An emotional red flag is a warning sign or indicator that something in your emotional state, behavior, or thought patterns may require attention. These signals often suggest you're experiencing distress, discomfort, or unhealthy emotional responses that could lead to bigger issues if not addressed. Emotional red flags serve as cues for self-awareness and an opportunity to reflect on what’s happening inside your mind. Let’s find out the characteristics of emotional red flags and ways to recognize those in your behaviors.  Key Characteristics of Emotional Red Flags . Sudden Emotional Changes Sudden emotional changes refer to rapid or unexpected shifts in a person’s emotional state. These changes can happen quickly, often without clear reasons, and may involve moving from one emotion to another, such as feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or sad without a clear reason. These emotional fluctuations can be mild or intense and may occur due to various factors, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, mental health conditions, trauma, sleep deprivation, certain medications, etc. Read more: How to Teach Students to Accept and Overcome Academic Failures Recurrent Negative Thought Patterns Recurrent negative thought patterns refer to repetitive, often automatic, and persistent thoughts that focus on pessimistic or self-critical ideas. These patterns can be distressing and are typically negative, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness. They often become habitual, meaning the person regularly experiences them without actively trying to and can affect mental well-being and behavior. Common types of recurrent negative thought patterns include:  - Constant Self-criticism: Harshly judging oneself, often engaging in self-blame or feelings of inadequacy.- Overthinking- Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst possible outcome.- Overgeneralization: Making broad, sweeping conclusions based on a single event or piece of evidence.- Black-and-white Thinking: Viewing situations in extremes, with no middle ground or shades of gray.- Negative Mental Filtering: Focusing only on the negative aspects of a situation and ignoring any positive ones.- Personalization: Blaming oneself for things outside of one’s control, or assuming responsibility for others’ actions or feelings.- Should Statements: Having rigid, unrealistic expectations about oneself or others, often leads to feelings of guilt or frustration when they aren't met.- Emotional Reasoning: Believing that negative emotions reflect objective reality.- Discounting the Positive: Downplaying or dismissing any positive feedback or accomplishments.- Mind Reading: Believing you know what others are thinking, often assuming they have negative thoughts about you. Read more: Why are Suicide Rates Higher Among Men? Avoidance Behaviors Avoidance behavior refers to actions or strategies people use to prevent facing situations, tasks, or thoughts that make them feel anxious, uncomfortable, or stressed. This behavior is a coping mechanism that temporarily alleviates discomfort but can reinforce negative feelings or create long-term problems.  Essentially, avoidance serves as a way to escape or avoid an unpleasant emotional state, but it doesn't resolve the underlying issue. Over time, avoidance can become a habitual response, which can increase the severity of the problems it was meant to avoid. Uncharacteristic Reactions Uncharacteristic reactions refer to responses or behaviors that are unusual, unexpected, or not typical of how a person usually behaves or reacts in a particular situation, like overreacting to minor issues or withdrawing completely from social interactions. These reactions often differ from an individual’s usual patterns of behavior, emotional responses, or coping mechanisms.  Read more: Good Stress: What Are the Benefits of Eustress? Uncharacteristic reactions can be triggered by various factors, including stress, trauma, illness, or emotional disturbances, and may represent a deviation from someone's normal ways of thinking, feeling, or acting. Recognizing these signs allows you to pause, reflect, and take action to manage your emotions before they escalate into more significant problems. Ways to Recognise Your Emotional Red Flags Recognizing your emotional red flags is an essential step in maintaining emotional well-being and healthy relationships. Here’s a guide to help you identify them: Track Repetitive Thoughts Are you replaying the same negative or traumatic past experiences inside your mind again and again? Look for recurring negative thought patterns, such as Self-criticism, Catastrophizing, Blaming others, feeling victimized, etc. Read more: 10 Ways to Ensure Emotional Well-being during Pregnancy Monitor Changes in Behavior Look into your actions. Notice when you start behaving differently, for example avoiding people or situations, overeating or undereating, losing motivation for tasks or hobbies you usually enjoy, etc. Reflect on Past Experiences Think about situations where you felt emotionally overwhelmed like extreme anger, panicking, grief, anxiety, joy, happiness, numbness, etc. over minor issues. What were the signs leading up to those overreacting or overwhelming moments? Notice Emotional Outbursts Reflect on moments when your emotions feel overwhelming, leading to sudden anger or irritability, crying unexpectedly, feeling numb or shutting down, etc.  