Katrina Hicks

Addiction: Some of the Causes and Solutions

Addiction is the fact or the condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity. People with this condition use substances or engage in compulsive behaviors and often continue despite harmful consequences.  Dopamine is a molecule that transmits messages across the brain’s reward center. It provides people with pleasure during activities such as eating ...

Katrina Hicks

Bottles of alcohol.

Don’t Feel SAD, It’s Caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a term for major depressive disorder (MDD) with seasonal patterns. It’s a psychological condition that results in depression, often provoked by seasonal change.   Seasonal affective disorder is usually experienced in the winter and occurs more often in women and young adults. It is normal to feel more energetic and upbeat in ...

Katrina Hicks

Sad Asian woman sitting in her living room.

Does Being Rich Mean You Are Happy?

To define being rich can be separated into two parts. The first part is to be rich by having a lot of money. The second part is to be rich in large quantities.  Schwab conducted a Modern Wealth survey in 2021 and found that Americans believe you need an average personal net worth of US$1.9 million to be ...

Katrina Hicks

Stacks of coins standing against blackboard with white graph and business icons – concept for building wealth.

5 Ways to Make Your Festive Season Feel Good

The Christmas season is fast approaching and for some, it can be a struggle to feel good or festive. Although it’s supposed to be a time of cheer, relaxation, and celebration, for many people, the festive season around Christmas can be very stressful. Some people experience feelings of isolation, financial pressures, or increased family conflicts ...

Katrina Hicks

Frosted window with festive lights decorated for Christmas.

How Do You Move on From the Doubts of Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern of thoughts in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Being caught between the desire to flourish and the fear of achieving success can be painful and overwhelming. Moreover, that fear may indicate specific worries, ...

Katrina Hicks

Illustration of a goldfish swimming at the water's surface with a shark fin strapped to it.

Is the Incentive for Emotional Eating the Same as for Binge Eating?

Finding comfort in food is quite common these days, and it is called emotional eating. Emotional eating refers to using food to make yourself feel better — i.e., filling your stomach rather than filling your emotional needs. People can often feel hungry if their diet lacks protein, fiber, or fat, which all promote a feeling ...

Katrina Hicks

Young woman looking longingly at chocolate pastries.

How Do You Avoid Getting Caught Up in a Deadly Crowd Crush?

On Friday, November 5, 2021, American Rap star Travis Scott held his annual “Astroworld Festival” in Houston, Texas. It has been reported that approximately 50,000 people were in attendance. Unfortunately, following a crowd surge, which is commonly called a crowd crush, 10 people died and are pending further federal investigations. Hundreds were injured and dozens ...

Katrina Hicks

Concert crowd clapping.

5 Ways to Back Away From the Relentless Grip of Parental Guilt

Have you ever heard of “parental guilt”? Maybe you haven’t, but most parents will know the emotion. As parents, there is a deep desire to fulfill the role of parenting for one’s own sake as a parent and before all, for the future sake of the child. There is no playbook for good parenting, however. ...

Katrina Hicks

Little girl in conversation with her parents outdoors.

What Causes a Person to Suffer From the Vagaries of an Overactive Bladder?

An overactive bladder (OAB) causes a frequent and sudden urge to urinate that may be difficult to control. You may also experience unintentional loss of urine, otherwise known as “urgency incontinence.” The bladder holds urine until it becomes full. Then, nerves in the muscles around the bladder tell it that it’s time to push urine out. ...

Katrina Hicks

Woman with one hand holding her crotch and the other holding a roll of toilet paper.

Are You Aware of Mighty Portugal’s Old and Remarkable History?

Portugal as a whole is predominantly a Roman Catholic country. Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is one of the oldest cities globally and the oldest in Western Europe, predating other European capitals such as London, Paris, and Rome. I recently discovered that Portugal got its name from the city of Porto, located in the ...

Katrina Hicks

Lisbon, Portugal skyline in the evening.