Romantically Attached

Depression

Cooling Down Summer Depression: 5 Tips for Managing SAD

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on July 10, 2024

Staying cool to reduce heat-related stress and four more ways to protect against summer depression.

Staying cool to reduce heat-related stress and four more ways to protect against summer depression.

Depression

Winter Blues and Summer Sighs: A Cultural Take on SAD

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on July 7, 2024

Who gets seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the summer vs. winter? Culture might tell.

Who gets seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the summer vs. winter? Culture might tell.

Depression

Navigating Summer Seasonal Depression

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on July 7, 2024

Summer depression differs from winter SAD, with intense and longer-exposed sunlight as a potential trigger.

Summer depression differs from winter SAD, with intense and longer-exposed sunlight as a potential trigger.

Fear

The Fear Factor: How Singlehood and Self-Esteem Drive Dating

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on June 28, 2024

How fear of being single shapes our romantic decisions.

How fear of being single shapes our romantic decisions.

Friends

Losing Friends Is Hard. That Doesn’t Make It Wrong

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on June 17, 2024

Losing a friend can be painful because our brains suffer from social isolation.

Losing a friend can be painful because our brains suffer from social isolation.

Relationships

Navigating Complex Emotions on Mother's Day

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on May 12, 2024

Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for people who have complex and traumatic experiences involving their mothers.

Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for people who have complex and traumatic experiences involving their mothers.

Friends

How a Friend Group's Texting Can Turn Toxic

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

Navigating online groups means navigating conflict, and not voicing discontent means potentially being inauthentic to oneself.

Navigating online groups means navigating conflict, and not voicing discontent means potentially being inauthentic to oneself.

Relationships

Why Group Friendships Can Be So Hard to Manage

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on March 30, 2024

Closeness is apparent in two-person friendships, and conflicts are simpler to manage. What happens when two become three?

Closeness is apparent in two-person friendships, and conflicts are simpler to manage. What happens when two become three?

Mating

Why Do We Idealize First Loves?

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on March 13, 2024

How can your beliefs affect your love life?

How can your beliefs affect your love life?

Friends

"Bad Blood" With Friends?: A Lesson From Taylor Swift

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Taylor Swift is no exception to experiencing disloyalty from friends: Her public betrayal nearly ruined her reputation. Instead, she reframed the situation and moved on.

Taylor Swift is no exception to experiencing disloyalty from friends: Her public betrayal nearly ruined her reputation. Instead, she reframed the situation and moved on.

Friends

Friendship Betrayal: Emotional Impacts by People We Trust

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

Feeling betrayed, defined explicitly as "harmed by intentional actions of people we trust," can include several friendship behaviors. Here are some examples.

Feeling betrayed, defined explicitly as "harmed by intentional actions of people we trust," can include several friendship behaviors. Here are some examples.

Friends

The 50 Traits We Want in Our Friends

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on November 7, 2023

A survey asked participants to write down "traits that you would like your friends to have." Can you guess any of the 50 traits that were revealed?

A survey asked participants to write down "traits that you would like your friends to have." Can you guess any of the 50 traits that were revealed?

Burnout

Who Is More Likely to Burn Out?

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Burnout is emotionally, physically, and cognitively draining and it comes as a direct result of one’s occupation. Out of the two examples given, can you guess who is at risk?

Burnout is emotionally, physically, and cognitively draining and it comes as a direct result of one’s occupation. Out of the two examples given, can you guess who is at risk?

Burnout

What Does Burnout Feel Like?

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on September 16, 2023

Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” marked by two major factors. Here's an example of what it feels like.

Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” marked by two major factors. Here's an example of what it feels like.

Media

Local Perspectives: Digital Detoxing in Toronto

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on July 29, 2023

Can a digital detox make you happier? Research suggests it can. Writer Mala Rhambharose elaborates on her experience with no social media, phone, or internet.

Can a digital detox make you happier? Research suggests it can. Writer Mala Rhambharose elaborates on her experience with no social media, phone, or internet.

Friends

Unwilling or Unable? Navigating One-Sided Friendships

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on June 11, 2023

A reader is frustrated at always having to initiate contact with a new friend. But is the friend unwilling to reciprocate, or unable?

A reader is frustrated at always having to initiate contact with a new friend. But is the friend unwilling to reciprocate, or unable?

Friends

43 Ways Friendships End

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

How do friendships end?

How do friendships end?

Freudian Psychology

"Succession" and a Freudian End

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

What would Freud have to say about Siobhan, Logan, and Tom from the hit show "Succession"?

What would Freud have to say about Siobhan, Logan, and Tom from the hit show "Succession"?

Stage Fright

Local Perspectives: Singing With Stage Fright

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

Most of us experience stage fright. Here's what a professional singer does to lessen performance anxiety.

Most of us experience stage fright. Here's what a professional singer does to lessen performance anxiety.

Friends

When Friends Behave Badly

Mariana Bockarova Ph.D. on March 5, 2023

Has a friend acted in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or hurt? Instead of wondering why they behaved this way, shift the focus to how you feel about it.

Has a friend acted in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or hurt? Instead of wondering why they behaved this way, shift the focus to how you feel about it.