Culture

Best Advice For Shy And Anxious People Using Apps

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2024

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Approximately 40 to 50%of adults are shy, which makes it harder to find the special someone

Approximately 40-50% of adults are shy, making it hard for you to not only make friends – but to find the special someone. Across the world, shy people have a little bit more trouble and have to use a lot more effort to get out there and take the chance. Thanks to the technology today, it is a bit easier to do it online. Here is the best advice for shy and anxious people using apps to date.

Shyness and social anxiety can go hand in hand. Social anxiety is the fear of social situations involving other people, with a focus on “being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected or looked down on in social interactions.” But this is not fully a barrier to finding a bestie, a partner or even just a lover.

Before you start, make a list of the best qualities friends and family share about you. It will take you into the connections/messaging/chatting with a positive vibe. Know your worth of before you find someone special, it will give you a better space to start.

Also, narrow what you want in a partner, it gives you a better focus as you interact with others. Maybe 3-4 things so you have a solid base.

Get to know the different apps

One thing which diminishes stress and the feeling of being out of control is research. Before you start swiping get to know the different dating apps, specially those that are designed with shy or anxious people in mind. While these apps might have a smaller user base than Tinder, they might adapt better to your needs. In research find out the best tips for profiles, responses, etc.

Get help from friends when setting up your profile

Every person is different when it comes to managing anxiety. While some prefer to keep it to themselves or journal it out, others seek the help of their friends and family members. Don’t doubt yourself or feel embarrassed when setting up your profile; ask friends and family on their opinions and allow them to help you choose an interesting bio and some flattering pictures. Also, ask opinions on when and how to share information to others online.

Once-A-Week Rule — Photo by Brodie Vissers via Burst

Set some boundaries

While dating apps help break the ice, it’s very common for people to chat with hundreds and never go on a date. Set some time limits and don’t let yourself chat with people with no discernible goal in sight. Dating apps are for dating, which means that at some point you’re going to have to meet this person face to face. It’s also important to prevent your dating app use to intrude on your day to day life. Avoid using the app while working or when doing something you normally enjoy. If you need some help in keeping track of your app use, enable your smartphone time management feature. This tool will limit your time on the app, setting up a fixed amount of minutes per day that block the app once you’ve been there for too long.

Use the chat option to take pressure off the first date

One of the best parts about dating apps is the fact that you can get to know the person you’ll be meeting before a face to face encounter. Take advantage of all chatting and text messaging by taking your time to come up with questions and answers without having the pressure of a stranger waiting for the perfect response. But a warning, don’t go too long just chatting, it can set unrealistic expectations when you do finally meet in person.

Take breaks

Breaks are very helpful for all sorts of dating app users. While dating around and chatting with people can be very fun, rejection is also almost always part of the equation. Know this might happen at any moment and you might spend weeks swiping around without having a match. Take a break and then jump back in.

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comfort food

Does Comfort Food Actually Help

Published

1 hour ago

March 31, 2025

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When sick or sad, people gravitate to comfort food – but does it make a difference?

Everyone gets down, stressed or just in a mood, and a number of people wants something to make them feel good. Comfort food is a go to indulgence which lifts the spirts. In North America, some top comfort foods include pot roast, lasagna, chocolate, ice cream and cookies….around the world it includes rice, yogurt, pizza, ramen, and boeuf bourguignon. It is an excuse to enjoy favorite flavors, but does comfort food actually help?

The answer is nuanced, as comfort foods can provide both emotional relief and potential drawbacks depending on the individual and circumstances. Comfort food has been shown to improve mood temporarily, especially for emotional eaters. Studies suggest that the palatability of food plays a significant role in mood enhancement, with tastier foods providing greater comfort during moments of sadness or stress. Emotional eaters often experience satisfaction and mood improvement after consuming comfort food, while non-emotional eaters may not derive the same benefit, particularly under stress. Additionally, comfort foods can evoke nostalgia and positive memories, acting as social surrogates that remind individuals of meaningful connections and moments of belonging.

vanilla flavor ice cream with chocolate syrup

From a physiological perspective, consuming sweet and fatty comfort foods can release dopamine and serotonin, chemicals linked to pleasure and mood elevation. This process can dampen stress responses in the body by reducing cortisol levels and activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, these effects are often short-lived and may lead to unhealthy eating habits if relied upon excessively.

While comfort foods can provide immediate emotional relief, they may also contribute to negative health outcomes if consumed excessively. High-calorie comfort foods rich in sugar and fat are associated with weight gain, metabolic risks, and increased likelihood of depression over time. This creates a feedback loop where individuals turn to unhealthy food to combat stress but experience worsening mental health as a result.

