Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Doomscrolling vs. Dumbbells: How Exercise Can Save Your Brain from the Internet’s Death Grip

Somewhere in China, a college student is doing push-ups instead of doomscrolling. This is progress.

According to a new study published in Addictive Behaviors, exercise—yes, good old-fashioned moving your body until it hurts—actually reduces Internet addiction among Chinese college students.

Not only does it pry their eyeballs away from their screens, but it also alleviates anxiety, loneliness, stress, feelings of inadequacy, fatigue, and depression.

In other words, exercise may be the only thing standing between them and total existential collapse.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Promise and Pitfalls of Digital Mental Health Interventions: Navigating the Challenges of Engagement and Effectiveness

Nowadays, because mental health services struggle to keep pace with demand, digital mental health interventions have emerged as a hopeful solution.

However, a new review published in JMIR Mental Health takes a deep dive into the effectiveness of these interventions, particularly for individuals on psychotherapy waiting lists.

The findings, however, raise critical questions: Are these tools genuinely transformative, or are they merely placeholders in a system straining under the weight of demand?

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

What Are Surrogate Families?

In a world where traditional family structures are shifting, many people are turning to an unexpected source for connection—social media.

From Facebook groups to TikTok communities, some are seeking and forming surrogate families, filling the emotional gaps left by estrangement, distance, or the loss of loved ones.

While this may sound like a plot from a futuristic novel, the reality is that online surrogate families are emerging as a profoundly human response to modern isolation.

Why Are Surrogate Families Becoming Popular?

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Situationship Settlers: The New Frontier of Romantic Limbo

So, you’ve been “seeing” someone for a year.

You go on cute coffee dates, send memes back and forth, and sometimes even hold hands in public. But every time you bring up “What are we?”

they dodge the question like a seasoned Olympic sprinter. You’re not single, but you’re not really together either.

Congratulations. You’re in a situationship. Why date when you can drift?

Now, let’s crank the emotional turmoil up a notch. What if you’re not just in a situationship—what if you’ve settled for one?

Welcome to the era of Situationship Settlers, where people camp out in undefined relationships like they’re waiting for Coachella tickets that may never go on sale.

What Is a Situationship Settler?

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

St-ick-ing: Overlooking the Icks for the Bigger Picture in Relationships

What is St-ick-ing?

Modern dating culture is obsessed with the ick—those small, often trivial habits or quirks that inexplicably turn you off a potential partner.

Maybe they clap when the plane lands. Maybe they wear socks to bed. Maybe they text with too many emojis (or not enough).

The St-ick-ing Meme is the quiet rebellion against nitpicking in relationships.

St-ick-ing is the act of choosing to look past minor annoyances and focus on the bigger picture—compatibility, values, emotional security, and shared joy.

In an age where dating apps provide an endless buffet of new romantic options, st-ick-ing is a radical choice: a commitment to depth over superficiality.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Fizzling: The New Ghosting That Hurts Just as Much

Modern dating—the land of left swipes, "wyd?" texts at 2 AM, and now… fizzling.

If ghosting wasn’t bad enough, we’ve evolved (or devolved?) into something even more insidious: soft ghosting, aka "fizzling."

Wait, What Is Fizzling?

Fizzling is what happens when someone doesn’t outright disappear like a ghost but slowly fades into the abyss, one unanswered text at a time.

They’re not gone—not yet—but they’re definitely not here either. Think of it as a Wi-Fi signal slowly dropping to one bar before disconnecting altogether. One minute, you're sharing memes and planning weekend brunches, and the next, you're waiting three days for a dry "haha" reply.

Why Do People Fizzle Instead of Just Breaking Up?

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Zombieing: When Ghosts Return to Haunt Your Dating Life

Remember that person who ghosted you six months ago?

The one who vanished into thin air, leaving your texts on read and your dignity in the gutter?

Well, guess what? They're back.

Just when you finally moved on, they emerge from the digital graveyard with a casual "Hey, stranger." Congratulations! You’ve just been zombied.

What Is Zombieing?

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Are You an Unspoken Rizz God?

In the ever-evolving landscape of internet slang, few terms have risen to prominence as swiftly as "rizz." A playful truncation of "charisma," "rizz" encapsulates the art of effortlessly attracting or flirting with potential partners—a skill that has been celebrated, dissected, and meme-ified across digital platforms. Let's embark on a detailed exploration of the "rizz" phenomenon, tracing its origins, cultural impact, and connections to earlier expressions of allure.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Glow-Ups: A Digital Meme of American Reinvention

The “glow-up” meme isn’t just a viral trend; it’s a modern reflection of deeply rooted American ideals.

It taps into themes of transformation, self-improvement, and the ever-resilient hope for a second act.

Let’s explore how this meme became a cultural phenomenon and why it resonates so powerfully with the American spirit.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Happiest Family Therapy Meme: A Laughing Step Toward Evolution

Family therapy often conjures images of tearful confessions and tense silence.

Yet, it can also be an incubator for something remarkable: shared laughter and collective growth. A meme currently making its rounds on social media captures this transformative potential with a simple but profound moment: a therapist asks, “Who causes the most trouble in the family?” and every family member simultaneously points at themselves.

When coupled with humor, this mindset could represent more than a feel-good moment. It may hint at an evolutionary leap in human social dynamics.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Rise of Neurodivergent Memes Among Second-Generation Asian Americans

Memes are the modern hieroglyphs of our shared struggles, joys, and absurdities. Within the neurodivergent second-generation Asian American community, a rich tapestry of meme culture is emerging—one that reflects the intersection of identity, mental health, and cultural heritage.

These memes are more than jokes; they are cultural artifacts that capture the lived realities of individuals navigating a world that demands assimilation while offering few accommodations.

In this exploration, we delve into the history, themes, and impact of these memes, unpacking their significance with warmth and empathy.

The Intersection of Neurodivergence and Second-Generation Identity

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Spartan Meme in 2025: Resilience, Reinvention, and the Role of Women in Family Systems

In 2025, the Spartan meme is more relevant than ever, continuing to inspire people to push their limits, embrace discomfort, and emerge stronger from life’s challenges.

But its reach has evolved dramatically, transcending the confines of obstacle races and intense workouts.

Today, the Spartan ethos is a cultural metaphor for resilience, discipline, and transformation, impacting everything from family systems to leadership, wellness, and emotional health.

Notably, women have stepped into this traditionally male-dominated narrative, bringing fresh perspectives and reshaping the meme to address emotional resilience, community building, and family dynamics.

The Spartan meme has become a tool for thriving in a complex world—no matter your role, gender, or stage in life.

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