Welcome to my Blog

Thank you for stopping by. This space is where I share research, reflections, and practical tools drawn from my experience as a marriage and family therapist.

Are you a couple looking for clarity? A professional curious about the science of relationships? Or simply someone interested in how love and resilience work? I’m glad you’ve found your way here. I can help with that.

Each post is written with one goal in mind: to help you better understand yourself, your partner, and the hidden dynamics that shape human connection.

Grab a coffee (or a notebook), explore what speaks to you, and take what’s useful back into your life and relationships. And if a post sparks a question, or makes you realize you could use more support, I’d love to hear from you.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
~Daniel

P.S.

Feel free to explore the categories below to find past blog posts on the topics that matter most to you. If you’re curious about attachment, navigating conflict, or strengthening intimacy, these archives are a great way to dive deeper into the research and insights that I’ve been sharing for years.

 

What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

Let's Go Fart Walking: The joy and science of post-meal strolls

Sometimes you never know where your next great blog idea will come from.

Enter the “fart walk”—a delightful practice of taking a post-meal stroll to, quite literally, let things air out.

Mairlyn Smith, a Canadian actress and cook, introduced this concept on TikTok, and it has since become a viral sensation.

But is there more to fart walking than just a good laugh?

Read More
What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

Sex in your 40s

Sex in your 40s can be a richly fulfilling experience, offering opportunities to rediscover passion and deepen intimacy with your partner.

While this stage of life brings its own set of challenges, it also presents unique moments for enhanced pleasure and connection.

This post explores the various facets of sex in your 40s, enriched with insights from classic sex therapy.

Read More
What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

The Wandering Mind: understanding its consolations, benefits, and treatments

Imagine you're in a meeting, and suddenly, you're daydreaming about that beach vacation or pondering life's mysteries. Your mind has taken a detour — a phenomenon known as mind wandering.

Research indicates that up to half of our daily thoughts involve some form of mind wandering.

While this can be frustrating, it's not always a bad thing. Let's delve deeper into the symptoms, benefits, and potential treatments for a wandering mind.

Read More
What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

Nutrient-rich diets linked to superior intelligence and memory

Let’s discuss the Nutrients that promote healthy brain aging.

As we grow older, cognitive decline is a common issue many face.

However, new research suggests that the right diet may help slow down or even prevent this age-related brain deterioration.

A recent study published in Nature Aging reveals that certain nutrients can significantly enhance brain structure, function, and cognitive abilities in older adults.

Read More
What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

Do people really learn from their mistakes?

The Common Belief in Learning from Mistakes

There is a pervasive belief in the power of failure to teach valuable lessons. Business leaders often promote this notion, which is echoed in popular media.

It is a robust American trope.

The idea is that while failure is challenging, it ultimately fuels success.

However, recent research paints a different picture: people generally struggle to learn from their mistakes.

Read More
What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

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.

Read More
What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

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.

Read More