Various forms ofvagus nerve therapyor “toning” exist, but how effective are they? “You exercise the vagus nerve to improve its efficiency for sending signals,” Talbott says. There are other ways to manually stimulate the vagus nerve. bymuratdeniz / Getty Images However, this isn’t always a safe option for people with certain health conditions. Harris points out that even splashing cold water on the face can be helpful. Harris uses a low energy neurofeedback system, or LENS, for individuals experiencing more severe symptoms....

They may be more than just a means of entertainment Think video games are just entertainment? It might be time to take a second look at this popular hobby. Video games might hold a key to providing affordable, stigma-free mental health treatment around the globe. 10'000 Hours / Getty Images. That could give the worlds 2.7 billion gamers opportunities for major emotional wellness benefits. So, arevideo gamesthe future of mental health treatment?...

It might feel like love, but could it actually be an addiction? While it might sound far-fetched, it reallycanhappen! Like other types of addiction, being addicted to a person can be unhealthy or even dangerous. Uwe Krejci / Getty Images While it’s most common with significant others, it can happen with anyone in your life. But it’s important to distinguish between real love and addiction. This isn’t just unhealthy; it can be dangerous if the situation becomes abusive or unstable....

That’s because when we do things that trigger the release of dopamine, we feel good. In fact, we sometimes feel so good that we seek out those experiences over and over again. Pleasure is something we all need in life. Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz They can get out of control and may even lead to addiction. The role that dopamine plays in the brain’s reward system is what links it to addiction....

Self-improvementcan be wonderful for our well-being by helping us live our best lives. In fact, we are designed to grow and learn, continuing this from cradle to the grave. Self-improvement can feel like the key to making sure we are keeping up or even leading the pack. Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell In those cases, all we know is that we don’t want to stay where we are. Impulsive Decision Making Just as with other habits, self-improvement can feel exciting....

You may have a lot of unresolved feelings toward them that you dont quite know what to do with. Theres no right answer to this question and every situation is different. Revisiting the friendship side of the relationship can help resolve some of that past hurt. Maskot / Getty Images When Is It a Bad Idea? How Long Should You Wait? Rather, it depends on the circumstances of each individual relationship....

While it involves a lot of trust, it isn’t a friendship. The bond you have with your therapist is unique. Clients often develop aclose relationshipwith therapists. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images This therapeutic alliance creates a safe, trusting space that promotes healing. We’ll also explore some factors that can affect the relationship between a therapist and clients. What Is Dual Relationship? It is also unethical for a therapist to have a sexual relationship with a client....

Many of us have returned to pre-pandemic activities and may no longer be fazed by the daily death count. While the deaths felt like tragedies at first, they have now become common occurrences. The frequency at which we experience something can lessen our sensitivity to it. Patrick Fraser / Getty Images What Is Desensitization? Desensitization can occur with anything, including death. Desensitizationcan be used to treatphobias, fears, or other mental health disorders....

According to TikTok, this is the secret to unlocking your best life ever. Go ahead and pop in lucky girl syndrome into TikToks search bar. Understanding Lucky Girl Syndrome Curious about what lucky girl syndrome is? janiecbros / Getty Images Look no further than Laura Galebe, aTikTok creatorwho is recognized as the first person to introduce this concept. It takes effort to create content a video with a great concept must exist for it to go viral....

The desire to alter personality is not uncommon. Shy people might wish they were more outgoing and talkative. Hot-tempered individuals might wish they could keep their cool in emotionally charged situations. Benjamin A. Peterson / Getty Images Is it possible to change your personality or are our basic personality patterns fixed throughout life? But what if you want to change your personality? The age-oldnature versus nurture debateonce again comes into play....

Can you be committed to apsychiatric wardat a medical hospital or amental hospitalagainst your will? What if you arefeeling suicidal? The criteria for civil commitments vary but often include presenting an imminent danger to yourself or others. Eric Audras / Getty Images General, Short-Term Commitment The process for commitment varies from state to state. There are also time limits on how long you’re able to be held against your will....

How powerful is positive thinking, really? Verywell Mind / Getty Images Manifestation meditation is a self-help approach to achieving goals through visualization and intentional thought. During manifestation meditation, you utilize meditative techniques to focus on visualizing goals and outcomes. Verywell Mind / Getty Images A quick scroll through TikTok or Instagram will reveal hundreds of posts devoted to this idea. It’s not exactly a new idea. Even therapeutic approaches likecognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) emphasize the powerful impact of thinking on mood and behavior....

A panic attack can feel like you are dying, but you won’t die directly from one. Read on to learn more about the risks of panic attacks and how to stay safe during one. Are Panic Attacks Harmful or Dangerous? Delmaine Donson / Getty Images What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like? A panic attack can be extremely scary as it is difficult to calm down and manage the symptoms alone....