Mental Health Topics

New research from Queensland University of Technology says that ballet improves the overall wellbeing of older adults and has a tremendously positive influence on several health categories. More specifically, the report “Ballet Moves for Adult Creative Health” showed that seniors involved in a three-month ballet project had higher energy levels,…

Our bodies are temples—but we don’t typically treat them as such. Instead, we hate them, we shame them, and we neglect them. And in turn, we hate, shame, and neglect ourselves. I say it’s time to change that narrative. It’s time we start loving and appreciating ourselves. And it’s time…

You bicker. I bicker. We all bicker. With our parents, our siblings, our friends… but especially our significant others. This is a common issue in relationships, but that’s not to say it isn’t harmful. In fact, it’s actually pretty destructive. It all comes down to avoiding or settling petty arguments…

I am the ultimate people pleaser. I put others’ needs before my own; I do everything in my power to make others happy; and only then do I think about me. In my humble opinion, this makes me a loyal, dependable friend… but it doesn’t come without its weaknesses. At…

New research from the University of Illinois says that surprises are the perfect recipe for influencing social change. According to this study, “Surprise, Recipes for Surprise, and Social Influence,” surprises make for memorable, stimulating experiences, but they also prompt people to change their thoughts and even influence them to take…

Have you ever picked up a book during a difficult time, in hopes of being transported to a different place? In hopes of feeling safe and comforted? In hopes of returning to the present with a new and improved mentality? If you haven’t, you should. Because time and time again,…

I struggle with social anxiety. It takes some time for me to warm up to people, and until I do, I’m incredibly quiet and decently awkward. This makes first impressions and introductions pretty painful—I’m talking job interviews, blind dates, work functions, meet-the-parents… I never know what to say, what to…

Imagine this: You and your friend are going out for your weekly dinner date and you couldn’t be more excited. You grin from ear-to-ear thinking about the slice (or two) of greasy pepperoni pizza you’re about to indulge in. But when you pick up your friend, she doesn’t appear to…

According to new research, older people rely on schematic memory, which may have troubling consequences. More specifically, this study “Differentiating True and False Schematic Memories in Older Adults,” says that as people age, they typically rely on schematic memory, which helps them remember the basics of an event—however, because they…

Oftentimes, we take for granted those who mean the most to us: our significant others, our best friends, even (and especially) our beloved family members. This is natural, and we’re all guilty of doing it, but that’s not to say that we can’t put a little extra effort into showing…

The topic of conversation on my favorite radio show this morning was the new-age approach to meeting and mingling with others: online dating. But they weren’t talking about any average guy or gal signing up for Match.com or swiping left and right on Tinder—they were talking about married guys and…

If you’re like me, your anxiety gets a little out of whack from time to time… and often for no good reason. You’re walking to work, or hanging out with friends, when out of nowhere this heaviness bombards you, an unexplained worry takes over, and your happiness, productivity, peace, contentment—you…