And often you’ll make things even more awkward by drawing attention to how awkward you are. But, what does it actually mean to be socially awkward? One study looked at narratives of socially awkward situations to find the common thread. In most of the situations, the awkwardness involved some sort of perceived moral or social transgression that intensified the social situation and directed perceptions of the social behaviors. The awkwardness was sometimes sudden, but often it is from something latent—some kind of tension that has been building....

Meditation is also one of the most popular stress management strategies for good reason—it brings short-term benefits like a calm mind and body, and it can build resilience toward stress over time. Combining music with meditation can deepen the positive effects of both, and bring you greater stress relief. As an added bonus, for many people who are beginners to meditation, or who are perfectionists, music meditation can feel simpler and more instantly relaxing than other forms of practice....

Social Performance Deficits A 2008 study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders sought to determine whether people with SAD were actually less skilled in social interactions or just thought that they are. It’s rather like giving a speech you thought you messed up, but the message still came through. In people with SAD, the outcome was somewhat different. What the researchers found was that individuals with the disorder had social performance deficits, essentially gaps in their communication skills that limited how well they could interact with others....

Meet Jon Acuff Jon Acuff is a NY Times bestselling author. He’s written seven books, including his newest one called Soundtracks. He’s also the host of a podcast called, “All It Takes Is a Goal.” He’s a popular motivational speaker and he’s got a great sense of humor. He talks openly about some of the struggles he has experienced in business and in life and the lessons he’s learned along the way....

If you’re considering disclosing your diagnosis to the people close to you but just aren’t sure how to start the conversation, here are some things to consider. Why It’s Difficult to Talk About Depression Unfortunately, there are too many misconceptions about mental health and what it means and the last thing you need is to be judged negatively because of it. Some reasons why talking about depression can be difficult include:...

The anonymity and reach of the internet also make it easier for imposters to impersonate legitimate users and gain access to their personal information or deceive their friends and followers. We will explore the problem of Instagram account impersonation and discuss how you can tell if someone is using your account. And also cover the steps you can take to confirm impersonation and take action against it to protect your online identity....

So, why is body language important? Body language can help us understand others and ourselves. It provides us with information about how people may be feeling in a given situation. We can also use body language to express emotions or intentions. Understanding body language is important, but it is also essential to pay attention to other cues such as context. In many cases, you should look at signals as a group rather than focus on a single action....

Eye Exam as a Predictor of Risk for Bipolar Disorder In this small study, a test called an electroretinography (ERG) was used to examine the retina and how well it functions. The retina is part of the central nervous system and is located at the back of the eye. It contains two types of light sensory: rods and cones. Rods see black and white and are important for sight in low light conditions and for peripheral vision....

Hatred can be difficult to cope with and painful to live with. It can also lead to arguments and fights between you and your father, as well as tension and conflict with other family members. Understanding your feelings and processing them can help you manage them in healthy ways. This article explores some of the reasons why you might hate your father, the impact of these feelings, and some strategies that can help you cope....

Explicit and implicit memory play important roles in shaping your ability to recall information and interact in your environment. Knowing some of the major differences between the two is important for understanding how memory works. People often focus more on the topic of explicit memory, but researchers are becoming increasingly interested in how implicit memory works and how it influences knowledge and behavior. This article discusses what implicit and explicit memory are and how they work....

Reasons for Infidelity Post-Nuptial Agreements Manhattan-based divorce lawyer Jacqueline Newman explains the typical underlying reasons for post-nuptial agreements: they are “often done after there has been some element of infidelity in the marriage. The person who has strayed tries to assure his/her spouse that it will not happen again and to prove the sincerity of this promise, he commits to putting pen to paper to show how sorry he is.” She cautions against these agreements because, she sais, “If you over-commit in the document just to get that second chance, you take the risk that your spouse will wait just until the ink is dry to call his/her divorce attorney now that they know they are going to get a good deal....

Typical Internalizing Behaviors Examples of internalizing behaviors include: Being nervous or irritableBeing withdrawnEating more or less than usualFeeling afraidFeeling lonelyFeeling sadFeeling unloved or unwantedHaving concentration problemsHeadaches, stomachaches, and other physical symptoms that are not related to any physical illnessNot talking Sleeping more or less than usual While these behaviors are similar to those seen in children with depression, they do not necessarily mean your child is depressed. How to Identify Symptoms A child with internalizing symptoms keeps their feelings inside, which may manifest in symptoms such as:...

Unfortunately, stress doesn’t only impact one’s mental health—it can affect your physical health too. The results can be overwhelming, from spiked cholesterol and blood pressure to lackluster sleep. However, other physical indicators you’re experiencing may leave you wondering if stress is the culprit. Face twitching may be one of those things. This article will explore if face twitching is a symptom of stress, how stress impacts our bodies, and ways to decrease stress levels....

How Ritalin Works Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, is a stimulant drug that’s commonly used to treat attention problems in both adults and children, many of whom have described the effects of the drug positively. It works predominantly by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Among other functions, dopamine is associated with pleasure, movement, and attention. When taken in larger doses than prescribed, Ritalin produces euphoria, increasing the potential for addiction in some individuals....

This article discusses what it means to vent anger and why it may not be an effective way to manage this emotion. It also explores more effective ways to cope and when to seek the help of a professional. What Does It Mean to Vent Anger? Anger is a normal human emotion. While it can be controllable in most circumstances, sometimes it may build over time until people feel they have reached their breaking point....

Ketamine is lauded because it can lift a depressed mood quickly—often within hours. Because bipolar disorder has such a high rate of treatment resistance and suicidality, this is significant, compared to other medications that may take weeks before the full effect is reached. How Does Ketamine for Bipolar Treatment Work? Ketamine exists in two different forms chemically—r-ketamine and s-ketamine. They are enantiomers, meaning they have the same chemical formula but arranged differently structurally....

Here are a few tips on exiting a conversation gracefully. Distance yourself Distance yourself physically from the group or individual. Turn yourself partially away and begin to pull back while still listening to what is being said. Stand up if you have been sitting down and start to use shorter responses to what is being said. Summarize the discussion “Sounds like you had an amazing trip! Wish we could talk more, but I need to run....

Because this type of sleep is associated with awareness and the reflection of this awareness, it is often associated with what is known as metacognition. Metacognition involves the awareness and understanding of your own thought processes. Research suggests that lucid dreaming and metacognitive functions share similar neural systems. This means that people with heightened abilities to monitor their own thoughts may be more likely to experience lucid dreams. How to Experience a Lucid Dream You can do a few things to help increase your chances of experiencing a lucid dream:...