Essential Reads

Sleep

The Sleeping Giant: How Sleep Apnea Hurts Mental Health

Samoon Ahmad M.D. on December 2, 2024 in Balanced

Research has shown that obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for depression, anxiety, and, more importantly, cognitive decline and dementia.

Research has shown that obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for depression, anxiety, and, more importantly, cognitive decline and dementia.

Child Development

Why Emotional Milestones Matter

Regine Galanti Ph.D. on December 2, 2024 in Growing Up Healthy

Childhood milestones aren’t just about walking and talking—emotional and social development matter, too. Learn how to spot issues early and support your child’s growth.

Childhood milestones aren’t just about walking and talking—emotional and social development matter, too. Learn how to spot issues early and support your child’s growth.

Therapy

What Would Philosophical Group Therapy Look Like?

John T. Maier Ph.D. on December 2, 2024 in Philosophy and Therapy

Interest in intersections between philosophy and therapy has tended to focus on the individual. But there is also a rich tradition of group therapy with a philosophical aspect.

Interest in intersections between philosophy and therapy has tended to focus on the individual. But there is also a rich tradition of group therapy with a philosophical aspect.

Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem Is Based on What Others Think About You

Nick Kabrél on December 1, 2024 in The Neuroscience of Personal Growth

What shapes our self-esteem? Our self-views, or others' opinions? Brain scans show how low self-esteem is wired in the brain. Find out how to use it and build a stronger self-view.

What shapes our self-esteem? Our self-views, or others' opinions? Brain scans show how low self-esteem is wired in the brain. Find out how to use it and build a stronger self-view.

Relationships

20 Minutes to Greater Social Connection

Jaime L. Kurtz Ph.D. on December 1, 2024 in Happy Trails

Here are five simple ways to feel more connected, even when you're busy.

Here are five simple ways to feel more connected, even when you're busy.

Singlehood

Lonely Single Men Want Romance. Lonely Single Women Don’t.

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on November 30, 2024 in Living Single

At least half of solo single people do not want a romantic relationship or even a date. For many women, that’s true even if they are lonely.

At least half of solo single people do not want a romantic relationship or even a date. For many women, that’s true even if they are lonely.

Addiction

The Current State of the Polydrug Use Epidemic

Mark S. Gold M.D. on November 30, 2024 in Addiction Outlook

Contrary to common belief, many people abuse multiple substances, like alcohol and drugs. The abuse of multiple drugs makes overdoses more difficult to treat.

Contrary to common belief, many people abuse multiple substances, like alcohol and drugs. The abuse of multiple drugs makes overdoses more difficult to treat.

Neuroscience

5 Things About the Brain You Didn’t Know

Eric Haseltine Ph.D. on November 29, 2024 in Long Fuse, Big Bang

Some truths about the nervous system turn out not to be true

Some truths about the nervous system turn out not to be true

Masking

The Strain of Masking: Reclaiming Our Neurodivergent Selves

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. on November 29, 2024 in Positively Different

There are ways for us to unmask slowly and carefully, but organizations must support our authenticity with inclusion.

There are ways for us to unmask slowly and carefully, but organizations must support our authenticity with inclusion.

Genetics

How Huntington's Disease Helped Me Find My Magic

Pamela Mallette LCPC on November 28, 2024 in Living With Huntington's Disease

A Personal Perspective: The Wicked Witch of the West and I have something in common: We both use our fatal flaws to our advantage—for her, her green skin; for me, my neurodegenerative illness.

A Personal Perspective: The Wicked Witch of the West and I have something in common: We both use our fatal flaws to our advantage—for her, her green skin; for me, my neurodegenerative illness.

Family Dynamics

Ethnic Americans and Thanksgiving Traditions: Everybody Eat!

Gina Barreca Ph.D. on November 27, 2024 in Snow White Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Cooking both turkey and lasagna for Thanksgiving was like being bilingual, but in culinary terms. My grandma got a turkey the size of a Buick to prove she was a naturalized citizen.

Cooking both turkey and lasagna for Thanksgiving was like being bilingual, but in culinary terms. My grandma got a turkey the size of a Buick to prove she was a naturalized citizen.

Relationships

Kierkegaard, Freedom, and the Psychology of Love

Finn Janning Ph.D. on November 27, 2024 in Philosophies in Psychology

How Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophy of love and freedom offers a timeless guide to breaking free from societal pressures and finding authentic connection.

How Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophy of love and freedom offers a timeless guide to breaking free from societal pressures and finding authentic connection.

Animal Behavior

The Edge of Sentience: Why Drawing Lines Is So Difficult

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 27, 2024 in Animal Emotions

Jonathan Birch offers a riveting view of the biodiversity of feelings and asks readers to think deeply about who/what is and isn't sentient, including animals, plants and machines.

Jonathan Birch offers a riveting view of the biodiversity of feelings and asks readers to think deeply about who/what is and isn't sentient, including animals, plants and machines.

Postpartum Depression

Helping Women Navigate Postpartum Mental Health

Kaja Perina on November 26, 2024 in Brainstorm

There’s never been more treatment and research focused on women with postpartum mental health disorders such as postpartum depression and childbirth-related PTSD.

There’s never been more treatment and research focused on women with postpartum mental health disorders such as postpartum depression and childbirth-related PTSD.

Social Media

Will Banning Social Media Make Youngsters Safe and Healthy?

Phil Reed D.Phil. on November 26, 2024 in Digital World, Real World

Psychological research suggests that banning something can make people behave in unexpected and often counterproductive ways.

Psychological research suggests that banning something can make people behave in unexpected and often counterproductive ways.

Dementia

The Relationship Between Music and Alzheimer’s Disease

Barbara Koltuska-Haskin, Ph.D. on November 26, 2024 in How My Brain Works

Brain structures linked to musical memory remain mostly undamaged by the disease.

Brain structures linked to musical memory remain mostly undamaged by the disease.

Sport and Competition

From Perfectionism to Burnout in Sports

Monica Vilhauer Ph.D. on November 25, 2024 in Philosophy for Curious Souls

Athletes' struggles with perfectionism, hyper-productivity, and burnout—even after retirement—often find their roots in brutal training environments.

Athletes' struggles with perfectionism, hyper-productivity, and burnout—even after retirement—often find their roots in brutal training environments.

Coaching

Lessons From Coaching: How to Have Better Conversations

Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D. on November 25, 2024 in Between Cultures

The most ordinary words can have an extraordinary impact. An expert reveals how our conversations can nurture our connections—with others and with ourselves.

The most ordinary words can have an extraordinary impact. An expert reveals how our conversations can nurture our connections—with others and with ourselves.

Social Media

How Technology Can Give Our Talk Life

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on November 25, 2024 in The Art of Talking with Children

When we over-focus on the dangers of social media, we miss the exciting ways we can harness tech for richer conversations.

When we over-focus on the dangers of social media, we miss the exciting ways we can harness tech for richer conversations.

Personality Change

What Shape Will Your Personality Take Over Time?

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on November 23, 2024 in Fulfillment at Any Age

The fact that personality can change throughout life is well established, but new research shows its shape isn't the same for everyone.

The fact that personality can change throughout life is well established, but new research shows its shape isn't the same for everyone.