Kids with chores tend to be more independent, feel happier, and do better. Key points We're in the midst of a worsening crisis in teens' mental health. Public policy and school changes can help, but parents can also use chores to support their troubled kids. Kids who do chores at home tend to be happier, healthier, and more successful at school and beyond. Parents of troubled kids should start small, emphasize the positive, and stay on top of chore completion. There is so muc

Your relationship struggles may be tied to the stories you tell yourself. Key points The signal is the emotions and physiology you experience when you perceive a situation as a threat. The story is what you tell yourself to reduce uncertainty, even if the story is more painful. Focus on the signal and avoid telling the story to help change how you handle life situations. How often have you heard this from people explaining their relationship challenges: “I have anxious attach

How smooth, slow breathing can support your health. Key points Slow breathing can calm your nervous system and regulate emotions, and it's something you can control. Practicing just five minutes a day could yield both immediate and lasting psychological and physical benefits. Nasal breathing has been found to be especially beneficial for cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune health. Slow, smooth breathing is a critical action you can take to voluntarily influence your auton

Want to live better and longer? Stop searching the internet; talk to your brain. Key points Purpose, whether socially significant or not, can increase the quantity and quality of life. Purpose should contain at least one of three attributes: long-lasting, positive, and filled with surprises. With age, our world shrinks. Purpose can stop the decline. When a friend in her late 80s called and said, “I’m ready to leave,” I understood she wasn’t talking about a place. She had been

Research-based recommendations for sleeping better in our screen-filled world. Key points Excessive screentime before bed and during the night disrupts sleep. Studies have searched for reasons screentime has this effect. Exposure to blue light, once thought to be responsible, has been found to have little effect. There are steps you can take to reduce the harmful effects of screentime. In previous posts, I have written about how excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and othe

Whether physical or psychological, a shutdown needs to be addressed openly. Key points When a partner isn't interested in sex for days or week, it's important to find out why. Is it a matter of "can't" or "won't"? In the case of incapacitation of one partner, both need to discuss options. There may be a time when your partner in a monogamous relationship stops initiating or responding to sexual invitations. It’s important to find out whether it’s a matter of can’t or won’t. I

Certain foods reduce anxiety; others make it worse. Key points Some foods reduce anxiety, and other foods make it worse. The Mediterranean diet is the primary diet for reducing anxiety. Using food to reduce anxiety does not take the place of therapy or medications for an anxiety disorder. "Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder, are the most prevalent mental disor

How pressure from society can keep victims from leaving abusive relationships. Key points Survivors often face pressure from family, culture, and faith communities to stay in abusive relationships. These messages can reinforce self-doubt and make it harder for survivors to leave. Leaving abuse often means grieving relationships, identity, community, and the future once imagined We often ask survivors of domestic violence, "Why didn't you leave?" But we rarely ask a more impor

Build a career that reflects your values, purpose, and well-being. Key points Define career success based on your values, not outdated expectations or external pressure. Sustainable career growth aligns ambition with well-being, purpose and your current season of life. Confidence and strategic visibility help create opportunities before you feel completely ready. Strong boundaries and the right support make long-term career success more achievable. Most women inherit a defini

New study suggests that some cases of depression are tied to immune dysfunction. Key points Not all depressive patients respond to conventional treatments. Chronic inflammation is gaining traction as a driver of depression. A small clinical trial identified an anti-inflammatory drug that alleviates depression. Rethinking the causes of depression expands treatment options for patients. Everyone gets depressed from time to time. Think about those unpleasant days when you’re sic

The subtle behaviors that reveal trust, vulnerability, and genuine connection. Key points Small, everyday interactions reveal whether someone truly feels safe enough to be themselves around you. Feeling emotionally safe allows people to disagree, ask for support, and recover from conflict. Secure bonds don't require constant entertainment, reassurance, or conversation. People don't wake up one morning and announce, "Congratulations, you've become my safe person." The signs th

Is there still a place for punishment in child rearing? Key points Gentle Parenting is a philosophy that is very hard on parents. Children need limits and rules and parents who enforce them. In France, Gentle Parenting is very controversial. Parenting is an exhausting adventure under any circumstances. Most parents have to work and keep up with childcare. But on top of this, there is also Gentle Parenting, and its close cousin, Positive Parenting*. Both of these child-rearing

The one thing many ADHD woman I've interviewed have in common may surprise you. Key points ADHD often means underperforming despite high intelligence, and that takes a toll on self-worth. Women with ADHD often feel like they haven't lived up to their potential. Late-diagnosed women often spend years haunted by "what could have been." If there's one trap in life that we can all fall into, it's the feeling that we are alone in our suffering. As the old saying goes, there are no

New research highlights the link between weight concern and drug use in women. Key points Many women report using drugs in an effort to lose weight. A recent study of 1,533 women in drug treatment found that 57% were concerned about weight gain in recovery. Substance use treatment centers must address weight concerns as an integral part of recovery when present. Body dissatisfaction and weight concern are rampant in the United States. Research suggests that almost half of Ame

Not all friendships are fully mutual, and sometimes, that's not OK. Key points One-sided contact, exhaustion, or constant excuse-making can signal an imbalanced friendship. Perceived partner responsiveness makes friendships mutually rewarding, boosting trust and well-being. Reciprocity matters: One-sided sharing or dismissive responses erode friendship quality over time. Pulling back briefly or naming the imbalance directly can clarify a friendship's true state. Mother giving

4 practical steps for moving beyond prolonged grief. Key points Prolonged Grief Disorder is an internationally recognized condition and is included in diagnostic manuals. Prolonged grief can cause significant negative impacts. Understanding the signs and symptoms of PGD and seeking help are key to recovery. Woman going through grief. Grief is the intense pain that follows a profound loss. Grieving is an unavoidable, painful, and profound reaction and process in the aftermath

Are intrusive thoughts taking over your relationship? Key points Relationship OCD involves intense obsession over one's partner or the relationship. ROCD is often frustrating and exhausting for loved ones providing continuous reassurance. Through treatment, people with ROCD learn to accept uncertainty in relationships. Partner expressing concern at partner looking at their phone. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by many themes and subtypes. Within the past

How emotional, physical, and intuitive parts guide donor selection. Key points Choosing a donor isn’t just logical; it’s emotional, physical, and deeply personal. One woman’s experience highlights how various part of ourselves shape the selection process. When fear softens and all parts are heard, the clearest and kindest choice can emerge. A smiling couple during a consultation meeting. Olivia opened her email to find five egg donor profiles the agency thought would be a sui

You can eliminate anxiety on your own by doing three simple activities. Key points Anxiety is a real disorder and should not be minimized. Despite professional efforts, the prevalence of anxiety is increasing. Anxiety has an evolutionary-survival component. You can minimize or eliminate anxiety by using three strategies. A person holding their forehead, appearing stressed or tired. Anxiety is coming out of the closet, openly discussed and acknowledged by celebrities like Opra

Neuroscience finds that divorce can be a trauma for children and adults alike. Key points Divorce can trigger lasting trauma in children, teens, adult children, and spouses. Neuroscience reveals how stress from divorce reshapes the brain and emotional health. Trauma-informed therapy and support can help the brain recover from divorce-related trauma. Illustration of a human brain with a highlighted glowing region Divorce is often framed as a legal and emotional disruption. Mou