Shyness Is Nice

Spreading the word about the value of quiet, sensitive people

Barbara Markway Ph.D., Greg Markway Ph.D.,

How Can a Teacher Help a Shy Child?

Do you worry about your quiet child? Following these tips can help a shy child shine.

Social Anxiety and Alcohol Use: A Complex Relationship

Using alcohol to self-medicate social anxiety can backfire.

Loving Someone with an Anxiety Disorder

A to-do list for when you love someone with an anxiety disorder.

Understanding and Treating Selective Mutism

Does your child speak freely and easily at home, but not at school or other public places? Find out if your child has selective mutism, a childhood anxiety disorder.

A Fail-Safe Way for Dealing with Anxiety

Is anxiety getting you down? A simple adjustment can go a long way.

How to Live Well: A Book Review

How to Live Well is "one dose stark reality, one dose practical skills, and one dose humor.”

Face Your Fear, Change Your Life

You can't simply sit in a therapist’s office exploring how and why you developed your fears. You have to confront them head on. Here's a simple plan to follow.

A Fool Proof Formula for Saying No

How often have you agreed to do something only to regret it later?

6 Stages and 16 Tips for Developing Good Habits

Want to develop healthy habits? Here's your go-to guide.

How to Keep a Thought Diary to Combat Anxiety

One of the most powerful things you can do to manage anxiety is to keep a running record of your thoughts on paper. Learn how to make this CBT technique work for you.

Seven Types of Self-Care Activities for Coping with Stress

There are several pathways to self-care, and none of them need to be difficult or take a lot of planning.

Are You Too Embarrassed to Exercise?

I don't like the way I look. I’m too fat to exercise in public. Ever have thoughts like these? You're not alone. Embarrassment is an often overlooked reason people don't exercise. Follow these tips to shed your self-consciousness at the gym.

How to Overcome Anxiety & Shyness: Real Life Success Stories

Learn to overcome anxiety and shyness with these strategies. Four inspiring women show you how.

Do You Have Social Anxiety Disorder?

Do you feel self-conscious in social situations? Are you plagued with self-doubts about how you come across to others? Do you feel physically sick with worry about certain situations that involve interacting with others? Do you make excuses, or even lie to avoid the social situations you dread? You may have social anxiety disorder. Take this test to find out.

Helping the Sensitive Child Cope with the Holidays

Sensitive and quiet children often have trouble with situations that aren't predictable and routine. This means that holidays, traveling, and visits with relatives can be fraught with tension and potential stress overload. Here are some do's and don'ts.

Fear of Blushing

Sometimes the best suggestions go against common sense. Find out what happens when you "invite the symptom."

Ninety Ways to Thrive in College

From dorm living to finding your passion, this list of college tips has you covered. See what advice popular blogger, Erin McNaughton, shared with her younger, college-bound sister.

What to Do When Your Child Won't Go to School

Does your child complain of a stomach ache right before going to school? He or she may have what’s known as school refusal.

Powerfully Shy: Lessons from Leaders

What happens when a painfully shy girl grows up? She becomes powerful, becomes head of Yahoo, and takes over Tumblr!

Back-to-School Worries

Back-to-school worries are common for kids of all ages. Here are some top concerns and what you can do to help.

But I Don't Want to Change

"This is just how I am," or "I don't want to change," or What's the point?" Sound familiar? While we typically think of change as happening when we’re actually “doing” something, a lot of critical steps take place beforehand. Even if you're not quite ready to make a big change in your life, there are still some simple things you can do to move in the right direction.