In the world of board games, fun and strategy often take center stage.

But for those with high-functioning autism, these games offer much more than just entertainment—they provide a structured, predictable, and low-pressure way to connect with others.

A series of recent studies highlights how board games, like Dixit and Werewolf, are becoming important tools for helping people on the autism spectrum develop social skills, manage anxiety, and build relationships.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often associated with challenges in social communication and interaction.

Many folks with autism struggle with interpreting social cues, maintaining conversations, and navigating the unpredictability of human relationships.

But board games are emerging as a powerful way to ease these challenges, offering a structured and enjoyable environment for social interaction.

Surf therapy, also known as ocean therapy or “blue care,” is rapidly gaining recognition for its profound effects on mental health and trauma recovery.

As more folks seek alternative methods to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges, surf therapy is emerging as a transformative way to reconnect with nature and find healing through the ocean.

According to marine social scientist Easkey Britton, who has spent her life immersed in surfing and studying the relationship between humans and the sea, the ocean has the power to heal both mind and body.

Britton’s own experiences with the water and her research, outlined in her book Ebb and Flow, offer compelling evidence that the sea can be a source of restoration, particularly for those recovering from trauma or grappling with mental health issues.

What is Surf Therapy?

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape our world, one of its lingering effects—long COVID—has become a significant public health concern.

A breaking new study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity reveals a compelling link between childhood abuse and an increased risk of developing long COVID symptoms.

According to the research, folks who suffered severe childhood abuse have a 42% higher likelihood of experiencing post-COVID conditions compared to those who did not experience abuse.

This discovery underscores the importance of considering a person’s entire life history, including early trauma, when evaluating long-term health outcomes related to COVID-19.

What Is Long COVID, and Why Is It Concerning?

Choosing a partner is one of life’s most consequential decisions, profoundly impacting one’s future trajectory and quality of life.

The search itself presents numerous challenges, from the time investment required to the risk of deception or misjudgment.

So, it’s no wonder humans have developed strategies to help identify good potential partners while minimizing effort and risk.

One common approach is to observe how others respond to a potential mate.

Have you ever found someone more attractive after seeing them receive positive attention? This phenomenon, known as “mate choice copying,” occurs in both humans and animals.

It’s a shortcut we use to identify desirable partners.

Childhood is a time of wonder, growth, and exploration.

It’s a stage where the brain is rapidly developing, and every experience—whether positive or negative—leaves its mark.

While we often think of a child’s emotional scars in terms of behavior, a new study shows that childhood adversity, like abuse and neglect, can alter brain development in ways we are only beginning to understand.

Even in children who don’t show visible signs of psychiatric disorders, early adversity can profoundly affect the architecture of the brain, especially in areas responsible for emotional regulation and self-reflection.

This groundbreaking research, published in Psychological Medicine, offers a deeper look into how the brain responds to these early challenges and what it means for a child’s long-term mental health and well-being.

In the digital age, family group chats were supposed to be the ultimate way to keep loved ones connected, despite the distance and busy schedules.

Yet, the reality for many of us is that these chats often resemble a deserted ghost town.

Enter the "Silent Family Group Chat" meme, an emerging viral trend that humorously captures the awkward, quiet reality of family communication in 2024.

With the occasional “Happy Birthday!” and a slew of unacknowledged messages, this meme is relatable, funny, and poignant all at once.

But why does this meme resonate so much, and what does it say about our evolving family dynamics?

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the Silent Family Group Chat meme, explore its history, and examine the psychological and social science research behind digital communication and family dynamics.

We’ll also discuss why this meme has the potential to go viral and how it reflects larger trends in modern relationships.

The Girlboss Fades, as the Stay-at-Home Girlfriend Rises. Remember the girlboss?

She owned her hustle, multitasked like a pro, and juggled her career with endless Zoom calls.

But like a trendy sourdough starter that lost its appeal, the girlboss vibe is fading into the cultural background.

Enter the new queen of leisurely living: the stay-at-home girlfriend (SAHG).

This rising trend among Gen Z (born 1997–2012) isn’t about professional ambition or homemaking with purpose—it’s about Instagrammable moments, Pilates sessions, and a life filled with self-care routines.

But is this trend just another TikTok fantasy, or is there something deeper beneath the surface?

Spoiler alert: It may look glamorous, but the stay-at-home girlfriend lifestyle lacks long-term fulfillment, financial stability, and the commitment that marriage provides.

The Election is Coming—So is the Emotional Rollercoaster.

As the election looms on the horizon, it’s not just campaign ads and debates that are heating up—it’s the emotional temperature of many households.

Whether it’s your friends, your family, or even your partner, navigating political conversations during this time can feel like diffusing a bomb while riding a rollercoaster.

Election anxiety is real, and it’s hitting harder than ever.

In the era of 24/7 news cycles and politically charged social media, many of us are experiencing what I like to call “Emotional Election Burnout.”

But here’s the good news: you can reclaim your sanity (and your relationships) during the election season with a few therapeutic strategies.

This post might help guide you through the chaos. I’ll try to offer tips grounded in social science research and humor to help you survive election season intact.

Because if there’s one thing more exhausting than political debates, it’s political debates with your loved ones. Let’s save those relationships, shall we?

Moving for love can be one of the most exhilarating yet challenging experiences in a relationship.

Uprooting your life to follow a partner to a new city, country, or even continent is a major decision that comes with both emotional and practical complexities.

Whether it's navigating a new culture, adapting to unfamiliar surroundings, or dealing with the pressures of starting over, relocation can put even the strongest relationships to the test.

In this blog post, we'll explore the emotional impact of relocation for love, focusing on the challenges of cultural adaptation, the psychological strain of leaving home, and the importance of building emotional resilience in the process.

Using social science research and real-world examples, we’ll dive deep into how couples can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger as a result.

Holidays are a time of joy, family, and celebration, but when you’re in an international relationship, they can also bring unique challenges.

Different cultural backgrounds, diverse holiday traditions, and family expectations can make the festive season a bit more complicated.

However, these challenges also present a special opportunity to build deeper connections and create new holiday rituals that blend both of your cultures and backgrounds.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into how international couples can navigate holiday traditions, embrace cultural differences, and create new holiday rituals that honor both partners’ traditions.

By blending holiday customs, international couples can turn cultural differences into meaningful celebrations that strengthen their relationship.

Intercultural relationships are a beautiful fusion of cultures, values, and love.

But let’s be honest—sometimes they’re also a bit of a rollercoaster, especially when extended families get involved.

What’s supposed to be a love story between two people often becomes a family affair, complete with a cast of characters who may have strong opinions about how things should be done. In international relationships, family expectations can be a major source of tension, but with the right strategies, you and your partner can navigate these challenges like pros (and maybe even laugh about it along the way).

This blog post dives into the complexities of managing family expectations in intercultural marriages. We’ll explore how cultural differences shape family roles, how to set boundaries with love, and how to find common ground between two families with very different backgrounds.

Ready? Let’s jump into the family drama—er, family dynamics—and see how we can turn them into a success story.

Intercultural relationships bring together people from different cultures, languages, and traditions, creating a beautifully complex blend of experiences.

However, with this richness can come unique challenges, especially when it comes to communication. At the core of these challenges lie two crucial elements: identity and language.

In relationships where partners come from different cultural backgrounds, how language shapes identity and impacts emotional expression plays a profound role in everything from intimacy to conflict resolution.