Activity experts have found benefits to “mind games,” which are puzzles and games that focus on memory, problem-solving, and speed. Solving these problems may help you maintain a more youthful mind and sharpen your brain. Adult puzzle books are beneficial for brain health—they also provide a form of screen-free entertainment, which is something that people of all ages are lacking. To get you started, here are the best puzzle books for adults on the market....

It might not come as much of a surprise to learn that your emotions influence all types of decisions, both big and small. After all, you might already know that you are more likely to take risks or try new things when you are happy, but less likely to go out on a limb when you’re feeling glum. If you’ve ever gone with your “gut feeling” when faced with a difficult decision, you are probably relying on the affect heuristic....

Fortunately, a positive attitude can be cultivated, with a little practice. Although we are born with specific temperamental tendencies, the brain is a muscle, and you can strengthen your mind’s natural tendency toward optimism if you work at it. And also, fortunately, working on building your “gratitude muscle” can be enjoyable in itself. But the benefits you gain would make it worth the effort even if it was a dull, difficult task....

Effective treatment for PTSD and other disorders are available, but these treatments are only helpful if they are sought out by someone with the disorder. Unfortunately, this does not always occur. Among a large group of people with a variety of diagnoses (for example, major depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders), fewer than 30 percent actually sought out treatment. People with PTSD may be particularly reluctant to seek help....

The Color Psychology of Pink Pink is a light red hue and is typically associated with love and romance. It is often described as a feminine color, perhaps due to associations people form during early childhood. “Girls’ toys” are usually pink and purple, while “boys’ toys” are often red, yellow, green, or blue. People associate the color with qualities that are often thought of as feminine, such as softness, kindness, nurturing, and compassion....

People who develop OCD earlier in life are considered to have early-onset OCD, while those who develop OCD later are said to have late-onset OCD. Interestingly, there may be distinct differences in the symptoms, responses to treatment, overlapping illnesses, brain structure, and thinking patterns of people with early- versus late-onset OCD. Gender Differences One of the biggest differences between early-onset and late-onset OCD is the ratio of males to females....

In fact, you might still be mentally strong even if you’re dealing with a mental health issue. Mental strength involves your ability to think, feel, and perform at your best. Mental Strength vs. Mental Health The difference between mental strength and mental health becomes easier to understand when you compare it to the difference between physical health and physical strength. Building bigger muscles can improve your physical health. However, big muscles don’t guarantee you won’t ever deal with a physical health problem, like high cholesterol....

It’s safe to say we’ve all been dreaming of the day we can step into a mask-less future, but the thought of discarding them for good has thrown some individuals for a psychological loop. In many social scenarios, masks have become a rule of engagement during the pandemic. Leaving home without one can keep you from entering stores, restaurants and public transportation, and has sparked controversy across the country since the pandemic’s beginning....

It is important to be aware of the challenges you might face if you are thinking about tying the knot a second time. Before you decide to say “I do” again, here are some important things that you should consider. Remarriage Statistics Before you decide to give marriage another chance, it is important to decide if both of you are ready for the work that it will take. According to many estimates, the odds may not be in your favor....

It also gives you the motivation and accountability to stay focused and follow through on your plans. Setting goals can sometimes feel like a daunting task. That’s why it’s helpful to have a roadmap to guide you along the way. Goal-Setting Theory Like most theories in psychology, goal-setting theory started with the ideas from Dr. Edwin A. Locke, in his article, Toward a Theory of Task Motivation and Incentives. In it, he explained the need for clear and specific goals that are challenging and monitored with regular feedback and progress....

According to Erikson, this is the most important period of a child’s life, as it shapes their view of the world as well as their overall personality. Erikson’s psychosocial development theory has seven other stages that span throughout a person’s lifetime. At each stage, people face conflicts that either result in psychological strengthening or weakening. The Importance of Trust Babies are almost entirely dependent on their caregivers. So, the ways that parents interact with their babies have a profound effect on a child’s health....

Meet Jared Watson Jared Watson is the co-founder and lead vocalist in the band, Dirty Heads. Dirty Heads is a reggae, hip-hop, and rock band from Huntington Beach, California. The band has had several big hits, including “Lay Me Down,” which hit Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart in 2010. Their album, Sound of Change, debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Top 200 in 2014. The band’s success has meant Jared has spent a large amount of his adult life on tour....

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. The severity of depression is determined by how your symptoms interfere with your day-to-day life, such as causing you to miss school or work. While you may be able to gauge the severity of your depression by looking at your symptoms, only a doctor or mental health professional can diagnose your condition. This article discusses the spectrum of depression severity, the signs of severe depression, and how severity is assessed....

You might be left wondering, however, just how effective such services are for various mental disorders. Is online therapy the same as traditional therapy and what kind of conditions can be treated online? Conditions Online Therapy Treats Research on online therapy is still ongoing and continues to emerge and evolve as the technology used to deliver these services changes. Researchers have looked at the effectiveness of therapy for a number of different conditions and learned more about what works and what might not be as useful....

Sex is a group of biological traits linked to reproduction. This is different from gender. Gender is the set of roles, expectations, and scripts (generally called “norms”) that we ascribe to different sexes. Gender is socially constructed—meaning that gender roles appear when humans live in groups—and can vary from culture to culture. Gender Roles Gender roles, despite existing wherever humans live together, refer to the traditional roles that people of a certain gender are expected to serve in society....

This can create a wide variety of problems in a person’s life, ranging from academic struggles to relationship conflicts. To better understand the condition and its effect on an individual’s life, it can be helpful to look at what undiagnosed ADHD might look like in adults. Restlessness Hyperactivity is often a major symptom of ADHD. Where in children, this symptom often manifests as an inability to sit still. In classroom settings, kids might fidget or squirm in their chairs, talk excessively, interrupt others, and always seem to be in motion....

This article discusses the causes of risk-taking behavior and explores some examples of behaviors that pose a risk to health and well-being. It also covers some of the factors that increase the risk of risk-taking and what you can do to get help. Causes of Risk-Taking Behavior There are a number of reasons why people might engage in risky behaviors. Understanding some of these reasons can often be helpful when it comes to addressing them....

A correlation refers to a relationship between two variables. Correlations can be strong or weak and positive or negative. Sometimes, there is no correlation. There are three possible outcomes of a correlation study: a positive correlation, a negative correlation, or no correlation. Researchers can present the results using a numerical value called the correlation coefficient. Positive correlations: Both variables increase or decrease at the same time. A correlation coefficient close to +1....

Aggression can serve a number of different purposes, including: Expressing anger or hostility Asserting dominance Intimidating or threatening Achieving a goal Expressing possession Responding to fear Reacting to pain Competing with others Signs of Aggression Because aggressive behavior is intended to harm someone who doesn’t want to be harmed, it must involve action—simply thinking about harming someone or feeling angry isn’t enough, and accidentally harming someone doesn’t qualify. Aggressive behaviors can be:...