Latest news with #TheaGallagher
NDTV
12-07-2025
- NDTV
Parents Crashing Honeymoons Is The Bizarre New Travel Trend That's Creating A Buzz
A honeymoon is a special getaway for newlyweds to relax, celebrate their love, and begin their new life together, but what if the parents tag along? That's exactly the idea behind a bizarre new travel trend creating a buzz online, where couples are inviting their parents, or in some cases, in-laws are inviting themselves, on post-wedding vacations. Taking to Reddit, one user shared that their neighbour's mother-in-law and father-in-law went on their honeymoon with them because they paid for the couple's trip to Hawaii. Another woman shared that her husband invited his brother to the romantic trip so they could go fishing. "I had a neighbor whose mother-in-law and father-in-law went on their honeymoon with them. They felt they could because they gifted the couple their honeymoon to Hawaii. Such a strange, odd, family," shared one user. "I was 5 months pregnant on my honeymoon so we only went to the coast for a few days, but my husband invited his brother so they could go fishing," said another. "My first wedding was in Vegas and I kid you not, at the hotel my MIL (mother in law) was somehow assigned not only the room next door, but an adjoining room - as in, there was direct access from one room to the other," shared one user on Reddit. "My neighbours took their grandparents along on their honeymoon," wrote another. In another Reddit forum, a user shared that her ex-husband wanted to take his mom and brother on their honeymoon. "His family's house was only one hour away from mine. It wasn't a big deal at all. I got excited again thinking we'd finally go somewhere nice. But nooo. He took me to his house, to sit with his mom," the post read. Speaking to Fox News, Thea Gallagher, a psychologist and the wellness programs director at NYU Langone Health in New York City, called this trend an "interesting concept". However, she also said that it is important for both husband and wife to agree that this is a good choice. "I think it probably depends on your relationship with your parents and your agreement with your partner. Obviously it would be important for both of you to be in agreement that this is the good choice," said Gallagher. The psychologist said that she wouldn't recommend couples invite their parents to their honeymoon if "it feels like you can't be alone with your partner". "But if it's because you love your family and it's a 'more the merrier' situation, I could see it being fun," she added. Gallagher also stated it is important for the couple to pre-establish alone time and boundaries. In-laws can sometimes cause a strain on marriage, as it "depends on how much unsolicited advice is shared," she said. The relationship expert further shared four issues that can occur. The first is boundary issues where "in-laws may overstep by offering unsolicited advice, making surprise visits, or interfering in parenting or financial decisions. Second is the loyalty dilemma that can occur when "one partner may feel caught between their spouse and their parents, leading to resentment or feelings of betrayal. Another issue that can occur is cultural or generational differences, causing misunderstandings or friction. Lastly, communication breakdowns, in which "couples may struggle to present a united front or avoid discussing in-laws altogether, which can make things worse". Gallagher said that setting healthy boundaries with in-laws is very important. "Setting and enforcing limits with in-laws respectfully but firmly and presenting a united front as a couple to avoid triangulation or favouritism" is helpful, she said, adding that couples should also practice empathy.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What Your Nightmares May Be Trying to Tell You About Your Health
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." New research suggests that there's a link between having regular nightmares and dying early. People who had weekly nightmares were three times as likely to die early as those who had them less often. Doctors say there are a few possible reasons for this. Nearly everyone has a nightmare here and there, but up to 6% of people struggle with frequent nightmares. Not only are those terrifying to experience, but new research suggests having regular nightmares could raise the risk of dying early. The study, which was presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025, analyzed data from nearly 2,500 children between the ages of 8 and 10, and 183,012 adults between the ages of 26 and 86. The researchers discovered that adults who said that they had weekly nightmares were more than three times more likely to die prematurely (which they defined as before the age of 70) compared to people who said they never or rarely had nightmares. The researchers discovered that having weekly nightmares was more strongly linked with premature death than other well-known risk factors like smoking, having obesity, following a poor diet, and being physically inactive. Meet the experts: W. Christopher Winter, M.D., a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast; Thea Gallagher, Psy.D., clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Health and cohost of the Mind in View podcast If you have regular nightmares, it's understandable to be concerned. Here's what sleep specialists and a psychologist want you to keep in mind. There are a few reasons why someone may have nightmares. 