Learn how to identify a toxic relationship from the beginning. Toxic relationships generally follow three stages: idealizing, devaluing, and discarding. Learn about each of these stages and the impact it has on you. Idealizing: Love-bombing is a clear sign of the idealizing phase. You are told you are the best thing to happen to your partner, [...]
It is typical to be concerned about your health, especially during a pandemic. But when does concern cross into health anxiety? You may find that your anxiety was more generalized before the pandemic—there was not one specific thing that increased your anxiety. However, now you are experiencing anxiety about COVID-related symptoms and other symptoms in general. [...]
Discover ways to calm yourself before an event. Anticipatory anxiety is the anxiety you feel before something happens or before you think something will happen. It is normal to have anxiety before a big presentation, your first day of school, or any other event that has significance in your life. Sometimes anticipatory anxiety can happen, and [...]
Taking an “emotional inventory” can help you forge ahead in the new year. An end-of-year review of your self-care and wellbeing can help you prioritize and give you insights into what you would like to change in the new year. Part of that review can include looking at the emotions you experienced.It is crucial to take [...]
How to protect yourself when someone ignores your boundaries There are generally two types of narcissists — overt and covert. Overt narcissists are the types you hear about more frequently because they tend to be louder (verbally and behaviorally) about their need for special attention and treatment. Covert narcissists tend to play a "victim" role and usually say [...]
Discover simple ways to improve your mood and wellbeing. You've read that taking care of yourself needs to be a priority. But you may have many people or things vying for your attention. As a result, focusing on yourself seems unnecessary — even selfish sometimes. You also may have been raised in a family in which denying [...]
Trypanophobia can be debilitating, but it is treatable. Approximately 10 percent of people in the U.S. have a fear of needles, also known as trypanophobia. That is over 33 million people. That percentage may even be as high as 24 percent (Taddio, et al. 2012). There is a stigma associated with reporting a fear of needles, [...]
What is the price we pay for forgiveness? Forgiveness is a very tricky thing. We are told that forgiveness is essential to have a happy life. But what about when it's impossible to forgive? There are many myths about forgiveness—including the idea that you are somehow "required" to forgive someone. Forgiveness is multilayered. You don't just [...]
Avoiding arguments may feel like the healthier choice. A study says otherwise. It may feel more comfortable, at least temporarily, to avoid an argument with someone rather than address concerns that are eating at you. However, research suggests that if an argument resolves, the emotional response tied to it significantly reduces or is almost completely erased. [...]
You will be able to socialize soon, but do you want to? During the Covid-19 pandemic, a topic that has not been mentioned much is the number of people who have felt more comfortable not having to socialize in-person. For many, the pandemic was a time of relief — they could work from home, and social [...]
