It’s the opposite of a “feel-good” moment. While hugs might seem like a display of affection, psychopaths use embraces and other forms of physical contact to control their partners, per an unsettling new study published in Current Psychology. “Not all forms of touch are well-intentioned,” study author Richard Mattson, professor of psychology at Binghamton University … Read more
The Sleep Sprinter, the 3 a.m. Doomscroller, the Human Snooze Button — we’re all familiar with these archetypes of sleep deprivation. You probably already know that inadequate sleep can raise your risk of chronic health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, but how can it affect your personality? A team of … Read more
Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, desperate for your morning caffeine fix. But the line? It’s crawling at a snail’s pace. With every agonizing second that drags by, your patience wears thinner and the urge to storm behind the counter and pour your own cup grows stronger. But experts say that aggravating wait might actually … Read more
Public violence and recent tragedy, including the deaths of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska, have left many shaken by what they have seen. For witnesses, whether seeing the event in person or on a screen, these memories can be difficult to shake, potentially developing into grief and trauma. Jonathan Alpert, a New York psychotherapist and author of … Read more
Having your mom as your best friend seems nice in theory — and it’s certainly romanticized in television shows such as “Gilmore Girls,” “Jane the Virgin” and “Ginny and Georgia.” But psychologists warn that this kind of relationship can do more harm than good. “I think a lot of people see these kinds of relationships … Read more
Cruise holidays are well-known for their laid-back luxury, whether it be sipping cocktails poolside, indulging in fine dining, unwinding in lavish spas, or waking up to new destinations each day. But according to cruise industry insiders, the blissful feeling many passengers experience isn’t just down to sunshine and sea air — it’s also the result … Read more
Listen up, parents. Child psychologist Reem Raouda has studied over 200 parent-child relationships — and is a mother herself. Raouda says she has the solution to children who refuse to follow orders, helping to build long-term cooperation in kiddos. “I always tell parents that if their default is yelling or threatening, then no ‘magic phrase’ … Read more
Living the “fast life” says more about a person than their proclivity for risk-taking. How do you tell if your man’s a psychopath? They’ve got an amazing online game, apparently. German scientists have revealed that those who have a high hookup rate on dating apps are more likely to be psychopaths. The team asked nearly … Read more
Sticks and stones can hurt — but the wrong words can blow up your marriage before you can spit out, “You’re overreacting.” The good news? There’s a four-word phrase that can supposedly stop a fight before it starts — or keep you from snapping at your sweetie. According to writer Rachel Bowie, the lifesaver that … Read more
Dreading a task at the end of a long week? There may be a way to trick your brain into seeing that chore as a reward. “Dopamine anchoring” is the latest psychology hack making the rounds on social media. The technique involves associating a desirable thing – like music or snacks – with a less pleasant task … Read more
Compliments can certainly go a long way in making someone feel special and loved. While you might think everyone loves a little flattery, one expert warns that some compliments may have unintended negative impacts on romantic relationships. One expert is warning that some grateful compliments may have unintended negative impacts on your romantic relationships. Adobe … Read more
Mane shaking, throne claiming Leo hath returned to rule the skies from July 22nd to August 22nd. Leo energy commands attention, demands respect, and requires worship. It will not be ignored. It will not play tambourine in the family band. It will sing lead, and sometimes lead guitar, but only if it can wear a top hat, have … Read more
It’s a jarring experience. Relationship experts are warning about the rise of “cookie jarring” — a practice whereby someone dates multiple people simultaneously to keep their options open. Those who are “cookie jarred” are not the suitor’s main person of interest and are instead kept as a backup in case things fall through with the … Read more
Sticks and bones may break my bones, but words can destroy a romantic bond. Psychologist and author Jeffrey Bernstein has revealed three “toxic phrases” that people should never say to their partner if they want to keep their relationship strong. “When we first meet, and during the embryonic stages of loving relationships, we tend to … Read more
This kinky quiz determines if people need sexual healing. It might seem taboo to spill the beans on one’s sex life, but now people can do so anonymously thanks to a salacious new survey. The sexperts at Psychology Today have devised a three-minute Sexual Satisfaction Test that reveals just how satisfied people are in the … Read more
As it turns out, our personalities are, in fact, shaped by the environments we grow up in, and Nevada, New York, South Dakota, and Texas contain the highest percentages of those in possession of “dark personality traits.” A recent study conducted by Ingo Zettler, Lau Lilleholt, Benjamin E. Hilbig, Morten Moshagen, and Martina Bader at … Read more
Parents, it’s time to chill. A pediatric nurse practitioner is going viral for telling moms and dads to pump the brakes on ballet, soccer, piano and Kumon — because their kids are heading toward total burnout before they even hit first grade. Mary Catherine, aka @the.mom.np on Instagram, is fed up with families turning into … Read more
Even in the healthiest of relationships, conflicts are bound to arise. But how you deal with them speaks volumes about the strength of your bond. Passive-aggressive phrases like “I guess I’ll just do all of the laundry this week” or “most people would be happy their partner does this” are prime examples of “dry begging,” … Read more
Forget monsters under the bed — the real nightmare might be what your kid’s doing at the dinner table, on their phone or when they think no one’s watching. Child psychologists are warning parents to stop brushing off some behaviors as just “kids being kids” — because these seemingly small habits could be flashing red … Read more
Take aurally. Turns out the ultimate anxiety remedy may not be in your medicine cabinet — but on Spotify. An eight-minute ambient track called “Weightless” by British band Marconi Union is being hailed as the musical equivalent of a chill pill. The track, ‘Weightless’ by Marconi Union (above) — cooked up with sound therapists to … Read more