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Posted May 17, 2025 Reviewed by Tyler Woods
Your feed is full of it: pastel carousels about trauma and wellness influencers promising emotional breakthroughs if you buy their journal, supplement stack, or energy drink.
It looks like mental health content is having a moment—and in some ways, that’s great. We should be talking about therapy, emotional regulation, and boundaries more openly. But there’s a problem: when mental health becomes content, expertise often gets replaced by performance.
Creators (even well-meaning ones) are rewarded for what gets likes, not what promotes lasting change. That means the posts that get shared are often:
It’s not that all advice online is bad—but we’re consuming content curated to go viral, not for accuracy.
Even as a clinical psychologist, I’ve had moments where I paused mid-scroll thinking, Maybe I do need that $48 nervous system balm? When you’re tired, overwhelmed, or looking for hope, the promise of a quick fix—especially one wrapped in calming aesthetics—can feel oddly convincing.
More and more, it’s hard to tell who’s actually qualified to be giving advice. Some creators use therapy language without ever having studied it. Others post hot takes on trauma while selling gut detox kits in the next slide. As you’re scrolling on social media, please remember that a good aesthetic doesn’t make someone an expert. Just because someone sounds like a therapist doesn’t mean they are one.
We don’t tolerate fake doctors selling bad medical advice. Why are we so casual about psychological misinformation?
Many creators position themselves as mental wellness authorities while quietly earning money from every product they recommend—journals, mushroom coffee, crystals, nervous system gummies, you name it.
It’s not inherently unethical to monetize content. If a piece of content helps you feel seen, that’s wonderful. But we need to stay clear-eyed about what’s being sold and why.
Before you take advice from someone online—especially someone trying to sell you something—ask yourself: Are they offering information or selling an image? Is this advice based on evidence—or engagement? Would a trained therapist recommend this—or would they cringe?
If you want to follow helpful, trustworthy mental health content online, try looking for these green flags:
Mental health is too important to be driven by affiliate codes!
To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
Shannon Sauer-Zavala, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, treatment development researcher, and former lazy person.
Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.
Psychology Today © 2025 Sussex Publishers, LLC
The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.
Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
Research supports that one person's stress can directly impact another's health. – Psychology Today
The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.
Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today. Verified by Psychology Today
Posted May 17, 2025 Reviewed by Margaret Foley
Stress is inevitable. We are bound to encounter various stressors in our lives. This is simply the nature of being human and of living complex, multifaceted lives. We often view stress as affecting only the individual experiencing the specific stressor. But recent research shows that one individual’s stress or behavioral response to stressors can have a direct impact on their close loved ones, particularly their marital or romantic partner. It makes sense in simplistic terms: Stress affects mood, behavior, and thinking, so it stands to reason that one person’s stress responses can have an impact on another person, particularly when two people are cohabitating or living a shared life. From a psychological perspective, a 2021 Purdue University study (Shrout) reveals that “partners influence their own and each other’s health across several stressful contexts.”
Breaking it down further, we can view the person directly experiencing the stress as the “actor” and the other person who is affected by the actor’s stress as the “partner.” Shrout frames this as a “Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model.” A dyad, by definition, is something that consists of two elements or parts. In this model, the dyad is between the stressed person (actor) and the person impacted by the other’s stress (partner). Within this dyad, “partners influence how each other see and react emotionally and physiologically to the stressor.” Simplified, if the actor has a negative behavioral stress response, such as anger, withdrawal, or numbing behaviors, there is a direct and noticeable negative impact on the partner. In a practical example, if John experiences work-related stress and responds by sinking into a depressed mood and becoming isolated and ornery, this will impact his wife Joan’s mood and behavior as well.
If both John (actor) and Joan (partner) are negatively impacted by John’s stress, Shrout posits that significant physical health problems may arise. The endocrine system, which regulates the release of cortisol, the body’s naturally occurring stress hormone, is affected as it responds to the stressful situation by producing even more cortisol. Shrout’s research shows that “at the beginning of the day, cortisol levels were similar regardless of a partner’s stress, but differences emerged after the conflict.” So, if through the course of the day, John’s stress increases, both his and Joan’s cortisol levels begin increasing, resulting in further stress and physiological symptoms, such as increased heart rate, heightened anxiety, and panic-type physical responses.
A 2018 study (Wilson et al.) concluded that actor-partner stress contributes to higher inflammation. Inflammation affects the cardiovascular and immune systems and can have long-term negative effects on physical and emotional health. So, put together, a dyad of stress in a relationship can lead to significant health risks. Another study (Butler and Randall, 2013) concludes that “partners’ physiological stress responses rise and fall together and mutually influence one another over time…A partner can heighten or dampen a person’s own physiological and biological stress response, altering both partners’ health consequences.”
Because our lives will never be immune to stress, being aware of Shrout’s Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model can be helpful in keeping both the actor and the partner healthy despite life’s normal stressors, such as career, family, finances, and other widely experienced sources of stress. Recognizing that we alone do not experience stress’s impact on our well-being can help us to understand the larger benefits of responding to stress in a healthy way. In essence, if I want to ensure that not only me, but my entire family, remains as healthy as possible, it is incumbent upon me to remain constantly aware of the stress I am carrying, how I am responding to it, and what I am doing to manage and reduce it using healthy means. Anytime I am able to manage my stress in a healthy and adaptive way, I am benefiting not only my own physical and emotional health but also the health of my close loved ones.
References
M. Rosie Shrout, The health consequences of stress in couples: A review and new integrated Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model,
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, Volume 16, 2021, 100328, 12666-3546, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100328.
S.J. Wilson, B.E. Bailey, W.B. Malarkey, J.K. Kiecolt-Glaser. Linking marital support to aging-related biomarkers: both age and marital quality matter. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., 76 (2) (2021), pp. 273-282.
S.J. Wilson, B.E. Bailey, L.M. Jaremka, et al. When couples’ hearts beat together: synchrony in heart rate variability during conflict predicts heightened inflammation throughout the day. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 93 (September 2017) (2018), pp. 107-116, 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.017
E.A. Butler, A.K. Randall. Emotional coregulation in close relationships. Emot Rev, 5 (2) (2013), pp. 202-210, 10.1177/1754073912451630
Phil Lane, MSW, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in private practice and the author of the book Understanding and Coping with Illness Anxiety.
Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.
Psychology Today © 2025 Sussex Publishers, LLC
The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.
Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
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Report – Ex Arsenal & Man United Star Rapidly Regaining Fitness Ahead Of Inter Milan Vs Lazio Serie A Clash – SempreInter.com
Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is rapidly regaining fitness ahead of Inter Milan’s Serie A match against Lazio.
This according to Italian outlet FCInter1908. They report that the Armenian is closer to 100% than either Benjamin Pavard or Davide Frattesi.
Inter Milan are currently without a few players due to injury.
Firstly, Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez is on the sidelines. He is recovering from a muscle problem that he suffered in the Champions League semifinal tie against Barcelona.
Then, all of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Davide Frattesi, and Benjamin Pavard are out.
Mkhitaryan suffered a thigh problem during the second leg against Barcelona. Meanwhile, Frattesi picked up an abdominal problem in that match.
And Benjamin Pavard has been out since suffering an ankle sprain during Inter’s Serie A loss to Roma at the end of April.
One thing that’s certain is that Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez will miss out on tomorrow’s Serie A match against Lazio.
The Argentine is still in the process of recovering from an elongation in his thigh flexor muscles. Inter will hardly risk him in view of the Champions League final.
However, all of Mkhitaryan, Pavard, and Frattesi are set to return to full training today.
Therefore, there is little doubt that all three will be available against Lazio tomorrow.
However, it’s natural that none of that trio will be at their best for that match.
However, reports FCIN1908, there is one player in particular who is close to fully fit. They report that 36-year-old former Arsenal and Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has made particularly progress.
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Valley adult film producer blasts state for ‘tiresome’ condom fine – Los Angeles Daily News
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An adult film production company has been fined by state regulators after inspectors found its performers working without condoms, which is against the law in California, officials said this week.
Boy Racer Inc., which produces the Burning Angel website, was cited $32,400 for four violations based on an inspection conducted in April at a production site in Porter Ranch, according to Cal/OSHA.
Condoms have been required on all adult film production sites since the early 1990s, but the regulation is only enforced when a complaint is filed by a worker and an inspection takes place.
Burning Angel founder Joanna Angel said in a statement she would not let the violations stop her from creating her work.
“In addition to the financial loss I have impending, this citation has been incredibly tedious and tiresome, and incredibly straining for a small business like mine to deal with,” she said. “My lawyer and I will deal with this and not let down my fans, my followers or any of the amazing talent in this industry.”
• RELATED STORY: Adult actors disappointed California condom measure inches closer to reality
The penalties are being imposed at a time when the adult film industry is waging opposition against Proposition 60, an initiative that, if passed by voters, would not only require the use of condoms during the filming of all pornographic films in California, but would also mandate producers to pay for certain health services.
Although some film sets do use condoms, the San Fernando Valley-based industry relies on testing performers for sexually transmitted diseases every 15 days as its standard health protocol. They also said the proposition could lead to harassment of performers by the public.
The debate over condoms has been going on for years between Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the adult-film industry. In 2012, AHF supported and saw passage of Measure B, a Los Angeles County law that mandates condoms on all adult-film shoots, saying that performers deserve to be protected while working. The organization was able to go further by placing a statewide measure on November’s ballot to strengthen mandates under Cal/OSHA.
The Free Speech Coalition, the trade association for the adult entertainment industry, called the citations against Boy Racer and founder Angel, “horrendous.”
“AHF says Proposition 60 won’t go after performers, and at the very same time they announce a Cal/OSHA complaint, initiated by them, against one of the most outspoken female performers in the industry,” according to a statement by the Free Speech Coalition. “Joanna Angel has built a company around her vision of sex and sexuality. She’s spoken out about consent, and performer’s rights, and produces, directs and stars in her own films. She’s proud of the business she’s built.”
• ALSO READ: Neighbors, friends in Sun Valley shocked by death of adult actress Amber Rayne
But those who support Proposition 60 said the violations are an example of why regulations are needed within the industry.
“This case is just further evidence of how arrogant and reckless the adult film industry is and how important it is to give Cal/OSHA the tools to effectively regulate an industry that widely refuses to protect its workers from sexually transmitted diseases,” said Rick Taylor, chief strategist for Prop. 60, in a statement. “Unfortunately, the condom rule is routinely violated by producers who harass, intimidate and blacklist performers who want to use condoms to protect themselves. This is not about freedom of expression and life-style choices. This is about worker exploitation.”
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Grant to help UA boost data science workforce – talkbusiness.net
by April 15, 2025 11:16 am 545 views
Karl Schubert, the managing director of the University of Arkansas Data Science Program
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education awarded $750,000 to the University of Arkansas to help increase the number of data science certificates and degrees throughout the state.
Karl Schubert, managing director of the University of Arkansas Data Science Program, will be the principal investigator on a new program called HIRED. Schubert also leads the Data Science Literacy, Education and Workforce Development advisory group.
The state is pushing to invest more in workforce training to produce more skilled data science professionals to meet job growth expectations. Data scientists in Arkansas can earn from $80,000 to $120,000 a year.
The two-year grant has two main goals. One is to expand the Arkansas Data Science Ecosystem by adding more two-year colleges to the program. The other is to create stackable certificates that allow students and current workers to upskill without requiring a college degree. Stackable certificates will be developed from existing online courses, broken into smaller stand-alone modules taken in sequence for workforce training.
Ultimately, the goal is to have more than 1,000 students enrolled in courses around the state.
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UnitedHealthcare CEO steps down as stock and earnings tank – The Independent
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Chairman Stephen Hemsley, who served as UnitedHealth Group’s CEO for over a decade, will return to the role.
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UnitedHealth Group announced on Tuesday that its CEO, Andrew Witty, would be stepping down for “personal reasons,” as the nation’s largest health insurer suspended its full-year financial outlook due to surging medical costs.
Chairman Stephen Hemsley, who served as CEO from 2006 to 2017, will be returning to the role, effective immediately, the company added.
Witty led the company during a difficult period that resulted in an earnings shortfall last month that caused shares to drop by more than a third, costing nearly $190 billion in market capitalization, the Wall Street Journal reported.
UnitedHealth said it was suspending the reduced 2025 earnings outlook that it issued last month, as the medical costs of new enrollees in the company’s Medicare plans were higher than anticipated. The announcement sent its shares down more than 10 percent premarket.
The company says it expects to return to growth next year.
While stepping into the role of CEO, Hemsley will remain chairman. Meanwhile, Witty will take on the role of a senior adviser to Hemsley.
Wall Street investors will likely welcome the ex-CEO’s reinstatement. Hemsley previously presided over the company during a transformative period as it grew into a $400 billion conglomerate.
The move will also soothe worried investors who have been skeptical ever since the company announced earnings that fell short of Wall Street expectations last month. The company cut its guidance for the full year to between $26 to $26.50 a share in adjusted earnings, while earlier projections had been adjusted for earnings of $29.50 to $30 a share, per the Journal.
The company then suspended the outlook for the year without offering a new one.
Following the lower performance forecast, UnitedHealth’s stock price sank last month by about $130 in its worst one-day performance in over 25 years, according to CBS News.
In announcing the move, Hemsley said he was “grateful for Andrew’s stewardship of UnitedHealth Group, especially during some of the most challenging times any company has ever faced.”
The healthcare conglomerate has been inundated with troubles over the past year.
Last week, investors filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming information was withheld about how UnitedHealth was handling backlash to their response to the December killing of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson, 50, was shot dead on December 4 outside a New York City hotel. Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged with his murder. Mangione is currently being held in a federal detention in New York City where he faces more than a dozen counts in state and federal courts, including murder charges.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press
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