'It can stem from stress and anxiety, along with depression,' says Thea Gallagher, Psy.D., clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Health and cohost of the Mind in View podcast. 'Sometimes people get nightmares if they have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or post-traumatic stress symptoms.' But there are other things that can be behind nightmares, says W. Christopher Winter, M.D., a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast. 'While psychological factors probably play a role, there is emerging evidence that it can also relate to neurotransmitter imbalances—think, depression—or increased activity in the amygdala, a part of our brain responsible for emotional processing,' he says. Nightmares may even be caused by a 'simple sleep disruption of any source,' including sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and noisy bedmates, Dr. Winter says. Substance use, eating late, and even certain medications may raise your risk of having nightmares, too, Gallagher says. The researchers didn't find one definitive reason why nightmares might raise the risk of early death, but there are some theories. One is that having regular nightmares leads to faster biological aging—that accounted for about 40% of the higher-than-usual mortality risk, according to the researchers. The reason for this is likely elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which are usually released in the body when someone has a nightmare, the researchers explained. That speeds up the aging process of cells, raising the risk of early death. Lack of sleep that can come with nightmares or be the cause of nightmares may also raise the risk of early death, especially if someone is experiencing this often, Dr. Winter says. 'The link between sleep apnea alone and increased dreaming and nightmares is more than enough by itself to explain the findings in this study,' he says. Dr. Winter points out that nightmares may be a 'marker of sleep quality or health quality' in general. Meaning, the nightmares may not cause poor sleep, poor sleep may cause the nightmares. Gallagher agrees. 'Nightmares may be indicative of underlying mental health and/or medical issues, which we know can put you at risk for premature aging and death,' she says. Having nightmares may even make people want to sleep less, and lack of sleep raises the risk of early death, Dr. Winter points out. 'There is evidence to support the idea that frequent nightmares often put a significant amount of psychological stress on people—they avoid sleep and engage in other behaviors that put health at risk,' he says. Because nightmares have so many different potential causes, Dr. Winter says it can be helpful to work with a healthcare provider to try to pinpoint what's behind them. Some medications, like zolpidem (Ambien) and varenicline (Chantix) are linked to having vivid dreams and nightmares. If you're on one of these and nightmares are a concern, Gallagher says it can be helpful to talk to your prescribing doctor to see if there is another option to consider. Cognitive therapy may also help, especially if the nightmares seem to be related to trauma. 'We want to process the trauma,' Gallagher says. 'It will find a way to scare you in your sleep if you haven't processed it in the daytime.' That usually involves trying to make meaning of these thoughts and memories to try to make them feel less scary by facing them with the help of a mental health professional, Gallagher says. Beyond that, Gallagher suggests doing your best to practice good sleep hygiene, including keeping a consistent sleep and wake schedule, limiting the use of stimulants and alcohol before bed, and having a calming bedtime routine. Again, it's completely normal to have a nightmare here and there. But if these are a regular thing for you and it's disrupting your quality of life, it's time to talk to a healthcare provider about the next steps. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
The heat has a surprising effect on the brain — here's what doctors want you to know
Summer heat has swept the U.S., with warnings issued across the East Coast and Midwest. In addition to putting stress on the body, hot weather can also take a toll on the brain and mental health. Dr. Jace Reed, director of emergency psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital that the brain is a major organ that can be greatly affected by heat. Extreme heat can cause mental health changes like increased irritability and anxiety, along with decreased memory, attention and reaction time. This can affect daily interactions socially and professionally, the expert cautioned. "You may be slower at completing your task or remembering what someone just told you," he told Fox News Digital. "Those can be initial early signs that the heat is affecting your brain and your mental abilities." Symptoms like extreme confusion could mark the beginning of a heat stroke, which could require hospitalization, the psychiatrist warned. In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Thea Gallagher, a doctor of psychology and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone Health, noted that when the body overheats, it struggles to regulate internal balance. This can lead to disrupted sleep, fatigue and poor concentration, as well as impaired cognitive function, slow reaction times and struggles with decision-making. The heat can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, Gallagher added, which can potentially damage neurons, worsen existing