Read more: Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention Identify Triggers  Analyze your emotional outbursts to find the triggers. Try to recognize situations or interactions that consistently cause negative emotions inside your mind, such as certain people or environments, specific words or tones of voice, high-pressure situations, etc. Keep a Journal Write down your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Over time, patterns may emerge, making it easier to pinpoint what sets off your emotional red flags.  You can maintain a paper or digital journal based on your preference. Nowadays, diverse free and paid journaling apps are found on Android and iOS. Read more: Micro-acts of Joy: Secret to Being Happier and Healthier? Ask for Feedback Sometimes, those close to you may notice red flags you don’t. Ask trusted friends or family members if they observe any changes in your mood or behavior. It will help you recognize your mental issues before they get worse.  Track Physical Symptoms of Emotions Emotions often trigger physical reactions. Notice if you experience: Increased heart rate, Tightness in the chest, Clenched fists or jaw, Feeling drained or restless, etc. These symptoms can indicate heightened emotional states like anger, anxiety, or fear. To cope with the physical symptoms linked to emotions, consider strategies such as meditation, yoga, regular exercise, mindfulness, therapy, etc. Read more: How to Spend the Weekend in a Creative Way Conclusion Emotional red flags are early warning signs that indicate you may be headed toward emotional distress or unhealthy behaviors. These signals often manifest in patterns of thought, feelings, or actions. Recognizing emotional red flags, you can understand the triggers and reasons for your sudden emotional outbursts, negative thought patterns, avoidance behavior, uncharacteristic attitudes, etc. Understanding the link between emotions and physical symptoms can help you better manage both mental and physical health. However, identifying your emotional red flags isn’t about self-judgment but about understanding yourself better. Treat yourself with kindness as you work through your emotions. By becoming more attuned to your emotional red flags, you can take proactive steps to manage them and maintain emotional balance. Overall, this process can help you move toward the path of healing through mental health support, counseling, self-compassion, etc. Read more: How to Enjoy Your Own Company: Tips to Overcome Loneliness

Play is not just a fun pastime for kids; it is essential for their overall development. Through play, children explore the world around them, experiment with ideas, and build crucial skills that will set them up for success in life. This comprehensive guide delves into the multifaceted benefits of play for a child's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Cognitive Development Enhancing Creativity Play stimulates a child's imagination, allowing them to explore new ideas and scenarios. Activities like building with blocks or creating stories foster creativity by encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. In this way, young children develop social skills, learn to express emotions, and build confidence. These experiences provide a safe space for experimenting and learning, laying the foundation for innovative thinking and cognitive growth throughout their lives. Problem-Solving Skills Through play, kids encounter challenges that require problem-solving. Engaging with puzzles, board games, and make-believe scenarios helps develop their critical thinking skills and ability to find solutions. Read more: How to Teach Students to Accept and Overcome Academic Failures These activities also teach patience, persistence, and adaptability. Additionally, play enhances memory and cognitive flexibility, allowing children to approach problems from various angles. This hands-on learning prepares them for real-life situations, fostering resilience and a proactive mindset. Language Development Engaging in play, especially with peers, encourages young children to communicate effectively. They learn new words, sentence structures, and conversational skills, enhancing their language abilities. Play also teaches kids to listen, share ideas, and negotiate, which are crucial for social interaction. Through storytelling, role-playing, and collaborative games, a child can expand their vocabulary and understanding of language nuances, building a strong foundation for future communication and literacy skills. Boosting Memory and Attention Span Games that require concentration and recall, such as memory cards, help improve a child's memory and attention span. These activities challenge young children to remember patterns, sequences, or instructions, thereby enhancing their cognitive abilities. Read more: Sibling Bullying and Abuse: Reasons, Types, Signs and Prevention Engaging in such games, kids learn to focus for extended periods, sharpen their observation skills, and develop strategies for retention. This mental exercise supports academic learning and promotes effective learning habits and problem-solving skills.

