Open Gently

Musings on the introspective life.

Temma Ehrenfeld

Don't Ignore Sleep Deprivation

Many people say that they’re happy with six or fewer hours of sleep and don’t experience any sleep deprivation effects. But they're probably wrong.

How Stress Makes You Sick

Notice the early signs that stress is taking a toll on your health, like digestive issues or headaches.

Are You Brain-Fogged From Bread?

If you feel fuzzy after your morning bagel, try going gluten-free.

Is Schizophrenia Hereditary? Not as Much as We Thought

Even when an illness, like schizophrenia, has a strong genetic component, we're still just taking about chances—not an inevitability.

Don't Beat Yourself Up If You're Anxious While Pregnant

It's easy to feel guilty if you're anxious while pregnant. But it's important not to suffer alone.

What Do We Lose When Kids Don't Learn to Write By Hand?

Remember pens and paper? They help us think.

My Son Is Violent. What Now?

Large numbers of kids have mental health problems and don't get help. Some of them are violent.

Opinion Articles Can Have a Lasting Impact

Op-eds are an effective way to influence people's thinking, a study suggests.

Can Acupuncture Help You Lose Weight?

Here's what we know (and what we don't).

Is Your Teen Smoking Pot?

Pot is better than cigarettes and alcohol, but still bad for teens.

Is He Really Angry At me?

Be on the alert for those moments when you imagine other people feel a certain way--because you do.

Help for People Who Take Rejection Hard

Research on a unique antidepressant could lead to better help for people who are sensitive to social rejection.

Your Gut and Your Resistance to Stress

More evidence links the gut to mental illness, which means changing your diet might help.

Is Depression Really Four Illnesses?

Brain scans reveal possibly four different kinds of depression, which may respond to different treatments.

How to Stay Attentive

Knowing how to improve concentration will help you feel confident and weather periods of stress, when your focus takes a hit. Do you live near a park? Go for a walk.

Exercise Doesn't Have to Be Boring

Exercise is good for your mental and physical health, but you wouldn't stick with it if you're bored. Try dance or martial arts.

Are Acid-Reducers Increasing Dementia?

There are plenty of reasons not to take acid-reducers, but dementia probably isn't one of them.

Yoga Has Real Health Benefits

Don't dismiss yoga: It plus aerobics leads to more health benefits than twice the aerobics.

Why Babies Cry

Look at a wailing baby's eyes to see if they are frightened, angry, or in pain.

Be An Organ Donor

Donating your organs could be the most charitable act of your lifetime. But only half of Americans are signed up.

Will It Last? Three Tests

To know whether your relationship will last, think more deeply about time.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: More Research Backs Up Patients

More evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome affects your brain.

Seeing Ghosts in Your Bedroom? It's Sleep Paralysis

Some people wake up briefly paralyzed, seeing ghosts, or feeling themselves hovering over their bodies. Here's what is probably going on.

Get Your Teen Off the Phone

Therapy, sleep, exercise, and socializing in person may be more likely to help your depressed teen than an antidepressant.

Four Non-Prescription Remedies for ADHD

A healthy diet and supplements my help ADHD.

Why You Hate Exercise

If you hate exercise, look harder for ways to make it pleasant--get out in sunshine or find a buddy.

Magnesium Might Boost Mood

Magnesium can boost mood. If you have muscle aches, tics or irritable bowel syndrome, consider a magnesium supplement.

My Pain Isn't Your Pain

Some people feel more physical pains than others. Talk about it. Don't let anyone patronize you and also don't judge.

How to Deal With People Who Interrupt

Some strategies to deal with interruptors--and insight on why they do it. And remember--you may be the problem.

If Sun Makes You Happier, Think about Your Vitamin D Level

If the summer sun gives you an especially big mood boost, consider whether you could benefit from a sunlamp or Vitamin D supplement in the darker months.

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