neurological conditions and raise stroke risk. "Heat exposure may trigger an inflammatory response in the brain," she said. "In cases like heatstroke, inflammation is believed to contribute to symptoms such as confusion and delirium." Excessive heat can also weaken the protective blood-brain barrier, according to the expert, which makes the brain more vulnerable to toxins and pathogens. Higher temperatures are also associated with disturbances in mood and violent behavior, especially during prolonged heatwaves. Psychiatric emergency visits for anxiety, depression and substance use also rise significantly on the hottest days, Gallagher confirmed. Below are some of the main mental symptoms that can worsen in hot weather, experts cautioned. People who suffer from mental health conditions such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety or even dementia are more vulnerable in hot weather. Some psychiatric medications could make it difficult for the body to regulate temperature or stay hydrated, Gallagher noted, while heat can "intensify" symptoms like agitation or paranoia. "People with cognitive impairments may not recognize the signs of overheating," she added. "Some SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can suppress sweat production, which is the body's primary cooling mechanism. This raises the risk of overheating, dehydration and even heat stroke." "Paradoxically, SSRIs can also cause excessive sweating in some individuals — a side effect known as 'SSRI sweats,'" she went on. "While this might seem like it would help with cooling, it can actually lead to dehydration if fluid intake doesn't keep up." The experts recommended the following practices to protect brain health in extreme heat. For more Health articles, visit "Days are also longer and there are more activities, which can be exhausting," Gallagher noted. "Therefore, it is good to prioritize sleep and rest … and [find] ways to slow down when you can."
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Extreme heat affects the brain — here's how to protect your cognitive health
Summer heat has swept the U.S., with warnings issued across the East Coast and Midwest. In addition to putting stress on the body, hot weather can also take a toll on the brain and mental health. Dr. Jace Reed, director of emergency psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital that the brain is a major organ that can be greatly affected by heat. Extreme heat can cause mental health changes like increased irritability and anxiety, along with decreased memory, attention and reaction time. This can affect daily interactions socially and professionally, the expert cautioned. "You may be slower at completing your task or remembering what someone just told you," he told Fox News Digital. "Those can be initial early signs that the heat is affecting your brain and your mental abilities." Symptoms like extreme confusion could mark the beginning of a heat stroke, which could require hospitalization, the psychiatrist warned. In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Thea Gallagher, a doctor of psychology and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone Health, noted that when the body overheats, it struggles to regulate internal balance. This can lead to disrupted sleep, fatigue and poor concentration, as well as impaired cognitive function, slow reaction times and struggles with decision-making. The heat can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, Gallagher added, which can potentially damage neurons, worsen existing neurological conditions and raise stroke risk. "Heat exposure may trigger an inflammatory response in the brain," she said. "In cases like heatstroke, inflammation is believed to contribute to symptoms such as confusion and delirium." Excessive heat can also weaken the protective blood-brain barrier, according to the expert, which makes the brain more vulnerable to toxins and pathogens. Higher temperatures are also associated with disturbances in mood and violent behavior, especially during prolonged heatwaves. Psychiatric emergency visits for anxiety, depression and substance use also rise significantly on the hottest days, Gallagher confirmed. Below are some of the main mental symptoms that can worsen in hot weather, experts cautioned. People who suffer from mental health conditions such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety or even dementia are more vulnerable in hot weather. Some psychiatric medications could make it difficult for the body to regulate temperature or stay hydrated, Gallagher noted, while heat can "intensify" symptoms like agitation or paranoia. "People with cognitive impairments may not recognize the signs of overheating," she added. "Some SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can suppress sweat production, which is the body's primary cooling mechanism. This raises the risk of overheating, dehydration and even heat stroke." "Paradoxically, SSRIs can also cause excessive sweating in some individuals — a side effect known as 'SSRI sweats,'" she went on. "While this might seem like it would help with cooling, it can actually lead to dehydration if fluid intake doesn't keep up." The experts recommended the following practices to protect brain health in extreme heat. For more Health articles, visit "Days are also longer and there are more activities, which can be exhausting," Gallagher noted. "Therefore, it is good to prioritize sleep and rest … and [find] ways to slow down when you can."