Albert Einstein has said, “Failure is success in progress”. Failure is an inevitable aspect of life; accepting and overcoming failure is a vital skill for success. Nurturing resilience in students is just as important as imparting academic knowledge. Parents and schools need to prepare students to navigate setbacks effectively. This guide explores effective strategies for instilling resilience in students and helping them embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.  Should Parents and Schools Teach Students How to Accept Failure? Teaching students how to accept failure in exams is crucial for their emotional resilience, academic success, and overall development. By embracing failure, students learn resilience, bouncing back from setbacks stronger and more determined.  Failure is a natural part of learning, providing valuable lessons and experiences that contribute to personal growth. Accepting failure reduces fear, empowering students to take risks and pursue their goals without inhibition. It also prepares them for real-life challenges, where setbacks are inevitable.  Read more: Why are Suicide Rates Higher Among Men? Embracing failure promotes a growth mindset, where students view challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than insurmountable obstacles. Parents and schools play vital roles in teaching students to accept failure and providing support, guidance, and structured environments for learning and growth.  Together, parents and teachers can equip students with the coping skills necessary to navigate setbacks and challenges throughout their lives. Ultimately, teaching students how to accept failure instills invaluable life skills essential for success in academic and personal endeavours.  How to Teach Students to Accept and Overcome Failure Avoid Criticism  Students should be taught that failure in exams is not the end of life. Criticism can destroy the self-confidence of students and make them vulnerable to self-harm.  Instead of criticising their poor grades, parents and teachers can focus on ways of improvement. By holding a positive attitude towards challenges, academic failures can be turned into success.  Read more: Parenting a Teenager? 10 Tips to be Their Best Friend Move Forward  Students should be encouraged to accept their poor academic performances and move forward. Thus, they can foster long-term perseverance and adaptability against unwanted incidents like failure. Introducing setbacks to students as stepping stones for future success is important. Parents and educators can turn failure into a springboard for students to become more resilient and resourceful learners. 

Suicide is a tragic and complex phenomenon that affects individuals and communities worldwide. Mental health negligence, particularly concerning men, has become a pressing concern. Despite increasing awareness of mental health issues, men often face unique challenges that make them more vulnerable to suicide. This article delves into the various factors contributing to this troubling trend. Global and Local Statistics of Suicide: Male vs Female Females, especially those under 25, exhibit higher rates of non-fatal suicidal behaviour and suicidal ideation, and attempt suicide more frequently. But, in reality, males have a significantly higher rate of completing suicide than females. This phenomenon is commonly known as the gender paradox in suicide. Around the world, more men than women die by suicide. According to Wikipedia, in 2008 and 2015, the number of male suicides was about 1.8 to 1.7 times higher than female suicides globally. In Western countries, men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide compared to women. In 2015,  around two-thirds of global suicide deaths (representing about 1.5% of total deaths) were among men. Data from The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in the USA for 2016 revealed that for every female suicide, there were about 3.5 male suicides. However, in China, the rates of suicide between men and women were almost the same. The male vs female suicide ratio is 9.1:10.3. Read more: Good Stress: What Are the Benefits of Eustress? In 2019, the rate of suicide deaths among males was over 3.5 times higher than that among females. By 2021, this disproportionate rate increased to over 3.9 times higher.  According to the CDC, in the USA, men experienced a suicide rate four times higher than that of women in 2021-2022.  In Bangladesh, the scenario is quite the same – more men than women commit suicide here. In 2017, there were over 11,000 recorded suicides. The average age for male suicide victims was about 28.86 years, while for females, it was about 25.31 years old. In 2019, 3.70 people took their own lives out of every 100,000 people in Bangladesh. The male suicide rate was 5.70 while the number is 1.70 for females. Also, the police records indicate a rising trend in suicides over the years. At the same time, psychologists estimate that around 11,000 people end their lives annually in Bangladesh. Read more: Students with Depression: Tips for Parents and Educators

