Huge fish

So what do you think? Is 2021 going to be a good year? What does the future hold? Most of us are still dealing with a hangover from 2020. COVID-19 is still not under control. We will be dealing with the virus for this year and maybe for years to come. Hopefully the vaccines will be effective against it, but we aren't sure. It is very likely that we will still need to mask up and social distance over the coming year. Even with a vaccine, we could still contract the virus and spread it. And what about the political situation? We are a divided nation politically. Healing these divides will take more than the coming year. It would appear that we narrowly missed losing the democracy that we had created over 200 years ago. Will there be more violent attacks on seats of government in the states and at the federal level? I  think one of the first things we can do to make 2021 a good year is decide to be optimistic rather than pessimistic regarding this year. No, I'm not talking … [Read more...] about How Do You Think the Year Is Going?

Source: Roberto Nickson/Unsplasj It’s no surprise that many of us are terrible at sticking to our New Year's resolutions. And yet, we keep making them, year after year. Why do we do it? Are we masochists? It’s certainly possible to re-engage with a goal and succeed on a subsequent try. There’s also something to be said for that feeling of starting anew: excitement, uncertainty, optimism . A fresh reset. Setting and pursuing a goal can also lead to other meaningful experiences: newly discovered interests and values, chance encounters, or a newfound sense of self-compassion and determination. It also allows us to connect with friends and bond over shared goals or a commitment to supporting each other. Having someone we can turn to for support can make setting New Year's resolutions significantly more enjoyable and keep us motivated and accountable. That said, although the support we receive from friends has the potential to be hugely influential, not all types are created … [Read more...] about How Friends Help and Hinder Our New Year’s Resolutions

Home Pregnancy parenting Prenatal Prenatal oi-Amritha K By Amritha K on February 26, 2021 Mood swings are one of the common complaints of pregnant women and legit one at that. One minute you are abounding with joy, and the next, you are having the gloomiest of all days. While not every woman will not suffer from this rollercoaster of emotions, the ones who do, in fact, go through this are definitely not fans. So, what can you do when the hormones are rapidly moving back and forth between pure, unadulterated joy and complete and utter despair during your pregnancy? Well, there are some ways you can manage these uncomfortable mood swings. This article will tell you all about pregnancy mood swings, their causes, and ways to manage them. The article will also cover post-pregnancy mood swings. What Causes Pregnancy Mood Swings? Being pregnant may sound exciting, but going through all the physical and … [Read more...] about Pregnancy Mood Swings: Causes, Ways To Manage It And Will You Have It After Delivery?

I’m a confessed serial conversationalist. One thing social distancing has brought to my attention is the terrible deprivation I feel regarding fewer opportunities for meaningful, in-person conversations. I suspect I’m not alone in this. Source: Photo by Kate Trifo on Unsplash Zooming, phoning, or texting just do not provide the same experience as conversation in the physical presence of another human being. These observations may seem like dwelling on the obvious, but because of the pandemic, and for other reasons, we may continue to rely on remote forms of communication longer than we prefer. This raises an issue we need to confront. Do we hold out until the virus goes away, or do we surrender to the fact we need to get better at communicating and socializing in the digital/virtual realm? I reluctantly argue for the latter because even when coronavirus is tamed, another virus may replace it. Developments like unaddressed climate change and civil unrest may … [Read more...] about Conversation Starvation Syndrome

My friend recently asked me, “Why have I become so forgetful since I became pregnant?” I told her I didn’t know, but that I’d look into it and write a post for her. She then followed with, “I was going to ask you to explain something else to me, but I totally forgot what it was.” Does “ pregnancy brain” exist? There’s no doubt that many changes are happening to a woman’s body during pregnancy, but how do these changes affect (or originate in) the brain? To answer my friend’s question — and in an effort to address whatever else she was forgetting at the time — here is Part 1 of my expectant mom’s guide to the neuroscience of pregnancy. What is morning sickness? More than half — perhaps up to 90 percent — of pregnant women experience nausea or vomiting to some degree, particularly in the morning. Thrust into the limelight as a result of Kate Middleton’s hospitalizations , around 1 percent of pregnant women experience more severe, prolonged morning sickness called … [Read more...] about Pregnancy Brain: The Expectant Mom’s Guide