Interestingly, studies show that healthy alternatives like fruits and vegetables can offer similar mood-boosting benefits without the health risks associated with traditional comfort foods. Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids or dark chocolate in moderation can also enhance mood while supporting overall health. Social aspects of eating—such as sharing meals with loved ones—can amplify the emotional benefits of food without overindulgence.

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Cannabis

This State’s Cannabis Revenue Keeps Pouring In

Published

6 hours ago

March 31, 2025

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States are starting to scramble with looming budget deficients, but marijuana is a boon to some – especially one state.

The new federal administration is revamping how the government operates. With Doge, they are changing agencies and reducing services and support of states, which has left budget deficients in many. But some states have legal marijana and it has been a boon, for like alcohol…people are still consuming. States who are fully legal are making more money on weed than booze and this state’s cannabis revenue keeps pouring in. Missouri, the show me state, is being shown unexpected revenue.

RELATED: Mike Johnson And Marijuana

“Due to a strong cannabis market and effective, efficient regulation of that market,” Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, told The Independent this week, “the funds available for the ultimate beneficiaries of the cannabis regulatory program continue to outpace expectations.”

Funds will help veterans and other key projects. The other benefit is as seen in data from legal states, teen use is down so it frees up some other funds. Legal states are seeing benefits from legal cannabis including lower teen use and crime reduction.

States with legal cannabis are experiencing a significant boost in tax revenue, surpassing those generated by alcohol sales. This trend highlights the economic benefits of marijuana legalization, as cannabis markets expand and mature.

In California, cannabis excise taxes have consistently outperformed alcohol-related taxes, bringing in over double the revenue. Colorado has seen even more striking results, with marijuana tax revenues totaling seven times those of alcohol. Similarly, Massachusetts has collected more tax revenue from marijuana than alcohol since fiscal year 2021, marking a notable shift in state finances.

Nationally, legal cannabis states generated nearly $3 billion in excise taxes on marijuana in 2021—20% more than alcohol taxes. By 2024, total adult-use cannabis tax revenue exceeded $20 billion, with states like Illinois and Washington reporting record-breaking contributions. Illinois alone collected $451.9 million from cannabis taxes in fiscal year 2022—one-and-a-half times the revenue from alcohol.

The funds are being put to good use. States like Illinois are channeling marijuana tax dollars into mental health services and community programs, while Colorado has invested nearly $500 million into public education. California has allocated millions to nonprofits addressing the impacts of the war on drugs.

This growing revenue stream underscores the potential of cannabis legalization to support vital public services and bolster state economies. As more states embrace regulated marijuana markets, the financial benefits are expected to continue flourishing.

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Cannabis

Mixed Messages From The Feds About Cannabis

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

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The federal administration is all over the board around fed cannabis policy…and millions of patients are worried.

The industry employees over 440,000 workers at all lives and is driven in a large part by mom and pop businesses. Millions use medical marijuana for health issues ranging from chronic pain to sleep. But there are mixed messages from the feds about cannabis, and people are very worried. The federal government’s stance on marijuana has become increasingly complex, as recent developments show conflicting approaches to the drug’s potential benefits and risks. On one hand, there’s a push for research into medical marijuana for veterans, while on the other, a campaign against cannabis use is being launched.

The juxtaposition of initiatives highlights the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy. While some departments are exploring the potential benefits of cannabis, others are actively working to discourage its use. This dichotomy is further exemplified by ongoing legislative efforts. For instance, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) has reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where it’s legal. Meanwhile, documents from an ongoing lawsuit suggest that the DEA may have weighted the marijuana rescheduling process to ensure rejection of moving the drug from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated nearly $10 million in funding for research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA for active-duty military members. This initiative, driven by congressional efforts, aims to explore MDMA’s effectiveness in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) expressed pride in this development, stating that it could be a “game-changer” for service members battling these combat-related injuries.

Additionally, a bipartisan effort in Congress has been pushing for VA research on medical marijuana for PTSD and other conditions affecting veterans. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, introduced in both the Senate and House, would mandate studies on how cannabis affects the use of addictive medications and impacts various health outcomes for veterans.

In stark contrast to these research initiatives, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has partnered with an anti-cannabis nonprofit to launch a social media campaign targeting young people. The campaign, set to run ahead of April 20 (4/20), aims to “flood” Instagram with anti-cannabis content. The DEA is offering monetary incentives to students for creating and posting anti-THC videos, with payments ranging from $25 to $50 depending on the type of content produced.

This approach has raised eyebrows, as it seems to contradict the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana across the United States. Critics argue that such campaigns may be out of touch with current societal trends and scientific understanding of cannabis.

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