In recent years, intermittent fasting (IF) has gained increasing popularity. Unlike most diets prescribing what to eat, IF emphasizes when to eat through the incorporation of regular short-term fasts into your routine. This approach may aid in consuming fewer calories, losing weight, and reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. However, several studies have suggested that IF may not offer the same benefits to women as it does to men. Therefore, women may need to adopt a modified approach. What is IF? IF is an eating pattern characterized by alternating periods of abstaining from food and eating. Unlike most…

In romantic relationships, we typically think and act in certain ways. Attachment theory offers one possible explanation for these patterns. It characterizes attachment style by different ways of interacting and behaving in relationships. During early childhood, this style centers on how children and parents interact. In adulthood, it describes attachment patterns in romantic relationships. Understanding your unique attachment style can assist you in becoming more self-aware and fostering healthier long-term partnerships. Attachment Style Theory Attachment theory, pioneered by psychoanalyst John Bowlby in the 1950s and further developed by Mary Ainsworth, explains how your relationship with your main caregivers shapes how…

Childbirth exhausts and challenges mothers. Pregnancy subjects women to significant hormonal, physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Surprisingly, it can even lead to depression. Approximately one in seven women may experience postpartum depression (PPD). After childbirth, most new moms undergo postpartum “baby blues,” characterized by mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Although women experiencing baby blues typically recover quickly, PPD tends to linger and significantly impairs women’s ability to resume normal functioning. Risk Factors for PPD Psychological A history of depression and anxiety, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a negative attitude towards the baby, reluctance regarding the baby’s gender, and a…

A healthy gut isn’t just necessary for good digestion. Scientists are discovering more about how the bacteria in your gut may play a role in your overall health, including your mental well-being. Gut Bacteria While infection is commonly associated with bacteria, it’s essential to note that the majority of bacteria in the gut are actually beneficial. The gut microbiome, comprising approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses, is primarily situated in the colon. With approximately 1,000 species of bacteria, the unique combination varies from person to person and evolves throughout life. Research indicates that maintaining a balance…

Attraction often communicates itself through non-verbal cues, known as body language. If you find these fundamental attraction questions challenging, you are not alone. Is she attracted to you? Does he like you? Why didn’t they call? Body language equips you with the tools to determine where you stand. By understanding these signals, you can identify when someone is interested in you. The Origins of Body Language To understand contemporary nonverbal cues of attraction, examining the origins of our body language is insightful. Our Stone Age ancestors employed the same body language that we utilize today. The following are the messages…

During the 1960s, Stanley Milgram (1933–1984) conducted a controversial obedience experiment. It is one of the most debated studies in psychology.  Aim Milgram aimed to explore why regular individuals might engage in extremely harmful actions when influenced by an authority figure. Intrigued by post-World War II confessions where Nazi soldiers justified heinous acts by claiming they were just “following orders,” Milgram designed an experiment. Milgram’s Experiments Milgram recruited volunteer participants, instructing them to believe they were part of a learning experiment. Cast in the role of teachers, they were directed to administer increasingly powerful electric shocks to “learners” for each…

Lose 10 pounds in 10 days and trim inches off your waist! Achieve quick slimming results with this one secret! Secret or just a fad? Fad diets offer a quick fix for weight loss or immediate concerns, unlike long-term lifestyle changes recommended by dietitians such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets. How to Identify a Fad Diet? Distinguishing between a fad diet and a sustainable lifestyle diet can be challenging. This is how to identify a fad diet: While some fad diets may have been around for years, a study warns that following them for an extended period could be…

UK adults prefer meat over fish as their main protein source, and most Americans consume less fish than recommended. However, incorporating more fish into your diet is worthwhile because whether it’s fresh, canned, or frozen, it provides numerous benefits. What’s So Great About Fish? Fish and shellfish are excellent sources of protein, offering 15g–20g per 100g, which is approximately a third of the daily recommended amount for many adults. They are also low in fat compared to many meats. In particular, incorporating oily fish like sardines, salmon, trout, and mackerel into your diet provides beneficial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including…

Perfectionism has both helpful and unhelpful aspects. If you decide that the unhelpful aspects outweigh the helpful ones, you are more likely to want to make a change. Tackling perfectionism requires seeing the world in shades of grey, not black and white; it requires committing time and effort and being willing to try new things. Make a commitment to take on the challenge of tackling your perfectionism; it’s important. Perfectionism Behaviors Perfectionists often engage in various perfectionism behaviors, such as repeatedly checking work for mistakes, as they strive to meet unrelenting high standards. Just as thoughts influence feelings and behaviors,…

At some point, everyone experiences uncertainty, lacks self-confidence, doubts their abilities, or thinks negatively about themselves. Low self-esteem involves holding a generally negative opinion of oneself. What is Self-Esteem As humans, we possess the ability to not only be self-aware but also to assign a value or measure of worth to ourselves or different aspects of our identity. Self-esteem, in essence, reflects our views and thoughts about ourselves and the value we attribute to our personhood. Challenges with self-esteem often arise from our human capacity to judge and assign value to aspects of ourselves. What is Low Self-Esteem Have you…