Nowadays everyone is talking about the goal to get a stress-free life. Stress is a familiar term in today's busy world. We often associate it with negative effects on our mental and physical health. But actually, not all stress is detrimental. There is a positive side to moderate stress. This is known as good stress and this can be beneficial for us. What is Positive Stress or Eustress? Good stress, known as eustress, is the kind of stress that makes people feel excited and motivated. It is like a little challenge that helps one do one’s best.  Eustress can encourage an individual to try a new hobby, learn a new language or skill, and even step outside one’s comfort zone. For instance, a school student, Mina, had to participate in a spelling competition. She felt a bit nervous but also eager to do her best. The stress motivated her to study hard and concentrate. During the competition, her heart was racing, but she remembered the words and won! The good stress she felt had pushed her to succeed. Another example, giving a speech at a seminar might make an individual nervous, but it is also exciting for him or her.  This mix of feelings is good stress or eustress. It pushes people to prepare and focus. Read more: Students with Depression: Tips for Parents and Educators Difference between Good Stress and Bad Stress Good stress, like starting a new job or preparing for a race, is like a little push that makes you excited. It helps you to focus and do your best. It is like a friend cheering you on! Bad stress, on the other hand, is like a big heavy weight on one’s shoulders. It is when things feel tough and overwhelming, like money troubles, anxiety regarding academic performance or worrying about career issues, etc. Such stresses are also called negative stress or distress. Distress can make one feel tired and worried all the time. Therefore, the difference between good stress and bad stress is obvious. Eustress is like a friendly nudge that helps you, while distress is like a big rock that's hard to carry. It is important to manage bad stress, maybe by talking to someone, getting counselling, finding ways to relax, doing yoga, or similar stress-relieving activities. It should be ensured that negative stress does not weigh anyone down too much. Read more: 10 Ways to Ensure Emotional Well-being during Pregnancy

Depression among students is a critical issue that demands urgent attention. The gravity of this problem magnifies the alarming rise in dropouts from colleges, study breaks, drug addictions, even suicidal attempts among students. As parents and educators, it is essential to be proactive in addressing this crisis through understanding, support, and guidance. Let’s take a look into how to prevent depression in students. Common Reasons for Depression among Students  Depression among students can be attributed to various factors, and understanding these reasons is the first step in prevention. Here are some common causes: - High expectations and academic stress can lead to feelings of hopelessness - Loneliness and a lack of social support can make students vulnerable to depression and suicidal thoughts - Bullying, whether in person or online, can devastate a student's mental health - Drug or alcohol abuse can exacerbate depression and increase the risk of suicide - Relationship problems can be a major source of stress and anxiety for students - Conflict with their parents, siblings, or friends can make them isolated and alone - Economic constraints and worries about the future can take a toll on a student's mental health - Traumatic events during childhood, like physical or emotional abuse or loss of a parent increase the risk of depression - Mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder can trigger depression - Having certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical, or pessimistic is a reason for depression.  Read more: Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents

During pregnancy, your emotional well-being is as crucial as caring for your physical health. During pregnancy, everything you experience, such as ambient sounds, the air you breathe, the food you consume, and your emotional state, can impact your baby.  Being Emotionally Well through these 10 Ways during Pregnancy   It is important for all mothers-to-be to pay attention to their mental health and well-being. There are numerous strategies you can employ to effectively manage your emotional well-being throughout pregnancy. Here are 10 things you can do to ensure your wellness.  Quality Time with Yourself  Engage in activities that bring you joy and are solely for your own pleasure. Find things that make you feel calm, such as taking a soothing bath and gently massaging your belly, or enjoying the calmness of nature.  Consider keeping a journal to write down the experiences you go through, like the moment you got the good news, the first time you felt your baby kick, your emotional ups and downs, and your plans. These memories can be treasured by you and your baby throughout your lifetime.  read more: Best foods for expecting mothers Stay Active  Exercise plays a crucial role during pregnancy for both the mother and the baby. It releases endorphins to lift your mood. It also reduces back pain and swelling, stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes better sleep, and prepares for labor. Additionally, exercise aids in postpartum recovery.  Over all, exercise leaves you feeling rejuvenated, strong, and happy. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider for personalised guidance on safe and suitable exercises during pregnancy. Get Adequate  Exhaustion and discomfort are quite common during pregnancy. Feeling cheerful can be challenging when you are tired and uncomfortable, which is why it's important to prioritise rest whenever possible. Rest works like magic during pregnancy to promote physical comfort, hormonal balance, and emotional well-being.  Proper relaxation allows the body to recover and conserve energy, supports optimal blood flow to the baby, reduces physical strain, and alleviates pregnancy discomforts. Nevertheless, the need for sleep or a resting period may vary from person to person. Read more: How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy Therefore, it's important for an expecting mother to listen to her body and consult with a healthcare provider for personalised guidance on finding the right balance between activity and rest. Getting sound and adequate sleep can be a game changer for your well-being during pregnancy.  Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle Your lifestyle affects you and your baby. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is essential for both the would-be mother and the baby. A healthy lifestyle ensures that the mother receives the necessary nutrients to support the growth and development of the baby, reducing the risk of complications.  It helps manage weight gain within recommended limits and lowers the chances of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Healthy eating habits provide essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients required for the baby's healthy development. They also promote maternal health, boost energy levels, and improve overall mood and well-being. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and mindful eating, pregnant mothers can lay a strong foundation for their own health and that of their precious little ones. Read more: Postpartum Depression, Mood Swings: How can new moms deal with these issues? Treat Others Kindly Being kind to others during pregnancy is important, as it creates a positive and supportive environment for both the mother and her unborn child. Kindness promotes emotional well-being, reduces stress, and fosters healthy relationships. It shows empathy and understanding, enhancing communication and support networks.  When treated kindly, the mother feels supported and valued, leading to improved mental and physical health. Moreover, practising kindness fosters a nurturing and compassionate atmosphere from the start. By choosing to behave kindly, a pregnant mother contributes to a harmonious and uplifting experience for everyone related to her journey of pregnancy. Connect with Your Baby Creating a deep connection with the baby during pregnancy is a heavenly bonding experience. As your baby grows inside you, a special bond forms between you and your little one. Mothers can connect by gently caressing their growing bump, talking to the baby, and connecting with them through their breath.  Read more: Postpartum Weight Loss: How to lose baby weight fast after pregnancy

While anxiety is often regarded to be a high-energy condition, depression is supposed to be a low-energy state. Discomfort anxiety and depression are more connected than most people realize. Individuals who have anxious distress in addition to depression may be at an increased risk of suicide or need more intense therapy, making it critical to recognize these symptoms in addition to the sadness. Above all, it is critical to remember to refer a patient to a doctor or mental health expert to see if his or her symptoms match the criteria for a depressive or anxiety illness. What is Discomfort Anxiety? Each human being is affected by this bad energy, which is continually whimpering within our heads and preventing us from living a successful, responsible life. Anxiety about discomfort is not even near to depression. It is just a bee buzzing around within our heads, seeking immediate satisfaction in order to prevent delayed gratification. Refusing immediate reward from alleviating our pain worry does not imply that we are denying ourselves pleasure. We must manage our priorities while also being far-sighted about what will genuinely make us successful in the long term. Being successful is not a certain outcome; rather, it is a way of life that promotes satisfaction. Read Suicide Prevention: How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts? How to Prevent Discomfort Anxiety Confronting Every Fear You cannot overcome the dread of doing something by refusing to do it. Oftentimes, those who struggle to get out of their comfort zone do not acquire communication skills. They are always attempting to avoid awkward, uncomfortable contact with strangers. Turning down significant possibilities only due to your concern has immobilized every good energy inside you. Therefore, it is critical that you push yourself to the limit and face your concerns.  Keeping Persistent Attitude Man can’t conquer his phobias in a single day or with a single try. You should bear in mind that little droplets of water that continue to fall create a hole in the rock. Join a small circle to explore your creativity, become involved in groups, work with teams, and eventually lead any team. Eliminate each of your unresponsiveness. Read Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents