Anxious at the Portland airport? Beni the Llama is here for you, spreading joy
The gentle animals are part of Portland International Airport's effort to counter travel stress with soothing elements from nature.
anxiety
How do you help young Afghan refugees heal? A new program in Maine offers a way
Research shows that a toxic mix of past traumas and the stresses of resettlement puts refugee kids at significantly higher risk of long term mental health challenges. A new effort aims to mitigate those risks by supporting parents and children in refugee families.
What stresses you out? What helps you cope? We want to hear from you
NPR is planning coverage on the stressors people face and how they find relief. Please tell us what keeps you up at night and what coping tips and techniques you'd recommend.
Taylor Tomlinson's mom died young. This is how she stays connected to her memory
Taylor Tomlinson has found the kind of success many comedians dream about, with multiple Netflix specials and a late-night hosting gig — After Midnight on CBS. She tells Rachel that part of the secret to her success is fear. They also swap stories about their Christian upbringings, the search for validation and getting things stuck up their noses.
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To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard
What 'Inside Out 2' got right about anxiety, per a psychologist
Pixar's new movie, Inside Out 2 came out Friday. It's the sequel to the 2015 movie Inside Out, which follows the life of 11-year-old Riley and her family as they move to San Francisco. In Inside Out 2, Riley is 13 and thriving in her new city. She has friends and is a star on her hockey team. But when puberty hits one night, four new emotions come into play: Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment and most of all, Anxiety.
Clinical psychologist and Inside Out 2 consultant Lisa Damour says the movie is surprisingly accurate when it comes to experiencing anxiety and puberty. Plus, she offers some guidance to help make the most of our anxiety.
Have other pop culture science you want us to decode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to consider it for a future episode!
Clinical psychologist and Inside Out 2 consultant Lisa Damour says the movie is surprisingly accurate when it comes to experiencing anxiety and puberty. Plus, she offers some guidance to help make the most of our anxiety.
Have other pop culture science you want us to decode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to consider it for a future episode!
How to give kids autonomy? 'Anxious Generation' author says a license to roam helps
Kids have too much screen time and not enough autonomy, says author Jonathan Haidt. His book The Anxious Generation argues this has caused an epidemic of mental illness and suggests ways to fix it.
The ketamine economy: New mental health clinics are a 'Wild West' with few rules
Ketamine, approved as an anesthetic in 1970, is emerging as a major alternative mental health treatment. But more than 500 clinics have popped up with little regulation, and treatment varies widely.
Want a polar bear plunge on New Year's Day? Here's a deep dive on cold water dips
Whether it's once a year or once a week, more people are plunging into cold water for fun and health benefits. NPR spoke to researchers about what's true and what's not on this wellness trend.
Can little actions bring big joy? Researchers find 'micro-acts' can boost well-being
A new citizen-scientist research project aims to test whether daily moments of awe, kindness and gratitude can make a real impact. Early results are promising. And it's not too late to join the study.
Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it
When it comes to the health benefits of cold water dips, the hype is ahead of the science. NPR talked to researchers about what's true, what's not, and the latest on how to get the most out of it.