Starter marriages are legal unions that only last a few years and produce no children. The term “starter” can seem insensitive, especially considering that young divorcees still suffer emotional and social consequences when their marriages end. The first year of marriage tends to challenge most couples–but so does the 4th…
Nosy pets and inquisitive children can sometimes take a toll on one’s sex life. You can prevent kids from interrupting your fun by locking the bedroom door, preparing an age-appropriate explanation in case of incursion, or just making your and your SO’s private time part of the family routine. Pets…
A new research study by Thriveworks reveals the extent to which romantic relationships affect mental health in the United States. Over a third of Americans identify their past and present romantic relationships as the primary cause for their mental health concerns. A large percentage of Americans still suffer psychological fallout…
Romantic relationships play a major role in our mental health, with a third of Americans reporting that intimate partners are the #1 cause of their mental health issues. Relationship anxiety can manifest as lack of trust, hypervigilance, and poor impulse control. Anxious feelings and behaviors can become a self-fulfilling prophecy,…
Chronic illness starts with physical pain but the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies it (or any serious illness) is a journey all its own. Onset, diagnosis, and beyond are often wrought with frustration, fear, anxiety, and grief — with positive emotions like hope and relief sprinkled in. When you’re…
Many couples choose to stop sharing a bed (i.e., get a sleep divorce) because their partner disturbs their sleep. But humans have a long history of sharing beds, and society can judge couples sleeping apart. Sleep studies show that we all get more rest when we sleep alone. Yet sleep…
Sigmund Freud — a neurologist and the father of psychoanalysis — is one of the most influential men of the 20th century. When you think of psychology, you usually think of Freud, which is why we decided to dedicate this article to him and his most notable quotes. Sigmund Freud’s…
Sometimes, we aren’t sexually attracted to our partners from the get-go—and it can cause us to worry about our overall connection. While it might be worrisome, the lack of a physical connection isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker; instead, it can take time for someone to feel sexually attracted as they get…
Relationship conflict comes from an infinite variety of sources, but lifestyle differences can be especially hard to manage. There are practical ways to deal with compatibility issues between vegetarians/vegans and carnivores, significant others with low sex drives and high sex drives, and couples from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Communication, compromise, and…
Whether they’re single or married, people tend to idealize their own relationship status when they feel that it’s not going to change. This natural bias can lead to relational prejudice, judging the coupled or solo lifestyle of others. Singlism is discrimination against unmarried people, like when they’re not included in…
You can still have date night when your partner suffers from depression or anxiety–just change your expectations. Meet your partner where they are by taking their symptoms into account. You can take a walk, cook a meal at home, or engage your senses with music. With this guide to romancing…
“Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty,” is a statement that has become extremely recognizable over the past several decades. It was first marked by Anne Herbert on a placemat in Sausalito, California in 1982 and evolved as a response to the phrase “random acts of violence…