For some people, though, this feeling isn’t tied to the beginning of warm weather, or falling in love, or any discrete event. There are some people, called “sensation seekers,” that are always looking to increase their levels of stimulation, and feel bored and constricted on a regular basis. How to Tell if You’re a Sensation Seeker If you are a sensation seeker, or your partner is one, you will notice that there are many differences between sensation seekers and most other people....

“I promise I’ll change.” These are four words most people in a relationship with an abusive partner have probably heard. Longed-for yet dreaded, the words can offer both hope and disappointment. Hope that things really will get better this time, and disappointment when, inevitably, the abusive behavior—whether emotional, physical, orverbal—begins all over again. We’ve all heard that a leopard can’t change its spots. But what about an abusive partner? Are Abusive Partners Capable of Real Change?...

In my practice, I work with many young adults, and some older adults, who insist that they don’t have an alcohol problem despite binge drinking every weekend. There is a myth that in order to have a true issue with drinking, someone needs to drink alone, or in the morning, or every day. It is true that for most people who are physically dependent on alcohol, drinking is far more frequent than on weekends....

I’m a huge advocate for travel as a means to improve mental health and wellness since recently experiencing the benefits myself — but I also know that not everyone has the ability to take a week off of work and hop on a plane. Have no fear, because you can still reap the benefits of a vacation without getting on a plane, traveling outside of your state, or breaking the bank....

Today, my grandmother texted me (yes, she texts) asking if I had anything fun planned for the day. I told her I was heading to a coffee shop to work. “Do you work seven days a week?” she responded. I realized, I sort of do. But that’s just how life is now, right? Does anyone actually know how to unplug from work and compartmentalize different aspects of their life? I asked myself these questions at the end of a yoga class during savasana, the final relaxation during which you’re supposed to quiet your mind and let everything go....

It’s easy to feel pressure to make, and then meet, life-changing resolutions at the start of each year. Maybe you pledge to lose 50 pounds, get in a workout in every day or go completely sugar free. But once January wraps up, many find themselves unable to fully realize them, leaving a lingering feeling of discouragement and frustration in its wake. But there is another way — setting realistic micro-goals....

Almost all of us have times that we have trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep. Others may experience restless, choppy, wakeful sleep cycles. Many of us probably tell ourselves — and others — that we have “insomnia.” But according to clinicians, for insomniato be considered a chronic problem, it must significantly impact our lives, and it must be present at least 3 days a week for 3 months. In fact — and unfortunately — many of us actually fit this criteria, with as much as30% of adults experiencing intermittent insomnia, and 10% experiencing it chronically....

There is a time in many healthy families where a child grows into adult and their relationship with their parents transforms into a more friendly, equal, relaxed relationship. However, this doesn’t happen for everyone. There are certain people who need to come to terms with the fact that their parents will never be able to be their friends, or to interact with them in a friendly, casual way. Some reasons for this include:...

It happens to everyone: something makes you feel so terrible, so embarrassed and ashamed — and you feel you will never be able to live it down. Sometimes you may not even have done anything, but someone condescended to you, wrote a clipped email or called you out on your behavior in a way that led to your feeling hopeless or wanting to hide. Often it feels like no matter what you do in the midst of shame, you can’t move pastthatfeeling, and you start thinking about other ways that you have disappointed or embarrassed yourself or others....

As the founder of mental health awareness organizationThe Invisible Illnesses, Emily Torchiana has found that explaining invisible illnesses to others is now second nature. Torchiana travels the country speaking about her experiences with cyber bullying, a suicide attempt, and mental illnesses, all of which give a voice to the invisible. “Our slogan is ‘Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.’ You can’t see depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses physically, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist,” Torchiana tells Talkspace....

Even the most dynamic of duos has the occasional fight. Whether it begins with “Who forgot to take the dog out?” or “Do Ireallyhave to go to your brother’s birthday party?”, having arguments is a common — and healthy — part of any relationship. But in some cases, what we call an “argument” is actually something worse. Ever had a partner who criticizes everything you do? Who shouts and uses cruel language when they get angry (and they may fly off the handle a lot)?...

“I don’t have the life I expected to have,” says Shayla Maas, a disabled woman who was an adolescent psychiatric nurse before her Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome progressed to a point that made it difficult to work. When a series of injuries then left her transitioning to light duty and eventually forced her out of the workplace, it was a total sea change. According to the U.S. Census, nearly 20 percent of Americans are disabled....

Every workplace is filled interesting personalities —including frustrating ones. Since we spend more time at work than at home (and quitting tomorrow isn’t an option for most people), it’s worthwhile to figure out ways to get along. Positive coping strategies may not only save your sanity, but they can also improve your well-being more than complaining ever will. In fact,learning to deal with difficult peoplecan be a powerful way to develop your leadership skills....

What would you do if you were in a relationship with someone who constantly criticized, second-guessed or belittled all of your choices, behaviors and decisions? Hopefully, you would leave immediately, or at least take major issue with being the victim of emotional abuse. But what if … that critical person was you? Negative self-talk is one of the most common issues that I help clients work through in my practice as a therapist....

The first verse goes: “It’s no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy / ‘Cause every now and then I kick the living s*** out of me /The smoke alarm is going off, and there’s a cigarette still burning…” The singer has made a habit of putting himself down, falling prey to unhealthy habits which destroy his relationship. He keeps up with these behaviors despite warning signs and negative outcomes....