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Research Says This Daily Practice Could Stave Off Memory Loss. Here's What Doctors Say.
New research suggests practicing having a positive mindset could influence your memory down the road. There was a small link between participants who reported higher levels of wellbeing and those who performed better on memory tests. Here's what you need to know about mental health and its ties to your brain health. There is nothing worse than being told to "stay positive" after a rough day at the office, bad doctor's visit, or messy breakup. Yet, while it can be incredibly difficult to stay positive during difficult times in your life (and, of course, anxiety and depression are very, very real), new research suggests that striving to stay positive could influence your memory down the road. Of course, memory is complex, and it's impossible to stay upbeat and slap a smile on all the time, but these findings definitely provide a good reminder to focus on the good in your life. Because when you're able to proactively change your mindset, you might be better off down the road! Here's exactly what the study found, plus, what doctors want you to keep in mind when taking this information into consideration. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and a cohost of the "Mind in View" podcast The study, which was published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, analyzed data from nearly 11,000 women and men who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a long-term research study on adults over the age of 50. During the 16 year study, the participants answered questions on their wellbeing and memory every two years. Wellbeing questions included things like, 'I can do the things that I want to do,' and 'I feel that life is full of opportunities,' while the memory tests challenged the participants to recall 10 words immediately and then with a delay. The researchers found a small link between people who said they had higher levels of wellbeing and those who performed better on the memory tests. They also found that the link was still there, even after the researchers adjusted for participants who had depression. 'Higher levels of wellbeing are associated with better memory function over 16 years,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. 'Better wellbeing may be a protective factor in retaining memory function from middle to later adulthood.' The researchers defined 'psychological wellbeing' as the balance between psychological, social, and physical challenges a person faces, along with their available resources to meet those challenges. The researchers refer to psychological wellbeing as a 'multifaceted construct' of emotional health (like happiness and confidence) and effective functioning (control over your life and your sense of purpose). The study didn't dive into this exact question (i.e. figuring out why they saw these results with participants), but experts certainly have a few theories. 'Feeling happy and smiling has been shown to increase brain neurotransmitter levels like serotonin,' says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. (In case you're not familiar with it, serotonin is considered a feel-good hormone, and it plays a role in regulating your mood and boosting feelings of happiness.) 'Feeling well is healthy and good for your brain health,' Dr. Segil says. 'Many patients with memory loss have lost the ability to feel happiness and wellbeing, which is bad for their brain health.' Good psychological wellbeing may also serve as a 'protective factor' for your brain, says Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and a cohost of the "Mind in View" podcast. 'Depression and anxiety can add stress to your life, and that can impact your memory and how well your brain works,' she says. So, it makes sense that being free from anxiety and depression have the opposite effect. We've already established that your mental health could have an impact on your brain health, but prior research already shows it has a major effect on your physical health. 'We have a lot of data to support the concept that stress, anxiety, and depression can take years off of your life,' Gallagher says. 'It impacts our whole health and our physical health.' On the flip side, thinking positively about life may be more helpful for life in the long-run, she says. And yes, your attitude can have an impact on your health outcomes, Dr. Segil adds. 'Fear about having a chronic neurological condition like memory loss often causes worsening memory loss,' he says. Again, some amount of stress and anxiety in life is normal. But trying your best to look at the glass as half-full, it may end up doing your health—and your memory—a solid in the long-term. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
