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How to talk to your spouse about money without fighting
Money, they say, makes the world go round. But when it comes to discussing finances with your spouse, it can feel more like you’re spinning in circles—or worse, gearing up for a boxing match.
Fear not, gentle reader, for I, your trusty couples therapist, am here to guide you through the treacherous terrain of marital money talks.
With a pinch of humor and a dollop of research-backed advice, you'll be able to navigate these conversations without turning them into arguments. Let's dive in.
The mental health benefits of Yoga: better sleep, reduced depression and more
Yoga offers numerous mental health benefits in addition to its well-known physical advantages.
This is largely due to yoga's meditative aspect, which encourages participants to focus on their breathing.
One of the most popular styles in the West is Hatha yoga, an ancient practice that involves a series of postures, meditation, and focused breathing.
Despite the meaning of "Hatha" as "force" or "violence," the movements in this form of yoga are typically gentle and easy to learn.
Pessimism: the secret ingredient to procrastination
Ever wondered why your friend cleans the entire house when they have a looming deadline?
Well, it turns out, about 20% of people are chronic procrastinators—yes, it’s more common than depression and phobias.
So if you’re reading this to avoid something important, you’re in good company!
Here’s the weather…Hot with Sticky Situations
As global temperatures rise, there's mounting evidence that people act more impulsively and aggressively in hot weather.
Rising temperatures at home and on the streets can lead to increased verbal aggression and quicker tempers. This trend isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a serious issue with far-reaching implications.
What does familiarity breeds contempt mean?
Ever heard the phrase "familiarity breeds contempt"? According to psychologists, the more we know about someone, the less we might actually like them.
Surprising, right? Especially given how many of us are eternal optimists about forming new relationships.
Let's explore this phenomenon and understand why too much familiarity can sometimes lead to disappointment.
Will Crypto become the currency of Cultural Narcissism?
In a survey of 2,001 Americans, crypto ownership was also associated with being male and high-income, consuming fringe media, and reporting feelings of victimhood.
Owning cryptocurrency isn't just about dodging financial norms—it's about embodying a certain set of personality traits and demographics, according to a study published on July 3, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
Shane Littrell from the University of Toronto, along with colleagues from the University of Miami, USA, spearheaded this dive into the psyche of crypto enthusiasts.
The simple reason why most folks fail to follow through on their plans
As a couples therapist, I've seen it all. From grandiose plans to mundane daily tasks, we humans often struggle to follow through.
It turns out, the secret to achieving goals lies in understanding both the psychology of decision-making and the psychology of implementing our plans.
The surprising link between fluid intelligence and short-term memory
Ever wonder if you have a high fluid IQ? Well, it might be hiding in your short-term memory!
Psychological research reveals that the ability to store more items in short-term memory indicates a higher fluid IQ.
The average number of things people can store in short-term memory, whether words, numbers, or random facts, is around four. And don't blink because short-term memory only lasts about 15 to 30 seconds.
However, if you can juggle more than four items in your short-term memory, it suggests you might have an above-average IQ.
Or does it?
Breaking bad habits: how to change for the better
Breaking bad habits isn't about sheer willpower; it's about understanding how habits work and using the right strategies to disrupt them.
You can achieve lasting change by avoiding cues, making behaviors harder, mentally blocking impulses, and substituting bad habits with good ones
40% of us are accidentally ruining our focus—here’s a simple fix!
As a couples therapist, I often see clients who struggle with maintaining focus.
Turns out, a whopping 40% of people are unintentionally sabotaging their ability to concentrate.
The culprit? Dehydration.
Get the Gouge and Embrace the Suck for Life and Legacy
In military slang, "the gouge" refers to vital information, tips, or insider knowledge that helps service members prepare for tests, evaluations, or assignments.
This concept can be wonderfully applied to science-based couples therapy, which offers essential tools, hacks, and strategies for navigating and enhancing intimate relationships.
Additionally, the military phrase "embrace the suck," which means to accept and endure difficult situations, also holds valuable wisdom for couples therapy. Let’s explore how these concepts from military slang can be applied to couples therapy to improve life and legacy.
5 Touch Types to Transform Your Relationship
When most long-term couples think about affection, they often picture either a quick peck on the cheek or a full-on romantic encounter.
But as I often remind couples, falling into the trap of equating sex solely with intercourse can limit your potential for both affection and intimacy.
According to sex therapists Barry McCarthy and E. McCarthy in their book "Enhancing Couple Sexuality," this mindset leads to lower levels of both affection and intercourse.
To avoid this trap, let’s consider how you and your partner discover and communicate about the various types of touch you each enjoy.
Spoiler alert: there’s a whole spectrum of touch to explore.