute profile picture begins with the dinosaurs, specifically with the giant meteor that wiped them out and enabled mammals to start filling the population void. Before the giant lizards disappeared, mammals had to live underground or adapt to a nocturnal lifestyle for hundreds of millions of…
One thing that we’ve all learned from romantic comedies is that significant others can live in harmony even when their lifestyles are radically different. For example, one SO might prefer reading on the couch to running triathlons. One SO might spring out of bed at 5am to get a headstart…
Dear Unlicensed Psychoblogger, My roommate is extremely attractive and I’m starting to feel an emotional connection. Would it be a humongous mistake to hook up? Sincerely, Writer’s Imaginary Friend (WIF) Dear WIF, This is a tricky question. Fortunately, I’m abundantly qualified to answer it because I’m currently raising a kindergartner…
I’m a happily partnered mom, but no one has to explain to me the benefits of being single. I’m not talking about the joys of online dating and casual sex. I’m talking about keeping your own hours, eating what you want, and TRYING TO WRITE A SENTENCE WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE’S…
The sorrow felt when reading about the number of divorces leaves you with nothing short of blaring emotions. Divorce leaves you drained in an uphill battle without end with dried air in your lungs. During the pandemic, it has been difficult for singles to engage in face-to-face interactions. Social engagement…
Let’s say you blew it on a first date. Or meeting your significant other’s parents didn’t go as planned. Whatever the case, a bad first impression has left you feeling hopeless. What now? Instead of ruminating over the uncomfortable encounter, follow these three steps to recover. One, calm down. You’re…
Dating can be intimidating. But if you follow a few rules, you can up your dating game and actually find romance. Here are four tips: One, plan fun dates. This first tip is simple: structure your dates around activities you actually enjoy. For example, instead of going to dinner and…
Previous research shows that our romantic preferences don’t usually match up with the partners we choose. A new study says there is a similar pattern when it comes to adopting a dog. Researchers from Indiana University categorized dogs at a local animal shelter based on 13 traits including age, sex,…